Chains - The Cleaning And Lubing Thereof

Mash100 -

yea - pretty graphic. I don't know why riders insist on starting up their bikes in the hope of making chain maintenance easier, and end up cutting their fingers off.

HP

Mr.Metal wrote:

Kerosene to clean, DuPont Teflon chain lube once the chain dries. 18K miles on my stock DL chain with 0 problems. I expect great life out of my new RK WRR chain as well.

Yep...that's the ticket. Plus, Dupont Teflon Chain Lube won't turn into rubbing compound like some sticky thick products do.

Wal-Mart also handles it under another name...Dupont Teflon Chain Saver.

Kerosene on terry cloth to clean----Any good spray-on dry lube to protect.

***Won't help the chain last much if any longer,*** but will keep it from flash rusting after clean-up, and the residue will briefly help the chain burnish small imperfections where it meshes with the sprocket, without attracting/holding much if any dirt.

***disclaimer***
Mine has D.I.D. X-Ring chain and IronMan sprockets. They are wearing like iron with very little maintenance. Sometimes I believe old school cleaning/heavy lubing actually shortens the life of today's much more durable high end components...

... on the other hand, the stock sprockets and chain are a whole-nuther-ball-of-wax... no pun intended.

Note that the current RK website not to use WD40 or Kerosene on a sealed chain.

Pretty much, I’ll try to post the link.

http://www.rkexcelamerica.com/assets/1461079033a68e02b1b46743bafb1f09a74a0687b3.pdf

Okay they say mineral based cleaners work on sealed chains.. guessing that may include mineral spirits or paint thinner.

You would think so.

I've tried many ways. I'm using used engine oil now. Cheap to reapply. Most of the grime comes off with a couple passes of a soapy sponge and a rinse.

Ideally I'd rock an oiler system. Constant fresh oil, slinging dirt off instead of turning it to grimy crap. Seems that's where it's at.

It's simple, if you want it to last you want it as clean as possible with some lube to protect the outside and mating surfaces. Chain wax is great for the padding, but it's sticky and a pain to clean and reapply. For more street use I'd use it again. It does pad the mating surfaces better than anything else I've tried. Instead of metal on metal, it's metal on wax on metal. Seems like it'd produce less wear, as long as it isn't full of dirt and dust.

Just added an el-cheapo chinese chain oiler: https://banditrider.blogspot.com/2019/06/mouse-lube.html

Not sure how long it will survive...