How Do I Clean My Motorcycle Chain? Fast & Easy Steps

Want to quickly and safely to clean the motorcycle chain, in fact, is not complicated. All you need to do is use the frame to lift the rear wheel overhead, directly spray some cleaning agent (such as kerosene) that does not damage the O-ring on the chain, then brush off the dirt with a three-sided chain brush, wipe it thoroughly with car paper or towel, and finally apply new chain oil to the inside of the roller. Many people are afraid of damaging expensive accessories and will search tutorials online. As a result, they often find 1 piles of extremely complicated maintenance manuals or contradictory suggestions in forums. The more they look at them, the more confused they become. In the past few years, I have been doing in-depth washing of track motorcycles, and I have figured out a set of “silly” ten-minute methods. This method will not only never hurt the internal sealing ring, can prevent dangerous oil from being thrown onto the rear tire, but also ensures that you can ride on the road immediately after washing.

10 Minute C.S.L. Cleaning Rules: Fast and Easy Chain Cleaning

In ten minutes, plus a little methodical steps, you can safely rip off the road dirt from those worn parts of the drivetrain. The C.S.L. rules I ‘ve summarized-that is, Clear, Scrub and Lubricate-are designed for novices. Even if you don’t have professional garage equipment, you can maintain your car impeccably.

Clean Up (Cardboard Dafa)

The most critical part of the preparation is not to let those slippery chemical spray splash on the rear tire. First, support the car with the rear frame so that the rear wheels can rotate freely. Then find a piece of waste cardboard and stick it vertically between the lower half of the chain and the rear rim. This self-made baffle can perfectly catch all dripping dirty water and excess cleaning agent, otherwise if the tire tread is stained with oil, you will easily fall off the car next time you ride out.

The Second Step: Brushing (Three Sides)

Brush the chain is exquisite, the direction must be right, so as to push the dirty things out, rather than into the internal rubber sealing ring. First, spray the cleaning agent that does not damage the O-ring on the small half of the chain. Then hold the chain by swiping the card on three sides and turn the rear wheel back by hand. The hard bristles of the brush will take away the top, bottom and sides of the chain. After brushing, find a clean microfiber cloth or the kind of thick car paper, hold the chain tightly, turn the wheel again, and wipe the black mud thoroughly.

Lubrication (“Hot Chain” Rule)

Remember, be sure to oil the chain when it is hot, and never do it when it is cold. After drying all the cleaning agent on the chain, ride around the block for about 5 minutes. The friction will heat up the steel roller, and when the metal expands slightly, the newly sprayed lubricating oil can penetrate deeply into the pin shaft. When spraying chain wax or lubricating oil, only spray it on the inner side of the lower chain-in this way, the centrifugal force when you ride a bike will throw the oil out into the gap of the chain instead of pasting the whole car shell.

Measured data: safe cleaning agent VS strong solvent

If the potion is used incorrectly, it will directly destroy (or even melt) the rubber X-ring or O-ring in your modern motorcycle chain. In order to measure the destructive power of these chemicals, I took three common solvents in garages and soaked standard NBR rubber motorcycle chain O-rings in them for 48 hours to measure their destructive expansion effect.

The data results in front of us: strong drugs like brake cleaner or carburetor cleaner can destroy the structural strength of the chain in minutes. These irritating solvents will swell and crack the rubber ring, leaking all the grease sealed in the pin shaft, and then your $150 chain will have to be scrapped in advance. Therefore, the old honest practical kerosene or special motorcycle chain cleaning agent.

Veteran’s Guide to Avoid Pits: 3 Mistakes You Never Make in Chain Washing

Broken Finger Trap: Start Engine To Wash Chain

Hanging the 1 gear and starting the car to wash the chain will really cut off your fingers. In order to save trouble, many Xiaobai use the frame to support the car, directly ignite and shift the gear to let the rear wheel turn by itself, and then rub a rag on the rotating chain. Listen, the back tray will, in the blink of an eye, roll the rag into the metal teeth along with your fingers. Always remember: wash the chain must be turned off, all by your hand to turn the rear wheel.

The Deification Of Ordinary WD-40

The most common version of the ordinary version of the WD-40, which is essentially a 1 used to dissolve the original oil penetrating solvent, is not a long-lasting lubricant at all. If you use the WD-40 of that blue can to lubricate the chain, it will peel off the thick protective film that your car needs to deal with high-speed friction. You can buy a special “WD-40 motorcycle chain lubricant”, but at the end of the oil, never touch the multi-purpose ordinary formula.

The Disaster Caused By The High-Pressure Water Gun

Flush the chain with a high-pressure water gun, and the water will break through the defense line of the rubber sealing ring, causing the steel pin to rust from the inside out. The water pressure generated by the high-pressure nozzle is so great that the small O-rings that were used to prevent water simply cannot be carried. When flushing the transmission system, just use a low-pressure garden hose, or just take a watering can to deal with it.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How Long Should A Motorcycle Chain Be Washed?

If you usually ride on ordinary streets, you should wash and oil every 500 to 600 miles you run. However, if you have just been caught in a heavy rain, walked through a mud road, or went to a place where dust is flying, you must clean it immediately and don’t let the mud with frosted properties wear away the metal dental plate.

Can I Wash A Motorcycle Chain With Soap?

Soapy water does not effectively break down the thick, sticky grease on the chain. Although the detergent can remove the slight oil slick on the surface, it will leave moisture residue, and the exposed steel will easily produce flash rust. What you need is a petroleum-based solvent like kerosene to cleanly remove the hardened road dirt.

Can Use Wire Brush Motorcycle Chain?

Absolutely not. Modern motorcycle chains are very delicate, and sharp steel wool can easily cut the rubber O-rings or X-rings sandwiched between metal plates. Please be sure to look for car/motorcycle beauty special nylon brush.

How To Wash The Chain Without A Rear Frame?

You can wash it without a frame, that is, you can score a few points. Spray, scrub and dry the exposed lower half of the chain. Then push the motorcycle forward on the ground about two feet to reveal the next dirty chain, and repeat this action until the whole chain is washed.

What Are The Most Suitable Daily Necessities For Washing Motorcycle Chains At Home?

Liquid kerosene is definitely the best, cheapest and safest household liquid used to clean and seal the chain. It can instantly dissolve heavy grease, not only does not hurt the rubber seal ring, but also the paint of the rear rocker arm. You can buy 1 vats of kerosene at any hardware store, which is much cheaper than those spray-type chain cleaners.