[ST] Chain Cleaning

[David Earl <dlearl@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

"6) Clean it at least once a year. DID recommend cleaning using paraffin

(kerosene-US?). BTW - forget about fancy chain cleaners - rubber gloves
and
a toothbrush is cheap and effective (but the use of the toothbrush in
your
cake-hole again is not recommended). It's a mucky job, but well worth
it."

After having two chains expire (no, not on the same bike) less than 500
miles after cleaning them with a much recomended alternative to parafin
(us Yanks can't seem to figure out what the hell it is) WD-40, I've
taken to cleaning my chain with a soft stream of water and a toothbrush.
(Acutally I use a small detail brush with a little bit heavier bristles.
That way I keep my chain and my teeth clean!)  I find the water is
plenty to get rid of the dirt and grime, but it doesn't dissolve the
lube, either on the outside or INSIDE of the chain. The problem with WD
is that it is meant to penetrate and dissolve, and it did just that to
the grease on the inside of the o rings, flinging it out for about 100
miles followed by endless stretching (out of spec every 100 miles!)
Needless to say chain was shot.
IMHO If the chain pulls away from the sprocket as you and Keith describe
and it requires more that 1 adjustment every 1Kmiles, it's time for a
new one. And I second the complete replacement theory. If you put a new
chain on worn sprockets, it will just wear out that much faster. BTW
try  http://www.kiernanracing.com/ for a deal on a set.

"0-B) Tell yourself how much better these are than anything in the BMW
range..."

As the owner of several BMW's I can tell you that compared to a fluid
change and paying for someone to lube the drive shaft splines (anually
on some models), spraying a bit of Motul on the chain every couple of
tanks is a snap!
I can buy two chain/sprocket sets for the cost of one spline lube!


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