What's the best stuff to clean your chain with?

[Casper]

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=345397

WD40 and kerosene top the list. Didn't think I'd see WD40 there. Wow. Might have to try it.

[OsuMj]

I usually use WD-40

[Casper]

I usually use WD-40

Always heard wd40 was bad for o-rings. Guess I heard wrong. I'm going to try it tomorrow.

[Howabusa]

WD 40 & a good brush.

[OsuMj]

Always heard wd40 was bad for o-rings. Guess I heard wrong. I'm going to try it tomorrow.

I haven't had any problems yet

[redrocket04]

I don't have a chain. Could I use wd40 to clean my belt, do you suppose?

[ReconRat]

Stoddard solvent and chain brush or old toothbrush. It's what mechanical nerds use on chains.

Oddly, WD-40 is mostly stoddard solvent.

But I've got a can of the straight stuff from Lowe's.

And since you didn't ask, DuPont dry teflon wax spray lube from Ace Hardware or Lowe's.

They changed the formula a bit, so I still prefer the old blue can formula over the new yellow can.

Edited May 16, 2013 by ReconRat

[max power]

Kerosene. There is none higher.

[Helmutt]

Kerosene. There is none higher.

^^ Seconded ^^

[TRMN8TR]

Kerosene. There is none higher.

+1

It's not that WD-40 is bad for the o-ring, but rather it is a penetrant and it breaks down the grease on the chain. Kerosene is oil based and shouldn't do that. Or something sciencey like that.

[ReconRat]

Kerosene is also appropriate for use cleaning chain.

And I've probably used it for cleaning chains a lot more than anything else.

It's ok to remove an old school chain and soak it in kerosene.

[2talltim]

Dosn't WD40 have kerosene in it?

[Casper]

I use chain cleaner from Sweeden on my bikes. I do this while I sip a mocho-frocho latte fat soy with whip cream mocha thingy.

This isn't surprising in the least.

[gixxie750]

To "CLEAN CHAIN" Wd40 rocks. To "LUBE" chain is a diff story.

[TSB67]

I use WD40 to clean anything greasy and grimy. That's about all it's good for. That and maybe temporarily displacing water from things that are prone to rust.

To clean the chain I spray it on a rag and then wipe the chain. Not too concerned about the minimal amount that comes in contact with the o-rings. I say temporarily above because the stuff seems to evaporate after a period of time.

P.S. Actually just looked at the link, good stuff, thanks for posting.

Edited May 16, 2013 by brn6604

[magley64]

I use a pickle...

no, no i dont... I use purple power, while also cleaning the rest of the dirty, greasy underbelly of the bike...

[ZxHooligan]

I use #2 fuel oil aka diesel its a little cheaper than kerosene and works just as good

[magley64]

I use #2 fuel oil aka diesel its a little cheaper than kerosene and works just as good

it's got parrafin in it as well

[ZxHooligan]

Which only starts to congeil when cold I can't start the bike when its less than 40 degrees outside. Never had a problem with it. And your purple power eats seals I only use it for engines

[DAC]

I use chain cleaner from Sweeden on my bikes. I do this while I sip a mocho-frocho latte fat soy with whip cream mocha thingy.

You like dudes, don't you?

[jbot]

i just sell my bike before i have to do any sort of maintenance on it.

[chevysoldier]

I use diesel, kerosene or wd40 sprayed into a cup.My understanding is its the propellant that's bad for the o rings ?

[BDBGoalie]

Works great for me.

[Pokey]

[baptizo]

I've always used WD-40 and a rag to wipe it down, then lube it - no problems as far as I'm concerned.

Edited May 16, 2013 by baptizo