francley40 Posted March 31, 2008 Report Share Posted March 31, 2008 Apologies for a subject that must have been covered in the past, but does anyone have a really quick and effective method. Cleaning the chain must be the least fun part of trialsing so I'd like to know the quickest way to get all the crud off and the best lubricant, please. Thanks, in advance, for any advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
t-shock 250 Posted March 31, 2008 Report Share Posted March 31, 2008 Pressure wash very close whilst turning the rear wheel usually. Sometimes soak in tin of white spirit if i'm feeling really anal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimg Posted March 31, 2008 Report Share Posted March 31, 2008 Same as above, but I spray chain on both sides with degreaser, then pressure wash. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scott_king Posted March 31, 2008 Report Share Posted March 31, 2008 pressure wash off all the muck let drip dry for 5-10mins spray on WD40 spray on chain oil in a day or so Well thats what I do and always seem to work, also buy a good quality chain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mort Posted March 31, 2008 Report Share Posted March 31, 2008 i spray with degreaser,then jetwash connected to hot water tap,then into the deep fat fryer filled with chain boiling grease or chainsaw chain oil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gizza5 Posted March 31, 2008 Report Share Posted March 31, 2008 Suppose it depends on what you put on your chain after you wash your bike, because it could be the same stuff you are trying to get off after your days trialing. What I mean is I am not a lover of any of the branded chain lubes as they tend to be greasy and tacky and do the job of sticking to the chain nicely! that means that all the mud and dirt sticks to your chain nicely too so it can be more than hard work to get your chain clean. I have used WD40 for years now with no real problem and no excesive chain/sprocket wear the advantage of this is the chain is really easy to clean and once the bike is washed blow the links out with an air gun and use the WSD40. I use a Renthal R1 chain too best heavy duty non 'o' ring chain on the market in my opinion..................... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lee harris Posted March 31, 2008 Report Share Posted March 31, 2008 take it off, lay in parafin for an hour, scrub with soft brush. Drip dry and then lay it in a can of old motor oil. Drip dry over night. Clean sprockets with degreaser and rag and refit. Us spray lube. 8Alternativly boil when cleaned in chain wax before refitting. Its the only real way of keeping clean and such a chain will last a good season that way, lee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rick1 Posted March 31, 2008 Report Share Posted March 31, 2008 Suppose it depends on what you put on your chain after you wash your bike, because it could be the same stuff you are trying to get off after your days trialing.What I mean is I am not a lover of any of the branded chain lubes as they tend to be greasy and tacky and do the job of sticking to the chain nicely! that means that all the mud and dirt sticks to your chain nicely too so it can be more than hard work to get your chain clean. I have used WD40 for years now with no real problem and no excesive chain/sprocket wear the advantage of this is the chain is really easy to clean and once the bike is washed blow the links out with an air gun and use the WSD40. I use a Renthal R1 chain too best heavy duty non 'o' ring chain on the market in my opinion..................... Exactly what I have done for years and seems to work great and my chain and sprockets last as long as any of my fellow riders. I also don't hesitate to lube between loops during and event. Also I take the chain off before washing the bike. Also does a great hob of keeping your spockets clean. Doesn't have all that sand and grit built up to act like a grinding compound and wear everything down quicker. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
copemech Posted April 1, 2008 Report Share Posted April 1, 2008 Powerwash the helovit and apply WD! It works! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
t-shock 250 Posted April 1, 2008 Report Share Posted April 1, 2008 I like the idea of the WD40, but wouldn't something like GT85 with teflon be even better? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
francley40 Posted April 1, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 1, 2008 Thanks for all the replies. I think I'll give it a go with the pressure washer and WD40. Keep ya feet up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin j Posted April 2, 2008 Report Share Posted April 2, 2008 I must be the lone dissenter-I don't pressure wash the chain as it drives moisture into the pin area, even past orings. Since pin to bushing is the only wear point that matters, it shorteden the chain life a lot for me. I use degreaser, garden hose and brush butr avoid the sideplate ares. mainly, i use oring chain, and wd40 to lube the orings. WD is crappy light for actual pin lubrication. but better that than totally dry on a non 0-ring chain.. I've tried all sorts of tacky lubes and moly lubes and while they work great in clean environments, I think they simiply hold grit and act as abrasive compounds. Found out accidentally when I bought a buddies bike, who never cleaned or lubed it, that running it dry actually works well and saves sprockets better. I do lube the side plates to keep the o-rings pliable and free from sticking to the side plates, and prevent rusting. k Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gasgas4life Posted April 2, 2008 Report Share Posted April 2, 2008 I pressure wash it close then blow out with air gun then sray WD on it then finaly put chain lube on it seems to work well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
copemech Posted April 4, 2008 Report Share Posted April 4, 2008 Found out accidentally when I bought a buddies bike, who never cleaned or lubed it, that running it dry actually works well and saves sprockets better. Another interisting observation that goes along with the WD-40 theory! And all I can say is that it does seem to be well proven by many over the years now, to wear just as well as anything else you can do, no matter how labor intensive! And when it is done, chunk it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrgas Posted April 4, 2008 Report Share Posted April 4, 2008 some interesting points here and time for another newbie question me thinks on my enduro bike (300 gasser) i always had an o-ring chain , my question is does anyone use them on trials bikes or are they simply not needed ? thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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