The "Best" Way to Clean a Chain? I beg to differ!

[Xhumeka]

So I read this post in the thumpertalk forums a couple years ago:

there is only one way to properly clean a chain. I'm not sure where I learned this method, but I'll bet more than a couple of guys on this forum have done it. It was developed 40 years or so ago and works even better in this day and age because our power tools have become much more sophisticated. Here's how it worked:
First you took the chain off of the bike and then put the master link back in connecting the chain back together. Next you found your Dad's electric drill. Then you located an old countersprocket, ran a bolt thru it and put the threaded part of the bolt into the electric drill. This connected the countersprocket to the drill. Next you laid the drill on a table with the countersprocket sticking out over the edge of the table, and draped the chain over the countersprocket. The chain now hung along the table and almost touched the ground if you had the height right. You placed a pan of your favorite 'cleaner' in just the right spot so that your chain dangled into the cleaner. If you did it just right, when you pulled the trigger on the drill, the chain would run down into the cleaner, makes it's turn in the cleaner and come back up to the countersprocket.
Back in the old days, Dad had a one speed drill and it only took about 1 second to drain the pan of cleaner and throw it all over the ceiling of the garage. Todays drills are much better.
If you aren't using this method for cleaning your chain, then you simply aren't doing it right. There is no other acceptable way.

Ever since reading that post, I've always wanted to try that method... so last night I gave it a shot. Here's a quick video of my attempt:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PP3XR8rTWkU

Both chains I tried it with were badly kinked and should be thrown out. The kinks made it hard to get the drill going much faster than you see in the picture, but either way I think this method is kind of a waste of time. Didn't work very well if you ask me.

Has anyone else used this method before??

[fabiodriven]

If this method was developed 40 years ago then they probably weren't doing it with an o-ring chain. A regular chain wouldn't bind up like that. And no, I've never cleaned my chains like that.

[Dirtcrasher]

If a chain is nasty, I put it in a large pan filled up an inch with gas. I use a stiff wire brush for 5 minutes and it's clean.

What I DO LIKE, is the suggestion that you clean and lube the chain AFTER the ride when the chain is warm. Unfortunately were all tired at that point, err, uhmm, us older guys are tired.........

What I find amusing is that my chain has ONLY fallen off after I lubed it!!! Seems like once it's all flowing freely, you had better have that 1 - 1.250" slack in the center AND at the loosest point and there certainly IS a loosest point somewhere within that chain!

I have a good quality set and they already have about 4 years on them and I do ride, not every day, but fairly often......

I tried to break in TANKS 350X 60$ chain and sprocket EBAY special (after I got done scolding him ) we didn't stretch it much because he's not much of a jumper. Thats fine but the next time he gets it here I'LL STRETCH THAT PUPPY!!!!!!!!!

CYA guys, I gotta go finish the track............................................. ................................

[Grizzlypeg]

Old (english) books talk of soaking it in petrol or kerosine, then heating up a pan of grease until it is liquid, soaking the chain in it, and then letting it drip free of excess grease.

[rdlsz24]

Just don't clean it like that one guy whose pics were posted on here where he got his fingers caught in the chain/sprocket as it was spinning!

Rob

[oldskool83]

i wd 40 mine after each ride, i stop using chain lube, all it wants to do is get dirty fast. i got this tip from somone who use to race...its works well.

[Grizzlypeg]

If you have an o ring or x ring chain, is it permanently lubricated? Is the chain lube then just for keeping the chain rust free? How does spray on lube penetrate the O or X ring?

[bonkers_200s]

I have to be honest that sounds like royal pain in the arse.

[shogun250]

Seems a good old wire brush works fine for me. Never had any problems. Cool video tho.

[Mr_RPM]

and why not just set the whole chain in a tub of your "favorite cleaner" and letting it soak for a few? then a light scrub

[beets442]

Just don't clean it like that one guy whose pics were posted on here where he got his fingers caught in the chain/sprocket as it was spinning!

Rob

+1.... My brother did that in 76' on an XR75. Never have cleaned a chain since.
GET A NEW ONE!!!!!Beets

[200XMichigan]

If you use a good quality lube you won't get much build up before its stretched and time for a new chain. Some of the wax chain lubes create build up but good lubes shouldn't really build up much of anything. I'm glad for 40 years of technology separating me from that method of chain cleaning. Honestly they had air compressors 40 years ago so even then it was outdated.

[sblt500r]

i use a grundge brush. has 3 sides of nylon bristles. cleans real good. i do it right on the bike. just don't use it on gold or colored chains, takes the color right off!

[Texas 200x]

Sounds like a lot of work for nothing. Are we restoring and saving old stiff rotten chains or lubing working ones? I soaked stiff nasties in a pan of oil then stuck them back on the trike (still stiff) and spun the tires by hand to work the stiffness and the kinks out of them. For chains that I've been riding on I spray them off with the hose after riding (mostly in the sand) and hit with wd-40. I've never had a problem.

[nd4speed]

I buy another cheap plain chain for like $22