What's the best way to clean my stock DID chain?

[NacsMXer]

Subject is pretty much self explanatory :o . Ive heard of soaking it in kerosene and Coca Cola but I dont wanna hurt the O-rings. Anybody got any good tricks which are safe for my chain? Thanks very much.
-Chris

[exkid04]

solvent in a solvent tank works good:)

[300exOH]

I use WD-40 and a tooth brush. Works good as a cleaner:devil:

[NacsMXer]

Hmm, thats a pretty good idea, ive used WD40 before to clean my frame and stuff just never thought about using it on the chain. Maybe ill try soaking it in WD40 then scrubbing it seems like it will clean and lube at the same time almost. Thanks for the ideas. :)

[300exOH]

No problem. It works well but I would still recommend using chain lube afterwards

[NacsMXer]

Yeah of course id chain wax it afterwards. Just thought it might help the oil to soak in better.

[Team Outlaw #34]

wd-40 works

[xr50layke]

p51 for chain lube but wd40 eats bearings i hear

[brandonpeake]

i use wd-40 then a nice chain wax for mine, and a tooth brush or something similiar really helps clean it up

[RIDER11X]

Originally posted by xr50layke
p51 for chain lube but wd40 eats bearings i hear

Nope! WD-40 is good stuff for mostly anything.

I know this is supposed to be a big no no, but I spray simple green on mine and pressure wash it, and lube it with Maxima Chain Guard. I just needed to replace my stock chain last fall on my 2001 400ex that I ride nearly every weekend, because it stretched to the point it needed cut, so I put a new set up on. :cool:

[NacsMXer]

Thanks for the replies guys, I too have heard that WD40 dries out the O rings and isnt the best lube to be using. Im just going to clean it up with some WD40 and a brush and then follow it up with a nice coat of good ol' Chain Wax. :o

[miken]

WD40 is a solvent with lubricants added. It will over time dissolve the factory grease sealed within the o-rings as well as dry the o-rings out. I wouldn't use it unless its a worthless chain. DirtWheels and many factory owners manuals recommend kerosene with toothbrush, then apply oil or chain wax, etc.
Mike -

Originally posted by miken
DirtWheels and many factory owners manuals recommend kerosene with toothbrush, then apply oil or chain wax, etc.
Mike - very good way...I just use some white lithium grease & let it soak overnight....I wouldnt use wd40 either but I havent ever seen anyone have problems with it & just heard....

[RIDER11X]

Originally posted by miken
WD40 is a solvent with lubricants added. It will over time dissolve the factory grease sealed within the o-rings as well as dry the o-rings out. I wouldn't use it unless its a worthless chain. DirtWheels and many factory owners manuals recommend kerosene with toothbrush, then apply oil or chain wax, etc.
Mike -

WD40 is a solvent with lubricants added. Hmmmmmmmm..............Kerosene= Solvent................+.......................oil = lubricants.

Sounds like WD-40! Admitedly, it isn't as clingy as chain lube, but I certainly see no evidence of WD-40 hurting anything at all. And chain wax does almost nothing to prevent corrosion at all, and that is a chain's worst enemy. Chain guard is a corrosion preventitive, and works well. No flame intended with this post.;)

[RIDER11X]

Just for kicks, here is an email I recieved about WD-40.

> The product began from a search for a rust preventative solvent and
>de-greaser to protect missile parts. WD-40 was created in 1953 by three
>technicians at the San Diego Rocket Chemical Company. It's name comes
>from the project that was to find a "water displacement" compound. They
>were successful with the fortieth formulation, thus WD-40.
>
>The Corvair Company bought it in bulk to protect their Atlas missile
>parts. The workers were so pleased with the product, they began
>smuggling (also known as "shrinkage" or "stealing") it out to use at
>home. The executives decided there might be a consumer market for it
>and put it in aerosol cans. The rest, as they say, is history.
>
>It is a carefully guarded recipe known only to four people. Only one of
>them is the "brew master." There are about 2.5 million gallons of the
>stuff manufactured each year. It gets it's distinctive smell from a
>fragrance that is added to the brew. Ken East says there is nothing in
>WD-40 that would hurt you.
>
>Here are some of the uses:
>
>Protects silver from tarnishing
>Cleans and lubricates guitar strings
>Gets oil spots off concrete driveways
>Gives floors that 'just-waxed' sheen without making it slippery
>Keeps flies off cows
>Restores and cleans chalkboards
>Removes lipstick stains
>Loosens stubborn zippers
>Untangles jewelry chains
>Removes stains from stainless steel sinks Removes dirt and grime from
>the barbecue grill Keeps ceramic/terra cotta garden pots from oxidizing
>Removes tomato stains from clothing
>Keeps glass shower doors free of water spots Camouflages scratches in
>ceramic and marble floors Keeps scissors working smoothly
>Lubricates noisy door hinges on vehicles and doors in homes
>Gives a children's play gym slide a shine for a super fast slide
>Lubricates gear shift and mower deck lever for ease of handling on
>riding mowers
>Rids rocking chairs and swings of squeaky noises Lubricates tracks in
>sticking home windows and makes them easier to open
>Spraying an umbrella stem makes it easier to open and close
>Restores and cleans padded leather dashboards in vehicles, as well as
>vinyl bumpers
>Restores and cleans roof racks on vehicles Lubricates and stops squeaks
>in electric fans Lubricates wheel sprockets on tricycles, wagons and
>bicycles for easy handling
>Lubricates fan belts on washers and dryers and keeps them running
>smoothly
>Keeps rust from forming on saws and saw blades, and other tools
>
>We're not through. Here's more;
>
>Removes splattered grease on stove
>Keeps bathroom mirror from fogging
>Lubricates prosthetic limbs
>Keeps pigeons off the balcony (they hate the smell) Removes all traces
>of duct tape
>
>I have even heard of folks spraying it on their arms, hands, knees,
>etc., to relieve arthritis pain.
>
>One fellow claims spraying it on fishing lures attracts fish.
>
>WD-40 has been designated the "official multi-purpose problem-solver of
>NASCAR," a ringing endorsement if there ever was one.
>
>In celebration of their 50th year, the company conducted a contest to
>learn the favorite uses of it's customers and fan club members, (Yes,
>there is a WD-40 Fan Club).
>
>They compiled the information to identify the favorite use in each of
>the 50 states. Naturally I was curious about Georgia and Alabama and
>found the favorite use in both states was that it "penetrates stuck
>bolts, lug nuts, and hose ends." Florida's favorite use was "cleans and
>removes lovebugs from grills and bumpers."
>
>California's favorite use was penetrating the bolts on the Golden Gate
>Bridge.
>
>Let me close with one final, wonderful use--the favorite use in the
>State of New York--WD-40 protects the Statue of Liberty from the
>elements.
>
>No wonder they have had 50 successful years.

.................................................. .................................................. ...




:D

[04trx450R]

The reason WD-40 is supposed to be bad for o-ring chains is that it is a penetrating solvent, it gets by the o-rings much easier then kerosene, and it does eat at the grease, jus think of how good a cleaner it is, so if it gets in there it works around and eventually yo have no lube left in the chain. Lots of people use it and it works fine, but it does shorten the life of o-ring chains, maye not much, but it does.

[HondaEXer]

is WD-40 ok to use on aluminum to get gunk off it??

[RIDER11X]

Originally posted by HondaEXer
is WD-40 ok to use on aluminum to get gunk off it?? Sure! Works well with fine steel wool on bare aluminum for polishing too.:cool:

[SubnetZero]

Wife got me one of those Chain Scrubbers from Rocky Mountain couple years ago for christmas. I figured it was just another item they put out to get ya to spend cash on.. I was wrong heh.

The solvent and the scrubber clean the chain like it was brand new.. I've been very impressed with it.

Its just a little black box with brushes on a wheel in it.. fill up the box with solvent, clamp on chain, turn wheels.. Takes like 3 minutes to clean chain and it CLEANS the chain! Top, Bottom, and both Sides... Tis nice and shiney when your done...

Worth the $15-$20 imho.. The solvent last forever (im still on original bottle) and I will prolly buy more when I do run out ...

thanks for the info. subnetzero....I have often wondered myself if they worked well...I might get one from RMATV on my next order

[ReconRider25]

hate to break it to you guys but you dont wanna use wd-40 as a lubricant or anything. it just washes away any grease/oil that is left.:o ;)

[andrew360]

If you're going to the trouble of taking the chain off the quad, just follow these steps:
1. Lay chain in plastic container (Sterilite, Rubbermaid, etc.)
2. Either spray down with WD-40, or I use the WD that comes in the gallon and pour it over the chain
3. Let it sit for a few minutes (10-15)
4. Remove chain from now filthy solution of WD and gunk
4.5 Brush with toothbrush if you want to; throw toothbrush away, or leave it in girlfriend's spot for funny suprise
5. Holding chain so it doesn't hit ground, clean "rinse" with WD
6. Still holding chain in same fashion, lightly blow out with compressed air
7. Apply favorite lubricant to chain (before or after install, it don't matter)
8. USE A NEW MASTER LINK!!!
I know there's a lot of opinions on this, but I have never had any negative results from using WD as a chain cleaner. I also apply it to the insides of my fenders, the outer engine cases, and the electrical connections to prevent corrosion. I'm telling you, there isn't a spot of rust on any of my frame welds or at the a-arms (and yes, I do ride in the wet and mud).

[cals400ex]

i usually wax the chain after it is warm. the wax seems to penetrate better.

[2001400exrider]

i buy maxima chain wax and it says right on it to apply it after riding for a few mintues. It must seal better this way...