Ho to clean a chain?

I was wondering how a guy can clean a rusty chain. The chain that came on the bike is rusty, but it moves freely everywhere. It seems to be in good condition other than the rust. Any suggestions?

Get rid of it. If the chain is rusted, IMHO it's not road worthy. Removing rust from steel requires nasty stuff like phosphoric acid.

I'd replace it. There are ways to clean up the rust and make it look nice and shiny, but I'm fearful of them. Maybe that's misplaced fear but it's easy enough to replace it that I'd rather do that.

See this (near the bottom of the page) on the use of wd 40 and the effects on petroleum lubrication:

www.webbikeworld.com/t2/motorcycle-chain-lube/

All the more reason I want to be careful of what I put on that chain.

If it's only slight rust, clean it using Kerosene and a stiff brush.
Once cleaned, let it dry then lube it up using your favorite chain lube/wax.

for peace of mind and how little a chain costs id replace it. if youve ever spit one youll find out my logic in a hurry...steve

You'll save yourself a lot of headache by replacing the chain. I tried to get away with an old chain when I rebuilt my bike. I would tighten it, ride a couple of miles and it was loose. I figured if the chain moved free it was good. Well it moved free because it was wore out and all the o-rings had fallen out. A new EK non o-ring chain was only $59.00. You'd be amazed at the problems it will solve (surging at low speed, clunking going into gear ect.)

Removing rust from steel requires nasty stuff like phosphoric acid.

Uh oh! I'm sitting here drinking some right now!! :woohoo:




Diet Coke

Well, at least you're free of rust. :lol:

Incidentally, you probably have one already but if you don't have a tool to break your chain, you might want to look at your options. The one I ended up with is wildly adjustable. I've used it on mopeds, motorcycles, bicycles, little children...

One of the best tool purchases I've made, unlike some tools that I've used once and never touched again.

1978KZ wrote:

A new EK non o-ring chain was only $59.00.

Really? Where did you find that deal? Most o-ring chains I've seen are at least twice that price.

Really? Where did you find that deal? Most o-ring chains I've seen are at least twice that price

Local motorcycle shop. Most 630 chain I had found was at least $75. This was 100 link chain so I had to cut it down. Like I said it is not an o-ring chain, but from my experience if you keep them clean and lubed they will last just as long. It only came with a clip master link so I put it on and went back to the shop and had them put a rivet link in it.

soak it down with 409 and take it to the carwash and clean it same time you clean the bike.let it dry really good,i usualy airdry on the ride home and hit it with chain lube.