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gdickelman
 Advanced Member
1205 Posts
[Mentor]
Annandale, VA
USA
Moto Guzzi
California Vintage
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 Posted - 07/02/2009 : 1:40 PM
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Which are good, safe cleaners to use on a chain prior to lubricating? My Ducati Multistrada manual says that I should not use certain kinds of solvents that could eat away plastic seals in the drive train.
That said, what are "safe" cleaners? I have been told that there are kerosene/detergent cleaners and that gasoline is acceptable also.
I have a bottle of Griot's Oil and Grease Cleaner (purchased for other purposes), but I am thinking that this could be used safely. I've written to the manufacturer, but would be interested to hear your opinions and advice. FYI, this forum turned me on to Griot's (great products), but I don't know if the Oil & Grease cleaner should be used on my Duc's chain.
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Night Train
Advanced Member
1668 Posts
[Mentor]
Sydney, Nova Scotia
Canada
Kawasaki
2006 VN900
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Posted - 07/02/2009 : 2:51 PM
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I found this video during a "google" search which shows the cleaning and lubrication of the chain with a product called Maxima Chain Wax.
You might find it to be of some interest.
http://www.wonderhowto.com/how-to/v...hain-169160/
There are a number of sites that discuss chain lube vs. chain wax, just "google" chain wax. |
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greywolf
Moderator
1484 Posts
[Mentor]
Evanston, IL
USA
Suzuki
DL650AL2
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scottrnelson
Advanced Member
6943 Posts
[Mentor]
Meridian, ID
USA
Honda
XR650L, 790 Adv R
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Posted - 07/02/2009 : 3:16 PM
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I agree with Greywolf except that an old toothbrush works perfectly well to loosen any dirt on the chain. Kerosene is the best thing I've found to clean a chain with, as well as many other parts of the bike. I also prefer DuPont Teflon Multi-Use Lubricant. Although it isn't "better" than chain wax, it's just as good at keeping the chain protected, according to my own tests, and it attracts less dirt and is less likely to fly off and get all over your wheels and other things. I buy it at Lowe's. You can also use it to lubricate throttle cables, turn signal switches, and other things that you can't use normal chain lubricant on.
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greywolf
Moderator
1484 Posts
[Mentor]
Evanston, IL
USA
Suzuki
DL650AL2
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Posted - 07/02/2009 : 4:22 PM
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| A toothbrush, grunge brush et al are fine for cleaning the chain. The bristles flick dirty solvent when they snap back though. The Kettenmax contains all the flick off inside the box. I don't have the clean the bike and the garage after I clean the chain. |
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gdickelman
Advanced Member
1205 Posts
[Mentor]
Annandale, VA
USA
Moto Guzzi
California Vintage
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Posted - 07/02/2009 : 4:43 PM
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Thanks everyone!
I picked up a Grunge Brush
and some chain wax from the Ducati dealer and I was good to go.
Thanks for the tips!
BTW, the Ducati mechanic said that he avoids kerosene etc. for cleaning and recommends using the chain wax for cleaning and lubing. His rationale was that there is then no chance of damaging O-rings. |
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scottrnelson
Advanced Member
6943 Posts
[Mentor]
Meridian, ID
USA
Honda
XR650L, 790 Adv R
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Posted - 07/02/2009 : 5:02 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by gdickelman
BTW, the Ducati mechanic said that he avoids kerosene etc. for cleaning and recommends using the chain wax for cleaning and lubing. His rationale was that there is then no chance of damaging O-rings.
There is no chance of damaging the O-rings with kerosene either. I've seen tests on what sort of chemicals damage O-rings and kerosene is pretty safe. There are several chain manufacturers who recommend it.
The problem with using chain wax is that you have to rub it back off right away or whatever dirt you loosened up with it won't want to come off. I've cleaned with chain wax before and had to do about six links at a time - spray, scrub, wipe off as carefully as possible. With Kerosene you can scrub the whole thing then wipe off the whole thing. It also happens to be a bit cheaper for the cleaning part.
Feel free to use chain wax as a cleaner. I'm just trying to let you know what works best for me.
Link to one O-ring test: http://www.advrider.com/forums/show...php?t=345397 |
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gdickelman
Advanced Member
1205 Posts
[Mentor]
Annandale, VA
USA
Moto Guzzi
California Vintage
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Posted - 07/02/2009 : 6:28 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by scottrnelson
Link to one O-ring test: http://www.advrider.com/forums/show...php?t=345397
Thanks, Scott. Great resource!
One of the YouTube resources used chlorine-free brake cleaner. I decided not to go that route.
The recommendation for using the chain wax as a cleaner is consistent with what you said: Wipe it immediately when using it as a cleaner. The rest of the advice: Once the chain has been cleaned with the chain wax, take the bike for a short ride to heat up the chain, then apply once again, but as a lubricant.
Next time I'll use kerosene to clean it, then use the chain wax. |
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greywolf
Moderator
1484 Posts
[Mentor]
Evanston, IL
USA
Suzuki
DL650AL2
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Posted - 07/02/2009 : 7:16 PM
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| Really, use Bel-Ray super clean or the Du Pont stuff. Look at the difference in the front sprocket areas between the Du Pont lubricated chain and the Chain Wax lubricated chain. I shudder to think what it would look like in there if chain wax was used for cleaning too. |
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rayg50
Moderator
2083 Posts
[Mentor]
NYC, NY
USA
Honda
Shadow Spirit 750DC
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Posted - 07/02/2009 : 8:30 PM
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I am starting to feel as if NYC is not part of this world. I could not locate the Dupont Teflon (tomorrow I am off to find a Lowes), I could not find Bel-Ray chain Lube (Amazon 11.30 + 9.23 shipping  ).
After trying the logical places, unsuccessfully, I suspect I am now on every watch list in this country. Where do you buy your kerosene?
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greywolf
Moderator
1484 Posts
[Mentor]
Evanston, IL
USA
Suzuki
DL650AL2
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Posted - 07/02/2009 : 9:04 PM
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| Some Lowes and Ace Hardware carry DuPont lube and some do not. http://www.derbycycles.com/cgi-bin/...uct=&count=1 for one has aerosol or small squeeze bottles for traveling. I get kerosene at Home Depot. It's marketed as lamp fuel so camping supply stores often have it. |
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rayg50
Moderator
2083 Posts
[Mentor]
NYC, NY
USA
Honda
Shadow Spirit 750DC
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Posted - 07/02/2009 : 9:20 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by greywolf
Some Lowes and Ace Hardware carry DuPont lube and some do not. http://www.derbycycles.com/cgi-bin/...uct=&count=1 for one has aerosol or small squeeze bottles for traveling. I get kerosene at Home Depot. It's marketed as lamp fuel so camping supply stores often have it.
Thanks for the link. I almost ordered it from Amazon at the same time but the can did not look the same.
The places I went to here mumbled something about a fire code prohibition. They all had propane but no kerosene. I may head into the burbs and look for lamp fuel. Thanks again.
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CanuckSV
Starting Member
5 Posts
Calgary, Alberta
Canada
Suzuki
SV650S
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Posted - 09/01/2009 : 5:11 PM
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I know everyone is looking for that ultimate cleaner.
For more years than I dare to say; Kerosene is King.
It is recommended by the mfg and it is dirt cheap.
I use a long plastic tray (kinda like what you would steal from the post office) and drench the chain with a small paintbrush.
Then use a toothbrush to get into the nooks and crannies.
One more drenching with the paintbrush, a quick wipe down with a rag, a short ride, and you're ready to lube.
The realtively clean kerosene soaked rag is also great for wiping splatters and bugs off the rest of the mechanical parts around your rear wheel.
Do Not Use Gasoline. It will eat the O-Rings.
Has anybody in Canda been able to find the Dupont stuff?
Sounds great but tough to locate. |
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rkfire
Advanced Member
1716 Posts
Stratford, CT
USA
Suzuki
Bandit
Peer Review:
Blocked
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Posted - 09/01/2009 : 5:27 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by CanuckSV
Has anybody in Canda been able to find the Dupont stuff?
Sounds great but tough to locate.
I'm in Ontario at the moment, and just picked up a spare can of Dupont Teflon stuff at the local Lowes. Unsure whether they are in your parts or not. |
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CanuckSV
Starting Member
5 Posts
Calgary, Alberta
Canada
Suzuki
SV650S
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Posted - 09/01/2009 : 5:32 PM
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Thanks Roger,
Our Lowes are just coming I hear.
So does the stuff work like I hear?
Dry going on? No fling? Cleans great also? |
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scottrnelson
Advanced Member
6943 Posts
[Mentor]
Meridian, ID
USA
Honda
XR650L, 790 Adv R
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Posted - 09/01/2009 : 6:23 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by CanuckSV
So does the stuff work like I hear?
Dry going on? No fling? Cleans great also?
It goes on wet, but dries in just a few minutes. Very little fling. And it doesn't tend to collect dirt like Chain Wax does.
Doesn't clean nearly as well as kerosene. But you can use it to lubricate other things like cables and clutch/brake levers where you would never want to use a normal chain lubricant. |
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CanuckSV
Starting Member
5 Posts
Calgary, Alberta
Canada
Suzuki
SV650S
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Posted - 09/01/2009 : 6:35 PM
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Scary how far we've come.
Used to oil with 30 weight out of a drip can.
Now we're saying chain wax collects too much dirt.
Who ever called them "the good old days"? |
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Dnc
Standard Member
132 Posts
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada
Honda
CBR250RA
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Posted - 09/01/2009 : 8:11 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by rkfire
quote:
Originally posted by CanuckSV
Has anybody in Canda been able to find the Dupont stuff?
Sounds great but tough to locate.
I'm in Ontario at the moment, and just picked up a spare can of Dupont Teflon stuff at the local Lowes. Unsure whether they are in your parts or not.
I ordered a couple of cans off the 'net. 2 spray cans and 2 of the smaller drip bottles, close to $80CDN though including duty. Duty/brokerage was a bit much, so next time I'm getting a relative in the US to send it marked as a 'gift'  |
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CanuckSV
Starting Member
5 Posts
Calgary, Alberta
Canada
Suzuki
SV650S
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Posted - 09/02/2009 : 12:31 AM
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OUCH!!!
I had read in other forums our American friends were getting for $6-$8 for a large aerosol can.
I heard it was effective but it was the price(?) that really excited me.
If you can save $60, that really is a gift! |
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gymnast
Moderator
4260 Posts
[Mentor]
Meridian, Idaho
USA
Harley-Davidson
Sportster Sport
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Posted - 09/02/2009 : 9:48 AM
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Dnc, What happened to the "North American Free Trade Agreement"? |
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Discussion Topic |
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Cleaning the chain
