evilcryalotmore

So, I was wondering how you guys clean your chain?

I normally take the chain off and just go through it with a little soap and warm water.

I heard 1/4 simple green and little soap and 3/4 water, Can do a good cleaning.

Leukybear 

Simple Green and a rag. Cheap (just look at park tool's cyclone kit), environmentally friendly (all natural!) and effective (the airforce uses it and many machine shops do too).

evilcryalotmore

Simple green does some amazing sh*t lol, It smells like coke.

Do you think simplegreen will break down 20-30 year old grease :|

akdmx

I've used parts cleaners with simple green. If you can get the solution warm and let the parts soak a little bit you might have some luck.

evilcryalotmore

hmm, Good idea. Brake cleaner do anything good? I have like 20 cans.... My brother is a mechanic. I'm waiting for him to bring me back some hard core de greaser, Try cleaning a frame with it later on.

Leukybear 

That stuff is a bit too toxic/hazardous for someone of your age to be around.... /bad idea

Just stick with simple green/ scrubbing and soaking. You can also water down simple green if you want to stretch it out, although cleaning power would be reduced.

evilcryalotmore

Its all good, I got a paint and powder room in the back, With full mask and suit vent. there is a spot where we strip stuff, So imma take the nasty greasy parts to the room and clean it. What color should i poweder a old 10 speed bianchi? I was thinking burgandy, I have alot of powder left over so imma look around.


Edit: just realized how off topic i just got, Ok so chain grease. Simple green, got it. LOL

Leukybear 

celeste/ seafoam green is the only way to go.

hairnet

Just wipe the gunk off the chain and relube. I used to take it off and all that but I realized I didn't really gain anything from doing that

Scrodzilla

frantik

^ lol

rubbing alcohol and a rag will do wonders

Steev

This.

dookie

i remove mine, drop it in an old plastic juice bottle, cover with mineral spirits, and shake well. pour out the solvent & repeat until your satisfied. looks like new, and no concerns about rust from the water. it's really shocking how much solid grit comes out, even from bikes ridden exclusively on dry pavement.

i also save the old solvent, let it sit a while (a week?), and all the particulates settle out. then decant and reuse. the same 1gal jug of solvent has lasted me over a year, and that's cleaning chains on 6ish bikes, most a couple times/year.

comments that removing the chain won't gain you anything are false. there is a lot of grit that gets in the rollers and contours that a quick wipe won't remove. those of you doing it this way, clean it as you have been, then remove the chain and try it my way once. how's that solvent looking?

frantik

nice idea with the bottle.. i've done some where i soak in rubbing alcohol and then wipe down with a rag and it make a big difference.. but shaking sounds like it would get even more grit

yummygooey

It seems like it'd make a really loud noise.

But I think I will try it one of these days. The chain on my TET is so dirty that I never want to touch it to adjust my wheel or whatever.

muckymucky

i hear keirin racers use toilet paper and lube to clean their chains:

https://www.bikeradar.com/forums/view...5752c618fb25ce

vw addict

fify

evilcryalotmore

^^ LOL I normally just us a rage and go around the surface, But my chain is so dirty i hardly want to ttouch it :| Maybe i'll just try setting it on fire.

evilcryalotmore

Is that a 105 crank arm:/

Leukybear 

When's the last time you've replaced it? If it's long overdue, you might as well get a new one and bin the old or give it to your LBS to recycle...

EDIT: yes.

evilcryalotmore

Lol i got a new chain for a my bike, Im using the old chain to hang stuff. its just GROSS.

I light my chain on fire, It wont stop. Imma try getting a pic asap.

Leukybear 

Oh, if that's the case, do whatever it takes!

evilcryalotmore

marshmellows?