I keep my bike outside, and it gets used plenty in all weather I also dont spend 20 hours cleaning it after each outing, if its nice enough to polish, its nice enough to ride! Anyway, waffling over, my DID gold chain has got rust on it, and its bugging me, especially since i only changed it for aesthetics. I have ordered some chain cleaner, and yet another type of chain lube. I have used WD40 chain wax, and im not sure its that good for penetrating, so i have some chain oil too thats like thick WD40, but neither are oily enough to stop the rust, i also dont want showering in oil, thats whats put me off getting a scotoiler. So, how do you clean rust off a chain? There are loads of rust removers, but i dont want to damage the rubbers etc on the chain. The Renthal sprocket is corroded too, think im gonna have to take the wheel off tbh
I’ve yet to use a motorcycle chain cleaner (spray type) which hasn’t removed rust. Most manual's seem to recommend Kerosene/Paraffin as a cleaner (applied with a brush). I've still got a few cans of chain cleaner left, but I plan to buy a 5L tub of paraffin from B&Q when I run out. For cleaning, 1. Spray chain with said cleaner, use a 3 sided brush for the chain and give it a decent scrub, don't forget the 4th side of the chain. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/40241756...MIv6uzoJ7j8AIVmrd3Ch1DtwUYEAQYAyABEgL-2fD_BwE Spray sprocket and scrub. I use a small brush for the sprockets, https://www.merlincycles.com/muc-of...ing&utm_campaign=phg-GB&ucpo=23961&source=PHG Rinse off and then dry with paper towel/rag. Bit of ACF50 or your favoured protectant on a rag, wrap it around the chain and slowly spin the wheel so that the chain gets a coating of ACF/protectant. Then apply to the sprocket as well. Then the usual chain lube on top.
Paraffin to clean and engine oil to lubricate. If it's rusting water/air is getting to the metal and you need to block it. I think wax isn't good at that and applying engine oil with a brush after the ride and wiping with a rag to remove the excess is the way to keep it rust free. If you don't do it after the ride and you've been riding in rain the water will wash the oil off and it'll rust. If your current rust rubs off with the paraffin then (or wd40) you're all good. If it doesn't then I wouldn't bother as the gold coating has been eaten through and it'll be pitted and rust again.
Scottoilers are pretty good mate, you won't get covered in oil. They don't belong on a Fireblade though . I think you're going to face an uphill battle if you're using it in all weathers, storing outdoors and not keen on cleaning whatever products/routine you use. ACF50 is magic stuff though, never tried it on a chain however.
W80/90 gear oil ....... like it says in the book . Never had rust . Getting 20,000 miles plus out of the chain and sprockets on the RRV and still on original set on the RR7 @17,000
I had a Pro-oiler on my 2006. Worked brilliantly. On the current one, I use Wurth dry lube which is really clean. If I'm touring and there is rain, then gear oil.
Seen that. Oil can be really messy though. Wurth is Wurth it for me for the lack of mess. Not noticed any reduction in chain life nor corrosion.
Always used Scottoil (blue) on all my chains, rubbed on with steel wool. Never used cleaners, no problem with rust and if you wipe after with a cloth no oil flung over rear tyre. Can't stand all the waxes and sticky lubes, leaves chain in a mess in my opinion - Scottoil just leave the chain looking clean and naturally lubricated!
For many years I have been an advocate of wurth dry chain lube (after trying many different types & brands) one problem it has is next to no rust protection! Last fall, I decided to experiment with XCP and I have been very impressed it provides excellent rust protection during winter rides but also keeps the chain links flexible at low temperatures (unlike waxes). It flings more than wurth but you don't need to use as much. This no longer is an issue for me once I got the hand of it I have successfully used a brass brush on the chain to remove rust (strokes across the chain only), would not use any chemicals because of the O ring. kirosene is what I use for many years after trying other methods. parafine is a good alternative.
Sorry to hear that @bonjo , especially given you're flying the Union Flag.. or perhaps you mean autumn I've stuck with using Muc-off products for cleaning and either castrol chain lube or Silkolene. It does give some spray but not loads. I've not had an issue with rust and my bike's been ridden in all manner of downpours. It is stored in a dry garage, but I never bother to dry it after a gritty, wet, cold miserable ride home. Perhaps it's all the oil and crap on the road around here that's stopping it from rusting..
I use a Scottoiler. It took a bit of fiddling to get right but I think I've cracked it. I've attached a short length of copper brake pipe to the plastic pipe & shaped it to drip on the chain where it leaves the front sprocket. It's hidden under the front sprocket plastic cover. I use automatic transmission fluid in the winter & engine oil in the summer because of the difference in viscosity. 34,000 miles on the original chain so far, commute 450 miles per week all year round. I've found the oil finds its way to both sides of the chain & keeps rust at bay. Getting the flow right is a tricky trial & error process, but worth it.
Thanks for all the replies, i have been away for a bit, but i think thats covered just about everything i was wondering. I'm gonna give up with the wax, it does just make a mess and i dont think it penetrates much. Im gonna try the suggestions and see how i get on, thanks
All modern chains on road bikes are sealed, o ring or x ring and the grease is sealed inside so spraying lube on to penetrate will not do anything, all it’s doing is lubricating the outside of the rollers and the drive face of the sprocket for a few miles until it quickly wears off, the best system for me is the scott oilers which constantly lube but can make a mess depending on the flow rate you set, I’ve had one on a past bike. Biggest reason for me for spraying chain lube is rust prevention.
i should say, the wax i use doesnt spread out, so its hard to get an even coat over the whole chain, and it looks a mess
Thing is, you'll see these threads all over the forums with everyone claiming they've been doing this or that for years and nothing's ever gone wrong and their chain has lasted a million miles blah blah blah.... What it comes down to is personal experience, take on board everyone's comments and then try out what you like and what works best for you. I've been using Wurth chain lube, great stuff and my chain has lasted 1582 miles so far.... (also paraffin is brilliant and cheap for cleaning)
Quite a boast! (In a 'Vic & Bob' voice) You're dead right with the paraffin. About a quarter of the price of Jizer & the like.
Tried loads over the years and found WD40 wax needs to be applied on a clean warm chain For a daily ride this is not always possible, as for most waxes, if the chain is cold,wet dirty then wax just doesn't spread well. My go to is xcp, much thinner than the rest, bit of fling but on a daily who cares, my wheels are ceramic coated and will clean up nice on the next detail! TBH surface rust doesn't bother me too much as long as the links are nice and free moving, I'm more concerned with harsh cleaners that penetrate or damage the rings, I never spray cleaner directly on the rings, just apply on a microfiber and wipe off, thats the beauty of xcp crud don't stick so much easier to clean , I just clean and reapply at the week ends
