hi, what’s the best way to clean the chain and rear sprocket thoroughly. I’ve attached a pic. Is it best to remove the wheel. Or simply clean it. I have astonish engine degreaser and GT55. Is there something better to use. And is it best removing them or clean as is. Just want it clean for the new bike season. Any advice would be great. Cheers.
There's a few posts about this. One of the more informative is here: https://www.1000rr.co.uk/threads/cleaning-and-waxing-chain-without-making-a-mess.34405/#post-451603 I'm a believe of a soaked blue/white cloth soaked in WD 40. Hand wrap around chain and MANUALLY turn wheel. Edited to say: Another point is, don't let it get like that in the first place!
Don’t use a harsh degreaser, it’ll wash out all the good grease in the chain seals. There are loads of chain cleaner sprays out there that’ll do the job. Best and cheapest is kerosene imo. Make sure you rinse it off well with water afterwards, dry well then lube. WD is good for regular light cleaning, soaking a clean rag and rubbing it along the chain. I wouldn’t deep clean a chain with WD though myself. Just personal preference.
Paraffin always works for me for removing muck and old lube from the chain and shite from the sprocket and it's cheap and effective.
Once a year red diesel with a tooth brush ( mine not the wife's ) that's what I use, put a sheet of cardboard between wheel and chain to keep it off the tyre , give it a good wipe clean then lube with ep 80/90 gear oil on the inside of the chain . The 918 I got at 21,000 now has 39,000 , never changed the chain and sprok still in good Nick , the RR7 still on original at 9,000 . I re oil every 250 mile . Sad I know
I plan on cleaning my chain and sprocket this weekend, to do a thorough job without getting shite everywhere, I'm removing the rear wheel so I can get to the sprocket properly by removing it from the wheel (might even replace it with a shiny new one) and also let the chain hang down and bath it in cleaner. I've bought a MOTUL chain clean and lube kit that includes a handy brush, so hoping it all comes up like new!
Did you read Lozzy's recommendation for 'Wurth' chain lube? I bought some, and applied it the other day. Haven't had the bike out yet so can't give a personal report. https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/content_rev/29605
Yeah I did Nigel, but I bought this a few months ago and just been waiting for the time to get round to using it! Never used it before but just seemed like a good deal.
It's in MCN's top six review's and does everything you'd want.....clean's well, dries well, long lasting and doesn't fling off. We'll see how it performs..... Watch this space!
I have a gold wheels I cleaned the chain once and applied some normal industrial chain lube, never again,after first ride spent about 4 hours cleaning the wheel and everything else. I now use wurth dry lube. spray on when the chain is warm after a ride, now I have no more mess. fully recomend
Ah, it's a steep learning curve. Perhaps we've all been there! Much easier no though, compared to cleaning around spokes and chrome rims!!