Suggestion for cleaning chain

[Nallathambi Perumal K]

Experts,
Can someone suggest the best way to clean the chain drive of the bike to remove the dirt?

Lot of dirt has collected on the over oiled chain. The local cycle wala had poured too much of oil for better lubricating the chain.
Unfortunately this was when i had newly bought the bike about an year back and i didnt knew about this amazing group.

I did read a mail thread couple of weeks back that over lubricating is a myth and is bad as it attracts more dirt :(
Rgds,
Nalla.

[Sudhir P]

Toothbrush! and a rag to clean sprockets.

If u have way too stubborn grime u can use WD40..... But this is not advisable for regular use. only as a last resort.

For generic stuff u'll need  to know abt bicycle maintenance, do have a look at
http://notebook.bumsonthesaddle.com/faq:maintenance
and
http://notebook.bumsonthesaddle.com/maintenance

--
================================
Sudhir.P
Blog : http://roastedneutrons.blogspot.com
Photoblog : http://roastedphotons.blogspot.com
Comic strip: http://ktpdq.blogspot.com (now updated every Tue, Thu, Sat)

I do not suffer from insanity......
I enjoy it!
================================

[Nallathambi Perumal K]

Thanks a lot Sudhir,
I briefly had a look, but couldnt find out how to clean the toothbrush which i use to scrub the chain?
I am talking about the same cleaning session and not about reusing the toothbrush across multiple cleaning sessions.
Wash it off? Or use petrol/kerosene?
Rgds,
Nalla.

[Sudhir P]

A cloth on the toothbrush should do the trick.

I have been using a rag so far, and i read somewhere that its not good enuf. and best is to use a toothbrush. Forgotten where i saw that though.

So, what i think u should do.... unless the elder bike geeks say otherwise, is to first clean it with a dry rag. then use a rag covered toothbrush.

Btw, question to other bike geeks.... are there any recommended solvents et al for cleaning chains?

-Sud

[Rajat Agrawal]

Break the chain and clean it with kero... cheap and easy. Some precautions required to ensure personal and environmental safety.
http://www.bikeszone.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=2515&p=21819&hilit=chain+clean#p21730

-Rajat

[deepakvrao]

Rajats solution is good but if you are going to take the chain off the
bike better to use a re-usable master link, like LMCs missing link or
SRAMs Powerlink or the wippermen masterlink. All will fit on Shimano
chains too [not sure of the SRAM though].

On Aug 10, 9:17 pm, Rajat Agrawal <rajatagra...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Break the chain and clean it with kero... cheap and easy. Some precautions

> required to ensure personal and environmental safety.http://www.bikeszone.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=2515&p=21819&hili...
>
> -Rajat
>
> On Mon, Aug 10, 2009 at 9:13 PM, Nallathambi Perumal K <nallako...@gmail.com

>
> > wrote:
> > Thanks a lot Sudhir,
> > I briefly had a look, but couldnt find out how to clean the toothbrush
> > which i use to scrub the chain?
> > I am talking about the same cleaning session and not about reusing the
> > toothbrush across multiple cleaning sessions.
> > Wash it off? Or use petrol/kerosene?
> > Rgds,
> > Nalla.
>

> >> Comic strip:http://ktpdq.blogspot.com(now updated every Tue, Thu, Sat)

[Kuldeep Kumar]

I cleaned mine with  warm soapy water last week. I used dishwasher detergent as degreaser. The bike was really dirty and final results were not bad.

I wonder how good is this tool?
http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=24

[vijay sharma]

guys if you are cleaning tooth brush is problem...then i would suggest to use thinn metal wired brush which are made of Stainless Steel....and thinner then the toobrush bristel....diesel, kerosene, petrol or thinner....anything will do but if you wish you clean the chain while its on the bike would advise to apply some soap water on the frame...as the grease particle will get stuck on the paint....and might increas your work....

 

Vijay

[Dileep]

Hi,

I bought a brush from Shoba Super Market, HSR Layout. They classify
it as a wash basin brush. It has a circular, round holder and long
plastic bristles (~1.5 inch) protruding from the holder. It costs Rs.
25/-, and I find it really useful for cleaning chain and cogs.

First I clean the chain with a cloth.

Then I put the brush on the chain and rotate the pedal. Most of the
grime will come out.

I then use a second cloth to clean the chain further.

After that, I put the brush and the clothes in surf solution. After 10
min, I use the brush to rub & clean the cloths.

Both the brush and the clothes will be clean in one shot.

Regards,
Dileep

[Vasu]

you can also use a hair dye brush to clean the cassette.

vasu

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Tour of Nilgiris
www.tourofnilgiris.com

[rushi]

> I wonder how good is this tool?http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=24

It's good. I use it with kerosene. Used to use pril. Also tried paint
thinner. kerosene works well. Will try aspirin and water some day;
chain cleaning is such a headache.