Kerosene is what I use, and a scrub brush. It is safe for o ring chains, cheap, and affective.


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I had the same question. Do you need a center stand to clean your chain, or can you just roll your bike back or forward until you clean the whole chain. I assume that would take a lot more time without a center stand?

 

I do the clean & roll myself. A jack or center stand would definitely be faster and easier, but it works just the same.

 

i have two of these they work well - i used aerosol carb choke, brake and electronic clenaers when i did mine earlier this year - i was told that probably hurt the o-rings - i dont see any evidence of that so far - but i would not recommend this - the kerosene & brush method seems to be the prefferred method.

Motorcycle Wheel Cleaning Stand

 

i have two of these they work well - i used aerosol carb choke, brake and electronic clenaers when i did mine earlier this year - i was told that probably hurt the o-rings - i dont see any evidence of that so far - but i would not recommend this - the kerosene & brush method seems to be the prefferred method.

Motorcycle Wheel Cleaning Stand

That looks really cool. I might check that out sometime. I bought one of their cheap bike lifts and it's starting to bend on the 3rd use, so yeah...

 

i have used the wheel cleaner roller at least 20 times since i got them in April this year - for wheel/tire polishing cleaning armour all'ng...chain cleaning/lubing.......they work real good...helps if you put the side stand on a 2x8 or similar to get the bike more up right so the tire does not "walk" across the rolls from side to side stays more centered but works either way.

 

Might want to consider a"majic stick". 2"X2" piece of hardwood cut 1/2" longer than the distance from the ground to the right side of the frame at the rear axle. Lift rear of bike slightly(weight is on sidestand and front wheel)set "majic stick" in place. Now the weight is on the side stand, front wheel, and stick. Wheel should not be raised but 1/2" by this method. I've used the same stick on both my CB250 and LS650. Always anchor the front brake lever, I use double sided velcro. Good luck and be careful.

 

ok so after I clean I have to add some lubricate?

 

yes!
The cleanest, for me, is a teflon spray for chains, pretty sure it's made by Dupont

 

yep i use JP-1 o-ring chain lube - got it at cycle gear.....about every 500 miles or so i re-apply the lube.

 

you can clean with kerosene. But unless you're running something like an RK bling chain I don't see the sense of grunge brushing the chain. Cloth or a rag should suffice. You'll liable to get grit pass the o-ring seals between the sideplates compliments of the brush bristles. From there the kerosene, etc. will disolve the lube in the rollers. Nothing's more healthy than a greasy chain, mind you, non-fling stuff. I use DuPout wax spray. Many use BelRay spray, same wax formula. Seems like everybody and their uncle makes no-fling chain spray nowdays. More options for you.

[edit]

just between us, you don't necessarily want this (pic below, 90 wt oil), but even with the non-fling spray stuff, it's advisable every so often to wipe errant spray off the tire so the little there is doesn't migrate down to the tire threads.

 

Lukeduck:

Might want to consider a"majic stick". 2"X2" piece of hardwood cut 1/2" longer than the distance from the ground to the right side of the frame at the rear axle.

Always anchor the front brake lever, I use double sided velcro. Good luck and be careful.

by chance, are you the same person who did a 'magic stick' how-to on YouTube? Can't seem to find the video again. That was the most direct to the point video instructional I've seen about anywhere. *Yea, strapping the front brake lever is critical.*