My last bike was the 696, so the chain grease wasn't much of a problem on the black wheels, but it really shows up on the gold wheels of my 1100s. What is the best way to remove the grease the chain slings on these pretty wheels? Soap doesn't work so well....requires a lot of scrubbing.
I've found that bug and tar remover works well. I think Turtle Wax makes it.
Also, if you lube AND clean your chain with a chain wax type of product, you'll get less thrown on your rims. Just be sure to apply the chain wax onto a warm chain so it soaks in...then wipe clean. Clean the chain with the wax, not WD-40. WD-40 residue will cause the wax to fling off.
I've used Maxima Chain Wax and the Dupont Teflon chain lube stuff. They both work well, but the Dupont stuff is cheaper and easier to find...so I prefer that.
(http://www.webbikeworld.com/images/teflon-chain-lube/teflon-chain-lube.jpg)
Quote from: amcloud on February 08, 2009, 05:51:38 PM
My last bike was the 696, so the chain grease wasn't much of a problem on the black wheels, but it really shows up on the gold wheels of my 1100s. What is the best way to remove the grease the chain slings on these pretty wheels? Soap doesn't work so well....requires a lot of scrubbing.
Wd-40 on a rag works ok, but a bit of diesel fuel on a rag will do it and is a lot cheaper, just don't get any on your tires.
I like Simple Green eco degreaser. Paper towels and Simple Green is a nice fix to extra chain goo slung off on wheels and bike body parts. You can find it anywhere... grocery store, Lowes, Home Depot, Pep Boys. Everywhere. I also like hitting my rims with Honda's spray cleaner and polish. That stuff is awesome!! After the Simple Green clean up I'll hit the rims with the Honda magic. It makes future wheel cleans easier.
No way around it, any good chain clean and lube will always produce nasty sling off. Oh, just one of the joys of riding!!! Like bugs on face shields and fairings!! Always a constant. [thumbsup] [moto] [drink]
Quote from: fastwin on February 08, 2009, 07:12:29 PM
I like Simple Green eco degreaser. Paper towels and Simple Green is a nice fix to extra chain goo slung off on wheels and bike body parts. You can find it anywhere... grocery store, Lowes, Home Depot, Pep Boys. Everywhere. I also like hitting my rims with Honda's spray cleaner and polish. That stuff is awesome!! After the Simple Green clean up I'll hit the rims with the Honda magic. It makes future wheel cleans easier.
No way around it, any good chain clean and lube will always produce nasty sling off. Oh, just one of the joys of riding!!! Like bugs on face shields and fairings!! Always a constant. [thumbsup] [moto] [drink]
Simple Green, if not washed off properly, eats up aluminum. Personally, I stay away from it.
I'm w/ Triple J. Clean the chain, while warm, with Chain Wax. Then lube with chain wax.
When I need to clean my wheels, I use Honda Polish. If for some reason there is really bad fling, I first hit use wd40, then the Honda polish. Keep WD40 out of your wheel bearings.
Go to an automotive paint supply store.
Tell them you want to buy a quart of... "wax and grease remover"!
It is amazing,
it removes chain wax,
and grease.
It leaves NO residue.
And wear gloves, because it'll pull the oils out of your skin and turn your hands WHITE.
Use it once and you'll never look back.
The only problem is you'll be buying it in the gallon cans once you find out how easy/quick it cleans rims, engine cases, chains, sprockets... etc, etc...
wd40 sprayed on paper towel for initial cleanup (as noted don't get it on tires;) then a damp rag with warm water & detergent to get off the residue; I've waxed my rims also to make it easier to clean up .... no problem-o's!
I'll have to try the paint store "wax & grease remover"; any brand specifics?
I use Meguiars Quik Detailer to wipe down almost everything on the bike, works great. Chain wax will come off easily with no harm.
Kerosene to clean the chain and Dupont Teflon to lube the chain and never look back. The Dupont stuff stays on the chain and a very minute amount gets sprayed off. You can read the review on http://www.webbikeworld.com/t2/motorcycle-chain-lube/dupont-teflon-chain-lube.htm
I should convince my dealer to start using it so I wont have to relube my chain after every service ;D
I have found that with Motul chain wax if I apply the wax after cleaning and waxing I then wait at least 12 hours before riding the fling off is a lot less than when riding immediatly [thumbsup]
Quote from: amcloud on February 08, 2009, 05:51:38 PM
My last bike was the 696, so the chain grease wasn't much of a problem on the black wheels, but it really shows up on the gold wheels of my 1100s. What is the best way to remove the grease the chain slings on these pretty wheels? Soap doesn't work so well....requires a lot of scrubbing.
Thanks for posting this, I had a hellava time cleaning my wheels last weekend.
Quote from: brimo on February 08, 2009, 06:33:38 PM
Wd-40 on a rag works ok, but a bit of diesel fuel on a rag will do it and is a lot cheaper, just don't get any on your tires.
I've had good luck with this method. Spray the WD on a rag while turned AWAY from the bike. WD-40 + tires + lean angle can't end well. I also try to get a coat of wax on my wheels whenever possible. It makes it easier to get stuff off them it seems. I usually wax them after I've gotten new tires before I put the wheels back on the bike ~
JM
Or, stop using chain grease and hose each link with WD-40 and wipe of any excess.
Thanks for all the feedback...I'll be giving some of it a try today.
Quote from: RichD on February 08, 2009, 08:17:38 PM
Go to an automotive paint supply store.
Tell them you want to buy a quart of... "wax and grease remover"!
It is amazing,
it removes chain wax,
and grease.
It leaves NO residue.
And wear gloves, because it'll pull the oils out of your skin and turn your hands WHITE.
Use it once and you'll never look back.
The only problem is you'll be buying it in the gallon cans once you find out how easy/quick it cleans rims, engine cases, chains, sprockets... etc, etc...
The problem with this stuff is it removes wax, so if you are using a wax wash to keep your bike shiny and clean you lose the wax off of wherever you use it, hence the dirt and crud actually sticks better and doesn't hose off as easily.
The folks at Web Bike World like a product called 'Bean Clean' for chain cleaning
http://www.webbikeworld.com/r3/motorcycle-chain-cleaner/bean-clean/ (http://www.webbikeworld.com/r3/motorcycle-chain-cleaner/bean-clean/)
They also found this cool gizmo 'The Chain Drain' which seem like it could make chain cleaning and lube jobs a lot less messy
http://www.webbikeworld.com/r4/chain-drain/ (http://www.webbikeworld.com/r4/chain-drain/)
Did you change your chain to a non O-ring style???
Quote from: yuu on February 09, 2009, 12:32:24 PM
The folks at Web Bike World like a product called 'Bean Clean' for chain cleaning
http://www.webbikeworld.com/r3/motorcycle-chain-cleaner/bean-clean/ (http://www.webbikeworld.com/r3/motorcycle-chain-cleaner/bean-clean/)
They also found this cool gizmo 'The Chain Drain' which seem like it could make chain cleaning and lube jobs a lot less messy
http://www.webbikeworld.com/r4/chain-drain/ (http://www.webbikeworld.com/r4/chain-drain/)
I made 2 similar out of a plastic 1ga windshield wiper fluid container and one out of a smallish cardboard box lined with newspaper to dispose of after; I perfer the box with throw away newspaper method, less mess and no overspray; protects the tire.
Does anyone seriously even USE "grease" any more and, if yes, WHY??
Wax is all we use, EVAR!
Quote from: NekkedChic on February 10, 2009, 01:56:13 PM
Does anyone seriously even USE "grease" any more and, if yes, WHY??
Wax is all we use, EVAR!
[roll] He meant grease as a generic term for crud [roll]
Quote from: brimo on February 10, 2009, 03:43:18 PM
[roll] He meant grease as a generic term for crud [roll]
[bang] :-X :-X [coffee] [coffee] sorry [laugh]
Quote from: NekkedChic on February 10, 2009, 01:56:13 PM
Does anyone seriously even USE "grease" any more and, if yes, WHY??
Wax is all we use, EVAR!
Well, a lot of people feel that wax takes up and holds more debris, possibly making the chain wear faster. Personally, I like plain-ass chain lube ("grease"), especially since I really don't ride in the wet where a heavier lube has the advantage. Not that I'm an expert, just sayin'.
Quote from: swampduc on February 10, 2009, 04:08:40 PM
Well, a lot of people feel that wax takes up and holds more debris, possibly making the chain wear faster. Personally, I like plain-ass chain lube ("grease"), especially since I really don't ride in the wet where a heavier lube has the advantage. Not that I'm an expert, just sayin'.
Sounds reasonable to me. We lived on a dirt road for years, only JUST moved to a 'hood with PAVED ROADS WOOT....always worried about wax "holding" the sand and tearing up sprockets etc......altho not seen any damage after 5+ years honestly due to this. Personally HATE the oily MESS the old skool chain oil makes of EVERYthing... had a service done on a Ninja the other year and they used that stuff....my SPOTLESS bike was NASTI by end of ride home, so we STRIPPED all and waxed chain and so much cleaner/nicer IMHO.
NOT an expert here either, will never claim to be, (apparent also by my dopie reply to "grease" lol) so interested in everyone else's opinions honestly on wax versus oil.
back on topic....
aren't oils suspended in the wax to lube your chain?
Quote from: OT_Ducati on February 10, 2009, 06:41:57 PM
aren't oils suspended in the wax to lube your chain?
Not always. There are dry/not oil based lubricants. For example, I use the dupont Teflon spary on my chain. Sprays on wet, then dries to a real wax consistency. The lubricant is the teflon
Call me crazy but O and X ring chains are supposed to be internally lubed - all I do is clean my chain with WD40 every month or so...
Quote from: flynbulldog on February 10, 2009, 08:33:52 PM
Call me crazy but O and X ring chains are supposed to be internally lubed - all I do is clean my chain with WD40 every month or so...
yes; but ...
theres debate as to how to protecting the outside of the links from rusting & where the links slide past the sprocket and against themselves ...
also; I've seen some posts that wd 40 isn't good for X / O rings as "a lube; it " can work its way past the O rings and damage the seal ...
I use wd 40 for a cleaner then wipe it off, I may even stop using it for cleaning the chain, then use Motul Chain lube (not wax) to protect from rain.
Quote from: DuciD03 on February 10, 2009, 10:20:49 PM
yes; but ...
theres debate as to how to protecting the outside of the links from rusting & where the links slide past the sprocket and against themselves ...
also; I've seen some posts that wd 40 isn't good for X / O rings as its a thing lube that can work its way past the O rings and damage the seal ...
I use wd 40 for a cleaner then wipe it off, I may even stop using it for cleaning the chain, then use Motul Chain lube (not wax) to protect from rain.
yep all of the above, not to mention also the rollers contact surface with the sprocket, that's where there is a big load transfer.
off topic slightly but this might also answer a few questions has abit to say about wd40
http://www.webbikeworld.com/t2/motorcycle-chain-lube/#wd40 (http://www.webbikeworld.com/t2/motorcycle-chain-lube/#wd40)
Quote from: DuciD03 on February 10, 2009, 10:20:49 PM
snip>....its a thing lube... <snip.
There are better lubes than that to use on your thing....
OK i guess nobody use 409 grease cleaner..i use this product to clean my chain before lube.and it works really good on grease..and safe for the paint as well.
Quote from: amcloud on February 08, 2009, 05:51:38 PM
What is the best way to remove the grease the chain slings on these pretty wheels?
Pretty wheels?.....Oh yeah....you mean the way they looked when they were new. ;D
I generally don't wash my bikes very often, but I do wipe down my wheels with every tire change or any other time I have the wheel off the bike. For reference, my wife and I went through 18 tires in 2008, 18 tires in 2007, and 14 tires in 2006, so we have the wheels off the bikes a LOT (we've changed four tires already this year). Anyway, to clean the crud off the wheels, I generally use WD-40. If I don't have any WD-40 laying around, I've used gasoline, kerosene, brake cleaner, carb cleaner, contact cleaner, and engine degreaser. When my wife washes her bikes, she uses "Suzuki Wash" and that works effortlessly and very well, but it's pretty expensive stuff.
I painted my wheels black...
I see no crud.
Say what you want, but I've used wd-40 for many, many years and hundreds of thousands of miles and get as much chain & sprocket life as anyone. Twisty rides to touring......and I also live on a dirt road. Dirt is my main enemy.
I had 28,000 miles on my last chain. Cleaned with WD-40, wiped with a rag, sprayed with either Maxima or Repsol chain lube.
JM
Quote from: brimo on February 11, 2009, 01:58:05 AM
There are better lubes than that to use on your thing....
... ya ya ....funny how things get garbled in posts and miss quoted out of context .... not where i was going with this but I was chuckling in the same frame of mind ....
...corrected ... [cheeky]
This from the FZ! forum, from a chain mfg...
(http://teamiguana.com/temp/tsubakiletter.jpg)