NC_Rebel_Girl

I washed the bike last weekend, but my chain is dirty.

How do I clean it? The dealer directed me to some oil to lube the chain, but it has a "sticky" residue, which is gunking up the chain.

I use "Honda Clean" all over the bike which does a great job, but I wasn't sure if I should spray the chain.

Thanks in advanced.
Cathy

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Big_J

you can use WD40, it will strip the chain of all its protective lubricants, ou wil then need to re-lube the chain with the chain oil the shop was directing you to.

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Haloman777

Depending on how dirty your chain gets, you might want to consider getting a chain brush. I got one from my local Honda Dealer. It has about a 6 inch handle with nylon scrubbers at the end.

I found that it was a tremendous help in cleaning the chain. The muffler can obstruct the accessibility to the chain. I found that having that added length made it much easier to reach without having to remove the muffler.

Just spray the chain with the cleaner and take it a section at a time. You'll want to be in a well ventilated area or outdoors when using the cleaner. Then just add your lubricant as directed.

Haloman777

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hewittdallas

I am somewhat cheap so I just picked up a gallon of kerosene from the local Home Depot for my chain cleaning. Put the bike in neutral, sock an old rag or sock in a little kerosene and give the chain a good scrub. Works like a charm. Whatever you decide to clean with, make sure you let it completely dry before applying your chain lube.

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Have you considered a Protac Driver Backrest for your Rebel?

PhilipJ

... and that's exactly what my 2009 owner's manual says you can do ... it's so good to be cheap AND right ... we're kindred spirits!

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hewittdallas

I tend to be busy enough as it is. I figure there is no reason to make cleaning my chain any more difficult than it ought to be. Between this and the amazing Teflon Dry Wax lube from Lowe's, my chain has over 3,000 miles on it and looks better than it did the day I drove it away from the showroom at the Honda dealership.

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Have you considered a Protac Driver Backrest for your Rebel?

JunkyardDog

I don't clean my original o-ring chain, I just keep it well lubed with Maxima chain wax. When it wears out, I will replace it with a super high quality non o-ring chain with a master link, that can be removed and soaked in gasoline to clean it. That is the only way I know of to get a chain COMPLETELY clean.


A word of warning. When cleaning or lubing your chain, be EXTREMELY careful about spinning the rear wheel with your hand anywhere near the chain. Many years ago, I got my thumb caught between the chain and sprocket, and the sprocket tooth went right through the end of my thumb. I was in severe pain for months. 20+ years later, it is barely noticeable, but my thumb still doesn't feel right. I thought, and the doctor though that I might lose the end of my thumb. Jerry.

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DeeG

+10000000 for that stuff.

I used to spend hours scrubbing the chain and getting it clean and then re-lubing it, only to have it get filthy again. Last time I scrubbed it clean, I put the Teflon spray on it. And yes, several thousand miles later, its still clean. Every couple hundred miles it gets a quick spray.

I have started using it on the dual sports, too. The chains on the F650's also look better than new. I'll probably never use 'regular' chain lube again.

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