Hiya,

I haven't moved the bird for a long time, and the chain looks like it could do with some cleaning (it was stored outdoors)
The service manual recommends cleaning it with a high flash paint solvent.
Is that white spirit? :?:
I don't want to use the wrong stuff and kill the O-rings...


Cheers,

JohnA

JohnA,

I use Kerosene(same as #1 diesel)to clean my chain, works great to loosen up any grease/grit and takes care of surface rust.

WD40 to clean (with tooth brush or plastic BBQ brush) then rince it out good. I then add chain wax, go out for a quick 15 min. run and wax it again.

High flash point solvent.....
That is just a nice way of saying "Don't clean your chain with gasoline"
This is more of a safety warning than a issue with damaging chain o-rings.

Kerosene or WD-40 are both high flash point solvents.

WD40 if you must, but DO NOT use a brush and avoid pushing stuff into the O-rings. Personally I'd just lube it and leave it alone.

Cheers guys

Yeah, I know WD40 is a no-no. Gets underneath the O-rings and dilutes the lubricant (exactly what it says on the tin!)

Brushed it with diesel, dried it then brushed with SAE80. It should be OK now - no tight spots either, good sign!
Hadn't moved the thing for a year, what a disgrace...

Kerosene.
WD40 will actually keep your chain lube from getting where it's suppose to go.
That's just what i read in motorcyclist mag.

A brush is the one thing all the chain manufacturers say you should never use. THAT is what will get shit in the o-rings. The differences between diesel, kerosene, WD, etc are rather minimal. Overall though, my experience is that chains that are just left alone and never cleaned last longer than the ones that are cleaned regularly.