Yo: do some maintenance - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

**87gsxrnut** · 03-13-2005, 06:15 PM

I went out riding to day for the first time in months. Mainly to charge the battery, run some gas thru the carbs etc. I followed some squids for a while. They stopped at the local Cycle Gear. When they went in, I took a look at their bikes. They all were pretty dirty, even with all of the "bling" on there. There was eight or nine of them. Anyway, EVERY LAST ONE HAD A RUSTY, NASTY chain.

So, go look at your bikes and do a good once over.

- Nut

LayinLo · 03-13-2005, 08:56 PM

Thanks, I did mine before my Daytona trip.

It was amazing how much road grime I found in and around the chain. Especially near the fairing and under the front sprocket.

prekarious1 · 03-13-2005, 09:11 PM

Every Sat morning and before/after any long rides.

Gixxerdale · 03-13-2005, 09:36 PM

Chain? Every few days, if not daily on the summer weekends!

jaydog19833 · 03-13-2005, 10:13 PM

What do you guys do to clean your chains? It sounds like there are better or worse ways to do this. I know I think it's a pain in the ***.......maybe I'm doing it the hard way. You guys have a better way to do it? Specific cleaning chemicals or lubes afterwards?

**Freakinout** · 03-13-2005, 10:40 PM

In the winter I clean/wax my chain at least once a month.

The rest of the year I've been known to have to clean/wax it every weekend.

**87gsxrnut** · 03-13-2005, 10:49 PM

WD-40 and a rag to get all of the nasty gunk off. Then whatever chain lube I have lying around.

- Nut

**Clint** · 03-13-2005, 10:51 PM

I did mine on the warm day we had last week. It's been cold as witch mammaries since. I tried WD, but it didn't take the old Hondalube off. Will try kerosene next.

**87gsxrnut** · 03-13-2005, 10:52 PM

Use a nylon brush.

- Nut

Gixxerdale · 03-13-2005, 11:01 PM

Same here. WD-40 lots of rags and an old toothbrush. Then some Motorex chain lube. Just did it yesterday, needs doing again tonight from riding in the rain and mud!

**inspiron** · 03-14-2005, 02:20 AM

Quick job - WD-40 and a rag to get it clean, then chain-spray for O-Ring chains.

And when I want to do it "right" - KettenMax and chain cleaner, then chain-spray.

Ride-or-die · 03-14-2005, 07:18 AM

mine has just had a brand new chain and sprocket kit fitted so will probably be more bling than all the cack the squids had

KAOS · 03-14-2005, 11:26 AM

how do you know when you need a new chain? i.e. is there a "tell tail sign's" or something?

in about a month i'm going to put some money into my bike to make sure she's up to par.

the things i know need fixing are:
-speedometer doesn't work
-there's a leak in the clutch system somewhere. it's like in about a weeks time i have no clutch when i press in the lever. now i know why the seller said quote "oh that drain pan under the bike is there cuz i just bleed the clutch!!"
-full tune-up
-get the carbs done
-there's a gas leak under the gas tank. so i'll have to look into that.

sorry for the rant there

themeatmanlandry · 03-14-2005, 11:38 AM

The chain gets stretched. See owner's manual for info. If not in owner's manual, see service manual (Haynes, etc.).

Folks, don't forget to open up the drain for the airbox and let that crap out of there.

I'm losing gas mileage, so I think it's about time for:

1) Chevron Techron additive
2) New Air Filter
3) New Plugs

I'm also going to take a look at draining/flushing the brake lines.

I've got the rear tire off the bike right now, so it's time to take a little kerosene and clean up the rear of the bike. Swingarm, chain guard, sprocket, sprocket cover (in front) . . . they're all covered in chain lube goop and need ot be cleaned.

<i'm listening to Queensryche, Empire . . . what a great CD . . . Chris DeGarmo rocks>

St0nkingByte · 03-14-2005, 11:44 AM

I've got chain lube and gunk all over my rear wheel, chain guard and a bit on my pipe where it goes under the chain. I ride in the rain alot so I lube chain weeky. I guess a greasy build up in inevitable. I was thinking some engine degreaser might work nicely for cleaning this stuff up. I have the foamy friendly-to-all-automotive rubber kind. Think thats cool to use on the bike?

Ride-or-die · 03-14-2005, 04:25 PM

yeah if u can pull ur chain away from the sprocket then u need a new chain and u should always replace ur sprockets when u replace ur chain

**87gsxrnut** · 03-14-2005, 06:12 PM

Quote:

<i'm listening to Queensryche, Empire . . . what a great CD . . . Chris DeGarmo rocks>

Me with Scott Rockenfield and Eddie Jackson in '91 on the Empire tour. I also saw them open for Metallica in Jan '89.

- Nut

themeatmanlandry · 03-15-2005, 09:14 AM

You go Ross!!! DeGarmo wouldn't hang with you, eh?

I saw them open for Metallica on that tour. You don't, by chance remember the drum kit that guiy had do you? It was a big, framed-out unit. The frame was made from chromed chains and stuff. The whole kit rocked when he was playing. Awesome.

That was one great show.

**Trapper** · 03-15-2005, 09:50 AM

nice pants. Are you sure that's not '84 instead of '91? j/k

themeatmanlandry · 03-15-2005, 10:25 AM

At least he lost the bandana for that photo!

03-13-2005, 06:15 PM	#1 (permalink)
87gsxrnut Ho Dog Joined: Dec 2003 Bike: 867-5309 Location: Terror Lake Posts: 4,224	Yo: do some maintenance I went out riding to day for the first time in months. Mainly to charge the battery, run some gas thru the carbs etc. I followed some squids for a while. They stopped at the local Cycle Gear. When they went in, I took a look at their bikes. They all were pretty dirty, even with all of the "bling" on there. There was eight or nine of them. Anyway, EVERY LAST ONE HAD A RUSTY, NASTY chain. So, go look at your bikes and do a good once over. - Nut __________________ Person or person's unknown.

03-13-2005, 09:11 PM	#3 (permalink)
prekarious1 Sprocket Pilot Joined: May 2004 Bike: 02 busa LE Location: Pensacola Fl Posts: 879	Every Sat morning and before/after any long rides. __________________ If my busa is so slow in the twisties, why can't you keep up?

03-13-2005, 09:36 PM	#4 (permalink)
Gixxerdale Forensic Bug Splatter Analyst. Joined: Mar 2004 Bike: 02 GSXR 1k Location: The warm and twisty roads of SoCal Posts: 3,028	Chain? Every few days, if not daily on the summer weekends! __________________ Proud Father of a U S Army Soldier... The key to life is to die young...at a very old age... Ride like you own the road...and...someday the road will own you.. My Favorite Ride? Tomorrows!

03-13-2005, 10:13 PM	#5 (permalink)
jaydog19833 U.B's LoveChild Joined: Jun 2004 Bike: 04 GSXR 600 Location: Lake George, NY Posts: 1,288	What do you guys do to clean your chains? It sounds like there are better or worse ways to do this. I know I think it's a pain in the ***.......maybe I'm doing it the hard way. You guys have a better way to do it? Specific cleaning chemicals or lubes afterwards? __________________ Anyone can fire a bullet. Only the good ones can steer one. Bend your elbow, move your arse, and stick the knee out.

03-13-2005, 10:40 PM	#6 (permalink)
Freakinout Tire Eating Moderator Joined: Jul 2004 Bike: 2001 Suzuki TL1000S Location: Texas Posts: 2,617	In the winter I clean/wax my chain at least once a month. The rest of the year I've been known to have to clean/wax it every weekend. __________________ Freakinout

03-13-2005, 08:56 PM	#2 (permalink)
LayinLo Flipper ( Don't Ask ) Joined: Jul 2004 Bike: Crunchy 02 GSX-R 750 Location: Alabama Posts: 3,936	Thanks, I did mine before my Daytona trip. It was amazing how much road grime I found in and around the chain. Especially near the fairing and under the front sprocket.

03-13-2005, 10:49 PM	#7 (permalink)
87gsxrnut Ho Dog Joined: Dec 2003 Bike: 867-5309 Location: Terror Lake Posts: 4,224	WD-40 and a rag to get all of the nasty gunk off. Then whatever chain lube I have lying around. - Nut __________________ Person or person's unknown.

03-13-2005, 10:52 PM	#9 (permalink)
87gsxrnut Ho Dog Joined: Dec 2003 Bike: 867-5309 Location: Terror Lake Posts: 4,224	Use a nylon brush. - Nut __________________ Person or person's unknown.

03-13-2005, 11:01 PM	#10 (permalink)
Gixxerdale Forensic Bug Splatter Analyst. Joined: Mar 2004 Bike: 02 GSXR 1k Location: The warm and twisty roads of SoCal Posts: 3,028	Same here. WD-40 lots of rags and an old toothbrush. Then some Motorex chain lube. Just did it yesterday, needs doing again tonight from riding in the rain and mud! __________________ Proud Father of a U S Army Soldier... The key to life is to die young...at a very old age... Ride like you own the road...and...someday the road will own you.. My Favorite Ride? Tomorrows!

03-14-2005, 02:20 AM	#11 (permalink)
inspiron Muscle Biker Joined: Jul 2004 Bike: Blue Suzuki GSX 1400 (2003) Location: Canton Basel-Land, Switzerland (47.4493, 7.76536) Posts: 12,070	Quick job - WD-40 and a rag to get it clean, then chain-spray for O-Ring chains. And when I want to do it "right" - KettenMax and chain cleaner, then chain-spray. __________________ There is nothing worse than aggressive stupidity. - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe blog: gsx1400

03-14-2005, 07:18 AM	#12 (permalink)
Ride-or-die Petrol Taster Joined: Oct 2004 Bike: 2000 GSXR-600 Location: ESSEX, England Posts: 751	mine has just had a brand new chain and sprocket kit fitted so will probably be more bling than all the cack the squids had __________________ Both knees are good friends with Mr Road. they play everyday!!

03-14-2005, 11:26 AM	#13 (permalink)
KAOS Third gear and cruising Joined: Dec 2004 Bike: 1994 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-7R Location: Maine Posts: 451	how do you know when you need a new chain? i.e. is there a "tell tail sign's" or something? in about a month i'm going to put some money into my bike to make sure she's up to par. the things i know need fixing are: -speedometer doesn't work -there's a leak in the clutch system somewhere. it's like in about a weeks time i have no clutch when i press in the lever. now i know why the seller said quote "oh that drain pan under the bike is there cuz i just bleed the clutch!!" -full tune-up -get the carbs done -there's a gas leak under the gas tank. so i'll have to look into that. sorry for the rant there __________________ "The WORLD is yours..." 1994 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-7R "Play ya cards, go against all odds, Shoot for the moon if you miss, still amongst those stars"

03-14-2005, 11:38 AM	#14 (permalink)
themeatmanlandry Happy-ass Lunatic Joined: Dec 2003 Bike: 2002 Bandit 600S (Black); 2006 GSXR750 (Black) Location: Memphis Posts: 11,423	The chain gets stretched. See owner's manual for info. If not in owner's manual, see service manual (Haynes, etc.). Folks, don't forget to open up the drain for the airbox and let that crap out of there. I'm losing gas mileage, so I think it's about time for: 1) Chevron Techron additive 2) New Air Filter 3) New Plugs I'm also going to take a look at draining/flushing the brake lines. I've got the rear tire off the bike right now, so it's time to take a little kerosene and clean up the rear of the bike. Swingarm, chain guard, sprocket, sprocket cover (in front) . . . they're all covered in chain lube goop and need ot be cleaned. <i'm listening to Queensryche, Empire . . . what a great CD . . . Chris DeGarmo rocks> __________________ Go to hell

03-14-2005, 11:44 AM	#15 (permalink)
St0nkingByte Sprocket Pilot Joined: Nov 2004 Bike: 2005 BMW R1200RT Location: Bellevue, WA Posts: 893	I've got chain lube and gunk all over my rear wheel, chain guard and a bit on my pipe where it goes under the chain. I ride in the rain alot so I lube chain weeky. I guess a greasy build up in inevitable. I was thinking some engine degreaser might work nicely for cleaning this stuff up. I have the foamy friendly-to-all-automotive rubber kind. Think thats cool to use on the bike?

03-14-2005, 04:25 PM	#16 (permalink)
Ride-or-die Petrol Taster Joined: Oct 2004 Bike: 2000 GSXR-600 Location: ESSEX, England Posts: 751	yeah if u can pull ur chain away from the sprocket then u need a new chain and u should always replace ur sprockets when u replace ur chain __________________ Both knees are good friends with Mr Road. they play everyday!!

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03-15-2005, 09:14 AM	#18 (permalink)
themeatmanlandry Happy-ass Lunatic Joined: Dec 2003 Bike: 2002 Bandit 600S (Black); 2006 GSXR750 (Black) Location: Memphis Posts: 11,423	You go Ross!!! DeGarmo wouldn't hang with you, eh? I saw them open for Metallica on that tour. You don't, by chance remember the drum kit that guiy had do you? It was a big, framed-out unit. The frame was made from chromed chains and stuff. The whole kit rocked when he was playing. Awesome. That was one great show. __________________ Go to hell

03-15-2005, 09:50 AM	#19 (permalink)
Trapper Dogs Best Friend(admin) Joined: Jul 2004 Bike: SOLD Location: Moncton NB Canada Posts: 9,190	nice pants. Are you sure that's not '84 instead of '91? j/k __________________ PointFlushRetrieve.com - Bird Dog Blog Motorcycle-Journal.com Blog

03-15-2005, 10:25 AM	#20 (permalink)
themeatmanlandry Happy-ass Lunatic Joined: Dec 2003 Bike: 2002 Bandit 600S (Black); 2006 GSXR750 (Black) Location: Memphis Posts: 11,423	At least he lost the bandana for that photo! __________________ Go to hell

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