Remove chain to clean

[sgeier]

Hi I am looking for some opinions. I am garage mechanic wanna-be and am just learning.
I recently thought that I could more easily and thoroughly clean my chain by removing it completely from the bike and using S100 and a toothbrush.
I then sprayed some chain wax on it and put it back on and set the tension.
I did this and after 4000 miles the chain looks brand new. So I am pretty happy with the results, but I am wondering if am hurting something else in the long run.
Is this a bad practice and there is something I don't realize.

Thanks in advance

[Howie]

Courtesy of one of our sponsors, Chris Kelley of California Cycleworks:

[BK_856er]

I use the "Chris Kelley" technique every 150-200miles, but with Dupont teflon lube, immediately after a ride so the chain is good and warm.  Rearstand makes it super easy.

Every few lubes per above, I first wipe the chain down with kerosene and rags.

Every year or two, while I have the wheel off for some other reason, I take a toothbrush and container of kerosene and give the chain a good scrubbing.

I'm a clean chain maniac, but I would not go to the trouble of completely removing the chain just to clean it.  And I'd be worried about the water-based S100 cleaner for the long-haul.  Kerosene is kosher for the o-rings.  Don't let it get too skanky and it won't be too much trouble to keep it looking/working in top shape.

BK

[booger]

Kerosene is kosher for the o-rings.

Agreed 

[Triple J]

This is a bit like asking what oil is best, as there are multiple opinions, but...

...I just stick with Chain Wax (or actually the cheaper Dupont Teflon Spray alternative) to clean and "lube" my chains. I don't get kerosene or WD-40 anywhere near them, since those are very good at getting into tight spaces and removing grease. I'd rather not risk a little getting by an 0-ring or two and ruining the grease between the links. Besides, wax/teflon on a warm chain is all that is needed...unless you're super anal and want your chain to look like new, in which case you'll probably replace it before it needs it anyway.

Taking the chain off to clean it is flat out silly IMO.

[booger]

Well hey my Ducati Monster owner's manual said to use paraffin(kerosene) or diesel to clean the DID o-ring chain that came stock. Neither of those two are penetrating oils and they won't harm an o-ring seal. Kero also outperforms all expensive specialty chain cleaners according to webbikeworld and various other references. 

I strongly disagree that kerosene will penetrate and remove grease from o-ring chain links. 

Some have said WD-40 doesn't do it either, but since it is a penetrant, I would stay away.

[Ddan]

I think the primary ingredient in WD40 is kero. 

[Howie]

WD-40 is much thinner than kerosene and is 50% Stoddard Solvent, the rest is propellant and mineral oil.  It is O ring safe, but can creep past O rings if the chain is soaked in it.

Unless your chain is really grungy there is more than enough solvent in most chain lubes to leave you with a nice, clean shiny chain and you will probably have less fling.

[sgeier]

Thank you all for the great advice. I did let the chain maintenance slip a little and the chain was pretty grungy.
Next time I will try the Chris Kelly method and once my can of chain wax runs out I think I'll try the Dupont Teflon lube as the chain wax seems "sticky" to me.

[EEL]

Thank you all for the great advice. I did let the chain maintenance slip a little and the chain was pretty grungy.
Next time I will try the Chris Kelly method and once my can of chain wax runs out I think I'll try the Dupont Teflon lube as the chain wax seems "sticky" to me.

I use dupont chain clean and dupont chain lube (in the YELLOW CAN). Walmart seems to stock both. The yellow can is thicker and last a bit longer than the blue can.

[corey]

two words.
bean. clean.

http://www.chaindrain.com/
shit works. period.
also, if you get it on your pipes... when the bike heats up it smells like someone's frying chicken. it's great.

[seevtsaab]

I've been using the Dupont Teflon stuff (blue can) without
so much as wiping my chain, just over 20k miles now.
Factors to consider, I ride in the rain, live on a dirt road,
But ride a 620, and lube warm every 300-500mi.
That Teflon Dry stuff is the cat's ass IMO.

[Greg]

Dupont Teflon spray works great and you don't get oil spattered all over your wheel and tire.

[He Man]

two words.
bean. clean.

http://www.chaindrain.com/
shit works. period.
also, if you get it on your pipes... when the bike heats up it smells like someone's frying chicken. it's great.

no it isnt. its the best shit in the worl, until the smell brings back horrible horrible memories.

[VisceralReaction]

^ only you have those cherished memories man. the rest of us just got to giggle at  the pics.