CLR on chain

[LWilson250]

Will CLR damage or ruin my O-ring chain? I am desperate to get the rust off but I can’t afford to have a ruined chain because of O-ring damage. Has anyone used CLR or similar products? Are there better ways to clean a chain? Thanks.

Lee W.

 

[MBFTY]

WD-40

WD-40 is an excellent solvent, rust remover, and lubricator.

USe a wire brush on the side plates, and a soft brush and some elbow grease on the rollers and areas where O-Rings are prone.

 

[Jaybird]

I would take the chain off the bike and layit on the ground. Using a Dremel tool with a wire brush attachment will clean the rust off better than anything and you don't have to worry about chemical reactions on the rings. Just be sure and wear safety glasses (MANDITORY!)

MBFTY, Yes I agree that at Dirtbike.com WD-40 is a wonder fluid.
BUT for regular folks like us, WD-40 is FAR from an excellant solvent, rust remover, lubricant. WD-40 is a moisture displacement product and should be used specifically for such. For that purpose it IS excellant. For the other issues you stated excellant would mean it would be a top contender in each field, of which it's not. Compared to mineral spirits its quite a poor solvent. As far as lubrication goes, the only lubricant in WD-40 (to best of my limited knowledge) is silicone. What you have stated would leave anovice mechanic to believe he could lubricate his o-ring chain with it exclusively and be fine. This is not the case and a good lubricant should be used AFTER using WD-40 for what it is intended for.

 

[Wolf]

:scream:
LOL Jaybird.

Basically it comes down to this: Don't listen to advice from guys that have a "QUAD with mods that you have to shake your forks at" in their signature.

Jaybird summed it up: Elbow grease and PROPER lubrication after that.

 

[XRpredator]

A "Grunge Brush" works well--it has stiff plastic bristles and works on 3-sides at a time. Use the WD after you wash the bike, then use an o-ring chain specific lube after the WD does it's job.

 

[LWilson250]

I use Motul chain lube. The off road formula works great, lubes better then the Pro Honda stuff I used to use. And it sprays on bright yellow! I also do know that WD-40 is a chain killer when used as a lube. But you guys STILL haven’t answered my question! Will CLR harm my chain?!?

And as for MBFTY, make his day and have Okie ban him.;) Haha, he really isn’t that bad. I count him as a friend.:scream:

Lee W.

 

[Jaybird]

Lee,
I wouldn't use CLR. It probably won't hurt your rings as it can be used to clean out coffee pots. BUT, unless you talk to someone who has experimented with it, I'd steer clear from it. It's highly possible that the CLR could swell/soften the rings which is a bad thing.

Just don't put your horse up wet anymore! :)

BTW....by better, you mean that you like the looks of the gunky messy lube as opposed to a cleaner look? Or have you done a lubricity test? :think ....

 

[LWilson250]

Well I was interested in seeing the difference between the 2 lubes so I did test them.

Motul Off road formula Vs. Pro Honda chain lube!

I cleaned my chain with soap and hot water before all tests were done.

Test 1. The noise test. I found the Motul to be a quieter running lube; there was a noticeable nose reduction. The Pro Honda lube also did a good job at staying quiet. Over all I liked the Motul better.

Test 2. The sandy riding test. The trails around my house are VERY sandy. When it hasn’t rained in a while the trails get very dusty. The fine sand dust will glom onto your chain very quickly. The Motul did a nice job at moving the dust away from the rollers and O-rings. The Pro Honda seemed to attract more dust then the Motul, the rollers and O-rings quickly became very dirty. Winner: Motul.

Test 3. The water test. The Pro Honda clearly won here. The Motul quickly washed off and the chain became very noisy. The Pro Honda was much more water resistant.

Test 4. The ease of use test. I like the Motul a lot because of the color, you know just where you have and have not sprayed. It sprays on yellow and then turns green. It covers nicely and doesn’t fling off. The Pro Honda does a good job at covering the rollers and rings but it is much harder to see where you have sprayed.

Over all the thicker, longer lasting brightly colored Motul has won me over. Don’t mistake me, I think the Pro Honda stuff is great but the Motul also costs less. $8 for Motul Vs. $11 for Pro Honda.

And I won’t be using any CLR on my chain, thanks for the replies guys.


Lee W.

 

[MBFTY]

WD-40 as a lubricant

Heh... I enjoyed reading your replies to my post.

Well, WD 40 is actually IS the only thing I use to lubricate my chain, and I have my reasons.

WD 40 isnt tacky, which makes it less likely to pick up dirt and grind it into the chain and sprockets. Where I ride, its either sand or mud... No in between. It is an excellent water displacer, which is a must out here where it rains 10 months out of the year.

My last set of chain and sprockets (stock) lasted over 5 years. Yes, they were a bit worn when I took them off, but they were still functioning. Thats all that matters. WD 40 was used as a lubricant the entire 5 years.

WD 40 is a penetrating lubricant... Put it on a hot chain and you can see it move between the side plates and o-rings.

I've used seen PJ1 and Maxima used on many other ATVs before, they both picked up sand... Sand+Dirt=Grinding Compound

Everybody has their own preferences, Some people can afford the $7.00 a can for PJ1... Ill keep paying the $1.70 for a large can of WD 40...

 

[Jaybird]

Why do you waste your time here with us, Einstien?

 

[MBFTY]

Well...

First of all, lets not get this topic OFF TOPIC by turning it into a flame...

I have one reason...

This site has a huge problem... There is a quad bias. Nobody wants me here for the pure reason that I ride a quad... That is why I come here. Things can change...

When I first came to Dirtbike.com, I got flamed to no end. Now I am the moderator of the ATV forum there... Imagine that.

If you have anything else to say, send it to my private message box.

 

[popitagain]

Well i guess you still went down in ... Flames
who cares :silly:

 

[yardpro]

to everyone who suggested a wire brush-

What do you think that the wire bristles will do to the rubber o rings in an o ring chain. Use nylon bristles just like the the manufacturers say, they are much easier on the rubber, after all didn't you pay more for the o-ring b/c of the long life.

 

[Jaybird]

On my earlier post, I was not reffering to using the wire brush attachment Dremel on the rollers. I assumed he was talking about rust on the sideplates.
I agree you shouldn't use a wire brush on the rollers of an o-ring chain under any circumstances. Unless you forgot to lube your chain after washing, there shouldn't be any rust on the rollers, but it happens. I wouldn't worry about it too bad if the rollers are what you are talking about, Wilson. Just lubricate them and the rust will go away. You were talking about your side plates and pin ends, yes?