Brake cleaner on chains. ???

[Dodgy69]

Can we or not. ???

[KungFooBob]

Does the chain have o (or x) rings?

[Skub]

I wouldn't. Maybe carb cleaner,if you have to use an arsehole spray.

Paraffin for me.

[weeksy]

Citrus degreaser. No idea if brake cleaner is appropriate.

[roadster]

I doubt that it would do any direct harm but the danger of removing all grease is that the chain will rust at the first sign of water. So a very thorough regreasing would be essential and many of the spray grease products don't penetrate very well and won't reach the places that the brake cleaner has flushed out.

Personally I have always though that cleaning chains is unnecessary unless operating off-road. When required I oil chains sparingly with very heavy duty agricultural 140 grade then leave it for a day before wiping off the excess.

[iansoady]

I wouldn't. Maybe carb cleaner,if you have to use an arsehole spray.

Paraffin for me.

In my experience carb cleaner is more aggressive than brake cleaner (for example it dissolves wellseal). But I wouldn't use either and agree with Skub on paraffin.

[Yorick]

Paraffin for me.

Chilled, with ice ?

[Mr. Dazzle]

I doubt that it would do any direct harm but the danger of removing all grease is that the chain will rust at the first sign of water.

The danger of removing the grease is way higher than that.

The grease is what lets the rollers in a roller chain roll, without it the thing will die long before it gets a chance to rust

[Dodgy69]

Tbh, I was thinking more push bike. Ain't the grease on motorbike chains all sealed in, not sure on pusher. Thought's were to clear grit and sandy shit then relube straight away.

[Rockburner]

Tbh, I was thinking more push bike. Ain't the grease on motorbike chains all sealed in, not sure on pusher. Thought's were to clear grit and sandy shit then relube straight away.

Probably best done with a stiff brush?

[crust]

Parafin for me, pour a pint of it, into an old gallon plastic container, drop the chain in, screw lid on, shake like buggery, tip out chain and parafin into a dish and marvel at the crap thats been washed out.

[ChrisW]

Diesel / Heating oil if it's easier to hand than Paraffin, too.

[wull]

Use a dedicated chain cleaner like Motul C1

[wull]

Tbh, I was thinking more push bike. Ain't the grease on motorbike chains all sealed in, not sure on pusher. Thought's were to clear grit and sandy shit then relube straight away.

This is correct, they are sealed so in theory maintenance free but what you’re doing is keeping shit away which could potentially damage the seals allowing them to dry out and fail. It also keeps the chain looking good and rust free. Nothing worse than a neglected chain, when I see a chain that’s neglected I always think the rider is a lazy useless bastard.

[MrLongbeard]

Oh, how don't miss messing about with chain cleaning n lubing

[Dodgy69]

Oh, how don't miss messing about with chain cleaning n lubing

Yep...I had a belt on my Buell, with a spring tensioner, really good, only part of the bike that was reliable thinking about it.

I always thought carb and brake cleaner were the same.

[katana]

Can we or not. ???

Now you have open a can of worms.

[Supermofo]

Been using WD chain cleaner for the last year as it won a couple of tests. Does a decent job. Before that I used paraffin and it works well too.

[Taipan]

Yup WD chain cleaner for me too. I used to use paraffin but its bit of a faff getting round here now, which is a shame as i used to use it on the whole bike as even when washed off it leaves a bit of oily film.

[Bustaspoke]

Tbh, I was thinking more push bike. Ain't the grease on motorbike chains all sealed in, not sure on pusher. Thought's were to clear grit and sandy shit then relube straight away.

I use parrafin to clean my pushbike chains,especially the MTB & 'Gravel bike'.They get covered in grit & it forms a grinding paste.
The road bike just gets a occasional oiling & I wipe off the excess to try & stop muck getting stuck to the chain.