revtothelimit - motorbike forum

So whilst the weather is crap, I'm just musing over this topic.

I love keeping my bike clean, however, despite cleaning my chain every few hundred or so, my rear wheel is absolutely filthy even after multiple dry days and making sure I don't apply too much lubricant and letting it dry in sufficient time. Is there something I am missing? I currently use Motul cleaner and lube and the chain comes up really nicely. When I've been cleaning the rear wheel itself, the oil/grease is absolutely caked on and take lots of effort to get off.

Any tips?

Petrol and paint brush gets the shit off.

Wd40 gets all of the crud off the chain and back wheel really nicely.

I had a good go at my CBR 250 chain the other weekend as it had a few tight links from way too many years just spraying more lube over old dirty lube.
WD40, a toothbrush, and a lot of patience got the old stuff off and allowed me to free up the links.
A paintbrush and some clean engine oil got it lubed up properly. If I had it handy I'd use gear oil or chainsaw oil for re-lubing as it's thicker. It'll still fling though, as anyone with a scottoiler will tell you.

Taff wrote: Sun Mar 29, 2026 1:21 pm Wd40 gets all of the crud off the chain and back wheel really nicely.

That's exactly what I used for it after the usual clean. And it took a few rags and cloths to get it off.

I was pondering getting a ceramic product to protect the rear wheel and make it easier to clean.

These piqued my interest...

viewtopic.php?t=11762

Taff wrote: Sun Mar 29, 2026 1:21 pm Wd40 gets all of the crud off the chain and back wheel really nicely.

+1

Taff wrote: Sun Mar 29, 2026 1:21 pm Wd40 gets all of the crud off the chain and back wheel really nicely.

It also melts all the O rings in your chain.

Le_Fromage_Grande wrote: Sun Mar 29, 2026 4:21 pm

Taff wrote: Sun Mar 29, 2026 1:21 pm Wd40 gets all of the crud off the chain and back wheel really nicely.

It also melts all the O rings in your chain.

meh, I've seen this written plenty, but I've been cleaning my chain using dubs for 30 years and can't say that I've ever seen any chain with knackered o rings (or x rings), and given the milage I do and cleaning the chain every coulpe of weeks through winter I'd expect to have seen this before.

Out of curiosity I chucked it into co-pilot.
Here’s the evidence‑based answer:
There is no credible evidence that WD‑40 damages O‑rings on motorcycle chains when used frequently as a cleaner. Independent tests, rider reports, and material‑science facts all point the same way: WD‑40 does not chemically attack nitrile O‑rings, which is what modern chains use. The real risk is not seal damage — it’s that WD‑40 can strip external lubrication if you don’t re‑lube afterwards.

I used to get WD40 for free at work, and used it as a chain cleaner and lube for years. Never knew it to cause any issues?

For the short amount of time the WD40 or paraffin etc is on the chain it won't hurt. Dry off with rag and re lube.

Try putting an O ring in WD40 overnight, see what it does, I've not tried it, but I have seen WD40 melt other rubbers and then they go brittle when they dry out.

Le_Fromage_Grande wrote: Sun Mar 29, 2026 5:47 pm Try putting an O ring in WD40 overnight, see what it does, I've not tried it, but I have seen WD40 melt other rubbers and then they go brittle when they dry out.

A regular o-ring for water fittings, sure. But chain o-rings are meant to be used with oil/grease and made of nitrile.

I didn't think WD40 melted o-rings, but rather washed all the proper lube out from behind them.

WD40 penetrates,so I wouldn't be keen on dousing an O ring chain with that. To clean a chain I just use a rag,but then I don't use that spray,sticky lube stuff,I use chainsaw oil sparingly,then wipe the excess with a clean rag.

On non O ring chains I use paraffin or WD to clean.

Still the original C&S on the Zed at over 25k miles.

I was taught to use paraffin.

On the - frankly incredibly rare - occasions when I clean my chain, I use a KettenMax with paraffin. If I should be using something else, I'm open to suggestions...

I always thought paraffin was the redneck choice of chain cleaner.
Works for me

Thanks for all the replies. I'm non the wiser.

I have used the same cleaner for years , water soluble engine degreaser , this one but there are loads.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/363382944555 ... BMoOva3adn
Just brush on and then wash off with water, never had a problem with a chain .

Nothing I've used has stopped the rear wheel getting cruddy with lube/dust mix. Getting it off properly requires wd40 and a rag. But it'll look shite again in a few hundred miles. The thing Taipan linked to was slightly interesting but still didn't stop all the fling and looks a bit Even the XCP chain lube which is very oil like and rubs off easy in itself goes tacky once on the wheel with road dust.

The sad answer I think is rear wheels are supposed to be minging and I give up until the bike gets a proper wash. Black wheels for the win as they hide it best.