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Jkoda · 08-13-2011, 10:26 AM

hey all, I lube chain as often as needed however I get loads of gunk built up around the front cog behind the cover... the old chain lube seems to get all grimy and collect at that spot.. what is the best way to clean that is safe for the seals?

Easy Rider 2 · 08-13-2011, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jkoda

the old chain lube seems to get all grimy and collect at that spot.. what is the best way to clean that is safe for the seals?

Clean as much as you can off with something like popsicle stick, wash the inside of the cover if you MUST and don't worry about the rest.
It will hurt NOTHING.

pushrod · 08-13-2011, 03:22 PM

A can of WD-40 (with the straw) and some wood sticks and a lot of paper towels.

You can clean the rear sprocket, while you're at it.

And a thick layer of something (the NY Times, for instance) under the bike to catch all the yuck.

I'd suggest you change to a less 'flingy' lube.

FWIW, I use the Dupont Teflon Dry Film Lubricant. Great stuff, and it doesn't make any mess to speak of.

The Spaceman · 08-14-2011, 09:12 AM

You're better off with Gunk than WD-40.

WD-40 can penetrate the O or X ring seals of modern chains and leech out the factory lubricant. Gunk will dissolve the...gunk...without harming your chain. You can blast it up into the front and rear sprocket, soak the chain with it, and wash it all away with a hose.

If you use Gunk on asphalt, soak the pavement with water first so the Gunk doesn't soften it.

seruzawa · 08-14-2011, 01:23 PM

I've been using those power spray car wash thingies for years without any bad effects. Also a silicone lube will build less gunk than petroleum lubes.

As far as WD-40 goes, I've seen people claim that it gets through the seals, but have never seen any credible evidence, just rumors. I've never had it bother a chain. Like those rumors that dropping a helmet 3 feet requires its replacement. No scientific evidence.

Jkoda · 08-14-2011, 06:33 PM

sounds good.. I'll see what I can do.. thanks all.

sarnali2 · 08-15-2011, 07:34 AM

I clean it up when I remove the cover the change sprockets, other than that I don't worry about it. It's not going to hurt anything.

MOKE1K · 08-15-2011, 09:49 AM

Whats a COG?

sarnali2 · 08-15-2011, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MOKE1K

Whats a COG?

"Cruddy Oily Gear" thingy....

The Spaceman · 08-15-2011, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MOKE1K

Whats a COG?

It's a part in a WHEEL.

08-13-2011, 10:26 AM	#1
Jkoda Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 2	Cleaning front cog? hey all, I lube chain as often as needed however I get loads of gunk built up around the front cog behind the cover... the old chain lube seems to get all grimy and collect at that spot.. what is the best way to clean that is safe for the seals?

08-13-2011, 03:22 PM	#3
pushrod Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Baja 'Bama Posts: 3,478	A can of WD-40 (with the straw) and some wood sticks and a lot of paper towels. You can clean the rear sprocket, while you're at it. And a thick layer of something (the NY Times, for instance) under the bike to catch all the yuck. I'd suggest you change to a less 'flingy' lube. FWIW, I use the Dupont Teflon Dry Film Lubricant. Great stuff, and it doesn't make any mess to speak of. __________________ You would not understand, this is not how I am... I have become - Comfortably Numb.

08-14-2011, 01:23 PM	#5
seruzawa Robby Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: 8501 ft. Posts: 16,803	I've been using those power spray car wash thingies for years without any bad effects. Also a silicone lube will build less gunk than petroleum lubes. As far as WD-40 goes, I've seen people claim that it gets through the seals, but have never seen any credible evidence, just rumors. I've never had it bother a chain. Like those rumors that dropping a helmet 3 feet requires its replacement. No scientific evidence. __________________ I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched c-beams glitter in the dark near the Tanhauser Gate. All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in the rain.

08-15-2011, 07:34 AM	#7
sarnali2 Aging Cafe` Racer Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sittin' down by my window, lookin' at the rain. Posts: 8,132	I clean it up when I remove the cover the change sprockets, other than that I don't worry about it. It's not going to hurt anything. __________________ "Carpe` Throttelum -Loud Suits Save Lives" "All the BMW riders in the room, I want you to leave. Now. Out. "

08-15-2011, 09:49 AM	#8
MOKE1K Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Kalapana, Big Island Posts: 3,956	Whats a COG? __________________ "YOU CAN'T BOLT ON SKILL" "The only thing limiting your bike, is you" We survived Bush you'll survive Obama! "the most fundamental fact about the ideas of the political left is that they do not work. therefore we should not be surprised to find the left concentrated in institutions where ideas do not have to work in order to survive." --thomas sowell

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08-14-2011, 09:12 AM	#4
The Spaceman Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 1,352	You're better off with Gunk than WD-40. WD-40 can penetrate the O or X ring seals of modern chains and leech out the factory lubricant. Gunk will dissolve the...gunk...without harming your chain. You can blast it up into the front and rear sprocket, soak the chain with it, and wash it all away with a hose. If you use Gunk on asphalt, soak the pavement with water first so the Gunk doesn't soften it.

08-14-2011, 06:33 PM	#6
Jkoda Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 2	sounds good.. I'll see what I can do.. thanks all.