What to use to clean black chain lube off of aluminum rims easily?

Mambo Dave · 10-23-2012, 07:55 AM

Obviously I don't want to use an abrasive on aluminum rims to clean them, but I was somewhat shocked that pure strength, then diluted strength to soak, Simple Green didn't really clean much chain lube off of the rear wheel of my DR650.

I'm no neat freak with the bikes since I ride them at least six days a week, but the one time I've thought "Yeah, maybe I should wash the DR..." it didn't really get clean looking with the goop on the rear wheel, sprocket, etc.

Should i go buy a little kerosene? Does WD-40 still cut through modern lubes? (I think the spray-can lube I have at home is PJ1 Black Label).

Offcamber · 10-23-2012, 07:57 AM

I use Simple Green straight without diluting it. Its safe on the rims and is an excellent grease cutter....

Wlfman · 10-23-2012, 07:58 AM

Simple Green

urbanXJ · 10-23-2012, 08:02 AM

WD40 on a rag

Also, the chain cleaner that you hose off with water seems to works really well.

DAKEZ · 10-23-2012, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by urbanxj

wd40 on a rag.

+1

farmboyfz1 · 10-25-2012, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dakez

+1

+ 2 on WD-40

CharlestonADV · 10-23-2012, 08:08 AM

I've found that Honda aerosol cleaner / wax works most of the time for grease and bugs. For stubborn stuff I spray WD 40 on a rag.

Yossarian™ · 10-23-2012, 08:31 AM

Just use a little diesel / kerosene. It'll cut through caked on asphalt and tar, so it will work great on chain lube as well.

It's cheap and easily obtainable. It won't damage the finish.

Mambo Dave · 10-23-2012, 09:20 AM

Thanks guys.

I'm either surprised the Simple Green is working for some, as I stated it was pretty useless, or that the chain lubes they use are cut by it when PJ1 Black isn't.

DAKEZ · 10-23-2012, 09:26 AM

p.s. STOP using chain lube. There is NO valid reason to spray "Chain lube on a modern O-Ring/ X-Ring chain. NONE.

Spray a bit of Teflon lube every 400 miles or so to help with the chain to sprocket contact...

All the "won't fly off" chain lubes trap dirt and destroy the the O-rings, cutting chain life in half (or worse)

Human Ills · 10-23-2012, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DAKEZ

p.s. STOP using chain lube. There is NO valid reason to spray "Chain lube on a modern O-Ring/ X-Ring chain. NONE.

Spray a bit of Teflon lube every 400 miles or so to help with the chain to sprocket contact...

All the "won't fly off" chain lubes trap dirt and destroy the the O-rings, cutting chain life in half (or worse)

polishing compound.

I like to use ATF

Wlfman · 10-23-2012, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DAKEZ

p.s. STOP using chain lube. There is NO valid reason to spray "Chain lube on a modern O-Ring/ X-Ring chain. NONE.

Spray a bit of Teflon lube every 400 miles or so to help with the chain to sprocket contact...

All the "won't fly off" chain lubes trap dirt and destroy the the O-rings, cutting chain life in half (or worse)

WOW I guess my current chain that is sitting at 25K miles on it (and the two prior that each got 20K+) that I use Chain Wax on after every ride would have lasted 50K??? Actually the chain is still fine, just need new sprockets..

PT Rider · 10-27-2012, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DAKEZ

p.s. STOP using chain lube. There is NO valid reason to spray "Chain lube on a modern O-Ring/ X-Ring chain. NONE.

Spray a bit of Teflon lube every 400 miles or so to help with the chain to sprocket contact...

All the "won't fly off" chain lubes trap dirt and destroy the the O-rings, cutting chain life in half (or worse)

Here's a drawing of an o-ring (x-ring, whatever) chain:

Note that the ring seals in lube between the pin and the bushing, but the bushing to roller surface is not lubed by the sealed lubricant.

Here's what RK chain says: Use formulated O-ring chain cleaner or other similar product to keep dirt from building up around link plates and rollers. Don’t use a wire brush or pressure washer. If your chain comes in contact with water, be sure to use a moisture displacement (like WD40). Lubing an O-Ring chain is vital for maximum wearlife. All RK O-Ring chains are injected at the factory with a lifetime supply of internal lubricant. The purpose of an O-Ring lube is to keep the chain from rusting and the O-rings from drying out. Use a lubricant specifically designed for O-Ring Chains.
http://www.rkexcelamerica.com/faq.html#oring

I agree, the gunky chain lubes are old school. I use an industrial roller chain lube that has moly and graphite in an evaporating penetrating liquid. DuPont has a chain lube in a 4 oz. drip bottle. The DuPont blue can multi purpose teflon lube has been reformulated and is no longer adequate for chains. PJ1 blue label is good.

atomicalex · 10-31-2012, 01:26 AM

I use, um, chain cleaner. Usually the kind with some citrene or limonene in it. Amazing that it works on chains AND wheels!

atomicalex · 01-13-2013, 11:19 AM

I just had to do this, and since my chain cleaner was not immediately at hand, I used WD-40. And it worked!

10-23-2012, 07:55 AM	#1
Mambo Dave ^OP Beastly Adventurer Joined: Oct 2011 Location: 33064 Oddometer: 2,481	What to use to clean black chain lube off of aluminum rims easily? Obviously I don't want to use an abrasive on aluminum rims to clean them, but I was somewhat shocked that pure strength, then diluted strength to soak, Simple Green didn't really clean much chain lube off of the rear wheel of my DR650. I'm no neat freak with the bikes since I ride them at least six days a week, but the one time I've thought "Yeah, maybe I should wash the DR..." it didn't really get clean looking with the goop on the rear wheel, sprocket, etc. Should i go buy a little kerosene? Does WD-40 still cut through modern lubes? (I think the spray-can lube I have at home is PJ1 Black Label).

10-23-2012, 07:57 AM	#2
Offcamber Beastly Adventurer Joined: Aug 2010 Location: New Hampshire Oddometer: 1,108	I use Simple Green straight without diluting it. Its safe on the rims and is an excellent grease cutter.... __________________ "I don't ride to be seen....I ride because I want to disappear...." Halfthrottle *"The difference between genius and stupidity is -- genius has its limits."* ~Albert Einstein

10-23-2012, 07:58 AM	#3
Wlfman Studly Adventurer Joined: Sep 2011 Location: Roaming Oddometer: 869	Simple Green __________________ Those who say it cannot be done should not interrupt the people who are doing it." "Now and then it's good to pause in our pursuit of happiness and JUST BE HAPPY."

10-23-2012, 08:02 AM	#4
urbanXJ Beastly Adventurer Joined: Aug 2008 Location: Houston, TX Oddometer: 2,140	WD40 on a rag Also, the chain cleaner that you hose off with water seems to works really well. __________________ ...SPEEDING PAST THE LINE OF GOOD TASTE...

10-23-2012, 08:31 AM	#8
Yossarian™ Deputy Cultural Attaché Joined: Jul 2007 Location: the 'Ha Oddometer: 8,130	Just use a little diesel / kerosene. It'll cut through caked on asphalt and tar, so it will work great on chain lube as well. It's cheap and easily obtainable. It won't damage the finish. __________________ Successfully surviving motorcycling since 1976.

10-23-2012, 08:08 AM	#7
CharlestonADV Gnarly Adventurer Joined: May 2011 Location: Charleston, SC Oddometer: 107	I've found that Honda aerosol cleaner / wax works most of the time for grease and bugs. For stubborn stuff I spray WD 40 on a rag.

10-23-2012, 09:20 AM	#9
Mambo Dave ^OP Beastly Adventurer Joined: Oct 2011 Location: 33064 Oddometer: 2,481	Thanks guys. I'm either surprised the Simple Green is working for some, as I stated it was pretty useless, or that the chain lubes they use are cut by it when PJ1 Black isn't.

10-23-2012, 09:26 AM	#10
DAKEZ Beastly Adventurer Joined: Mar 2007 Location: U-gene, OR. Oddometer: 17,983	p.s. STOP using chain lube. There is NO valid reason to spray "Chain lube on a modern O-Ring/ X-Ring chain. NONE. Spray a bit of Teflon lube every 400 miles or so to help with the chain to sprocket contact... All the "won't fly off" chain lubes trap dirt and destroy the the O-rings, cutting chain life in half (or worse) __________________ "Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind." — Dr. Seuss “Watch out for everything bigger than you, they have the "right of weight" Bib

10-31-2012, 01:26 AM	#14
atomicalex silly aluminum boxes Joined: May 2012 Location: Detroit & Düsseldorf Oddometer: 595	I use, um, chain cleaner. Usually the kind with some citrene or limonene in it. Amazing that it works on chains AND wheels! __________________ Katherine - F650GSa

01-13-2013, 11:19 AM	#15
atomicalex silly aluminum boxes Joined: May 2012 Location: Detroit & Düsseldorf Oddometer: 595	I just had to do this, and since my chain cleaner was not immediately at hand, I used WD-40. And it worked! __________________ Katherine - F650GSa

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