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.

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.

DAKEZ · 10-23-2012, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by urbanxj

wd40 on a rag.

+1

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)

Mambo Dave · 10-23-2012, 09:36 AM

I'd almost agree with that, but I've seen what the Florida sun does to damage the o-rings on o-ring chains from others' bikes.

From what i understand, coating o-rings with a proper lube keeps them expanded, flexible, and protected from the sun.

Aussijussi · 10-23-2012, 09:39 AM

I was wondering about that myself, i mean if there is an o ring, the spray wont even reach the joint, which it's supposed to lube

Aussijussi · 10-23-2012, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aussijussi

I was wondering about that myself, i mean if there is an o ring, the spray wont even reach the joint, which it's supposed to lube

Referring to Dakez post

Mambo Dave · 10-23-2012, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aussijussi

I was wondering about that myself, i mean if there is an o ring, the spray wont even reach the joint, which it's supposed to lube

I think of it as trying to keep the stock lube in the chain. If one's o-rings are dry, the lube from the inside will migrate in tiny amounts. Lubed o-rings won't draw lube from the insides.

This may be proven wrong, but in nearly every other application fluids do tend to move to cleaner or dryer areas.

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

crofrog · 10-23-2012, 11:44 AM

S-100 works really well too.

10-23-2012, 07:55 AM	#1
Mambo Dave ^OP Beastly Adventurer Joined: Oct 2011 Location: 33064 Oddometer: 2,494	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: 1,121	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: 2,154	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	#6
Yossarian™ Deputy Cultural Attaché Joined: Jul 2007 Location: the 'Ha Oddometer: 8,142	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	#5
CharlestonADV Gnarly Adventurer Joined: May 2011 Location: Charleston, SC Oddometer: 106	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	#8
Mambo Dave ^OP Beastly Adventurer Joined: Oct 2011 Location: 33064 Oddometer: 2,494	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	#9
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

10-23-2012, 09:36 AM	#10
Mambo Dave ^OP Beastly Adventurer Joined: Oct 2011 Location: 33064 Oddometer: 2,494	I'd almost agree with that, but I've seen what the Florida sun does to damage the o-rings on o-ring chains from others' bikes. From what i understand, coating o-rings with a proper lube keeps them expanded, flexible, and protected from the sun.

10-23-2012, 09:39 AM	#11
Aussijussi Studly Adventurer Joined: Oct 2009 Location: Finland-Australia Oddometer: 993	I was wondering about that myself, i mean if there is an o ring, the spray wont even reach the joint, which it's supposed to lube

10-23-2012, 11:44 AM	#15
crofrog Beastly Adventurer Joined: Sep 2007 Location: Annapolis Maryland Oddometer: 1,376	S-100 works really well too.

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