Cleaning the Chain from the Dealer - Yamaha FZ6R Forums - International FZ6R / XJ6 Motorcycle Community Forum

MikeN02 · 03-15-2010, 10:42 PM

This is about the 3rd time I cleaned my chain and I have a question about my cleaning...

I use this stuff called 360 Chain cleaner that's safe for O-Rings, I spray it on and let it sit, then I clean it with a rag and sometimes toothbrush. Afterwards I spray down inside the chain with lube one side and down the side that's closest to me.

Anyways, I've noticed that I didn't clean the sprocket since I got my bike from the Dealer. They used some type of goo lube, I cleaned it off the chain when I did my first lube. But I didn't get it off the sprockets. Today I washed my bike, and cleaned/lubed my chain + cleaned off the goo. Was it a good idea to clean it off?

The lube I use is a spray.

**JonKerr** · 03-15-2010, 10:52 PM

Yes you want to get the teeth on the sprocket cleaned. That thick goo collects dirt and grit. You want to get rid of that when you do your cleaning. I use a soft plastic bristle scrub brush and Simple Green (they say it's o-ring safe and I haven't had any issues in 6000 miles) then rinse it off well with water while I wash the bike. Once I get the bike dried I put it up on a stand and wipe off the excess water off the chain. Then spray Maxima Chain Guard on and wipe off the excess after it sits and soaks for about 15 minutes.

vitrox · 03-15-2010, 11:02 PM

i live on a dirt road, my sprocket is filthy where it contacts the chain. I keep the chain lubed really well, and haven't had any issues.

MikeN02 · 03-15-2010, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonKerr

Yes you want to get the teeth on the sprocket cleaned. That thick goo collects dirt and grit. You want to get rid of that when you do your cleaning. I use a soft plastic bristle scrub brush and Simple Green (they say it's o-ring safe and I haven't had any issues in 6000 miles) then rinse it off well with water while I wash the bike. Once I get the bike dried I put it up on a stand and wipe off the excess water off the chain. Then spray Maxima Chain Guard on and wipe off the excess after it sits and soaks for about 15 minutes.

Thanks, usually I watch videos/ read articles about chain cleaning and they say nothing about cleaning the sprocket, only the chain.

Also, isn't it recommended to ride your bike for about 5 or 10 minutes to warm up the chain and then clean it?

vitrox · 03-15-2010, 11:10 PM

yah, thats so the lube will soak into the o-rings better. no other reason.

MikeN02 · 03-15-2010, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vitrox

yah, thats so the lube will soak into the o-rings better. no other reason.

Pre-Ride I mean, something about how a hot chain or something is easier to clean etc.

I ride before and after.

vitrox · 03-15-2010, 11:46 PM

i usually clean after i wash my bike, then lube, then let sit overnight at least, that way the lube soaks in fully and doesn't spray all over my undertail and swingarm.

Roaddawg · 03-16-2010, 06:41 AM

I've heard NOT to use a brush on the chains as that forces dirt/grit in between the o-rings and such. I just wipe it down real good.

jspansel · 03-16-2010, 08:33 AM

I soak it in Kerosene and that gets it really clean. An old "soft" toothbrush works good. Dont use a stiff one as it can push shit into the o-rings.

porky45 · 03-16-2010, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeN02

Thanks, usually I watch videos/ read articles about chain cleaning and they say nothing about cleaning the sprocket, only the chain.

Also, isn't it recommended to ride your bike for about 5 or 10 minutes to warm up the chain and then clean it?

I always lube the chain after a long ride, everything is heated up, loose and more likely to come off. Let it sit overnight or else you'll have chain spray.

Remember - spray the inside of the chain, not the outside

03-15-2010, 10:42 PM	#1 (permalink)
MikeN02 Senior Member Bike: 07 YZF R6 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 1,964 Thanks: 276 Thanked 326 Times in 212 Posts	Cleaning the Chain from the Dealer This is about the 3rd time I cleaned my chain and I have a question about my cleaning... I use this stuff called 360 Chain cleaner that's safe for O-Rings, I spray it on and let it sit, then I clean it with a rag and sometimes toothbrush. Afterwards I spray down inside the chain with lube one side and down the side that's closest to me. Anyways, I've noticed that I didn't clean the sprocket since I got my bike from the Dealer. They used some type of goo lube, I cleaned it off the chain when I did my first lube. But I didn't get it off the sprockets. Today I washed my bike, and cleaned/lubed my chain + cleaned off the goo. Was it a good idea to clean it off? The lube I use is a spray. __________________ RIP 07/31/10

03-15-2010, 10:52 PM	#2 (permalink)
JonKerr Senior Member Bike: 2009 Raven FZ6R a.k.a. "Gretchen" Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: San Diego (Lakeside) Posts: 2,417 Thanks: 56 Thanked 872 Times in 490 Posts	Yes you want to get the teeth on the sprocket cleaned. That thick goo collects dirt and grit. You want to get rid of that when you do your cleaning. I use a soft plastic bristle scrub brush and Simple Green (they say it's o-ring safe and I haven't had any issues in 6000 miles) then rinse it off well with water while I wash the bike. Once I get the bike dried I put it up on a stand and wipe off the excess water off the chain. Then spray Maxima Chain Guard on and wipe off the excess after it sits and soaks for about 15 minutes. __________________ 2009 Raven FZ6R / BT-003 Tires / T-Rex Frame Sliders / T-Rex Swingarm Spools / Custombikeparts.com FE / R6S Mirrors / LP Flushmounts / DDM HID Kit / Pro Grip Grips / Pro Grip CF Tank Pad / StompGrip Race Ovals / Pazzo Shorty Levers / GYTR Tinted DB Windscreen / R6 Header & GYTR CF Exhaust / DynoJet PCV / Marthy Maps / K&N Intake / Driven Lightened Sprocktes / EK Chain / RaceTech Suspension / MFW Vario Offset Pegs / EBC HH Brake Pads / Goodridge SS Brake Lines My Vimeo Page

03-16-2010, 06:41 AM	#8 (permalink)
Roaddawg Senior Member Bike: 2009 FZ6R (Yes, the "R") Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Napa Valley, CA Posts: 1,653 Thanks: 635 Thanked 490 Times in 308 Posts	I've heard NOT to use a brush on the chains as that forces dirt/grit in between the o-rings and such. I just wipe it down real good. __________________ Roaddawg

03-16-2010, 08:33 AM	#9 (permalink)
jspansel Super Moderator Bike: 09 R6 Raven Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Bend, OR Posts: 2,548 Thanks: 984 Thanked 1,180 Times in 624 Posts Blog Entries: 17	I soak it in Kerosene and that gets it really clean. An old "soft" toothbrush works good. Dont use a stiff one as it can push shit into the o-rings. __________________ -Jay Don't cage me, bro! -But you can REP me!!! I intend to live forever. So far, so good...

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03-15-2010, 11:02 PM	#3 (permalink)
vitrox Senior Member Bike: 2008 R1, 2009 FZ6R, 2010 BMW S1000RR Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: fairbanks, ak Posts: 217 Thanks: 3 Thanked 63 Times in 37 Posts	i live on a dirt road, my sprocket is filthy where it contacts the chain. I keep the chain lubed really well, and haven't had any issues.

03-15-2010, 11:10 PM	#5 (permalink)
vitrox Senior Member Bike: 2008 R1, 2009 FZ6R, 2010 BMW S1000RR Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: fairbanks, ak Posts: 217 Thanks: 3 Thanked 63 Times in 37 Posts	yah, thats so the lube will soak into the o-rings better. no other reason.

03-15-2010, 11:46 PM	#7 (permalink)
vitrox Senior Member Bike: 2008 R1, 2009 FZ6R, 2010 BMW S1000RR Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: fairbanks, ak Posts: 217 Thanks: 3 Thanked 63 Times in 37 Posts	i usually clean after i wash my bike, then lube, then let sit overnight at least, that way the lube soaks in fully and doesn't spray all over my undertail and swingarm.

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