Bike chain and rust = ?
Discussion
Hi everyone,
I need to ask a question about the chain on my bike (GSXR 600 SRAD). You see it’s been parked outside for the last 5 months over the winter and now that I have finally taken the cover off the bike I can see that the chain is all covered in rust. I was talking to an old biker friend of mine and he said I should bin it and get a new one. I guess I am just after a second opinion before I spend £120 on a chain and a set of sprockets.
The chain is rusted with an orange power like texture. The chain it’s self is not deformed and the sprockets are in a fairly good condition. Will this not be solved with a good bathing in some engine oil? I seen that a bit of a spray with some DW40 removed a bit of the rust and the chain returned to the normal colour. So what do you lot think, should I get a new chain or just give the old one a good scrub in some engine oil?
Oh and one other thing he mentioned was that if I am going to replace the chain I am best replacing the sprockets also as he said worn sprockets will cause the new chain to ware more quickly. Oh and what’s the average life span for a motorbike chain?
Thanks for all your help and time in advance
I need to ask a question about the chain on my bike (GSXR 600 SRAD). You see it’s been parked outside for the last 5 months over the winter and now that I have finally taken the cover off the bike I can see that the chain is all covered in rust. I was talking to an old biker friend of mine and he said I should bin it and get a new one. I guess I am just after a second opinion before I spend £120 on a chain and a set of sprockets.
The chain is rusted with an orange power like texture. The chain it’s self is not deformed and the sprockets are in a fairly good condition. Will this not be solved with a good bathing in some engine oil? I seen that a bit of a spray with some DW40 removed a bit of the rust and the chain returned to the normal colour. So what do you lot think, should I get a new chain or just give the old one a good scrub in some engine oil?
Oh and one other thing he mentioned was that if I am going to replace the chain I am best replacing the sprockets also as he said worn sprockets will cause the new chain to ware more quickly. Oh and what’s the average life span for a motorbike chain?
Thanks for all your help and time in advance
If the chain moves as it should it will be surface rust and no problem-the problem will be if it snaps and holes the crankcase or wraps itself around the rear wheel etc!!
you could lube it and see if it needs adjustment within 50miles other wise it should be ok,also the solvent in wd40 causes rubber to perish(try it on a rubber band overnight) so dont spray a `o` ring chain directly with it, spray some into a container than when it has finished fizzing paint it on with a brush.
Ray
you could lube it and see if it needs adjustment within 50miles other wise it should be ok,also the solvent in wd40 causes rubber to perish(try it on a rubber band overnight) so dont spray a `o` ring chain directly with it, spray some into a container than when it has finished fizzing paint it on with a brush.
Ray
Rotate the wheel, and check every inch or so of chain, some of it bend less than other parts? These are called 'tight spots' and eventually will knacker your chain or snap.
Get some paraffin and a rag on it, wipe the outside of the links (Use a wire brush on the rust if you have to) and generally give it a good soaking, wiggle the tight bits so they work free again.
Once you're finished, dry the chain off with some paper towels and then liberally apply a good chain lube over the outside of the chain, take it for a nice long ride (20-30 miles or so) and when you get it home, before doing anything else, spray it all over again with your chain lube, this lets all the lube penetrate the chain due to the heat.
Failing that you do need to replace your chain and sprockets. (Check after another 50 miles, and if the tight spots are still there, the chain is gubbed)
It is true, worn sprockets will kill a new chain much quicker as the parts need to 'bed in' together, otherwise wear is more rapid.
Get some paraffin and a rag on it, wipe the outside of the links (Use a wire brush on the rust if you have to) and generally give it a good soaking, wiggle the tight bits so they work free again.
Once you're finished, dry the chain off with some paper towels and then liberally apply a good chain lube over the outside of the chain, take it for a nice long ride (20-30 miles or so) and when you get it home, before doing anything else, spray it all over again with your chain lube, this lets all the lube penetrate the chain due to the heat.
Failing that you do need to replace your chain and sprockets. (Check after another 50 miles, and if the tight spots are still there, the chain is gubbed)
It is true, worn sprockets will kill a new chain much quicker as the parts need to 'bed in' together, otherwise wear is more rapid.
Edited by TL84 on Monday 3rd March 17:13
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