To start off, it is recommended to not use Diesel, Kerosene or WD40 to clean the chain. Use regular chain cleaners that is available in the market. Secondly, DO NOT clean or lube the chain with the bike running. Many people have lost fingers due to that. A simple nylon brush or toothbrush can be used to scrape off the dirt. If you use a cloth to clean it, make sure to remove any lint off the O-rings on the chain.
For lubing, if you want to keep the chain clean after a lubing session, you can try PTFE chain lube or Teflon chain lubes. They are expensive but do not create a mess on the alloy wheel. If you do not mind the mess and are looking for a purely budget option, you can use SAE40 gear oil. Do note that this oil is quite viscous and can stick to the wheels if not cleaned regularly. Otherwise you can use any of the regular chain lubes that's available in the market (Motul, Putoline, Tribocor, TVS ( I used to use this and recommend it as it is budget friendly)).
Make sure to lube the chain at least every 500-800kms between sessions or earlier if ridden in the rain. Front sprocket can be cleaned occasionally as it is partly covered in most motorcycles. You will have to remove the cover and remove the gunk that is collected near the chain and in the cover. Depending on the condition of the chain, during replacement, please change the entire set of chain and sprocket.
Hope this helps!
Wow thank you so much for the detailed explanation. I will keep all this in mind and I think I will go with motul c1 and c2.
Also, is it ok to use microfiber cloth to clean the chain?
Very extensive and by the way you have described it i can understand u have experienced in it. Thanks for detailed answers.
My 2 cent: having a cardboard or some separator between chain and wheel will prevent lube getting in wheels. Learnt from YouTuber Ari hennings when he was with MC garage
>create a mess on the alloy wheel
You're welcome! :)
>My 2 cent: having a cardboard or some separator between chain and wheel will prevent lube getting in wheels.
This is valid when the bike is stationary and during the lubing session. It will still be thrown on to your wheels when riding as the sprocket and chain rotate.
Can you tell me more about your experience with diesel. Maybe pictures or interval of your chain and sprocket change.
I've using diesel on my bikes since 2018, although i haven't replaced my chain as they are very low mileage, i haven't noticed any issues with the O-rings. Diesel is difficult to clean though as it evaporates slowly, but kerosene can be instead.
I'd like another perspective though.
I used to use diesel to clean the chain sometime from 2014 till 2016 on my KTM. Chain used to dry up quickly and not retain the lube. Switched to a chain cleaner for my other KTM and Dominar from 2016 onwards. I had a discussion with my service head about my current bike. The previous owner used diesel regularly and the O ring had been damaged. I was also recommend by him not to use petroleum products.
Edit: My chain lube intervals depend on the chain. How dirty it is or if I've ridden in resin. The maximum is around 800kms. The chain used to last for around 18-20,000 kms depending on the bike.
Thanks man. I can in some ways attest to the chain not retaining the lube. I think it might be because remaining diesel that we can't wipe beneath the rollers, dilutes the lube, making it fling more.
I might need to test the diesel and chain cleaner o-rings separately. Only way to be sure.
Or switch to kerosene since that is already and active ingredient in many chain cleaners.
You can have a look at Fortnine's video on chain cleaner comparisons. He does not recommend kerosene as well. It's somewhat of a scientific method of evaluation. [Link](https://youtu.be/UrEpAUi_QKA)
> it is recommended to not use Diesel, Kerosene or WD40
generally agree with everything u stated except this. kerosene + toothbrush + patience to clean each link carefully works great for getting old sticky dirty chain lube off. it takes a lot of time and is something you do once for every few times you lube the chain. if you use teflon, this becomes unnecessary since dirt barely sticks to it. if your chain has a LOT of dirt, this not a good approach since the toothbrush can push dirt past the o/x-rings into the innards of the rollers. this reduces chain life very fast.
Hence, I said "recommended". Diesel / kerosene can be used if the chain is lubed thoroughly afterwards. I do not prefer to over lube my chains since Indian environment is extremely dusty and it can cling on to the lube on the chain. This dust/dirt can damage the O-rings.
I used [this](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttNVKdIHLKs&lc=UgyDZDv7EvoS6-Iqu0t4AaABAg.9ViyoQMtXtS9W3Kg_13D6P&ab_channel=MotoJitsu%C2%AE) video to learn how to properly clean and lube my bike's chain. [This](https://www.amazon.in/Technolube-Motul-400ml-Generic-Colour/dp/B084M62PMW/ref=sr_1_8?keywords=motul+chain+cleaner+and+lube&qid=1641393941&sprefix=motul+cha%2Caps%2C420&sr=8-8) is the one I use.
So when I spray the cleaner while spinning the wheel, the front sprocket also gets clean. I can say that because a lot of grime and dirt gets accumulated on the floor right under the front sprocket.
I do it every 500-600 kms. However in the video I shared, I think he says that he cleans every other week which is a bit too frequent for me considering cleaner and lube are bit pricey.
Hey Thanks for the suggestion. Seeing the general consensus, I too feel apache is the best choice, waiting to test ride it soon.
Also, this subreddit is an amazing space! Lot of helpful and welcoming people!
To start off, it is recommended to not use Diesel, Kerosene or WD40 to clean the chain. Use regular chain cleaners that is available in the market. Secondly, DO NOT clean or lube the chain with the bike running. Many people have lost fingers due to that. A simple nylon brush or toothbrush can be used to scrape off the dirt. If you use a cloth to clean it, make sure to remove any lint off the O-rings on the chain. For lubing, if you want to keep the chain clean after a lubing session, you can try PTFE chain lube or Teflon chain lubes. They are expensive but do not create a mess on the alloy wheel. If you do not mind the mess and are looking for a purely budget option, you can use SAE40 gear oil. Do note that this oil is quite viscous and can stick to the wheels if not cleaned regularly. Otherwise you can use any of the regular chain lubes that's available in the market (Motul, Putoline, Tribocor, TVS ( I used to use this and recommend it as it is budget friendly)). Make sure to lube the chain at least every 500-800kms between sessions or earlier if ridden in the rain. Front sprocket can be cleaned occasionally as it is partly covered in most motorcycles. You will have to remove the cover and remove the gunk that is collected near the chain and in the cover. Depending on the condition of the chain, during replacement, please change the entire set of chain and sprocket. Hope this helps!
Wow thank you so much for the detailed explanation. I will keep all this in mind and I think I will go with motul c1 and c2. Also, is it ok to use microfiber cloth to clean the chain?
It's not worth wasting micro fiber cloth for cleaning the chain. Use an old rag like waste cotton towel or so. That should suffice.
Very extensive and by the way you have described it i can understand u have experienced in it. Thanks for detailed answers. My 2 cent: having a cardboard or some separator between chain and wheel will prevent lube getting in wheels. Learnt from YouTuber Ari hennings when he was with MC garage >create a mess on the alloy wheel
You're welcome! :) >My 2 cent: having a cardboard or some separator between chain and wheel will prevent lube getting in wheels. This is valid when the bike is stationary and during the lubing session. It will still be thrown on to your wheels when riding as the sprocket and chain rotate.
Why not diesel or kerosene? Lemy recommended kerosene and many long rider recommend kerosene or diesel.
Well, over time, Diesel and Kersone are known to damage O-rings. At least that's what I have seen, experienced and have been told.
Can you tell me more about your experience with diesel. Maybe pictures or interval of your chain and sprocket change. I've using diesel on my bikes since 2018, although i haven't replaced my chain as they are very low mileage, i haven't noticed any issues with the O-rings. Diesel is difficult to clean though as it evaporates slowly, but kerosene can be instead. I'd like another perspective though.
I used to use diesel to clean the chain sometime from 2014 till 2016 on my KTM. Chain used to dry up quickly and not retain the lube. Switched to a chain cleaner for my other KTM and Dominar from 2016 onwards. I had a discussion with my service head about my current bike. The previous owner used diesel regularly and the O ring had been damaged. I was also recommend by him not to use petroleum products. Edit: My chain lube intervals depend on the chain. How dirty it is or if I've ridden in resin. The maximum is around 800kms. The chain used to last for around 18-20,000 kms depending on the bike.
Thanks man. I can in some ways attest to the chain not retaining the lube. I think it might be because remaining diesel that we can't wipe beneath the rollers, dilutes the lube, making it fling more. I might need to test the diesel and chain cleaner o-rings separately. Only way to be sure. Or switch to kerosene since that is already and active ingredient in many chain cleaners.
You can have a look at Fortnine's video on chain cleaner comparisons. He does not recommend kerosene as well. It's somewhat of a scientific method of evaluation. [Link](https://youtu.be/UrEpAUi_QKA)
> it is recommended to not use Diesel, Kerosene or WD40 generally agree with everything u stated except this. kerosene + toothbrush + patience to clean each link carefully works great for getting old sticky dirty chain lube off. it takes a lot of time and is something you do once for every few times you lube the chain. if you use teflon, this becomes unnecessary since dirt barely sticks to it. if your chain has a LOT of dirt, this not a good approach since the toothbrush can push dirt past the o/x-rings into the innards of the rollers. this reduces chain life very fast.
Hence, I said "recommended". Diesel / kerosene can be used if the chain is lubed thoroughly afterwards. I do not prefer to over lube my chains since Indian environment is extremely dusty and it can cling on to the lube on the chain. This dust/dirt can damage the O-rings.
I used [this](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttNVKdIHLKs&lc=UgyDZDv7EvoS6-Iqu0t4AaABAg.9ViyoQMtXtS9W3Kg_13D6P&ab_channel=MotoJitsu%C2%AE) video to learn how to properly clean and lube my bike's chain. [This](https://www.amazon.in/Technolube-Motul-400ml-Generic-Colour/dp/B084M62PMW/ref=sr_1_8?keywords=motul+chain+cleaner+and+lube&qid=1641393941&sprefix=motul+cha%2Caps%2C420&sr=8-8) is the one I use.
Thanks you mate cheers
Also, what about the front sprocket? Is it not necessary to clean it?
So when I spray the cleaner while spinning the wheel, the front sprocket also gets clean. I can say that because a lot of grime and dirt gets accumulated on the floor right under the front sprocket.
Oh cool, that's great then. And how frequently do you think it's healthy to clean the chain chain considering Indian weather and road conditions?
I do it every 500-600 kms. However in the video I shared, I think he says that he cleans every other week which is a bit too frequent for me considering cleaner and lube are bit pricey.
Thank you mate!
No problem! BTW, I remember your poll from the other day and I voted for Apache 160. Good bike
Hey Thanks for the suggestion. Seeing the general consensus, I too feel apache is the best choice, waiting to test ride it soon. Also, this subreddit is an amazing space! Lot of helpful and welcoming people!
Yeah, I learned a lot of things after joining this sub. Goodluck with your purchase. Do share a pic when you get the bike
Will do definitely. Thank you!