Off topic (not GPS) but is about bikes

kragbell · Occasional Visitor Joined: Dec 09, 2004 Posts: 13

I couldn't find a more general chat forum - hope the mods can be lenient.

Can anyone offer tips regards steam cleaning my bike. I have a fairly good steam generator and thought it'd be good for getting in the nooks and crannies of my Yamaha FZ6. I'm especially interested in steaming the residual cack from the chain if that's feasible. I don't know much about chain construction (the chain on my Yam is the factory fitted one) and am worried the steam will get into parts of the chain it ought not get into.

Any hints/tips/things to watch out for/dire warnings ????

Skippy · Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 7:29 pm Post subject:

I wouldn't steam clean the chain, you will probably get water past the O-rings and knacker the chain (or drastically shorten it's life). Stick the bike on the centre stand or paddock stand and put it in first gear with the engine running. Then clean the chain with a brush.

Actually I wouldn't steam clean any part of my bike unless I was selling it. Then again, my bike only gets cleaned two or three times a year - whether it needs it or not!

Probably the best way to get a clean chain is to buy a new one... Wink

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Mr_Gonzales · Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 10:59 pm Post subject:

Ride magazine did a feature on this a while back. Said it was brilliant but to stay clear of areas where grease and oil could be pushed out (same as for jet wash cleaners) and to avoid stickers, plus to not linger over any one area for long.

V2RJO · Occasional Visitor Joined: Dec 27, 2005 Posts: 8

Parafin is your friend here, has a slightly lubricating property as well as the ability to clean. I do the 1st gear engine running job with a soft nail brush to clear off the crud, spraying parafin on it as you scrub gently will get it gleaiming. I then wash the chain with mild car shampoo, I know this sounds crazy but a lot of on and off road teams do it as well. When the chain is clear of all the crud dry it fully with an old Tea towel (Don't tell the wife where all ours have gone). Lube with the normal stuff. Works a dream.

Please note chain lube on an O ring or similar chain only stops the outside going rusty, it doesn't strictly 'lube' the workings of the chain.

Both mu bikes are 1000cc twins that are renowned for thumping chains into submission, never had a problem with them. This is however a weekly routine but 15 minutes work compared to £100+ is an easy choice for me.

Roger.
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