Chain cleaning brush

[Rob S.]

Anyone familiar with the Stockton Tool Company Grime Minister Chain Cleaning Brush?

[Crankthat]

Cannot say as I am.
Just make sure the bristles are not so stiff as to lift the o-rings therefore letting contaminants past and inside the areas the o-rings are meant to protect.
With a good chain cleaning fluid (I prefer kerosine) you should be able to just wipe the grime off with your brush.

[Rob S.]

Thanks.

Never really cleaned a chain before, just über-lubed and wiped with rag.

I'm having new chain and sprockets installed soon, so I'm doing a little research. But I don't plan on ever removing the new chain. Is that necessary to clean?

[Crankthat]

Do not think necessary.
If you keep up on cleaning and lube you should be fine.
Is a good idea to clean and lube your swingarm bearings every few years.
More so if your bike sees rain.
My L bearings were not totally sized the first time I took them apart but I really had to work them.
The bike was close to thirty years old and had been sitting outside for a few when I bought though.
The moisture damage was most apparent on the kickstand side as the moisture traveled down hill and sat when on the stand.

I had forgotten to mention that you will need to remove the exhaust with the endless chain.
Make sure to soak the bolts at the head with some good penetrating fluid before hand.
If the bike is not on the road right now I would start soaking tomorrow.

[Crankthat]

I have found that removing everything in the back is not so bad if you do it once a year or so.
I like to give everything a thorough inspection and cleaning once a year.
Not mandatory, but good for the bike=for me.

Need to go to work now, take care Rob.

[Rob S.]

Thanks for reminding me about the swing arm bearings - just added them to the list, definitely getting new ones. Maybe that'll cure the occasional handlebar wobble, if not, it's still not money wasted.

I don't think I'll spring for the endless chain, though. Everyone says they're two or three times as expensive. Do you know where I can get a new 96 or so link 630 endless chain for less than $200?

[Crankthat]

Cannot say as I do, but here is a o ring rivet master type link chain. Link

[bwringer]

That brush is intended for cleaning non o-ring chains on muddy dirtbikes. Don't use it on a streetbike's sealed chain. The bristles are WAY too stiff to use with an o-ring or x-ring chain.

I prefer to use a chain lube that goes on thin (DuPont Chain Saver is a good one) to "flood" the chain with a rag held under and behind the chain. The extra liquid carries away the dirt, and after a few cycles and maybe some extra scrubbing with a rag, the chain is nice and clean. After the solvent evaporates, you're left with a waxy coating that doesn't attract dirt -- all you need after that is an occasional touch-up.

[mrbill5491]

An endless chain uses the rivet type master link rather then the clip link. You have to use a chain breaker to remove a link to get it off with out taking the swing arm off. Though in your case, might as well remove the swing arm to get is serviced.

[hikermikem]

Thanks for reminding me about the swing arm bearings - just added them to the list, definitely getting new ones. Maybe that'll cure the occasional handlebar wobble, if not, it's still not money wasted.

Let's hope they look better than these:

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=197569