dirty chain
06-18-09, 12:59 AM
#1
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dirty chain
I have an vintage "oro" brand chain. its a sturdy chain for fixed gear riding without being 3/8ths witch is what i use it for. problem is it was packaged with this horrid, sticky mess for lubrication. im not sure it it was just factory lube that thickened with time, or if that was common back in the day, but this stuff was on there thick. and it wont come off. literally i have tried everything from traditional bike solvents to vinagar, and dishsoap. the only thing that seems to get it off is rubbing it off on other things, ie my hands. any suggestions?
06-18-09, 06:37 AM
#3
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Place the chain in an old water bottle filled about half full of mineral spirits (oil base paint thinner), naptha or diesel fuel (the cheapest). Any of those will take the stuff off in less than a minute if you shake the bottle vigorously.
Solvents of this type can be reused many times. I store used solvent in an old water bottle, to let the dirt settle to the bottom. Pour the clean solvent off the top anytime you need some.
Never use gasoline - its much more hazardous.
Solvents of this type can be reused many times. I store used solvent in an old water bottle, to let the dirt settle to the bottom. Pour the clean solvent off the top anytime you need some.
Never use gasoline - its much more hazardous.
06-18-09, 08:37 AM
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I'm surprised nobody has mentioned this yet.
The relevant section:
Factory Lube
New chains come pre-lubricated with a grease-type lubricant which has been installed at the factory. This is an excellent lubricant, and has been made to permeate all of the internal interstices in the chain.
This factory lube is superior to any lube that you can apply after the fact.
Some people make the bad mistake of deliberately removing this superior lubricant. Don't do this!
The factory lubricant all by itself is usually good for several hundred miles of service if the bike is not ridden in wet or dusty conditions. It is best not to apply any sort of lube to a new chain until it is clearly needed, because any wet lube you can apply will dilute the factory lube.
The relevant section:
Factory Lube
New chains come pre-lubricated with a grease-type lubricant which has been installed at the factory. This is an excellent lubricant, and has been made to permeate all of the internal interstices in the chain.
This factory lube is superior to any lube that you can apply after the fact.
Some people make the bad mistake of deliberately removing this superior lubricant. Don't do this!
The factory lubricant all by itself is usually good for several hundred miles of service if the bike is not ridden in wet or dusty conditions. It is best not to apply any sort of lube to a new chain until it is clearly needed, because any wet lube you can apply will dilute the factory lube.
06-18-09, 10:44 AM
#6
Senior Member
Yes, the factory stuff is good for several hundred miles, just like Sheldon said. I rode mine for about 500 before the chain started to get noisy.
I did initially lightly wipe the chain with a rag and paint thinner, to remove that sticky gunk from the outside where it lubricates nothing and draws lots of dirt.
I did initially lightly wipe the chain with a rag and paint thinner, to remove that sticky gunk from the outside where it lubricates nothing and draws lots of dirt.
06-18-09, 02:09 PM
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if it were a modern chain or a new chain, i would agree with you as i have read that section. the problem is, this stuff isn't a nice, dry modern lube. its sticky as hell and actually feels thick on the chain, like its slowing it down more than anything. also its a chain ive used for a while on another bike so the sticky gunk has got a bunch of grit in it and its noisy as hell. its a strong chain so i want to keep using it, but first i want to get this gunk off so i can lube it properly, not just add more dirt catching goop to the mix.
06-18-09, 02:18 PM
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i used the mineral spirits and it worked great. only thing is once it was clean i noticed a bunch of rust on the inside of the outer plates. it it dead at this point?
06-18-09, 09:37 PM
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if it were a modern chain or a new chain, i would agree with you as i have read that section. the problem is, this stuff isn't a nice, dry modern lube. its sticky as hell and actually feels thick on the chain, like its slowing it down more than anything. also its a chain ive used for a while on another bike so the sticky gunk has got a bunch of grit in it and its noisy as hell. its a strong chain so i want to keep using it, but first i want to get this gunk off so i can lube it properly, not just add more dirt catching goop to the mix.
06-18-09, 10:14 PM
#12
Full Member
I have an vintage "oro" brand chain. its a sturdy chain for fixed gear riding without being 3/8ths witch is what i use it for. problem is it was packaged with this horrid, sticky mess for lubrication. im not sure it it was just factory lube that thickened with time, or if that was common back in the day, but this stuff was on there thick. and it wont come off. literally i have tried everything from traditional bike solvents to vinagar, and dishsoap. the only thing that seems to get it off is rubbing it off on other things, ie my hands. any suggestions?
