Originally Posted by
Vintage Raleigh
Thanks for the reply! So this is what you'd do with an old chain - use hot grease rather than oil? I'd do it outside with a double boiler and just drive the neighbours away. I have a NOS chain and freewheel too both have the grease set hard.
The freewheel will be dismantled and repacked but how would you approach the chain?
If the old lube on the chain is that hard, you have nothing to lose by using a solvent to clean it off. The solvent shouldn't be water-based, however, as that would introduce water deep into the links. In my opinion, water and machinery are always a bad combination.
In this case, a penetrating oil like WD-40 would be your best bet. It should dissolve the old dried lube, leaving the chain clean. Then you can use your heated oil.
You may also be able to free up the stuck FW by immersing it in WD-40, sold in gallon cans at Home Depot and elsewhere. Immerse the FW in a coffee can with enough WD-40 to cover it. Might as well let it sit overnight and then let the FW drain thoroughly. Keep the can covered because of fumes!
Finally, drip a 20 weight oil into the FW and spin it. If all this doesn't work, proceed with dismantling.