Chains

[golfingirl]

Cool stand, Devo.

Tell me, is there a particular cleaning product that should/can be used in conjuction with a 'grunge brush' for cleaning the chain and sprocket?

Sounds like chain wax is the most preferred form of chain lubrication. Any special instructions or hints when applying it?

Thanks!

 

[devo]

hi Laura
The most available and safe cleaner I can think of would be kerosine (paraffin or jet fuel) or whatever you call it over there.
Yes, chain wax is a good way to go as a lube.Trick is ride the bike till it is thoroughly warm, park it in a devo type stand and jack the rear so as you can rotate the rear wheel as you spray wax directly down onto the chain just in front of where the chainguard finishes.Dont over apply,a couple of foll laps of the entire chain should suffice.A dab of white (twink) on the chain will help here.
Re the devo stand,I was just joking, but you will want the bike secure and with the rear wheel of the ground.Does the bonnie have a centre stand.?

 

[golfingirl]

hi Laura
The most available and safe cleaner I can think of would be kerosine (paraffin or jet fuel) or whatever you call it over there.
Yes, chain wax is a good way to go as a lube.Trick is ride the bike till it is thoroughly warm, park it in a devo type stand and jack the rear so as you can rotate the rear wheel as you spray wax directly down onto the chain just in front of where the chainguard finishes.Dont over apply,a couple of foll laps of the entire chain should suffice.A dab of white (twink) on the chain will help here.
Re the devo stand,I was just joking, but you will want the bike secure and with the rear wheel of the ground.Does the bonnie have a centre stand.?

Thanks Devo. That was helpful. Sadly, no centre stand.

 

[CarlS]

Laura, that is an accessory that I highly recommend. A center stand is essential for maintenance if you don't have a bike jack or a bike lift. You might can find one used on Ebay or Craigs List; but make sure it is for a T100 of your year. As far as I know, there is no difference from 2001 through 2006 in the center stands for the Bonnevilles and Bonnevilles. If you can find a used one, I suggest paying the dealer to install it. Installation requires stretching the spring and that is a bit of a bear. I have installed three of them. Of course, the dealer can install a new one for you.

 

[devo]

OK, so, no centre stand definitely makes it a two man (or girlie ) job.
One to hold the bike upright and slowly walk it forward or back,while the other shuffles along carefully spraying down on the chain with the can of wax.Be sure to use the wee red tube on the spray can and dont spray on the tyre. And as the chain should be warm,watch out for that hot xaust pipe.

 

[CarlS]

Laura, the manual says to lube the chain every 200 miles. I don't know anyone who does that. I try to remember to lube mine every 500 - 600 miles or so. I also lube it every time I ride in the rain. On a long trip where I am riding 500 to 600 miles per day, I will lube it at my lunch stop and when I stop for the night. I don't clean it until I get to my destination.

 

[The Seeker]

Should I mention the large dill pickle cleaning method? It is weird but really works!



Posted using Tapatalk 2 via my RAZR

 

[keystiger]

O.K. Seeker I am gonna need pics of this "dill pickle" cleaning method.....never heard of it in 33 years of riding but am intrigued........
I usually use a chemical like this
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/4/72/32834/ITEM/Muc-Off-Chain-Cleaner.aspx?WT.ac=SLIsearch

FYI Motorcycle Superstore is a decent place to buy "stuff" for your bike....ebay works well to. Most of the chemicals and lubes are about the same price at local dealers though.

Anyway, I agree with Carl. I have owned 25 different bikes over the years and the center stand is a HUGE PLUS. You can ad one to your bike I believe. Though I have done the clean a section...move the bike, clean a section....move the bike. Lube a section....move the bike etc. etc. method......time consuming and annoying, but it works. I still prefer a chain drive bike over a shaft driven bike (I have owned 2) any day of the week.
Also check out youtube for videos of others cleaning chains.....gives you "feel" for it.

 

[devo]

I can honestly admit, I lube mine when I think about it or it looks horribly dry.
I have never cleaned any of my chains,but then they are / were both sub 25000 mile bikes and I generally only ride in dry conditions.

 

[keystiger]

The Tiger is only the 3rd bike I have ever changed a chain on. I usually didn't keep a bike long enough to facilitate a change.

 

[DaveM]

I can honestly admit, I lube mine when I think about it or it looks horribly dry.
I have never cleaned any of my chains,but then they are / were both sub 25000 mile bikes and I generally only ride in dry conditions.

This sounds a bit like me but I would do it before a long trip and I also only use the chain wax as I find it makes less mess and works great

 

[golfingirl]

Laura, that is an accessory that I highly recommend. A center stand is essential for maintenance if you don't have a bike jack or a bike lift. You might can find one used on Ebay or Craigs List; but make sure it is for a T100 of your year. As far as I know, there is no difference from 2001 through 2006 in the center stands for the Bonnevilles and Bonnevilles. If you can find a used one, I suggest paying the dealer to install it. Installation requires stretching the spring and that is a bit of a bear. I have installed three of them. Of course, the dealer can install a new one for you.

I will look into a centre stand. Sounds like a good idea to have the dealer install it. Likely, I'll just buy one from the dealer and have them install it. Easiest.

Is it hard to pop a bike that wieghs 450 lbs onto a centre stand? I'm used to 220 lb scooters.

 

[Gromit]

Yes, especially if you're short.

 

[CarlS]

The Bonnie is one one of the harder bikes to put on the center stand. It is a definite technique. When you get it installed have the mechanic show you. Just for the record, the Tiger XC is also hard to get on the center stand.

 

[Gromit]

Carl, for shorties its also getting it off the centre stand that's difficult.

 

[Rocky]

I will look into a centre stand. Sounds like a good idea to have the dealer install it. Likely, I'll just buy one from the dealer and have them install it. Easiest.

Is it hard to pop a bike that wieghs 450 lbs onto a centre stand? I'm used to 220 lb scooters.

Yes, it's quite a heave to get it up on the center stand. It also takes some practice to level the bike so as to not drop it, and then give it a good heave up in one motion. You have one foot on the floor; the other on the center stand leg and trying to balance the bike on the two legs at the same time as you heave it up. If you falter you may drop the bike. It's more or less the same motions as you've probably done many times with the scooter, but if you falter you may drop the bike until you have done it a few times and know what to expect.
The T100 is pretty heavy so it takes a bit of physical strength to heave it up, but a center stand is pretty essential for chain lubing, cleaning rims and spokes, etc. I couldn't be without one.
I'm certainly not trying to scare you because if we can do it, so can you if you're fairly strong. It might be advisable to have a second person on hand to steady the bike when you practice just in case it starts to tip. Once the bike gets a bit past vertical away from you, there is almost no stopping it from falling over unless you're lucky and can grab it in time. Believe me, I've scared myself more than once with various bikes.
If you have a dealer install the stand maybe they will help you get in some practice before you leave the shop.
Even though I have center stands on my bikes I often park the bike in a front wheel chock and use a paddock stand to raise the rear.

 

[Rocky]

golfingirl, this is what a wheel chock and paddock stand looks like. This is just FYI in case you were not clear on what I was talking about.

 

[CarlS]

Laura, if you have the place to store them, that might be easier than the center stand - except you always have a center stand with you and it is hard to take those on a ride.

 

[The Seeker]

There is a post someplace here on TT about the dill pickle chain cleaning method.

But basically you buy a big fat dill pickle, cut it long-wise about half way through. Then wrap it around your chain and spin the wheel as you hold it in place. The acid in the pickle juice cleans the chain and the crud collects inside the pickle. It really works!

Do not eat the pickle when finished!


Posted using Tapatalk 2 via my RAZR

 

[devo]

Do not eat the pickle when finished!


Posted using Tapatalk 2 via my RAZR

spoil sport