Just finished cleaning my chain...

and lubing it. I've got about 15k miles on the chain and sprockets and everything looks good. The sprockets don't show any wear. Went for a 20 minute ride to warm up the chain. Used some lamp oil on a rag and wiped the chain down, while spinning the rear tire. Then I sprayed some lube and voila. Love the lamp oil (aka kerosene) because it cleans AND lubricates. I used to use some motorex cleaner in the past on another chain, and before long the rust-colored stuff from the o-rings started staining the sideplates. I think that shit was too harsh and ate the seals.

I also Plexus'd the plastics. Now my bike is presentable for next week's ride down here at So-Cal for Long's BBQ.

For some reason it feels good to clean the bike.

 

Not so sure the kerosene is good for the o-rings either.

Am I wrong?

 

Kerosene is what's suggested in the owner's manual. And since I made the switch, the chain is looking great.

 

wd40 will clean everything off. then wipe all wd excess off, then lube chain i use belray..15k no wear thats impressive usually by then a stocker is toast.....

 

It's not the stocker. The previous owner had a new chain and sprockets installed at 21k miles. I bought it shortly thereafter, and now the bike has 36k miles. I don't know what brand the chain and sprockets are; could be OEM.

 

Kerosene is fine for o-rings as far as I'm aware, hadn't thought of using kero to clean the chain though. I normally just use WD40 to clean the chain and Motul chain lube after a ride.

 

The stock chain is made by RK, mine just turned 16k miles before I put her away for the winter. Needless to say, it will be getting a new chain before her maiden voyage in the spring. The picked up the bike with a little under 13k on the clock in august, and the previous owner hadn't been really good with chain maintenance. I feel with meticulous care, a chain could make 20k.