Chain cleaner

So you're saying it's OK to use a chain until you can't tension it any further? All manufacturers specify a maximum length of a segment of chain, center pin to center pin that a chain is allowed to stretch before it deemed as unusable. I stretched the chain on my VF500F with 20% of the adjustment range left.

And you don't need a chain gauge to measure a chain, a yard stick, tape measure, or other measurement tool does just fine. Find the distance between the two pins (from the outer part that is visible) at their longest distance, then at their shortest, then subtract the shortest value from the longest value, that gives you the distance between pin centers.

But yes, 'bent' is not the word I should have used in that context and how that didn't convey what I wanted; me trying to be clever doesn't work sometimes. Think of it more as "Bend the rules; it bent the rules." I suppose I should have said "The pins can only be pushed a certain extent before they're pushed too far (which is where an O-Ring chain stretches) to be considered safe/usable and can stretch too far while being asymptomatic otherwise." I know the rollers are part of that as well, however they've got a lot more surface area than the pins and because they roll, not just one part of the roller wears like the pins, whenever a roller hooks up with a sprocket tooth, the pin is always a similar position when it hooks up with the front/rear, respectively.

EDIT: As for irregardless, it's one of those words that will be coined into the english dictionary in the future. It carries a different connotation than "regardless." Irregardless is more similar to "in spite of" while regardless is "without regard/care for/to." While technically improper, it does have it's uses. Only dead languages stay the same, 'live' languages change their conventions on a daily basis.

Also, you mentioned "Highest slack" as the point that you take the slack measurement, this is not true. You do it from the TIGHTEST (least slack) part of the chains rotation; tightening it at it's loosest "highest slack" point will cause it to bind when it gets to a tight spot.

 

You all have said it all on chain maintenance so I'll just respond to the English lesson side of things:
I hate "irregardless" as it is considered to be a redundancy/improper usage. My Random House College dictionary has it listed but they say it is improper even though "some speakers use it for additional emphasis." Well, it is wrong so I don't use it because I don't want to sound like an idiot. :crazy: There are plenty of other modifiers available to "provide additional emphasis." Most people let "irrespective" (which is correct) influence their brain and thus, use "irregardless."

Ok...back to cleaning and lubing...

 

I've used many products in the past and the best one, in my opinion, is plain old Kerosene (aka lamp oil). Go to Home Depot and buy a liter of it, wet a cloth with it and start rubbing the crap off the chain. With the bike on the centerstand, spin the wheel and run the wet towel on the chain. This not only cleans the chain but it lubes it a bit as well. When you're done cleaning the chain, apply some lube and you're golden. Remember to make sure the chain is warm before you begin cleaning. Not only do I know it works, it's recommended by the manufacturer.

 

Plenty of words with double negatives in the English language that are proper.

 

Same old Jason

:rofl::rofl:

 

I'm never going to clean a chain again, after all this. I'll just lube them and feel bad about the appearance.

Better yet, I'll clean different segments with different cleaners and see which ones wear out first. Hmm. Before I can do that and guaranty meaningful data, I'll have to ensure that I have a 15/45 sprocket combo so that each roller will make contacts with the same gear teeth. But I think that means that there would have to be 90 or 135 links to really work out right...

Oh, forget it. No more cleaning.