Chain rubber X-rings falling apart...

OK guys I will appreciate some help!

I have RK 520 SXO chain on my XJ600n '96. It is old one year now and 8000 km on it's back.
Usually I do chain cleaning with diesel oil (from pump station) as this time too. Not too frequently maybe every 5000 km or so. I know that gasoline is bad and less greasy than diesel oil. Now few months after cleaning, some X-rings started to tear off as you can see at picture.
I went to dealer and he told me that I must not use diesel oil. According to him it is aggressive on rubber rings. He advised me to use petroleum for cleaning or spray solvent from shop.

My question is:"What type of solvent do you use?"

Does anybody have similar problems with chain?

I'm suspicious about his statement because I had same chain type before this one and it never reacted like this. Even when it was few years old. Yes I also used diesel oil...

I've done some forum searching and couldn't find similar post.

 

I would avoid using any petroleum product on an o-ring chain, it eats the rubber. Use an aqueous type solvent or WD-40 for cleaning and relubricate the chain with a chain lube specifically formulated for o-ring type chains (PJ1 and RK make appropriate lubes). Your current chain is not long for this world unless you are ready to lube it every time you ride.

 

WD40 is 80% Kerosene and 20% mystery chemicals, some of which are perfumes to mask the pedestrian "kerosene' smell basically to fool the buyers.

 

yeah, what do you use to clean the chain? I had WD40 suggested to me also.

 

Wipe chain with a rag, then lube.

Do not use WD40 or anything else on a O ring chain.

 

Look online and see if you can find some MOTOPRO Chain Lube.

That's a great Non-slinging deal made for O & X-Ring.

(Bet you havin' a few "Shaft-Drive" nightmare's about now, huh?)

 

I'm using Castrol " Chain spray O-R".

2 Rick:
Yeah, unfortunately I'm aware that chain will not last long time. I'm lubricating it more frequently now. There are three rings which don't hold lubricant any more.

2 RickCoMatic:

"Hail shaft, full of grace" ...
I prefer shaft anyway.

Now I'm confused about which solvent to use. Maybe it is bes idea to buy special spray from shop.

 

I don't have an 0-ring chain, so I'm not worried about o-rings degrading...well, I guess I can just wipe it down and re-lube it, but I thought there would be a good way to soak it and clean all the grime out of it.

 

I realize that this doesn't answer your problem - but I think it goes to show what I consider normal is pretty much what you are doing... meaning that the chain is failing early.

Kerosene is used a lot to clean chains... some pretty smart people use it and so I don't feel bad using it myself.

That being said - most of the same smart people tell not to clean the chain as much as lube it. Sure wipe it with a cloth but don't worry too much. The dirt on the outside of the chain doesn't matter much - the lube is just to keep the inside of the chain happy.

So at the moment I kerosene once a year at most... it makes the chain look nice and new again. I lube the chain every few tanks of gas.

http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/How_often_ ... o_do_so%3F

 

Yap I do clean only once in half a year or when it is really dirty.
I know about dirt that it should stay outside but...
No question about lubricating intervals. 500 km or even before after cleaning bike or some heavy sowers...

So you consider Kerosene as normal cleaning liquid?

 

I do consider it normal... the point is that you don't want to have it under preasure and when I clean I just use a toothbrush on the outside plates and on the rollers - I don't aim for the o-rings. Meaning that my cleaning does very little to clean the actual parts that matter...

 

WD-40 is not supposed to have any detrimental effect on rubber.
From the website ( http://www.wd40.com/Brands/wd40_faqs.html )
"What does WD-40 contain?
While the ingredients in WD-40 are secret, we can tell you what WD-40 does NOT contain. WD-40 does not contain silicone, kerosene, water, wax, graphite, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), or any known cancer-causing agents."
and...
" What surfaces or materials are OK to use WD-40 on?
WD-40 can be used on just about everything. It is safe for metal, rubber, wood and plastic. WD-40 can be applied to painted metal surfaces without harming the paint. Polycarbonate and clear polystyrene plastic are among the few surfaces on which to avoid using a petroleum-based product like WD-40."
I rest my case.
We use WD-40 for cleaning our machining parts, tools and just about everything at work. Great stuff and is rumored to remove warts (not a bad side effect ).
The point is that you really don't want to mess up those o-rings and the recommended cleaner is certainly the way to go if it is readily available and reasonably priced. WD is an alternative that I have used successfully for years. Best of luck!

 

WD-40???

I use it for Air Freshener in the Shop.

As an aftershave it's even better than English Leather or Canoe for letting the Ladies know all your movin' parts ain't rusty 'cause you're one well-oiled machine!

If you know what I'm sayin'!

 

Your name Tackleberry in a former life Rick?

 

I killed a o-ring chain by using an engine cleaner, I won't mention it's name but it's initials are "Gunk". I've found that those o-rings are sensitive to some petrolemun based cleaners and "Gunk" is mostly kerosene. So I'd love to hear a non-destructive solution for cleaning $100.00 (or higher) chains. Opps don't forget the sprockets!

 

I'm preparing some home made test on RK rubber X-rings.
Each ring will be soaked in different solvent for few hours.
After drying they will be measured with vernier caliper. As dealer stated they should increase their dimensions due to interaction with solvent.
Later i will bend them until I get bored :lol: to see if they are still soft.

I'm planing to soak in:
-WD40
-kerosene
-diesel oil from pump station
-?

Please give me some idea on how test should be done.

 

On my 2000 750 Shadow ACE Deluxe all I ever did was wipe it down with a shop rag and used Maxium Chain wax on it. I traded it in 2006 with 6700 miles and it was still in great shape other than the usual stretching.

 

I've got 10000 km on a 520 chain (-1,+2 sprockets) on a CBR 600 that has mostly seen north of 8000 rpm rides and plenty of track time.

Meaning - take care of the chain and it'll last well - even when you ride hard.

The chain is still bending properly and still is within wear limits. Sprocket teeth are a bit slanted but not at wear limits and won't be this year.