GSX1400 Owners .org

Technically Speaking => Chains & Sprockets => Topic started by: VladTepes on Wednesday, 19 July 2017, 11:28 AM

Title: Kettenmax Chain Cleaner Tool
Post by: VladTepes on Wednesday, 19 July 2017, 11:28 AM
I saw this mentioned in passing in one of @gsxbarmy 's other posts

It looks as if it does the job well, and much easier than the 'manual' brushing method I currently use.

Has anyone else used one, or some sort of similar product?

I might give it a try if I can find one cheap enough...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuay0vkL4IU

Title: Re: Kettenmax Chain Cleaner Tool
Post by: KiwiCol on Wednesday, 19 July 2017, 03:47 PM
Elbow grease is still the cheapest method around Mike . .
Title: Re: Kettenmax Chain Cleaner Tool
Post by: gsxbarmy on Wednesday, 19 July 2017, 06:34 PM
Quote from: KiwiCol on Wednesday, 19 July  2017, 03:47 PM
Elbow grease is still the cheapest method around Mike . .

It is, and you can get specific brushes to assist, but what I liked about the Kettenmax is that it gets everywhere around and even inside the links of the chain to clean it up completely, I often found minute crushed pieces of stone in the bottom once I'd given mine a good clean.

At the end of the day its horses for courses, the nice thing particularly about the Kettenmax is that you don't get any splash marks from brushes etc all over your nice clean bike.... :onya:
Title: Re: Kettenmax Chain Cleaner Tool
Post by: northern on Wednesday, 19 July 2017, 06:58 PM
I'm using 'tirox chain brush' (Google it)
Quite good and fast results.
Title: Re: Kettenmax Chain Cleaner Tool
Post by: grog on Wednesday, 19 July 2017, 07:42 PM
looks like a good idea. probably works better than my way, no idea really. i use degreaser, hit it with fire hose. another go with wd40. wash it off. sparkling clean. apply vmx gear oil to both sides of chain, oil can. spin it many times. wipe off with rag, more many spins. ride for a while, clean any splatter. beautiful oiled chain for next 1 th. ks. oil picks up nowhere as much crap as overpriced, over rated chain lubes. makes job much easier. very cost effective also. can post my leftover bottles of motul, wurth, bp, castrol chain lubes if youd like them. they work great on door hinges etc.  :smile2:
Title: Re: Kettenmax Chain Cleaner Tool
Post by: Andre on Wednesday, 19 July 2017, 08:40 PM
I'll try the gear oil, Grog  :smile2: fire hose =  :devil:

The other stuff:

degreaser - yes to kerosine/petroleum (recommended by many manufacturers as it does not attack the rubber rings). Pour it on the chain, catch it in a shallow bucket under the chain (kerosene gets filtered for reuse), wipe clean (I mean really clean) with rag. Let dry! Apply gear oil with squeeze bottle (especially on the o-rings). Thoroughly wipe off excess oil with rag. Done every three tank refills.

Every 300 km (tank refill) chain gets quick wipe with kerosene-drenched rag, dry, and wipe with oil-drenched rag, wipe off excess with clean rag.

Have done this with dry lube till now.
Title: Re: Kettenmax Chain Cleaner Tool
Post by: VladTepes on Thursday, 20 July 2017, 10:02 AM
I can't seen to find a kettenmax (or rip off thereof) locally or on ebay at an affordable price. Searches seem to pretty much turn up only the version for bicycle chains...
Title: Re: Kettenmax Chain Cleaner Tool
Post by: KiwiCol on Thursday, 20 July 2017, 10:20 AM
How much they want for them Mike?
Title: Re: Kettenmax Chain Cleaner Tool
Post by: VladTepes on Thursday, 20 July 2017, 03:09 PM
The only ones available seem to be via ebay from overseas with ridiculous postage costs so ends up around $100 !
Title: Re: Kettenmax Chain Cleaner Tool
Post by: KiwiCol on Thursday, 20 July 2017, 04:02 PM
Ooooow, bugger that.
Title: Re: Kettenmax Chain Cleaner Tool
Post by: gsxbarmy on Friday, 21 July 2017, 07:53 AM
@VladTepes 

So looking down eBay Australia, here's one sold "locally" in country (or so it seems)

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Motorcycle-Chain-Cleaner-KettenMax-Classic-Chain-Cleaner-Cleans-Lubricates-KET1-/262495862133?hash=item3d1df8fd75:g:7LYAAOxyY9VRPnv5

$58.20AU with $18.00AU postage - the price of the Kettenmax itself is not dissimilar to the price that Kettenmax charge in the UK (about £34.00 plus postage)

Dealer is based in Warana, Queensland.

Title: Re: Kettenmax Chain Cleaner Tool
Post by: VladTepes on Friday, 21 July 2017, 11:04 AM
Thanks. I think this would be a great thing and heaps easier and cleaner than the messy manual brush method.... whether I can justify the $ though, well....

I'd probably clean the chain more often so probably worth it from that POV.
Title: Re: Kettenmax Chain Cleaner Tool
Post by: seth on Friday, 21 July 2017, 03:50 PM
i have one of these its a bit of messing about to fit to get it lined up it uses loads of chain cleaner and it's still as messy as the chain cleaner & brush method even tho its supposed to collect any fluids  it doesn't  .
it sits in it's box unused and I'm back to the brush method
Title: Re: Kettenmax Chain Cleaner Tool
Post by: gsxbarmy on Friday, 21 July 2017, 04:46 PM
Quote from: seth on Friday, 21 July  2017, 03:50 PM
i have one of these its a bit of messing about to fit to get it lined up it uses loads of chain cleaner and it's still as messy as the chain cleaner & brush method even tho its supposed to collect any fluids  it doesn't  .
it sits in it's box unused and I'm back to the brush method

I agree it can be a bit of a faff to set up, but I never had any real issue with it collecting fluid Seth, occasional drips yes, but that was about it. Did you cut the brushes as they suggested to fit your chain buddy?

I have a brush as well, but for deep cleaning always used the Kettenmax.
Title: Re: Kettenmax Chain Cleaner Tool
Post by: grog on Friday, 21 July 2017, 07:18 PM
a clean well lubed chain, thats what i like. elbow grease, degreaser, fire hose, wd40. rag. vmx. then just listen to that chain make that magic zinging noise. amazing. sort of like your favourite guitar solo. which is?
Title: Re: Kettenmax Chain Cleaner Tool
Post by: Rufus on Friday, 21 July 2017, 07:50 PM
Slash, Gun n' Roses - Sweet Child O' Mine
Title: Re: Kettenmax Chain Cleaner Tool
Post by: seth on Saturday, 22 July 2017, 03:23 AM
no dave i just used the brushes nearest to the chain size (middle ones)
it catches the fluid but the excess on the chain still goes everywhere .
i use it before the winter to give a good clean and relub before the bike gets less use that time of year .
i do the brush and cleaner most weeks during the spring-autumn part of the year.
Title: Re: Kettenmax Chain Cleaner Tool
Post by: Monarchjock on Saturday, 22 July 2017, 06:53 AM
Quote from: grog on Friday, 21 July  2017, 07:18 PM
a clean well lubed chain, thats what i like. elbow grease, degreaser, fire hose, wd40. rag. vmx. then just listen to that chain make that magic zinging noise. amazing. sort of like your favourite guitar solo. which is?

Samba Pa Ti - Santana  :grin:
Title: Re: Kettenmax Chain Cleaner Tool
Post by: KiwiCol on Saturday, 22 July 2017, 07:14 AM
Sultans of Swing  -  Dire Straits
Title: Re: Kettenmax Chain Cleaner Tool
Post by: northern on Saturday, 22 July 2017, 09:37 PM
I think, this is best price in Europe:
https://m.louis.eu/artikel/kettenmax-louis-edition-chain-clean-lube-device/10003114?filter_article_number=10003114&list=351933737

Not sure about oversea delivery.
Title: Re: Kettenmax Chain Cleaner Tool
Post by: VladTepes on Tuesday, 25 July 2017, 12:47 PM
Quote from: northern on Saturday, 22 July  2017, 09:37 PM
I think, this is best price in Europe:
https://m.louis.eu/artikel/kettenmax-louis-edition-chain-clean-lube-device/10003114?filter_article_number=10003114&list=351933737

Not sure about oversea delivery.

Thanks - looking at the site- the chain cleaner is €12.60
Postage to Australia is  €21.70
Total €34.30  = AUD$ 51-ish

So in theory still AUD$20 cheaper than I can get it elsewhere.
Still seems a bit steep for what it is though.
Title: Re: Kettenmax Chain Cleaner Tool
Post by: Buddynq on Thursday, 31 August 2017, 07:52 AM
I clean the sprockets first because the chain picks up the grime from the sprocket everytime you spin the wheel.