So I'm sitting on my garage floor , it's monsoonical (?) outside and I'm not really doing much of much - you know the score - and out the corner of my eye I'm spotting a long forgotten piece of kit that's worth its weight in gold - a steam generator ! It was a great tool with a nice pressurised jet of steam that worked wonders on engine bays , alloy wheels , ovens etc and it sends the old grey matter into wondering - it would be great for cleaning all the old grease and stuff off my bike chain - it would make it look like new and would allow me to put nice , clean uncontaminated lubricant onto it .
But my brain also said DONT do it until you find out if it's safe to do - I know there's orings that might get damaged
So has anyone done it and recommends it or is it a big NO NO ?
Hi, mate, I'm with you on this. I'd like to do it as well, but my brain says same!
So, have you an old chain around you could try it on? See how the o rings stand up. Think it's more the pressure, blasting grease ot from behind than the temp, but an old chain trial would sort it. You could even break it after n see what it's done inside, hell, break the old chain first so you have an internal comparison .
id keep the steam away from bearings and the chain (just use chain cleaner)
i use a steam cleaner to get in about the engine area as it gets right in about the tricky bits .
Steam cleaner if too close to the chain could ruin the rubber seals in the links, also remove too much grease from bearings. Get it too close to paintwork and it will dull it or lift it.
Personally I wouldn't use it, there are proper cleaners you can use why risk steam????
not sure about steam cleaner on o rings. i use kero, hose off, wd40, wipe off then lube. brush in link , very good for the kero clean first up. have read the brush damages o rings. load of crap in my mind. i keep saying vmx gear oil the best chain lube, one day someone will believe me. https://www.ebay.com/p/The-Grunge-Brush-Simple-Solutions-Chain-Cleaner-Motorcycle-Bicycle-ATV-MX-Moto/692207282?iid=321755816835
I have to try your VMX gear oil Grog, I believe you.
Chain brushes are good, $2 from China if you aren't in a hurry.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Plastic-Cycling-Motorcycle-Bicycle-Chain-Clean-Brush-Gear-Grunge-Brush-Cleaner-Outdoor-Cleaner-Scrubber-Tool-ARE4/32658352066.html?spm=2114.search0104.3.34.dkUwJg&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_4_10152_10065_10151_10130_10068_10309_5430020_5410020_10307_10137_10060_10131_10155_10132_10133_10154_10333_10334_10056_10335_10055_10054_10059_10332_100031_10099_5400020_10103_10102_10052_10053_10050_10107_10142_10051_10326_5390020_10084_10083_5370020_10080_10082_10081_10110_10175_10111_5420020_10112_10113_10114_10312_10313_10314_10315_10078_10079_10073-10333,searchweb201603_15,ppcSwitch_5&btsid=a07b7113-0d35-4d83-8f74-9cc0d7551d14&algo_expid=0b740618-0342-49cf-937d-9325fd859cf0-7&algo_pvid=0b740618-0342-49cf-937d-9325fd859cf0&transAbTest=ae803_3
Ok I'm going to take that as a resounding no then !
Pity really as it gives great results elsewhere - just have to go down the cleaner and brush route as usual and i'll go have a look at the eBay links you guys have recommended- anything to make it an easier less messier job !
Thanks again o wise ones
grog
I have one of the brushes you linked and I hate it, the gap is to big / bristles too long/flexible and it just doesn't do a good job of scrubbing. I think an old toothbrush is better,
I believe you about the VMX mate, really I do.....
To get a real clean chain, in- and outside, take it off and put it in an Ultra Sound bath. :evil:
Quote from: Andre on Tuesday, 29 August 2017, 06:41 PM
To get a real clean chain, in- and outside, take it off and put it in an Ultra Sound bath. :evil:
Or buy a bike with a shaft drive :stir: :stir: :whistling: :whistling:
Don't start on about shaft drive 1400's! Remember the s**t Mike got into when he started that a while ago?
Now, there is another way though, I remember someone had done a belt conversion on their 14, posted pics n all. Was a while ago on the old org. Think it was somewhere Eastern Europe off top of me head. There were a few comments about it at the time, anyone else remember?
Sounds like a mod Lawrie could work out & tell us you need x y & z and put it together this way.
@lawrie
just buy a quality chain and sprocket kit every 20000 miles then replace sprocket carrier bearing aswell .
other than that clean and lub regularly.
job done . :cheers:
Quote from: KiwiCol on Wednesday, 30 August 2017, 03:02 AM
Don't start on about shaft drive 1400's! Remember the s**t Mike got into when he started that a while ago?
Now, there is another way though, I remember someone had done a belt conversion on their 14, posted pics n all. Was a while ago on the old org. Think it was somewhere Eastern Europe off top of me head. There were a few comments about it at the time, anyone else remember?
Sounds like a mod Lawrie could work out & tell us you need x y & z and put it together this way.
@lawrie
798 Euros plus p & p ( couldn't work out how to do the Euro thingy symbol on my apple )
http://www.rf-biketech.com/shop/index.php?language=en&cat=c235_GSX-1400.html
Quote from: gsxbarmy on Tuesday, 29 August 2017, 11:02 PM
Quote from: Andre on Tuesday, 29 August 2017, 06:41 PM
To get a real clean chain, in- and outside, take it off and put it in an Ultra Sound bath. :evil:
Or buy a bike with a shaft drive :stir: :stir: :whistling: :whistling:
Just as silly of an idea as cleaning the chain in a US-bath :coffeescreen:
Quote from: KiwiCol on Wednesday, 30 August 2017, 03:02 AM
Don't start on about shaft drive 1400's! Remember the s**t Mike got into when he started that a while ago?
Who said anything about shaft on a 14? I'm talking about
proper bikes :stir: :whistling: :lol:
Proper bike wouldn't remind one of this. :happy1:
To get that 'proper' bike Dave, you need 'proper cash'. Our 14's are a more 'modest' (read what we can afford) investment for our leisure time.
It's not just about the cash. It is also, probably more though, about personal likes. If someone would make me choose between two brand-spanking-new bikes that he would give me for free, I would take the more expensive one, sell it, buy me a 14 and use the extra money to bring the 14 in top condition. With the money left over I could pay insurance, taxes, gas, parts etc for many years to come. Ok, I already have one, but to have a second one would be very nice.
Why the 14? A longtime motorcycle journalist talked about the 14 in the YT-video "Top 5 Big Bikes - Nackte Hubraummonster aus Japan":
When I saw her the first time I almost broke down - unbelievable beautiful. A little disappointing to him was that it only has 106 hp. The suspension was, while very good, not 100% top because of the shocks being of the stereo type. Even now he believes it to be "one of the most beautiful bikes ever build". When the other fellow told him the current prices for used 14s, he responded "That's like being in Schlaraffenland". Schlaraffenland is like "the land of milk and honey" but a few notches up. :drool:
But, to each his own :cheers:
Quote from: gsxbarmy on Wednesday, 30 August 2017, 03:34 AM
Who said anything about shaft on a 14? I'm talking about proper bikes :stir: :whistling: :lol:
Proper bikes have the gears on the right...
Quote from: Hooli on Wednesday, 30 August 2017, 07:10 AM
Quote from: gsxbarmy on Wednesday, 30 August 2017, 03:34 AM
Who said anything about shaft on a 14? I'm talking about proper bikes :stir: :whistling: :lol:
Proper bikes have the gears on the right...
Hand shift, foot clutch Hooli?
today visited yamaha shop, wanted a look at mt10. im sure it rides fantastic but just not at all to my liking. disappointed. 14 is much nicer, a proper bike. which bikes have gear change on rhs. old clunkers you mean, norton , bsa from long ago. i can tell you how good my 1974 850 commando was if you want. such a long list of failures, drove me crazy. then again, my rhs change ariel from early 50s, brilliant bike. would like it here now.
Quote from: KiwiCol on Wednesday, 30 August 2017, 04:33 PM
Quote from: Hooli on Wednesday, 30 August 2017, 07:10 AM
Quote from: gsxbarmy on Wednesday, 30 August 2017, 03:34 AM
Who said anything about shaft on a 14? I'm talking about proper bikes :stir: :whistling: :lol:
Proper bikes have the gears on the right...
Hand shift, foot clutch Hooli?
Gawd no, old Brit tatt. Much more fun than modern stuff that works.
Quote from: grog on Wednesday, 30 August 2017, 07:15 PM
today visited yamaha shop, wanted a look at mt10. im sure it rides fantastic but just not at all to my liking. disappointed. 14 is much nicer, a proper bike. which bikes have gear change on rhs. old clunkers you mean, norton , bsa from long ago. i can tell you how good my 1974 850 commando was if you want. such a long list of failures, drove me crazy. then again, my rhs change ariel from early 50s, brilliant bike. would like it here now.
The Girlfriend has an MT07. - It has got some go in it but I don't feel that comfortable on it. Maybe cos I look like a gorilla on a clowns bike on it. The front end seems loose but apparently thats normal - not because she rode head-on into a block wall :frustrated:
MT09 is fun, but MT10 is a great bike. A real hooligans tool.
Yes, our 14 has torque and comfort, very user friendly, but ride an MT10 hard and a 14 seems very tame and lazy. Even hotted up 14's are a bit lardy.
Yamaha have done well with their MT range, like the latest Zeds there's a good choice.
Once again Suzuki offer too little too late.
Speaking of 'Hooligans Tools' any luck on the Camel front yet Tony?
Quote from: KiwiCol on Thursday, 31 August 2017, 06:06 PM
Speaking of 'Hooligans Tools' any luck on the Camel front yet Tony?
Wife still says NO!
Wouldn't happen until I sell this place and move anyway.
I've spoken to folk with them and done lots of homework.
Mrs wasn't impressed with my choice for our Movie night... :happy1:
I'm going to follow it up with Mad Max 3, Beyond Thunderdome.
Awful movie, but nice camels !
I have Lawrence of Arabia for future viewing.
Looks like you're gonna have to buy all this fancy bits for your camel Tony.... do they not come with sunscreens as well? :happy1:
Fancy bits can easily be contract knitted by a rest home. But Tony will have to learn to tie the cotton crash hat himself.
:stir:
I think he already has the whipping stick..... he must have cos he keeps telling us he gives his busa a good thrashing now and again! :rofl2:
:whistling:
https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/tara/livestock/camels-for-sale/1158393844
Wife has now refused to talk to me about it... :happy1:
So she's got the hump then?
Can't do this with the crow bar Tony! Subtle is the word. And positive visualization.
P.S. Watching Tracks right now.
Just don't get a wild bull "mit Eier". :cheers:
Lawrence of Arabia is a sad film... poor Brough... :bugga:
I used to live in the Middle East... I can say with some assurance that camels are bastards.
And 'You Bastard' is the greatest mathematician who has ever lived.
Lets see who can read books here...