Clean your chain with a pickle
- Thread starter ResidentEvil
- Start date
ResidentEvil
Registered
Summary: A discovery by a webBikeWorld visitor means the perfect motorcycle chain cleaner has finally arrived.
Made from an organic compound, it's also inexpensive, and although it may seem strange, it works.
Background
We've been reviewing motorcycle chain lubes, chain cleaners and degreasers since metal chain links were first invented.
Which, by the way, begs the question: what came before metal motorcycle chains? The leather "chains" were really belts that fit into the pulleys and they were made from leather, believe it or not.
Don't believe it? You can look it up...
Run your eyes over the right-hand column and you'll find links to all of the various chain lube and chain cleaning articles that have been published on webBikeWorld through the years.
Finding a good chain lube is the easy part -- our favorite is the DuPont Teflon Chain Lube (review), but there are many to choose from and we've compared dozens over the last few years.
Some are easier to use than others, but in the end, pretty much all of them will do the job.
Chain cleaning and degreasing? That's another matter altogether. The choices are limited and many of the products are either difficult to use or don't work as advertised.
Discussions about the best chain lube or chain cleaning product will result in as many opinions as there are motorcycles. Everyone seems to have their favorite brand and method, with wild claims of 10, 20 and even 30 thousand miles from a chain and sprocket set.
webBikeWorld visitors use have told us about many of their formulas, from citrus-based cleaners to "green" solvents to dishwashing soap and everything in between. Each product has its adherents and each one is said to be the best, but unfortunately, we've never been able to verify any of them. Until now.
I hesitated publishing this article because I know this seems like it has to be one of the most unusual chain cleaning substances available, but we've tried it many times and it's amazing. You can see for yourself by looking at the photos below, which are un-retouched and documented proof of this system we now call the "Chain Pickle".
The discovery was made by webBikeWorld visitor Cucumis Sativus, a motorcycle rider who is apparently always looking for unusual (and inexpensive) alternatives to expensive off-the-shelf brands. Here's an excerpt from the email which introduced us to this unusual method:
"I had just returned from an off-road ride and my chain was filthy. I grabbed a can of WD-40 and emptied it on the chain but it was useless. I was looking in the trash for some old newspapers to clean up the mess when I saw the pickle. I don't know what made me think of it, but I needed something to clean off the grunge so I grabbed it, split it in half and wrapped it around the chain. I figured it was just wet enough to wipe off the crud and as I slowly rotated the rear wheel while holding the pickle on the chain, I was amazed at the results. One swipe and the chain was good as new!"
Of course, I thought he was pulling my leg, but after a series of emails to him in a quest to learn more, I realized he was serious. So, after talking to the local crew, we figured "What the heck" and gave it a try. All I can say is that I was as surprised as anyone at the results.
We've tried it with all types of pickles, but only the dill varieties work best. The sweeter "Bread and Butter" types leave a sticky residue on the chain that can attract dirt and grunge.
It takes a fairly good-sized pickle to clean a 530 chain; not a gherkin, but more like a Kosher dill. We found a jar of Claussen's brand in the local supermarket, and we can highly recommend them. These are different from other brands, such as Vlasic, because the Claussen's pickles are not cooked, so they will be in the refrigerated section of the store. We found them on sale, two for $6.00 and there are about a dozen dills in each jar, which should be enough to last for nearly the life of the chain.
So how does it work? Apparently, the acidity of the brine immediately breaks down the hardened grease and sludge on the chain, but it's also mild enough that it doesn't affect the O-rings at all.
ResidentEvil
Registered
THE pics to go with the story
Posted via Mobile Device
Says page not found
https://www.hayabusa.org/forum/members/gsxrbots-12271.html
Posted via Mobile Device
busastalker05
Registered
gonna stick with what i normally do...... hate pickles!!!!!:talk2hand:
Posted via Mobile DeviceSays page not found
ResidentEvil
Registered
yea sorry about that link ...so I put the summary up with pics
Djxtrodinaire
Registered
I will stick with Dupont 
ResidentEvil
Registered
ok who's going to try it first 
Hey Sleepless, your just mad we know your secret. Ya soak the wheels in relish too, dant ya
Word of warning don't get your pickle caught in your chain 
Similar threads
