im so pathetic... (maintenance related)

[J.R. Bob Dobbs]

At first I (like you) didn't read the manual carefully enough and went almost 2000mi before servicing the chain. It had stretched (worn?) *considerably*.

Now I do it about every 300 miles (twice as often as book says) and haven't seen any stretch since I started doing it frequently. A centerstand sure is nice, only takes about 10 minutes, including beer sipps

[CNF2002]

V, just clean and lube your chain already

You dont need a mechanic for that.

[Ham Hock]

>that rollastand looks good. does it really work as good as it is advertized?

"Wheel placed in Rollastand turns effortlessly for cleaning, chain adjustment and general maintenance"

I would not say that wheel turns "effortlessly." Unless by "effortlessly" you mean "have to put a bit of muscle into it."

It is sturdy, simple construction, and it is fairly cheap and effective.

I try to keep up with chain cleaning as much as possible, but I don't really enjoy it. This seems to speed up the process quite a bit so I can get back to riding.

[skinnyjoint]

i bought my bike through a friend and he said to it every 500 so thats fine, but i believe he just sprays lube on it every 500.

i guess my question is how do i clean it? actually get a rag and some water or somthing and wipe it thourghly or?

[Skier]

My current strategy is to use an old toothbrush and diesel oil. Cleanup with a rag and some Simple Green to get rid of the diesel oil and it's fine.

Total cost for pretty much unlimited chain cleanings is just something to hold the diesel in (gas can, ~$5), 1/2 gal of diesel ($1.40) and the Simple Green ($5?).

We'll see if my Radian's chain curls up into the fetal position and cries, though. Only been doing this for about 3k miles.

[Wizzard]

WD40 collects junk like a magnet collects iron filings . If you really want to clean your chain and are afraid of GUNK then spend the money for a large can of contact cleaner . It will evaporate off . I have never in my almost 48 years of riding ever found it necessary to clean a chain . Other than some mud occasionally .
I have cleaned my engines and such with GUNK and then rewaxed my chain .
Keep it simple .
Verm , ya gotta start working on your own scoot . How else are ya gonna bond with it . Takes more than just riding to do that . Ya gotta get intimate with your machine boyo .
Regards, Wizzard

[macktruckturner]

I have a rear wheel stand, because of the limited space here @ the barracks - otherwise I'd do it all with the bike on the ground. Anyway, I have an old tooth brush I use to knock solid crap off the chain with - and I'm a horrible heathen I know, but I put it up on the stand, start the bike, put it in 1st gear, and let the engine spin the wheel. I check my tension, if it's good I hop on and ride for about 5 minutes to warm up the chain, if it's not I adjust it before hopping on to warm up the chain. Park, put it back on the stand, get out my lube - run it again and spray an even coat onto the bike. Cut it off, let it cool, and that's that.

I ride between 500 and 700 miles a week, typically - so I check my chain every week. If it rains, I lube it again.

[skinnyjoint]

so lube the chain when its warm correct?

and what woould u guys recomend for cleaning the engine area and such, im putting my fairings on this weekend so want to clean up everthing first