subject: Bike Cleaner Kits How To Clean And Lubricate Your Bike [print this page] Below is a simpe guide to cleaning and lubricating your bike. Its easy but you will need some simple items in your bike cleaner kit to enable you to do a thorough job:
A Bucket
Very Hot Water
Washing up liquid
Some old rags
An old toothbrush
A sponge
Rubber Gloves
A narrow piece of metal e.g. an old spoke
Degreaser
Grease
Polish
Chain lubricant
A screwdriver
Firstly clean the chain using the soapy water using a brush and remove as much dirt as you can.
Once the chain is clean apply a degreaser preferably a bio-degradable one and let it soak in ensuring it coats the chain well. Rotate the cranks a few times to make sure the lubricant gets in to all the links. Then let it drip dry or rinse in clean water.
Now with a soft clean cloth wipe the chain again, dont be surprised if a lot more dirt comes off. Try a get to all the links and in particular those you dont normally see. Finally apply chain lubricant sparingly.
Next it is time to concentrate on cables. Soak a rag in degreaser and wipe the insides of the cables (slide the outer layers out of the way). Replace any rusty cables. You now need to lubricate the inner cable with a thin layer rather than leaving big blobs so that it can soak into all the fibres of the metal. You need to use a cloth that will not leave little bits and so you need a lint free material. Soak the cloth in lubricant, fold the cloth over the cable and run the cable through the cloth.
Now it is time to clean the mechanisms. The front mechanism is often ignored because it is difficult to get into. Therefore, start with a toothbrush to clean out as much muck as you can; then use a cloth to wipe as many places as you can. Dont forget the inside of the front mechanism cage as this can collect a lot of dirt.
Turning your attention to the rear mechanism scrape out any dirt using something like a screwdriver. Obviously a nice clean chain will not stay that way for long if the jockey wheels are filthy. So once again clean with an old brush, wash dirt away, apply degreaser and wipe off. The jockey wheels only require the lightest of coatings of lubricant.
Put the rear gears into the largest rear sprocket and then, without letting the rear wheel spin, shift into the smallest rear sprocket. This will free up a load of inner cable and allow you to pop the outers from the slotted cable stops on the frame. With the cables now fully unclipped from the frame you can inspect, clean, re-lube and reinstall everything. Dont forget to lubricate the front mechanism.
Rear sprockets should be tackled in the same way, use a screwdriver to remove dirt, brush and then wash with clean soapy water. If need be apply a little degreaser. Do your best to dry and buff up the rear sprockets, dirt will act to slow their movement down so remove as much as you can.
Finally wash down the rest of the bike, lubricate your break lever points and gear shifters and to finish the whole bike off give it a good polish.
