I build some of my trikes out of scrap bikes, and this is the method I use
to rejuvinate thoroughly rusted chains:
- take the chain off and brush off any loose matter with a wire brush
- then, put the chain on a wire wheel (I put mine on a small bench grinder)
and do the whole chain, all 4 sides to remove the vast majority of the rust
- drop the chain in a bucket of oil (any type is fine) so it's completely
submerged. 2L pop bottle or old 1L plastic oil jugs with the top cut off
work too
- remove the chain, put it in another intact 2L pop bottle, put any kind of
cleaner/solvent in with the chain, and shake it til the chain rinses clean.
Repeat as necessary.
- dump the wste cleaner out, cut the bottle and remove the chain
- hang chain to dry
- install chain and lubricate if/where necessary to stop any squeaks.
- stiff links are massaged out by hand by rotating the links to full exent
in both directions, and then giving the joint a light flex sideways, in both
directions. Then add an extra drop of oil to the FORMERLY stiff link
It sounds a lot longer to do this than it actually takes. Leaving it
overnight in the oil isn't necessary - I just leave it that long for a good
soaking. This has worked every time on old chains that were so badly rusted
that I could hold them straight out like a stick.
"evsolutions" <
[email protected]> wrote in message
news:
[email protected]...
> Hi
> Am too cheap to buy a new chain and wondered if anyone had a
fast-easy-cheap
> way to remove rust from a bike chain. I need to do a 40 mile hike Tuesday
> and the chain is totally creamed in rust/
>
> Joshua
> ******
>
>