How do you get rust off of a motorcycle chain?
If your chain is rusted then it's compromised and I would replace it rather than restore it. For all the rust that you can see on the outside there will be rust on the inside that you can't see and will never remove.I wouldn't want to be riding at speed when a bike snaps a chain on a bump and it splits your leg open as it flies off at speed, or fowls up the rear wheel as the bike spits you off.Having said that, if you insist on trying to restore a chain despite the risks then I would clean it with a specific chain cleaner. If you don't have any then a solvent like white spirit would do. I wouldn't use petrol as the possibility of it turning you into a fireball is too high.I wouldn't normally have a wire brush anywhere near a chain but scratches aren't your main problem if you're already trying to remove rust. Give it a good scrub with a fine wire brush to remove as much rust as you can, then treat with a rust remover and stabilizing product like this, Jenolite, if you can.Next give it a soak, overnight at least, in chain lubricant. It's not going to be enough to lube the outside you want to try and get lubricant inside the rollers, where there will be untreated rust. Wipe off any excess before refitting. Excess chain lubricant flung onto your rear tyre may cause an accident, and don't forget to clean and lube on a regular basis.
What is the best way to remove rust from a bicycle chain?
Good God.After reading the other current answers, I am compelled to say, “Don’t use WD-40 for anything on a bicycle!”It is only a very weak solvent, and has very little lubricating qualities when wet and none when dry.The crap should be pulled off the market, as I have yet to see it accomplish anything advertised on the can.First off, I’d tell you to get a new chain.The problem with taking rust off of metal is that it is sure to rust again.But that does not answer your question.So what would I do if I couldn’t get a new chain?Take it off the bike and soak it. You can use P.B. Blaster and a soft, brass bristle brush (available from welding supply stores) to take the brunt of the crud off.The soft brass brush may be enough on its own, maybe with some Marvel Mystery Oil.Then I would submerge the entire chain in automatic transmission fluid. It has detergents in a light weight oil.If you can’t come by that, then even soaking the chain in gasoline overnight will help.Then you need to clean it very well.All the grit and crumbs need to come off.I find that an air compressor with a direct spray nozzle can help speed this up.Once you are satisfied that the chain is useable, lubricate it with a light oil. I like Marvel Mystery Oil that I cut with remnant oil from various empty petroleum products for automobiles.Here’s the thing.By the time you purchase the brush, the solvent, the oil(s), the pile of rags, and spend your valuable time on this project a new chain for ~$30 USD might be the better route.I only included all the other information for those that might not have the cash, but might have access to the other things.As a child, I did have great luck just soaking a bike chain in gasoline overnight.Keep that chain lubricated, and you won’t have the issue again.
Can a motorcycle sit for this long?
You can leave a cycle sit for ages if you prepare it correctly. Remove the battery from the bike drain all the gas from the tank AND the Carb if you have one (many bikes are fuel injected now) Remove spark plug and spray in a storage oil, available at dealers. give your exposed rubber parts a dose of armour-all OR similar product. (NOTE:) DO NOT spray the bottom of the tire that touches the road. Place a cycle cover over it if you have one. If not a blanket will do if you are storing it inside. If outside cover it with a blanket and then a tarp of some kind that is waterproof. Do NOT cover it with a tarp directly as any wind will wind up moving the tarp and can scratch the paint. Leave the oil in the transmission and engine (if a 4 stroke). Before using the bike again, drain the oil and replace it with new. It isn't a rule that you have to but when storing bikes I like to place it on something to keep it off the ground. A milk container that holds 4 gallons of milk works great for smaller bikes that aren't heavy. You can leave a bilke stored like this for years.
What is the best way to remove rust from the frame of a vehicle?
If you are restoring a vehicle and have it disassembled down to the frame, the best alternative is to bring the entire frame to a local powdercoating facility. They will sandblast the frame and prep it just prior to applying the powdercoat, which will ultimately protect the frame far better than the original factory finish.If you are simply prepping and painting your undercarriage at home, which is common for car owners each season in the rustbelt, then jack the car up and place it on jack stands. Pressure wash the entire undercarriage to remove any road salts and dirt from cracks and crevices. Then use a wire brush on areas of exposed metal. When dry and clean, use a rust conversion paint product such as Corroseal, Evapo-rust, Permatex Rust Treatment or Skyco Surface Prep.As a final paint, use a heavy enamel, such as Rustoleum. A spray-on variety will get into most of the tight areas, but make sure it goes on heavy. It doesn’t matter how it looks, since this will be on the undercarriage of the car.This can all be done in a day, but it is dirty and difficult work, so dress accordingly and use gloves and safety glasses.Good luck!
How do you get sand out of a motorcycle gas tank? ?
Remove the tank and keep flushing it with water and sloshing it around to drain it. There's no really easy way that I know of, but this method will work. Just keep filling and sloshing and draining while turning the tank in all directions. When you think you've got all you can get out. Dry out the tank and try to see if you can get any more sand residue out. You could also use a gas tank sealant such as one I recently used by KBS coatings. It comes with a heavy duty cleaner, an etching solution, and a coating that is applied to the inside of the tank. This is the next best thing to a new tank and works great. It even seals leaks and takes care of any rust on the inside of your tank.
How do you remove rust from aluminum?
Aluminum doesn’t rust, but it can get stained with rust from steel hardware or attachments, such as wheel bolts or mounting screws. Rust stains on aluminum can be removed with acidic, oxygenating or organic cleaners, or with fine abrasives like steel wool.Things You'll NeedCommercial rust remover2. Nylon scrubbing pad3. Clean cloths4. Mild detergent5. Water in a bucket or hose6. Steel wool7. Aluminum foilStart by trying a commercial rust remover product such as Whink, CLR, naval jelly, Rust-Oxy or an organic rust remover. Apply with a cloth or a nylon scrubbing pad, rubbing to remove rust stains. These products are best for polished aluminum surfaces because they don’t contain abrasives.Use steel wool for really stubborn rust stains. Use grade four-zero to six-zero (very fine) to rub out rust stains, then wash off residue with water or mild detergent and water. Steel wool can also be used to remove the white powder that forms from oxidation of aluminum.Try a method for light rust stains that appears in many Internet sources. Ball up a piece of aluminum foil about eight inches square, with the shiny side out. Rub the foil ball over rust spots to remove surface rust.
What is that black stuff on the muffler of motorcycles?
That would be my friend, carbon.
Removing Motorcycle Fuel Tank PaintWork and Apply BaseCoat?
Removing the paint is the worst thing you can do. If there is no rust underneath the paint, it is the best primer to have on your bike. Once you expose the metal, you have dramatically increased the chances of it rusting if you don't prime it correctly. If it's plastic, that's another story. Then you're going to need adhesion promoters and flex additive. If you go into your local paint and body store, the clerk shoud be able to help you with the basics. If you're going to airbrush the tank, I'm assuming you're going to put designs on it. An airbrush is great for artwork, but isn't the best thing to lay down paint with. The spray guns designed to paint vehicles are more efficient at laying down the proper quantities of paint to cover your work. If the paint is in tact and you just want to paint over it, wet sand it with 400 grit then 800. I used Sherwin Williams brand paint which was very easy to use and gave a great quality. Once you lay down your basecoat, let it dry to the touch and wipe it down with a tack rag. Don't use pressure when wiping. You just want to get the dust off. Then airbrush your artwork, wipe down again and lay down your clearcoat. If there is a lot of rust and you need to strip the paint, use a heavy grit sandpaper (120) and a DA sander. Once the metal is bare, lay down your primer. Sand again with 320 grit and lay down another coat of primer. Once that is dry, then wetsand with 400, then 800 grit. Coat with a sealer. No need to sand the sealer if you paint it within 24 hours. Lay down the basecoat...etc. Always remember to clean with a tack rag after each coat is dry. Remember to clean your vehicle thoroughly with soap and water before sanding it. After you wash it, wipe it down with prep-sol. Then you can sand it. This prevents you from sanding any grease into the metal which causes fish eyes. Painting is 90% in the prep work. Remember if you paint over a crappy surface, you will have a shiny, crappy looking paint job.