Chain help

[Gaarmstrong318]

Hey folks I'm asking more questions again,

During the winter I clean the bikes chain off and re lube it once I week ( I use the bike for commuting 250 miles a week) however as the winter has gone on several links in the chain have seized started off with one being stiff which I have extra attention to however over Christmas they have started the seize almost solid, i can free them using brute force and GT85 and degreaser but they some stiffen up again before the week is out.

Does anyone have any tips or tricks I can use to free them up

The chain is due to be replaced at the end of the winter (end of march time) btw but want to change it after they stop gritting the road every day

Thank you in advance folks

Any idea welcome

[ThePhatomfart]

To be honest I wouldn't wait any longer and just change the chain if it's causing these problems, if your commuting that many miles a week ,you want something that's not gonna let you down

[Guest]

Definitely sounds like it's on its last legs but I would also try to make it last the winter, if safe. If it's really bad you don't want it snapping and tearing a hole in your leg and it sounds like yours might be approaching this stage. It can also cause damage elsewhere if there's lots of really stiff links. Don't forget to change the sprockets at the same time as the chain too.

Anyway, I'd take it off and give it a good clean with paraffin then leave it to soak overnight in engine oil or similar, work the stiff links back and forth with pliers and let it sit a little longer, then hang it up to let the excess drip off. That might extend its life by a bit. If not it's really toast.

A tutoro or scotoiler is worthwhile if you ride through winter. Can be messy but the oil is thinner so doesn't let the grit stick to the chain as much and as it flows out continuously the chain doesn't go dry. Generally stays cleaner but it doesn't stop the rust on the side plates so it's still worth doing a quick clean every so often. The only caveat is very short commutes, not so useful there. I've hardly ridden my bigger bike this winter because the short commute was killing it. The 125 survives better over the short distance. Oddly looking forward to my commute getting longer again in May...

[Throttled]

I agree that you should get a new chain now, or you will have to get a new chain and sprockets later.