Chain cleaning

Head on down to your local bike shop where you'll find several shelves of specifically-formulated sprays to clean bike chains. Pick the one in the prettiest can- or maybe the cheapest one- or ask the bike repair guy which one is best and buy it.

Save your paint thinner for cleaning paint brushes...

The rec.motorcycles group or uk.rec.motorcycles group will have an answer. I don't remember what I used when I rode motorcycles with actual chains.

On my bicycle I used to use WD40 and a rag. Paint thinner will evaporate and without any oily film the chain might rust. It happened to me when I was using an old can of PTFE mold release spray. Chain looked nice and clean but then started to rust.

Motorcycle or bicycle? I tend to use 'bike' very loosely which can lead to confusion. Anyway two of the motorcycles and both bicycles have chains. For the bicycle;

For the motorcycles I use kerosene and a tooth brush. Every time I see my dentist she gives me a toothbrush... I have been lubing with 90w gear oil but have been trying Motul spray this summer. It goes on white which is handy and doesn't fling off as much.

In any case, I wouldn't use paint thinner.

If I wanted to do that I would probably use brake cleaner to remove.

Greg

I use White Lightning Easy Lube to lube my chain. It is a dry lube.

Greases and oils attract dirt.

Andy

Graphite powder would probably work but it is real messy.

And much more expensive.

Andy