on my 400ex i have a o ring chain i need to take some linkes out of it to day its old but cant aford new chain right now so while i have it off how can i clean it just soap and water?

 

are you removing links because it has stretched??

 

If you can't adjust anymore, borrow the money for a chain otherwise you will be paying more in the end.
Cleaning-
Recommend-- Lossen to take chain off back sprocket. Place part of the chain in pan of kerosene, soak and clean with nylon brush. Rotate chain, do the rest.

Don't recommend but do if have to. Place rear end so tires off the floor, turn on bike and place into 2nd gear, spray break cleaner on rotating chain and use nylon brush to get crude off while chain is moving. Immediatly rinse with water.
Good luck

 

use kerosene to do the job not soapy water

 

Soap and water.......you are kidding, right? An O-ring chain is permanently lubed internally, and the O-rings are just there to hold grease inside the links. So, I am always wary of using any very light cleaner (like kerosene) that might slip past the O-ring, and toast the grease. I use Maxima Chain Wax, so my chain really never gets that dirty. The wax does build up on the outside of the links though, so I wet a rag with WD-40 and wipe it down, but being carefull not to use so much that it can slip past the rings.

 

Actually most chain manufacturers recommend cleaning the chain with soap and water before initial installation. You dont use gasoline, kerosine, or similar harsh chemicals on the rubber o-rings, but you can on the non o ring chains and the sprockets themselves.

 

do yourself a favor

buy new sprockets and a new chain

do the teeth on the rear sprocket look worn on 1 side?

 

i cleaned the chain to day with kerosene and a tooth bruch. took one link out. looks alot better.