Kettenmax Chain Cleaner Review

The big problem with motorcycles that are chain driven is that they require constant maintenance of said chain. Ignore these vital components and the result can be costly bills and possible injury if they snap and lock the rear wheel.

The winter is never kind to them and even modern chains with their 'o' rings to keep grease in still suffer badly, externally at least. Wear also means loss of power to the rear wheel and if you have an old bike, any loss is definitely not good when you do not have a lot of power to start with!

The big problem is that chain maintenance is always a messy affair, especially the cleaning of a well lubed chain that has picked up a lot of crud. Older types with a sprung split link are not too bad to get off and clean, but modern Superbikes have riveted links and cannot be so easily removed to wash in a bath of cleaning fluid and a brush is very messy.

Help is now at hand thanks to the Kettenmax chain cleaning kit. This consists of a solid two-piece box with internal bristles that fits tightly over the chain. This is then suspended by means of a chord. A container of solvent is screwed into the cap that forms part of it.

The wheel is then spun while the brushes remove the grit and grime with the help of the solvent, all detritus draining into a bag attached below the box.

With the chain clean the solvent canister is replaced by a similar one of chain lube and the chain circulated through the box again ensuring it is once again well–lubed and ready for action without the rear of the bike being as well!.

Such devices are not new, but this one really works and while it is not the sort of thing you would use every week, it is an excellent tool to have for those times when the grit and grime has built up well and truly, or you are laying the bike up for winter. Drawbacks are that each container of solvent is just enough for one cleaning session and they cost £7.99, as does the lube. But alt least you get one of each in the kit (along with spare bristles) which costs £50.00 from Motohaus (01256 704909)

While it may sound expensive, so are chains and anything that prolongs their life is money well spent. Besides it helps keep the rear of the bike a little cleaner as well and makes life a little easier! Definitely a very good buy!

Review by Ian Kerr