Motorcycle chemicals and lubricants
A number of chemicals and lubricants are available for use in
motorcycle maintenance and repair. They include a wide variety of
products ranging from cleaning solvents and degreasers to lubricants
and protective sprays for rubber, plastic and vinyl.
Contact point/spark plug cleaner is a solvent used to clean oily
film and dirt from points, grime from electrical connectors and oil
deposits from spark plugs. It is oil free and leaves no residue. It can
also be used to remove gum and varnish from carburetor jets and
other orifices.
Carburetor cleaner is similar to contact point/spark plug cleaner
but it usually has a stronger solvent and may leave a slight oily reside.
It is not recommended for cleaning electrical components or
connections.
Brake system cleaner is used to remove grease or brake fluid
from brake system components (where clean surfaces are absolutely
necessary and petroleum-based solvents cannot be used); it also
leaves no residue.
Silicone-based lubricants are used to protect rubber parts such
as hoses and grommets, and are used as lubricants for hinges and
locks.
Multi-purpose grease is an all purpose lubricant used wherever
grease is more practical than a liquid lubricant such as oil. Some multi-
purpose grease is colored white and specially formulated to be more
resistant to water than ordinary grease.
Gear oil (sometimes called gear lube) is a specially designed oil
used in transmissions and final drive units, a s well as other areas
where high friction, high temperature lubrication is required. It is
available in a number of viscosities (weights) for various applications.
Motor oil, of course, is the lubricant specially formulated for use
in the engine. It normally contains a wide variety of additives to prevent
corrosion and reduce foaming and wear. Motor oil comes in various
weights (viscosity ratings) of from 5 to 80. The recommended weight of
the oil depends on the seasonal temperature and the demands on the
engine. Light oil is used in cold climates and under light load
conditions; heavy oil is used in hot climates and where high loads are
encountered. Multi-viscosity oils are designed to have Characteristics
of both light and heavy oils and are available in a number of weights
from 5W-20 to 20W-50.
Gas (petrol) additives perform several functions, depending on
their chemical makeup. They usually contain solvents that help
dissolve gum and varnish that build up on carburetor and intake parts.
They also serve to break down carbon deposits that form on the inside
surfaces of the combustion chambers. Some additives contain upper
cylinder lubricants for valves and piston rings.
Brake fluid is a specially formulated hydraulic fluid that can
withstand the heat and pressure encountered in brake systems. Care
must be taken that this fluid does not come in contact with painted
surfaces or plastics. An opened container should always be resealed
to prevent contamination by water or dirt.
Chain lubricants are formulated especially for use on motorcycle
final drive chains. A good chain lube should adhere well and have good
penetrating qualities to be effective as a lubricant inside the chain and
on the side plates, pins and rollers. Most chain lubes are either the
foaming type or quick drying type and are usually marketed as sprays.
Degreasers are heavy duty solvents used to remove grease and
grime that may accumulate on engine and frame components. They
can be sprayed or brushed on and, depending on the type, are rinsed
with either water or solvent.
Solvents are used alone or in combination with degreasers to
clean parts and assemblies during repair and overhaul. The home
mechanic should use only solvents that are non-flammable and that do
not produce irritating fumes.
Gasket sealing compounds may be used in conjunction with
gaskets, to improve their sealing capabilities, or alone, to seal metal-
to-metal joints. Many gasket sealers can withstand extreme heat,
some are impervious to gasoline and lubricants, while others are
capable of filling and sealing large cavities. Depending on the intended
use, gasket sealers either dry hard or stay relatively soft and pliable.
They are usually applied by hand, with a brush, or are sprayed on the
gasket sealing surfaces.
Thread cement is an adhesive locking compound that prevents
threaded fasteners from loosening because of vibration. It is available
in a variety of types for different applications.
Moisture dispersants are usually sprays that can be used to dry
out electrical components such as the fuse block and wiring
connectors. Some types can also be used as treatment for rubber and
as a lubricant for hinges, cables and locks.
Waxes and polishes are used to help protect painted and plated
surfaces from the weather. Different types of paint may require the use
of different types of wax polish. Some polishes utilize a chemical or
abrasive cleaner to help remove the top layer of oxidized (dull) paint on
older-vehicles. In recent years, many non-wax polishes (that contain a
wide variety of chemicals such as polymers and silicones) have been
introduced. These non-wax polishes are usually easier to apply and
last longer than conventional waxes and polishes.
