Can a rusty bicycle chain be restored?

Question

I recently aquired three old bicycles that have been abandoned at a station for a long time. The bicycles aren't in bad condition, but the rain has made the chains dry up and go rusty. I have managed to free up the links on one of the chains, and am planning to do the same for the other two. However, will these chains be all right to use? If the links are moving smoothly, does that mean it is all right to use?

Answer 1

No. Buy a new chain and any other drivetrain components that need replacing, and NEVER leave a bicycle outside.

Answer 2

take it off the bike wire brush it then soak it in wd40 or something that dissolves rust / drives out water that should do the trick p.s if it dosnt have a split link on the chain the you will need a de-linker to get it off they are usually about £7 to buy but last you for ever

good luck and if u need to know anithing else jus send me an e-mail i will reply real quick.

Answer 3

Replacing the chain doesn't cost much and is easy to do. Why risk having to walk home when it's so easily preventable?

HTH

Answer 4

soak in WD40 wire brush, oil, should do the trick.

Answer 5

It is conceivable but I wouldn't recommend it.

Knowing that you collect more bikes than you can ride, if you just want to get the chains loose so they can operate then you'll be fine for the occasional spin. If these are going to be ridden regularly or for long distances replace the chains.

Answer 6

Feasibility and reliability are key terms here. With new chains costing so little and the unknown reliability of an old rusty chain there is no reason to spend countless hours and $$$ for supplies working on an old chain.

Answer 7

Dear Liam,

Your might be better off getting a new chain, but there is a jelly that will generally restore rusty chain and etcetera.  It is called NAVAL JELLY and might be found at a hardware store.  If is does not work then just go get a new chain. Later and may God Bless!

Answer 8

Didn't you ask the exact same question not too long ago?   :o)

Hand in hand with another of your questions about a broken chain, here's my advice:

If the chain is really bad, then replace it....advanced rust will weaken the chain and it may fail on you even if it's lubed and shiny.  

If it's just flash rust, measure the chain for wear to make sure it's worth cleaning, and then clean it up with a wire brush as best you can and do the following:

Clean, lube, ride, repeat.  

Do that a few times and most of the rust will wear off and the chain will start to look much better.  Use a wet lube/oil at first.  Be sure to clean it well each time, and keep your pants leg out of the way because it'll get nasty-black while the rust is being pulverized and mixed in with the lube.  When the chain looks decent, use a good quality chain lube that won't attract dust.

The good thing about older chains is that they were pretty beefy compared to today's narrow chains....this gives you some insurance that restoring an old chain is worthwhile to try.  If it were me, I'd try to fix them up, and make sure I brought along a chain tool and some spare links for the first few rides on those bikes.  

Good on you for recycling and not trashing parts without giving it a go first....it's fun and it's environmentally responsible, even if chains are cheap!    :o)

Answer 9

New chain.  All of the lubricant between the links will have gone and corosion set in.  You might be able to free up the links, but corosion will still have done the damage and make peddling hard work.  Whats the problem anyway, you can get a chain for under £10?

Answer 10

Not only would it be dangerous to ride on a rusted up chain, it'll also eat away at your rear cassette/freewheel and chainring/s or they'll weaken the chain further.

It's just sensible and more economical to get a new chain. Plus the factory lube you get on a new chain is amazing.

Answer 11

yes but save your self the trouble and buy a new chain

Answer 12

The thing to do would be to soak them in tray of paraffin or turpentine, when they loosen up lay them on newspaper (or something absorbent) and, when well dry, soak them in a good cycle chain oil. However, due to the time and cost of doing all that, added to the fact that the chains may not be worth renovating anyway, it may be better to get new chains.

The test for chain wear and tear is to see how far it lifts and moves off the chain wheel. Compare it to a new bike!

Answer 13

They should be OK to use.... and if they break well, you know you have to replace them.

Take them off the bike, leave in a bath of penetrating oil overnight, then free them up, oil and pop them back on and see how they go.

Answer 14

no you need to buy a new chain

Answer 15

What's the point? Standard bike chains are $5 to $8. I wouldn't even think of NOT replacing them.