On Jul 22, 2:28*pm, Ablang wrote:
What do people here do w/ bikes for other people to help them salvage
their bikes that may have been sitting outside just a little bit too
long and they don't want to spend the money on new sprockets & chains?

Most of these bikes do not need new sprockets and chains, because they
are seldom ridden. The hardware has plenty of miles left in ti. Rust
on the outside of a chain is not necessarily a bad thing. Just like
people, it's what's on the inside that counts. If some of the links
are locked in place with rust, it's often more trouble than it's worth
to loosen them up. Otherwise do it the good way -- remove the chain
with a chain breaker, soak in solvent, brush clean, dry, apply lube,
or do it the quick bad way -- put lots of lube on it ( like motor oil
or my personal favorite, chain saw ) spin the cranks, wipe excess lube
off. While you are at it, remove the seat post and squirt some lube
down the seat post -- if the bottom bracket is one of the old cup and
ball bearing jobs. If so, it will quickly relube the bottom bracket.
Then, you can remove the rear wheel and wipe the gunk off the
sprockets.

It's a good idea to first measure the chain with ruler. the 0 and
the12 inch mark should each be close to the center of one of the pins
of the chain. If your chain is too rusty, rust-welded together, or
too worn, do yourself a favor and get a cheap new one.

What types of chemicals will remove rust?
1. Coke-a-cola.
2. Evap-o-rust http://www.theruststore.com/
3. Quick-glo (a personal favorite).

Best,
Larry