Bicycle chain rusts in a few hours - please help?

[OllieVintage]

Dear bikers,

I have been cleaning up my old rusted bicycle chain, I was using the widely advised method of lemon juice and steel wool. It came up a treat - silver once again. But this morning, less than 12 hours later, I looked at the chain to find it is becoming very rusty again? *Please see photo* This chain was literally gleaming silver a few hours before this was taken.

Does anyone have an explanation to offer to me as why this is happening, and what I might be able to do to prevent such rapid corrosion?

Thank you and best wishes,

Oliver

 

[Yellow Saddle]

Did you oil it after cleaning it?

 

[CopperCyclist]

After it gets wet, apply GT-85 and wipe. I do that after every even slightly wet ride.

 

[BigAl68]

needs to be oiled, lubed with whatever you use otherwise it will go rusty again.

 

[sight-pin]

It's the lemon juice causing oxidization, You need to lube the chain straight after as suggested above.

 

[migrantwing]

It's the lemon juice causing oxidization, You need to lube the chain straight after as suggested above.

Indeed, it is!

 

[OllieVintage]

Ah excellent thank you very much all, I shall carry out the process again but lubricate it immediately this time.

Big thank you again,

Ollie

 

[Smurfy]

Stainless and nickel plated chains won't rust in the same way that plain steel chains do due to atmospheric mositure, but they still need to be lubricated for use.

 

[swee'pea99]

Get yerself some o' this - it's the bidniss!

 

[fossyant]

Just get a new chain

 

[gbb]

I hadnt even thought of the lemon juice, but there arw other scenarios as well.
The item youre scrubbing the chain with could well be absorbing microscopic traces of rustl...and as you clean the chain, youre also impregnating those traces into the steel...only for it to come back. Also by scarrifying the surface of the chain, youre opening it up to attack.
Metalworkers, particually those working with stainless steel, must NOT use anything abrasive thats been used on steel. It will impregnate the stainless...and cause it to rust. The stainless isnt rusting of course...its those microscopic particles of steel that've been embedded into it.

 

[Tom B]

Just like a chain these chain discussions go around in circles.

How much does the lube, wire wool and lemon juice cost you? I can buy a new KMC chain for about £6.... and a Cassette for under £20. I wash liberally with water, wipe with white spirit to get the mank out, splash with elcheapo oil and crack-on.

Life is too short.

 

[OllieVintage]

Thank you very much for your further hints everyone. In answer to the questions of why don't I just get a new chain - this is a vintage bicycle, I love to restore as much of the original parts as possible rather than replacing them with modern ones. There's a certain satisfaction from knowing you have been able to restore the original component. Plus, the lemon juice and steel wool only cost me £1.50.

 

[zacklaws]

In that case then with it being vintage, the only way to prevent rust on the chain is oil it with one of these:-

 

[Tom B]

Fair does...

Whist we are on the subject of vintage bikes does anyone know where I can get vintage style pedals. The type with asquared off front and rear rubber rail front and rear and a chromed frame and spindle through the middle.

The type of thing Gladis Emmanuel might have....