How to maintain the chain on a motorcycle

How to maintain the chain on a motorcycle

Cleaning and lubricating a motorcycle chain is not a favourite pastime for most bikers. But if it's to last a long time, maintenance should not be underestimated. A properly maintained motorcycle chain not only extends the life of the entire chain system, but also significantly increases the overall reliability of the bike. This ensures a smooth and safe ride, and also keeps your moto pants free of oil stains on the chain.

Why clean your bike chain?

Chain maintenance is certainly not an activity where we can arbitrarily toss and turn or skip steps altogether. There is no such thing as a really well-oiled chain without a good cleaning. Why?

A cocktail of dirt, dust, mud and old lubricant build up on the chain and take on a life of their own to the point where they can easily start to increase the friction between the links, which in turn leads to wear on the sprockets and the chain as a whole. Thorough cleaning will reduce friction and prevent unnecessary wear. Should you apply lubricant to a dirty chain, the dirt will mix with the new lubricant, creating an abrasive mixture that will scrub between the chain links. A well-cleaned chain, on the other hand, allows the lubricant to penetrate perfectly into all the gaps and joints.

What to clean a motorcycle chain with

Ideally, you should use special motorcycle chain cleaners designed specifically for chains - their composition and consistency are optimal for effectively removing all dirt and old lubricant without damaging the chain seal. Popular chain cleaners include Motul Chain Clean. Its popularity is hardly surprising - it cleans effectively and is easy to use. For really precise maintenance, use in combination with a chain cleaning brush.

How to clean a motorcycle chain

Place the machine on a stand under the bike so that the rear wheel is free to move. Then apply the cleaner to the entire chain and leave it on for a few minutes to loosen the dirt. Then use a chain brush to clean the chain itself and clean all parts thoroughly. If you don't have a chain brush handy, an old toothbrush won't work wonders. Give the same care to both the outside and inside of the chain! After the chain is dry, continue lubricating (the chain!).

What to lubricate the chain on your motorcycle

The best choice for motorcycle chain lubrication are special lubricants designed specifically for motorcycle chains. Spray-on chain oils are the most convenient form. They are easy to apply and penetrate well into all parts of the chain. They are formulated with anti-corrosive and waterproof additives to help extend the life of the chain.

How to lubricate a motorcycle chain

We've already discussed the importance of cleaning your chain before lubricating it, so let's get right down to it. Apply oil or other chain lubricant to the inside of the chain links. For convenient and effective application, we recommend using the aforementioned chain oil spray. Apply the oil to the inside of the chain, turn the chain slowly around and apply the spray in front of the rear sprocket, it will do the rest and push the oil where it needs to go. Finally, let dry for about 15 minutes and then wipe off the excess grease lightly with a clean rag.

Your bike's chain should never be dry and clogged, so make sure it's always lubricated and ideally carry out maintenance after every ride. If you own a motocross machine, remember to lubricate the chain before every ride and also after every wash. For road bikes, lubricate the chain every 500 km or so and clean and lubricate the chain thoroughly after it has been ridden for about 1,500 km. Also remember to dry, clean and lubricate the chain after riding in the rain.