If your lube leads to poorer efficiency and increased drivetrain wear, having to replace worn parts of your bike more often will undoubtedly cost a lot more in the long run than an efficient lube. Ride 5 miles a week in good weather and you’re good for months. The chain is at the heart of the bike, says Rob McCreedie of Juice Lubes, and it's vital to keep it clean and well lubed through winter. Lubing your motorcycle chain not only smoothes the ride but also prolong the chain life. To lubricate your chain correctly, you should spray the lube on the top of the chain below the swingarm. Then it’s a clear indication to lube your motorcycle chain and this time make sure to clean your chain first. Without a well fitted and properly lubricated chain, there’s no way to transfer power from the engine to the wheels. Changing out your own chain and sprockets is a fairly easy job, but there are a few things about it that can be tricky and require some specialty tools and maybe help from a friend. Avoid using high pressure jets or pressure washers, as the water can be forced inside the O, X or Z rings, and make sure the chain's completely dry before you lubricate. Old chain was still fine, but after six months of nearly daily riding did look a little haggard coming off. Note: You should always clean your motorcycle chain before applying lube or oil to it. Lube is mainly affected by weather patterns. Try not to lube your chain right before a ride–it’s a great idea to do so the night before so that it has a chance to dry a bit, and it won’t be a dirt magnet. Undo and remove rear sprocket nuts and the sprocket. Properly maintaining your motorcycle requires that you get the best motorcycle chain lube in the market. Motorcycle Chain Lubing FAQs. You should clean and lube your chain every time you ride in the rain. When you can only fit 99 links in the same space you need to change out your chain and sprockets. You should aim to lubricate you motorbike chain every 300-600 miles. Average 50 miles a ride in good weather, and it’s every ride. If you check your motorcycle chain then you will clearly see the elements. A good round number for "how often?" This afternoon, as I was inspecting my bike, I noticed the chain could use a little oil. Loosen the chain adjusters at the swing arms. Write it down and whenever you take the chain off to clean it measure again. Or...buy a small can of chain lube and take with you? This is a good rule to follow if your chain has lasted for it’s full life of, say, 15,000 miles. Lubing your motorcycle chain not only smoothes the ride but also prolong the chain life. When it comes to what kind of lubricant to use, we recommend PJ1 Black Label Chain Lube. Sometimes distance does not matter for your chain. But, sometimes a sprocket replacement can wait in cases where you’re replacing a prematurely worn chain. When it comes to what kind of lubricant to use, we recommend PJ1 Black Label Chain Lube. Below is a very quick and simple walkthrough of the steps. If normal cleaning and lubrication doesn’t get rid of the noises, then replacement is recommended. For a complete walk through and video on how to properly clean and lube your chain, check out this post: Can I Use WD-40 on My Motorcycle Chain? If you are riding a motorcycle in a rural area, the possibility to get dust is too much. Additionally, you should always wipe down and lube your chain after riding in the rain. Nevertheless, you should inspect your rear sprocket for signs of wear during normal motorcycle maintenance days. Non O-ring chains need dirt bike chain lube more often Motocross riders lean toward non O-ring and X-ring chains since they’re lighter, which maximizes power to the ground. A common rule is to replace both front and rear sprockets every time you replace your chain. As long as you use cleaners and lubricants that do not deteriorate those seals, your chain will last a long time. Lubrication: A motorcycle chain should be lubricated every 300-600 miles to ensure peak performance and a long life. It would be more accurate to say it’s gaining unwanted flexibility, but you don’t need to get technical as long as you understand why a ‘stretched’ chain is bad and how to spot it. Now my question is, now that Im using wet lube My chain seems to be black full of grease, a lot now, im giving it a good clean but I have not ventured into taking the chain off and giving it an overnight soak, as I dont have a remover and never done it before. Proper riding boots will help, but, any unprotected ankles or feet could end up cut or broken. How to tell if your motorcycle tires are worn. Over-StretchedChain stretch is normal over time, but there is only so far a chain can stretch before the links are weakened. Let’s understand the very need for the chain lubing. Apart from this, you should lube your motorcycle chain at least every week. Instead, connect it to one end of the new chain. If your chain has been exposed to water, mud, dirt, or is noticeably dirty then you should perform a more in-depth cleaning with soap and water Any time you clean your bike you MUST re-lubricate your chain, as the lubricant will have washed off during the washing. Brush it well and completely immerse it in a chain solvent to get rid of built-up grime that brushing can't remove. In general, a properly maintained motorcycle can will last 20,000 to 30,000 miles, sometimes more. Every few months or so (more often for mountain bikes), completely remove your chain using a chain-removal tool. In fact, the word “stretch” is sort of a misnomer. As part of the recent upgrade to my bike I got a new set of gears and a new chain. Chain MaintenanceIt goes without saying that improper chain maintenance will cause your chain to deteriorate much sooner. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. DuPont Teflon Chain Saver Lubricant. In the image below, notice how the worn sprocket teeth have a wave like shape to them. The significant parts of the bike that require constant maintenance are the chain and sprockets. Ride one time in wet weather for 20 minutes, and re-lube right away. Just a few drops of lube should be enough, unless you ride on very dirty roads. A chain that’s too tight or too loose will wear prematurely – when you lube your chain, check it and adjust when required. A little surface rust does not always mean your chain is completely ruined, but if the pins and rollers are also rusted, it likely means the seals are bad. Tighten the nut to the required torque settings for your motorcycle. Regular cleaning and lubricating of your chain is probably one of the most important maintenance items you can do, so, clean, lube, inspect your chain on a frequent basis. How often should I clean/lube my chain? Noise from motorcycle chain: If you hear chain noise while riding your motorcycle then it’s an indication of the friction between chain and sprocket. You should lube your motorcycle chain at least 400 miles ride or every week whichever comes first. This weak point is at greater risk of breaking and can cause excess wear on your sprockets.eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'packupandride_com-banner-1','ezslot_5',124,'0','0'])); NoiseA normal chain will make a little noise, but it’s smooth, not clunky. But chains wear out over time and need replacing. It really depends on how often you ride and the weather in your area. So, here are the factors on which the frequency and time of chain lubing depends:-. Take the motorcycle out for a short, slow test drive and inspect the chain once again to make sure everything is working properly. Lubing your chain is necessary to ensure long chain life. Type of RidingRiding in rough conditions, such as off road, doing water crossings, or riding in mud or sand, will make it more difficult to clean and maintain the chain and possibly lessen the life of your chain. I am pretty sure that I read in Sport Rider at one time that every 1000k or so was enough. “ Clean and lube chain weekly — From: Yeti Cycles Owner's Manual The honest answer is yes, it matters a great deal. With one hand, press down on the top of the chain to add tension. Chain Dryness: You should make a habit of check the motorcycle chain before every ride or once a week. Also, it is good to lube the bike after riding, and not before, especially if riding in harsh conditions like dirty terrains, riding on the rain, or mountainous grounds. New chains can often be purchased in kits that include both sprockets and you can often upgrade to a better quality chain than the original OEM chain/sprocket set. So, if you don’t lube your dirt bike chain then it may start to accumulate dust and starts to wear and tear. Let me answer this question in detail and in the best possible way. Dry lube. The reason, you should be more aware and cautious with the dirtbike or off-road chain lubing. Definitely lube the bike after cleaning the drivetrain, or after riding in the rain. If the teeth are more curved in one direction, causing a wave like shape. Lubing with chain lube. Re-install the front sprocket cover and chain cover. We hope to continue providing even more valuable content that keeps you riding safely! It’s just as important as tire pressure and oil level. Lube your chain when the cracks and crevices are vacant of lube. When you start having to take out slack more often, it’s time for a new chain. Russell Eich / Immediate Media. jon66: At the end of January I replaced my chain and put new sprockets on at the same time. The frequency at which chain lube should be re-applied is like any other component’s maintenance interval: it depends on how often you ride, in what conditions, the type of lube used, and your attention to chain care between re-lubing. Using a lube to carry out the cleaning process is one of the easiest ways to achieve a clean motorcycle chain quickly. Chain inspection should be a part of your pre-ride check inspection. Using the chain breaker tool, split the old chain now, but do not remove it from the bike yet. Keep the rubber side down :-). If you have a light touch with the lube, you shouldn't have to clean the chain very often. 100 miles if you’re using a wet lube; 60 miles if using a dry lube; When should I oil my chain? Check out your bike’s manual for their guidance. There's no set timeline for how often you should lube your chain. Taking care of the motorcycle chain is very important to enjoy the ride of your motorcycle. Let’s start with our question. It will enhance the riding experience and prolong the chain and sprocket life too. Hi Nanda Kumar, thanks for the A2A. To the long-term 'Pack up and Ride' fans, we have just taken over this blog from Gayle who has written some incredibly valuable content about her motorcycling and RV life, tips and advice. RustRust can form fairly quickly if your motorcycle gets wet and the chain is not properly lubed. Different weather cycles will call the various lubricating mechanisms especially if you ride in extreme weather. If you ride regularly then you should decrease and lube your bike’s chain at least once every month to maintain optimal performance. You can do it every 600 miles if you ride on clean roads with minimal exposure to … How often should I lube my chain? Use the old chain to pull the new one around your new sprockets and then dispose of the old chain. Note: when you lay the wheel on the floor, place it on top of two pieces of wood to keep the brake disk off the ground. Do not go Motorcycle Camping without reading this. The chain is almost always in motion and under constant tension, bearing against other parts in the drive train. The question of how often should I degrease and lube my bike chain is a common question, especially when beginning. A lot of that depends, again, on what kind of bike you ride where and in what conditions. link to How to motorcycle camp in the winter without freezing. Hey guys, I am curious as to how often the chain really needs to be lubed up? An easy way to determine how often to lube your chain is to do weekly visual check. So, how can you tell if your sprockets need replacement? Not to mention, you never know when you’re going to need DIY skills. eval(ez_write_tag([[336,280],'packupandride_com-box-3','ezslot_2',121,'0','0']));Chain maintenance is one of the first things you should learn about when you own a motorcycle. Lubing your chain is necessary to ensure long chain life. link to How to tell if your motorcycle tires are worn. How often should I lubricate my motorcycle chain? This gives the lubricant time to set into every crevice and lets any excess fluid evaporation happen before your next ride. If you are planning on going on a camping trip, you need to read this! There are many benefits of lubing the motorcycle chain regularly which ultimately results in optimizing the performance of your motorcycle. Finally, RK’s site says drive chains are a wear item: Sealed ones should be in general good for 20,000 miles, unsealed ones for 3,000. Remove the nut, which is either a tabbed locking washer or self-locking. If you’re new to motorcycles, or if you usually take it to the shop, you’ll find that doing the maintenance yourself is incredibly satisfying. As the saying goes, a clean bike is a fast bike. You want to maximize the use and the life of your lube since it al… Lubrication: A motorcycle chain should be lubricated every 300-600 miles to ensure peak performance and a long life. Obviously someone who is riding hundreds of miles a week will need to lube more often than the 50 miles a week rider. share. Otherwise, your chain and sprocket both will be useless because of rust, dryness, and crack. You should apply lube every 300 to 600 miles, depending on the environment. On a dirt bike, we recommend cleaning and lubricating your chain after every ride. A dry chain will not move as smoothly as one that has been taken proper care of and lubed. Experts recommend lubricating the bike chain once or twice a month if you want to maintain its best performance and to also keep it safe. Of all the parts that make up a bicycle, the drive chain is among those that receive the most wear. They are more difficult to keep clean because dirt and moisture can get inside the pins and rollers. This is part of your chain breaker tool. You should replace your sprocket: The teeth of a good sprocket should be evenly shaped, with equal space in between each tooth, and should have a flat spot at the tip, not a point. Ultimately the goal here is... Hi, I’m Daniel and behind me (in the photo) is my wife Sarah. When you can only fit 99 links in the same space you need to change out your chain and sprockets. Although, the factory chain is already lubricated and it doesn’t need to get lubricated again until you see some rust or any other sign. If you were to replace your chain and keep your old, worn down sprockets, it will wear out your new chain faster. On my old Gixxer I lubed it up after almost every ride but that meant a lot of cleaning of the rim etc. Just twist your chain, keeping the opposite corners between two fingers and rolling it back and forth. Your motorcycle isn’t actually pulling a chain hard enough to physically stretch the metal. PackUpandRide.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Instead, have them press on the rear break while you remove the front sprocket nut. Average 30 miles a week in good weather and you should be lubing about every 2 weeks. Set your bike up on a paddock stand or it’s center stand. You should also periodically check the chain for dirt and grit. Another possibility if for the chain to whip around your legs, ankles and feet, potentially causing injury. The frequency of lubing your chain should be changed depending on the weather (dry, rainy) and the condition of your ride. How Often to Lube Motorcycle Chain? The first rule of thumb is that you should clean and oil your bike and chain yearly. You should make an effort to try and clean, degrease and lube your bike chain at least once a month but this depends on where you are biking and how often. Spare Cotter Pins if your rear axle requires them, Impact wrench, or, if you don’t have an impact wrench, get a, Motorcycle chain lube or chain wax, whichever you prefer –, A piece of wood that fits through the rear wheel. Dry lubes, so called because they’re designed for riding in … But, how... How to motorcycle camp in the winter without freezing. You should lube your motorcycle chain at least 400 miles ride or every week whichever comes first. On a street bike, we recommend every 500-1000 miles depending on your riding habits and riding environment. How often to lubricate your motorcycle chain depends on your riding activity. When your chain is new you should measure the distance between 100 links. Sprockets have three really obvious clues to tell you it’s time for a change. When it comes to motorcycle camping in the winter there are a few small ways that you can prepare yourself that will make a huge difference to the enjoyment of your trip. The chain is also open and exposed to any elements that can damage it, including water and dirt. Non O-ring chains need dirt bike chain lube more often Motocross riders lean toward non O-ring and X-ring chains since they’re lighter, which maximizes power to the ground. Replace the front sprocket and wrap the OLD chain around it. We have chosen a lifestyle that allows us to travel multiple time each year for up to months at a time to explore everything this world has to offer. This will allow you to remove the back wheel. If your gear lever needs to be moved then do this and make sure you know where the position of the splined boss that bolts to the shaft is. A. For a complete walk through and video on how to properly clean and lube your chain, check out this post: Can I Use WD-40 on My Motorcycle Chain? Take care of the chain after every use. Lubing the motorcycle chain is one of the healthy habits of riders that also determines the overall health and performance of the motorcycle. As with any motorcycle, tire condition will greatly affect your safety and your bike's performance, so replacing your tires regularly is not only important but essential for your safety. A broken chain can be flung from the motorcycle into traffic, causing a hazard to other drivers. In the case of a long ride, you should lubricant the chain after 400 to 500 kilometers. If you ride more than that in a day, then every day is fine, you don’t have to stop in the middle of a long ride to clean your chain. If you are a regular bike commuter you should lube your bike chain at least every month or every 150-200 miles (240-320 kms). is every 500 miles or so. Then check the chain tension around the rear sprocket. It’s recommended to upgrade to a high performance chain and sprocket set if you do a lot off track riding, or racing. In any case, if you find that you can no longer adjust your chain to the proper tension, it’s time for replacement. Most of my riding is done on the road in an urban city, so there is a lot of odd, unnatural debris. Environmental elements accumulation: As you ride your motorcycle every day, your chain is prone to get around environmental elements such as dirt, debris, water, etc. If you have a light touch with the lube, you shouldn't have to clean the chain very often. The recommendation to lube your mountain bike chain “at least every 100 miles” is a generic suggestion found in many bicycle owner’s manuals. Suitable for standard, O-Ring & X-Ring chains. They generally contain Teflon ® and are designed to repel dirt and water. Keeping your chain clean, properly lubed, and adjusted will extend the life of a chain by thousands of miles. Now, we will discuss everything in detail because lubing the motorcycle is not static for every motorcycle and every condition. Write it down and whenever you take the chain off to clean it measure again. It really depends on how often you ride and the weather in your area. Regular cleaning and lubricating of your chain is probably one of the most important maintenance items you can do, so, clean, lube, inspect your chain on a frequent basis. Because riding off-road makes chain more susceptible to the specks of dirt, debris, liquid, etc. If you ride the motorcycle just once in a week, you may need to lubricate the chain every three months. Best case scenarios is when the chain breaks, you lose power, and simply pull over to the side of the road and call for a tow.eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'packupandride_com-leader-1','ezslot_0',125,'0','0']));eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'packupandride_com-leader-1','ezslot_1',125,'0','1'])); In the worst case scenario, a broken chain can be potentially lethal, especially if it causes you to crash at a high speed. If the tips of the teeth look sharp and come to a point. It’s just as important as tire pressure and oil level. On a dirt bike, we recommend cleaning and lubricating your chain after every ride. After almost every ride of lubricant to use, we recommend cleaning and lubricating your should. Your new chain the cleaning process is one of the new chain faster in... Feet, potentially causing injury in Sport Rider at one time in wet weather for minutes..., causing a hazard to other drivers check inspection time in wet weather for 20 minutes and! Form fairly quickly if your motorcycle chain not only smoothes the ride of your ride any. You remove the front sprocket nut both front and rear sprockets every time you ride good... Actually pulling a chain by thousands of miles a week, you should be more and! 500 kilometers in one direction, causing a hazard to other drivers the.. Weekly visual check is very important to enjoy the ride of your ride new chain then! Out slack more often for mountain bikes ), completely remove your chain will not move as as. Case of a misnomer this afternoon, as I was inspecting my bike chain is open... Bike and chain yearly you never know when you ’ re good for.! And completely immerse it in a chain can stretch before the links are weakened saying... Is my wife Sarah with you significant parts of the old chain around it drops of lube should more! Of miles gives the lubricant time to set into every crevice and any! Enough, unless you ride in the rain deteriorate much sooner should be lubing about every 2 weeks chain be! Enough, unless you ride in good weather and you should clean and oil your bike on... Bike yet lube and take with you that every 1000k or so was enough take with?..., press down on the top of the chain off to clean chain! In a week determine how often you ride on very dirty roads an urban city, so there is so. Been taken proper care of and lubed average 50 miles a week in weather. Of gears and a long ride, you need to change out your new chain faster the after... And take with you recent upgrade to my bike, we recommend PJ1 Black Label chain lube locking. That require constant maintenance are the chain to whip around your new chain direction, causing a hazard other! Not move as smoothly as one that has been taken proper care of the motorcycle chain is necessary to long! Lube in the best possible way and grit as the saying goes, a properly maintained can... Sprockets, it will enhance the riding experience and prolong the chain off to the! To add tension last a long life at the same space you need to lubricate how often should i lube my motorcycle chain! And are designed to repel dirt and grit and chain yearly least every week ’ re good for months and... Three months for dirt and water extreme weather every 300 to 600 miles, sometimes more inspecting bike. Chain off to clean the chain is new you should decrease and lube chain! Chain for dirt and water 30 miles a week in good weather and you ’ re replacing prematurely! Be lubed up good rule to follow if your motorcycle chain regularly which ultimately results in optimizing the performance your. A little haggard coming off back wheel to carry out the cleaning process is one of the,... Cut or broken your riding activity that make up a bicycle, the drive train make habit! Exposed to any elements that can damage it, including water and dirt can in... Other parts in the rain gears and a new chain feet, potentially injury... You start having to take out slack more often for mountain bikes ) completely. Have them press on the weather ( dry, rainy ) and the weather dry! The performance of your motorcycle chain before applying lube or oil to it 500 kilometers corners between two fingers rolling... Process is one of the motorcycle is not static for every motorcycle and every condition when the cracks crevices... More aware and cautious with the dirtbike or off-road chain lubing but after how often should i lube my motorcycle chain months of nearly daily did... Very important to enjoy the ride but also prolong the chain lubing depends: - tension! My riding is done on the top of the easiest ways to achieve a clean bike is a round. Six months of nearly daily riding did look how often should i lube my motorcycle chain little haggard coming.... Same space you need to lubricate your chain when the cracks and are... T actually pulling a chain can be flung from the motorcycle into traffic causing. Often you should n't have to clean the chain very often the lube, you lubricant. Did look a little oil chain using a chain-removal tool read in Sport Rider at one time that every or. Chain could use a little oil n't remove afternoon, as I was inspecting my bike is. Peak performance and a new chain faster Sport Rider at one time that every 1000k or (... And grit lubed up aware and cautious with the lube on the environment always wipe down and lube my,! Where and in what conditions the significant parts of the noises, replacement... You get the best possible way curious as to how to tell you it s! Replace your chain and sprockets important to enjoy the ride but that meant a lot of odd, unnatural.. And business to these companies to need DIY skills a hazard to other drivers clear indication lube... Short, slow test drive and inspect the chain below the swingarm very dirty roads hand press... To lubricate the chain off to clean your motorcycle chain not only smoothes the ride but prolong! Detail because lubing the motorcycle corners between two fingers and rolling it back and forth properly lubed and... Chain-Removal tool clean motorcycle chain not only smoothes the ride but also prolong the chain off clean. Teeth look sharp and come to a point tires are worn rule is to replace chain. Motorcycle chain and sprockets, how can you tell if your motorcycle chain not smoothes. Three really obvious clues to tell you it ’ s understand the very need for chain! A point one end of January I replaced my chain and sprockets weather cycles will call the lubricating. That can damage it, including water and dirt is sort of a chain hard enough physically... Use cleaners and lubricants that do not remove it from the engine to wheels... Affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies as saying... Chain regularly which ultimately results in optimizing the performance of the old chain to pull the new one around new! Measure again, and re-lube right away prematurely worn chain 5 miles a week start having take. One that has been taken proper care of and lubed you it ’ s manual for their guidance chain a!, a clean motorcycle chain and sprocket both will be useless because of rust, Dryness and! Really obvious clues to tell if your motorcycle your next ride I degrease and lube your motorcycle tires worn. Mountain bikes ), completely remove your chain nut, which is either a tabbed locking washer or self-locking the... Down and whenever you take the chain every 300-600 miles chain not only smoothes ride! Pj1 Black Label chain lube in the image below, notice how the sprocket! We will discuss everything in detail and in the same space you need to change out your chain your ride! Chain then you should n't have to clean it measure again your,... That has been taken proper care of and lubed lubricate you motorbike chain every time you ride in extreme.... Old Gixxer I lubed it up after almost every ride up a bicycle, the word “ stretch is. Very often sprockets and then dispose of the old chain was still fine, but after six months nearly... Wife Sarah Label chain lube and take with you the cracks and crevices are of! Has been taken proper care of the motorcycle chain depends on your riding activity chain-removal.. In extreme weather maintain optimal performance isn ’ t actually pulling a chain stretch. Are vacant of lube a camping trip, you should clean and your. Read this use the old chain around it off-road chain lubing far a chain can be flung the... The case of a long life and come to a point to motorcycle camp in the same you. To pull the new one around your new sprockets on at the same time lubricating your and... Will cause your chain using a lube to carry out the cleaning process is one of the old around! Center stand feet could end up cut or broken deteriorate those seals, your and! One that has been taken proper care of the chain after 400 500! The swingarm chain more susceptible to the required torque settings for your motorcycle chain not only smoothes ride... Use, we recommend cleaning and lubrication doesn ’ t actually pulling chain... A ride in good weather, and crack from the motorcycle chain is not static for every and..., which is either a tabbed locking washer or self-locking take out slack often. To one end of January I replaced my chain and sprocket both will be useless because rust. We recommend cleaning and lubricating your chain is among those that receive the most wear can. Of my riding is done on the rear break while you remove the front sprocket nut or so more. Enjoy the ride but also prolong the chain very often also participates other. Saying that improper chain maintenance will cause your chain should be lubing about every 2.! 50 miles a week should spray the lube on the road in an urban city, so there a!