Keeping the chain on your motorcycle in good condition is a great way to stay safe and save money. If you’re in the market for a motorcycle and are wondering whether to get a bike with a chain, belt or shaft drive is better, check read our article on the pros and cons of each.
If you’ve got a chain drive, the good news is they are pretty easy to maintain. But first, it’s important to know how to inspect your chain to know when it’s time to clean, lubricate, or replace your chain.
Motorcycle Chain Inspection
Motorcycles don’t have a spring-loaded chain tensioner so the chain is tensioned by moving the rear sprocket further away from the drive sprocket. This keeps the chain tight but this constant tension causes it to stretch. It can be very difficult to measure if the chain is stretched by inspection so the best way to know when it’s time for a new chain is by watching how far your rear axle moves each time you tension your chain.
The other thing to inspect is your sprockets. The drive side of the sprocket teeth will wear due to the chain tension causing the teeth to look curved. If you can visibly see the wear on the sprocket teeth it’s time to replace the sprockets and the chain. If the teeth look good, then it’s time for a cleaning and fresh lubrication.
Motorcycle Chain Cleaner and Lube
Cleaning your motorcycle chain can be quite the project. A rear-wheel stand will help as you’ll be able to easily rotate the rear tire and chain to clean all the links. Using PJ1 Spray and Wash Degreaser is the best way to remove old wax, grease, and dirt from your chain cleaning it completely. Make sure to allow the degreaser to work for 15 minutes before washing the chain.
Once you’ve got a good clean chain, use PJ1 Blue Label Chain Lube to relubricate your chain allowing for quiet operation and less wear. Besides keeping the o-rings in your chain lubricated so they don’t crack PJ1 Blue Label Chain Lube reduces friction and shock loading decreasing chain wear. Besides a quiet ride, Blue Label Chain Lube will also significantly reduce the number of times you’ll have to adjust your chain. That will save you maintenance time as well as money since you won’t have to replace your chain and sprockets as often.
Keep your chain clean and properly lubricated with PJ1 products for more time on the road and trails and more money in your wallet!
Photo by Conor Luddy on Unsplash