How often should a motorcycle chain be lubed?

Your motorcycle's chain needs to be lubricated every 400-800 miles to keep it at its best. This can vary depending on your bike's use; road bikes will need the chain cleaning less than off-road bikes.

How do I know if my motorcycle chain needs lube?

You should always lube/clean your chain if it looks dry or rusty, OR if it's become a gooey oily mess. Remember, you can add too much lube, and this will just attract dirt.

How often should a motorcycle chain be cleaned?

How Often Do You Need To Clean a Motorcycle Chain? As a general rule of thumb, it's best to clean and lubricate a motorcycle chain with O-rings at least every 600 miles, while plain chains require more frequent attention. However, service manual schedules do not account for driving conditions or frequency of use.

How often does a motorcycle chain need adjusting?

You should check and adjust your chain every 500 miles (805 km), and more often for a dirt bike. It's also a great time to look for kinks or rust, and to give your chain a quick cleaning and lubrication, too.

Should I lube my chain after every ride?

McCreedie and Sampson both agree that – in an ideal world – it's best to clean and lube your chain after every ride, though we all know time constraints and, after a long winter ride, the lure of the sofa and a slice of cake can dictate otherwise.

When to Oil, Clean, Adjust

How do I know if my chain needs lube?

Over-lubing can also be detrimental, as excess lube attracts dirt, forming a gritty paste which grinds down chain components and other drivetrain bits. Appearance, time, or distance are not as reliable as sound (grinding, creaking, squeaking, squealing) as an indicator for when a chain needs to be lubed.

How often should I degrease and lube bike chain?

Bicycle Tutor recommends cleaning and lubricating your bike's drive chain at least once every month to maintain optimal performance and protection. The chain and drivetrain are typically the dirtiest parts of your bike, and this dirt is bad news for bike longevity and performance.

How long should motorcycle chain last?

On average, you can expect to replace your chain and sprocket between 20,000 to 30,000 kilometers, less if you ride fast and hard. However, if you spot any damage to your chain or sprocket, it's better to just go and replace the prematurely-worn part right away.

What does a loose motorcycle chain feel like?

Motorcycle Chain Tug

Another symptom of a loose chain on a motorcycle is a chain tug, a tugging feeling you feel when the bike keeps steady RPMs in a lower gear, which is another symptom of a loose chain.

How often should I lube my 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). Depending on the conditions you ride your bike in and the type of chain lube you use, this period can vary from a few days to a month.

What happens if you don't lube motorcycle chain?

“Any chain will rust if it's not lubricated, and the seals will become dry and crack, letting that grease escape. And remember, you're lubricating the sprocket, not just the chain.

Can you lube chain without cleaning?

You do not want to lubricate your motorcycle chain without it being cleaned, as removing dirt, mud, and other debris is a crucial step. So you will need a chain cleaner to start. Also, be sure you have chain lubricant or oil, and a chain wax to help protect the oil from wearing off quickly.

Which motorcycle chain lube is best?

Can I use engine oil as chain lube?

Engine oil cannot be used as chain lube and for many reasons. It might do the job temporarily but it will cause problems later on. Number one being the viscosity of engine oils. The thickness of the oil will draw more dirt on the chains.

How often should you change your bike chain and cassette?

My rule of thumb is to replace it at 75 per cent wear (as measured with a chain-wear indicator). If you stick with this guideline, your cassette and chainrings will last a lot longer. A cassette, in most cases, can last for approximately two to three chain replacements if they are done at the right time.

How do you check a motorcycle chain?

Grab yourself a tape measure and find a central point between the front and rear sprockets. Pull your chain down and measure the distance between the centre of the chain and the sprocket. Lift it to its highest point and measure the distance again. Find the difference between these two measurements and – voilà!

How often should I replace my bike chain?

It might be necessary to replace a chain that often if the bike is frequently ridden on wet or gritty roads. But chains can usually go 2,000 to 3,000 miles or even longer before there's enough wear to relegate them to the trash bin, if they are well maintained. Read our comprehensive guide to chains here.

How do you maintain a motorcycle chain?

How much does it cost to replace a motorcycle chain?

It really depends on the motorcycle you're working on. Chains can range in price from $20 for a plain chain for a small, lightweight motorcycle to over $200 for something like a quality O-ring chain for a bigger, more powerful bike.

Should I clean my bike chain after every ride?

A clean chain is as critical as a properly lubricated one. Ideally, chains should be thoroughly cleaned after each and every ride. Unfortunately not many of us have the time to do this, but even a quick wipe with an clean rag can make a huge difference.

How long does new chain lube last?

Dry chain lube typically has a lifespan of up to 100 miles. Wax chain lube should be reapplied every 50 to 100 miles.

Can I use any degreaser on my bike chain?

Yes, you can use any degreaser on your bike chain and cassette. Any bicycle-specific and automotive degreaser strips old and grimy lube from the chaining, derailleur, and other bicycle drivetrain components. The top-rated bike chain degreasers are quick-drying, facilitating more efficient lubrication.