How often should I lube my motorcycle chain?

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.

Should I lube chain after every ride?

“At a minimum, a rider should re-lube the chain prior to every ride, even if they are re-lubing over a dirty chain. For efficiency, it's better to re-lube over a dirty chain than do nothing at all,” suggests Smith.

Can you over lubricate a motorcycle chain?

Over lubricating your chain, on the other hand, is also bad for your chain and will annoy your bike mechanic. Excess lube attracts dirt and dust and creates gross buildup on your drivetrain. This can actually wear out your drivetrain faster than a dry chain! To properly lube a chain you only need a couple supplies.

How often should u lube your 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.

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.

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.

Is WD-40 good for motorcycle chains?

WD-40® Specialist® Motorcycle Chain Cleaner is specifically designed for the removal of dirt, debris and old protecting products from motorbike chains. The formula will soften and solubilise all grease and oils to lift the contaminants with ease.

Can I use WD-40 on bike chain?

WD-40 is a great bike chain lube water based lubricant and will not only lubricate the chain well, but will also keep it rust and corrosion free. It also minimizes the accumulation of dirt which reduces the wear and tear of the chain.

Which motorcycle chain lube is best?

How often should I wax my bike chain?

Step 4 – Re-wax every 300-400km or after a wet ride

You'll know the chain definitely needs re-waxing if it starts to sound dry or squeaky. If you do a wet ride, the chain will need re-waxing (or at least cleaning and drying) immediately to prevent corrosion from forming.

Should you wash your bike after every ride?

You should be cleaning your bike after every few rides and definitely after any ride when you get caught in the rain. The good news is that with modern bikes and modern tools it's a total breeze.

How often should you wash your bike chain?

A clean chain is as critical as a properly lubricated one. Ideally, chains should be thoroughly cleaned after each and every ride.

How long will a 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.

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.

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.

Is silicone spray good for bike chains?

Yes. It is not optimal for use on chains though. It washes away rather easily leaving your chain unprotected and un-lubricated. It would work in a pinch but a light oil or something specifically made for the application will work much better and last a lot longer.

Where do you spray WD-40 on a motorcycle?

What can I use instead of chain cleaner?

Bike-specific companies like Park Tool make brushes just for this purpose, and even devices that can fit over your chain to clean it. But any kind of cleaning or scrub brush will do just fine. You can even use an old toothbrush in a pinch.

How long can you go without Lubing motorcycle chain?

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 long should motorcycle chain lube dry?

Plan for 30 minutes; this includes letting your chain dry in between rinsing off the degreaser and applying the lube.

Can I ride my bike without chain lube?

If you don't lube your bicycle chain, it will probably rust up. The links won't pivot as they go over the sprocket, they'll stick up in a big V-shape. There's a good chance that the chain will come off the sprocket, and you won't be able to change gear. Been there, done that.