The chain is one of the most crucial parts of your motorcycle. Your motorcycle’s chain withstands so much acceleration and deceleration all the time. While all the other bike components get lubed by the engine oil and are covered for protection against the harsh surroundings, the chain is the one part that is constantly exposed to ruthless surroundings and nature. Therefore, the chain needs to be taken care of and maintained correctly to ensure its productivity and longevity. In the blog, we will cover how you can keep your precious motorbike chain clean.
Why should we clean our motorbike’s chain?
Today’s modern bikes are manufactured in such a way that they incorporate uncovered and exposed chains. As a result, the chain is constantly subjected to dirt, dust, and water whenever you take it out on the road. One can notice the difference between a lubed chain and a non-lubed chain almost immediately in terms of appearance and performance. The two fundamental benefits of a well-maintained motorcycle chain are:
- Riders can experience a smooth and enhanced performance of the bike.
- It increases the lifeline of the chain as well as the sprocket.
The latest modern bikes incorporate exposed ‘O’-shaped rings, and they need to be cleaned and appropriately lubricated to reduce wear and tear on the chain. Before discussing the steps of cleaning the chain, let’s find out the prerequisites of cleaning and lubing the motorcycle chain:
The essential components of washing the motorcycle chain include:
- Chain cleanser.
- A brush with soft bristle.
- A cotton cleaning cloth (You can use any soft cotton rag or your old t-shirt for that purpose).
- Plastic masking sheet.
- Chain lube or SAE 90-grade oil.
Ten steps for lubricating your motorcycle chain properly:
Step 1. A minimum of 10 minutes of riding the bike.
This might come as a surprise, especially for an amateur rider, but before you start lubricating your motorcycle chain, you need to ride it for a minimum of 10 minutes to warm up the chain. The motive behind starting the engine and driving your motorbike for 10 minutes before you begin cleaning is that you need to build some temperature for effective cleaning. Increased temperature causes the chain to loosen all the grime and dust attached to its surface, leading to the deep penetration of the cleanser.
Step 2. Make sure the engine of the bike is switched off for safety.
It is a vital precautionary measure. We recommend everyone to remove the key from the ignition before starting the cleaning process. If your motorcycle does not have a center stand, you can use a paddock or any other stand such as Motojack which is specially made for lubing the chain.
Step 3. Mask the tires.
To ensure the chemicals do not reach the tires, wheels, or brakes, you must cover them with plastic masks. Take a large plastic sheet and cover the essential parts. Also, the plastic mask should be tightly attached with strong sticking tape in the right places.
Step 4. Shake the cleaner can and spray it thoroughly on the chain.
Shake the cleanser bottle or can properly before spraying it on the chain. Ensure the cleaner reaches the inner surface and the top of the chain where it is attached to the rear sprocket. Another critical step is to constantly keep rotating the wheel while spraying. However, do not ever ignite the engine or start the gear while spraying because it can lead to dangerous outcomes, such as many losing their fingers in an attempt to do so. Always remember to rotate the wheel using only your hands and inspect it for any signs of wear on the rollers as well as the linkages.
Step 5. Clean the grime.
If you notice too much dirt on the chain, use a hard grunge brush to clean away the stubborn dirt. Then use a soft bristled brush to wash the links and the rollers. Ensure that your brush strokes are along the length of the chain, both on the inner and outer part. Brush the entire chain like this and cover each section, adding more cleaner as you go, then stroke the brush vertically to clean the links.
Step 6. Repeat step 4 again.
Now for the thorough rinse, repeat the step 4 to clean any dirt that might be added to the chain due to the brushing activity.
Step 7. Wipe the chain with a clean, dry, and cotton cloth.
Dry the chain using a soft cotton cloth and run it delicately through the rollers using your fingers. After cleaning, let the chain rest for 10 to 15 minutes to ensure the clean evaporates completely.
Step 8. Lubricate the chain.
Shake the can of your chain lube or SAE 90-grade oil and spray it thoroughly on the chain, making sure it reaches all corners and sides. Lastly, after the spraying process is done, rotate the wheel several times using your hands so that the lube evens out properly.
Step 9. Let the lubed chain rest overnight for proper penetration.
As the chain lubes are naturally penetrative, motorcycle owners must let the lube rest for the whole night to ensure the lube is penetrated thoroughly and the chain receives proper lubrication.
Step 10. Wipe the chain once again to remove excess lubricant.
In the morning, take a clean cloth and wipe the chain one last time to remove the excess lubricate so that you do not experience any splatter while riding. Now, ignite the bike, take it to the first gear, and drop the clutch. Lastly, rotate the wheels freely for a few times.
Conclusion:
Cleaning and lubricating your motorbike’s chain is a healthy and essential practice to ensure its longevity, reduce any chances of rusting or wear and tear, and keep running smoothly. It is recommended that the chain be cleaned and lubed every 300 to 400 kilometers of riding. However, if you reside in a highly humid region where it is always raining, you might need to wash and lube the chain more frequently to avoid mud sticking to the chain for extended periods. Also, avoid using a harsh and abrasive cleaning fluid as it might reduce the effect of the lubricant and destroy the rubber linkages.
