Cleaning your motorcycle chain is an essential step in the motorcycle maintenance schedule. You can extend the life of your motorcycle chain and sprockets by regularly cleaning them. It only takes about 10 minutes to clean the chain; however, many owners skip this step because they do not know how to clean the chain properly. The goal of this article is to show you how to clean your motorcycle chain.

All motorcycle riders have had to clean their chains at some point, but if you’ve never done it before, it may seem a little intimidating. Luckily, cleaning your chain is an easy process that takes only a few minutes of your time. The main trick is to know what to use and how to do it. In this article, we’ll show you the proper way to clean your chain to run efficiently and last a long time.

 

What to use to clean motorcycle chain (Need to know before cleaning)

One of the essential parts of exterior motorcycle maintenance is cleaning the motorcycle chain once in a while. It takes only 10 to 60 minutes to complete the whole session if you are a beginner! Don’t worry about that! After reading our article and following our steps and guides, you will be able to clean and maintain your motorcycle chain perfectly.

 

What motorcycle chain does?

The chain is one of the most important components of your motorcycle. It transfers power from the motor to the rear wheel, so it’s crucial to the health of your bike. The motorcycle chain helps to spin the wheels. We all know it is the final drive method—the chain pairs with two sprockets. One is in the front, and another is on the rare side. There are kindly three types of motorcycle chains.

• Naked Chains
• O-Ring chains
• X-Ring Chains

Those last two chains have made to keep lubricant within the chain.

 

What is the best lubricant for a motorbike chain?

There are many different types of lubricants on the market for both novice and professional riders. Many companies make these products, and they can be quite confusing as to which one is best suited for your needs. Here are some top-quality models for you to choose the right lube for your bike.

• Lucas Oil Chain Lube Penetrant Aerosol
• Motul Chain Care KIT
• Maxima 74920 Chain Wax

 

Safety Concern before Cleaning

Cleaning the motorcycle is very easy and quite risk-free, but the chemical we use for chain cleaning is hazardous for your face, eye, and significant open wounds. That’s why you must need to wear safety gloves and safety glasses.
If you have liquid-proof gloves, then the work process will become easier.

 

Tools we need for cleaning

You will find many kinds of cleaning products and tools. But to clean the motorcycle chain, you don’t need too many tools. If you already have a garage, then those tools are already available in your garage. But again, let us list them for you:

• Motorcycle Lifter or Dual Stand
• Motorcycle Brush or Soft-bristled brush
• A clean old tower or any cleaning cloth

 

Other components

Now, these cleaning components must need while cleaning your motorcycle chain:

• Wheel cleaner or Kerosene (Kerosene works better)
• Motorcycle spray chain cleaner
• Motorcycle spray lubricant oil

So, these three aftermarket products you must need while you are cleaning your bike’s chain. You must be careful while working with this kind of chemical product.
The confusion is that many bike chain lubricants oil available in the market, which is very confusing for most beginners. But we always recommend the highest rated product in the market, such as the “Wd-40 Specialist Bike Chain Lube“. Wd-40 is a respectable lubricant oil brand and highly rated as well.

 

How to clean a motorcycle chain: A Complete Guide to Follow

Most people think that cleaning the chain is difficult, but you don’t have to worry. In this guide, you will learn how to clean a motorcycle chain so that you can get your bike back on the road in no time.
Now let’s dive into the main section of our topic:

Motorcycle Chain Maintenance

• At first, wash your bike/motorcycle nicely and dry it with a towel.
• Use the dual stand of your motorcycle or a lifter stand to lift your motorcycle’s backside wheel. Using the default double stand of your bike will be easier.
• Now it’s time to rotate the back wheel slowly. While turning the chain, use Kerosene to soak the chain slowly.
• You can also spray Kerosene all over the motorcycle’s chain, and it’s easier.
• After thoroughly soaking the chain, take the chain cleaning brush or a soft-bristled brush. Scrub the chain with the brush to clean it properly.
• Repeat these steps 2-4times.
• Wipe all the dirt and Kerosene with a towel/cloth. Rub it properly.
• Now before applying the lubricant, check the category of your motorcycle chain.
• For a plain metal chain, you can use the lubricant unhesitatingly. But if your motorcycle chain has an O-ring or X-ring, then use a small amount of lubricant outer portion of the chain.
• Now gently wipe off all excess lubricant from the chain. And you are ready to go with a safe riding condition.

 

Expert tips while cleaning the motorcycle chain: Quick-Steps

There are many professional tips while cleaning your motorcycle chain. Let’s check them all.

• • You can check the chain stability before cleaning the chain.
  • Tighten the chain if it’s gotten loose. Lose chain will make irritating noise while driving the motorcycle.
  • Never gear up the motorcycle while cleaning the chain. It can cause a big accident if you are not careful enough. So, we don’t recommend it.
  • Permanently remove the chain guard before cleaning the chain.
  • Check the chain sprocket properly. A chain sprocket is an essential part of a motorcycle.
  • Check all the chain sprocket teeth. If you see any broken teeth, kindly change the chain sprocket as soon as possible.
  • After cleaning the chain with Kerosene, you can use gear oil to lube your metal chain. It works well, surprisingly!
  • You can also coat it with chain wax for getting a better result.
  • Clean and lube your motorcycle chain every 15days. Regular chain maintenance will keep the rusty chain proof and long last.

 

How much cost to clean a motorcycle chain?

Cleaning the motorcycle chain will cost you only around $20-$25 maximum. And you can do it yourself at home just by following our guides and steps. Just be careful while doing it.

 

How long my chain will last?

The average motorcycle chain will last between 20,000 to 30,000 miles. Your chain’s lifespan depends on so many factors, including riding style, road conditions, brand, the motorcycle engine, and more. The average mileage, however, is between 25000 and 50000 miles.
The regular bare metal chain lasts for 15000km if adequately maintained. O-ring, X-ring will stay about 20000km when adequately maintained.

 

How will much the motorcycle chain cost to replace it?

If your chain is making noise or rubbing against other parts of your bike, you should replace it immediately! Replacing cost depends on your motorcycle category. But generally, it cost around $60-$200. But if you need to replace the whole kit includes chain sprocket and chain, it will cost $150- $350.

 

Can we use WD40 Chain Cleaner to clean our motorbike chain?

The simple answer to this question is yes. WD40 can be used to clean your motorcycle chain. This product is water-based and doesn’t contain any solvents so that it won’t damage the O-rings and seals built into the chain.

When the chain is dirty or wet, you should lubricate it properly. Cleaning and lubing the chain while it’s off the bike will prevent corrosion of all the moving parts, including the sprockets. Dirty chains can also cause increased friction with the sprockets. If a chain becomes too wet, it will eventually seize or seize up entirely.

 

How often should you clean the motorbike chain?

It depends on how often you ride your motorcycle. If you frequently use your bike, you should clean the chain once every two weeks or so. If you rarely use your bike, you can get away with cleaning it once a month. Cleaning the chain is very important for its better lifespan to ensure that it lasts as long as possible.

It’s best to maintain approximately every 600 miles for all types of chains, and it’s a good idea to do so between major road trips as well. The process involves removing the entire chain from the bike for cleaning, lubricating with your grease choice or a chain lube, and reassembling.

 

What will happen if I do not lube my motorbike chain properly?

Without the constant and consistent lubrication of your motorcycle chain, it will begin to wear down, leading to many problems. For example, your chain could fall off while you are riding your motorcycle. It could also slip from its sprockets, causing damage to other parts of your bike. That can lead to even more serious problems. If you don’t oil your chain, you could suffer serious injuries.

 

How to fix a rusty motorbike chain?

It need never be too soon to clean your bike chain lubricant. Clean off any rusty spots with WD-40 and let it soak in for at least 5 minutes. If the smell still lingers, spray a small amount of WD-40 over the dish and let it sit for approximately 1 minute. Wipe any large areas of WD-40 off your chain with a clean cloth.

 

Final Words:

Chain cleaning isn’t always the most rewarding task, but it’s essential and can be done simply with some elbow grease and the right tools. A dirty motorcycle chain can cause serious damage to more expensive parts like the engine, transmission, and rear wheel. As a passionate motorcyclist, I’ve come across many different ways to clean a motorcycle chain.

The motorcycle chain is an essential part of your motorcycle, connecting your motor to the rear wheel and transmitting power from the engine. Keeping your chain clean and lubricated is one of the most important things you can do to ensure your motorcycle’s long life and smooth running. Here’s how to clean a motorcycle chain.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us. We will be happy to help you solve your problems.

Have a nice day!
Happy Riding!