Motorcycle Chain Maintenance

Not all motorcycle maintenance issues are going to require a trip to the mechanic. There are lots of simple tasks you can do at home to save you time and money. The trick is to know how to do them correctly so you don’t have to make a trip to the mechanic anyway—this time with a bigger problem than the one you started with.

One of the easiest maintenance checks you can perform is on your motorcycle chain. We here at Barnes Harley-Davidson Victoria have provided some tips for helping you accomplish this efficiently and thoroughly. If you need additional tips, come talk to one of our experienced professionals at our location in Victoria, BC, near Nanaimo and Duncan.

What Does Your Chain Do?

In a nutshell, your chain helps transfer power from the engine to the tires. The chain isn’t the only way this is done on motorcycles, but it is one of the more efficient and certainly the lightest option. This is especially important given that most of your driving power goes to your back wheel, but there’s a lot of space between it and the engine. This design can work in a couple different ways, but they’re all powered by a good, old-fashioned chain.

Inspection

Inspections should happen about twice a month (or every 500-700 miles). Start by gently pulling on the chain up and down one inch. This will let you know when your chains are too tight or have too much slack. Check your owner’s manual for more information about what this means for your particular model. You’ll want to roll the bike forward so you can inspect the entire chain, just in case it’s not the entire thing that needs fixing, but rather one individual link.

Next, inspect the sprockets. You’ll be looking to make sure the teeth are running smoothly with the chain to avoid excessive wear and tear or damage. If you do notice the teeth are a bit worn, or seem to be wearing down at a strange rate, then there might be an issue with the connection or you might need new parts altogether.

Cleaning

Part of making sure your motorcycle chain is working properly is cleaning it. A clean chain will run better for longer, so you’ll want to stay on top of this.

Gathering Supplies

It’s a lot easier to get all your gear together first, rather than trying to find a good stopping point to go pick up what you need. Essentially, you’ll need four things: a chain cleaner, a brush, a chain lubricant, and a towel. You’ll want to make sure all your cleaning products are compatible with your motorcycle, so double-check your owner’s manual to ensure you’re getting the right products. Also, we recommend getting a brush designed specifically for this task, though it’s not necessary. You can even use a toothbrush! You might just find that a specialized brush makes it easier, though.

Clean the Chain

This next part is important. You’ll want to basically soak your chain in product. Then scrub the chain so it’s completely free of dirt and grime. This will require diligence to make sure you get into every little crevice. Once everything is clean, you’ll need your chains to be dry before the next step. You can either let it air-dry or use a towel.

Lubrication

Once the chain is dry, you’ll want to spray lubricant on it while rotating the tire to ensure you lubricate every part of it. Cover each of the four sides and then wipe away any excess. You might need to wait a few minutes for some products to set, so check the directions. This can be a great opportunity to adjust tension if you need to.

These are the basics of motorcycle chain maintenance, but you might find there are some problems that will require professional help. If you need assistance from an experienced technician, then contact the Barnes Harley-Davidson Victoria service department and we’ll get you back on the road in no time. We proudly serve Victoria, Nanaimo, and Duncan, BC.