Our advice for the maintenance of the motorcycle chain kit

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The motorcycle chain is one of the vital parts of mechanics. If the tires are critical to grip the road, and the brake pads and rotors to stopping, the motorcycle chain kit is the heart of the drivetrain. The chain kit includes the chain, but also the gearbox output pinion and the crown. This is why, in order to maintain your motorcycle, it is essential to properly maintain your chain.

Our advice for the maintenance of the motorcycle chain kit

Why is it important to maintain your motorcycle chain kit ?

If the motorcycle or scooter chain kit, for those who are equipped with it, does not undergo regular maintenance, the first risk are what are called hard points which cause these jerks in the transmission when accelerating and clicks in the swingarm during deceleration. They are due to the dirt accumulated in the various links of the chain.

Secondly, you may derail. However, a derailment considerably increases the risk of having an accident.

Finally, an existing danger, although very rare, is that the transmission chain breaks. Now, motorcycle chains are reinforced.

But such a break can on the one hand damage the engine, but above all injure the pilot and his passenger in the event of a duo during the "return of the chain".

How to properly clean your motorcycle chain ?

The chain is exposed to the open air, and therefore to projections, dust and rain. While driving, especially on trails for a trail or a motocross, the chain accumulates the particles of the road which act like an abrasive.

Soap and water are not enough, use a chain cleaner that sprays. The simplest is often the WD40 a product that is generally used to do everything, especially to loosen.

Use with a brush or a special three-sided brush that fits over the chain to remove dirt.

It is essential to start by cleaning the chain before lubricating. Install your two-wheeler on the center stand. If it doesn’t, use a workstand. Otherwise push the motorcycle by advancing the chain as you go.

If the motorcycle is on a stand, remember to put a cardboard box or a container under the chain, as grease will flow on the ground.

Once the chain is completely clean, dry it with a clean cloth or go around the neighborhood to remove all product residue..

To guarantee the longevity of the chain kit, check its condition and clean it every 1000 kilometers; or even every 500 km for trail and motocross enthusiasts who have intensive use.

How to properly regrease your motorcycle chain ?

After cleaning, it will then be necessary to lubricate the chain, preferably after having driven so that the lubricant penetrates well between the links.. There are summer or winter lubricants, more or less adherent to withstand the rain.

Avoid winter fats all year round, as the fatty residue may clump together. Spray it on the outside between the links so as not to hit the tire. Thus, the chain and the crown will be lubricated.

In addition to the aerosol, there are also very effective tube greases, but less easy to apply: you will need to use a brush to make it penetrate properly.

As with the cleaner, be careful not to get grease on the brake system or the rear tire. After greasing, the best is to let it penetrate all night long for the grease to penetrate well..

See to lubricate the chain every 500 kilometers to limit its wear, and more regularly if you drive frequently in the rain.

Check the tension of your motorcycle chain and the condition of the chain kit

Over the kilometers, the chain takes play. It is therefore necessary to make sure of its good tension.

Warning : it should not be strained! Please refer to the value, available in the motorcycle maintenance manual.

On average, leave about 3 cm of slack between the chain and the swingarm with the rear wheel resting on the ground. The chain tension is done on the lower strand.

A chain that has many kilometers can present hard points. As you spin the rear wheel, create flapping movements.

On every quarter turn, check that the chain is not "hard". If this is the case, take a quarter turn and put the tension on this reference zone.

If your chain is slack, loosen the center axle and use the adjustment bolts on both sides to back the wheel axle. The more you tighten – depending on the marks visible next to the axle, the more the chain tenses.

On a trail, enduro, off-road or racing motorcycle, it may be a snail system, with a spiral. There is a third mechanism, called the push wheel: the bolts will be on the other side and will push on the axle. Finally, tighten the central axis.

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