The condition of a drive chain not only has a direct impact on its durability, but also on riding safety. A worn chain can break, stretch or fall off at any time, causing the motorcycle's rear wheel to lose traction and seize the engine. A broken chain can also hit a helmet, injuring the motorcyclist or his passenger. To avoid danger to life and limb, use high-quality motorcycle chain lubricant.
A dirty motorcycle chain will degrade the performance of the motorcycle, has a negative impact on smooth riding, and all it takes is a little rain, sand or dust on the road for the condition of the chain to deteriorate. Dirt between chain links increases sprocket wear by 2-3 times, and a high-quality chain is expensive, so the lack of timely and proper maintenance is costly.
Chain lubrication performs a number of important functions:
Without a good motorcycle chain lubricant, you would have to replace the chain every season, so it is much better to buy the right kind of high-quality lubricant:
The most popular chain lubricants are aerosol ones. They are sold in aerosol cans, from which you can easily and conveniently spray the mixture even in the most inaccessible places. You must avoid getting the mixture on the tire or rim when applying the lubricant. The chain should be cleaned before spraying, and spraying should be done by spinning the wheel. Spray lubricant dries for 30-60 minutes.
Graphite-based lubricants are more difficult to apply to the links, but last longer than spray lubricants because their consistency is thicker. Graphite motorcycle chain lubricant is excellent at repelling dirt, does not run off the chain and keeps it looking like new.
When choosing a lubricant for a motorcycle, it is important to consider the style of riding and the conditions in which the motorcycle is used, as different types of lubricants are designed to protect against different factors. The main emphasis can be placed on:
Enduro and motocross riders need motorcycle grease to protect the chain from dirt and dust, while sportbike grease is specially formulated to ensure smooth operation of the chain at high speeds. Lubricants can be multi-purpose, off-road, on-road, for sportbikes and old motorcycles. Before buying a lubricant for your motorcycle, it's a good idea to consult a professional who can tell you what you need it for and help you make the right choice.
The most common question is how often to lubricate a motorcycle chain. The frequency of lubrication depends on the mileage, chain lubrication is renewed every 500-700 kilometers. However, there are nuances that need to be taken into account:
Before lubricating, the chain should be cleaned with paraffin or a special cleaner, and after cleaning, the chain should be allowed to dry or wiped dry with a soft cloth. There is no point in applying grease to a wet surface, as the mixture will not go under the roller.
WD-40 is not suitable for lubricating and cleaning the drive chain. When using WD-40 to clean a sealed drive chain, there is a risk of the fluid getting under the plate seals, which will negatively affect the life of the chain, WD-40 penetrates the o-rings.
In addition, WD-40 is not a good chain lubricant. Why? WD-40 does not stay on the chain after application, motorcycle chain lubricants bind to the chain providing protection for hundreds of miles.
Before lubricating, it's a good idea to stretch the chain and clean it with the right products.
Correct chain lubrication step by step:
To lubricate oring and xring chains, there is a special oring or xring chain lubricant that does not penetrate under the rubber seal of the plates.
It makes sense to lubricate a sealed chain, all Oring and Xring chains installed on new motorcycles are lubricated at the factory, the intention of the manufacturers is that this prevents surface corrosion and improves the life of even a sealed, internally lubricated chain.
The best degreaser for a drive chain is Ipone Chain Cleaner. A very convenient aerosol that will dissolve all dirt and grease.