Is the most common motorcycle drivetrain, in small mopeds and sportbikes. A chain drive is a sprocket that interacts with a chain. In motorcycles, the front sprocket is generally smaller than the rear sprocket. This means that the rear wheels turn fewer times compared to the front sprocket. Such a drive has quite a few advantages:
It would seem that this type of drive is ideal, but chains also have their drawbacks:
Various types of drive chains are used to transmit mechanical power or torque. They consist of links connected by flexible joints. There are different types of chains that are currently used on motorcycles.
Road vehicles use standard roller chains - they are not self-lubricating and are therefore more suitable for low-power and slow-moving vehicles. They need to be lubricated at regular intervals, so they maintain smooth operation and do not wear out.
Performance motorcycles use O-ring or X-ring chains. O-ring chains use rubber rings placed between the chain plates.
O-ring and X-Ring are self-lubricating types, so lubricating the chain is not as important as with a non-gasketed chain, but that doesn't mean you don't need to do it at all! The difference between their construction and that of standard chains is the presence of a rubber sealing ring, which occurs between the chain plates. The space between the rollers is filled with grease and bridged by O-rings. This grease inside the rollers is what makes this type of chain self-lubricating. When the plates are in place, they change shape and are pushed through. At low speeds they create some resistance, but after a while, as they warm up, the resistance disappears. They are slightly more expensive, but benefits such as long chain life, better performance and easy maintenance justify the cost.
X-rings are similar to O-ring chains, except that the seal is X-shaped. In an X-shaped connection, the contact area is smaller compared to an O-shaped seal. This reduces the drag coefficient. Therefore, even at lower speeds, you will not "drag" as is the case with O-shaped chains.
There is a scale of motorcycle chains, each motorcycle chain is numbered. The most common chains are: 420, 428, 520, 525 and 530. Motorcycle chains 415, 420, 532 and 630 can also be found on sportbikes and ATVs.
The first number indicates the pitch of the chain. The second and third numbers indicate the width of the motorcycle chain.
Another thing to know is how many links in the chain you need. To check this, you can take a used old chain and calculate the number of links, or use some sprocket selection websites to see the number of links needed for your motorcycle. If you change gears, you will need more or fewer links, depending on the drive chains you choose. Then there remains the selection of the seal. If you do not know the length of the chain on your motorcycle, we recommend buying a longer one and shortening it to the desired length yourself.
The main disadvantage of the chain is that it is a moving mechanism. If it is not lubricated, its links and bushings will rub against each other and wear out over time. If the lubricant is sticky, it will attract dirt, stretch, slip on the links and even break.
To lubricate the chain, use special preparations for this purpose. Remember that for chains with sealers we use special agents with the O,X ring designation. They contain substances that care for and are safe for rubber seals.
The frequency of lubrication depends on the conditions in which you use the vehicle, usually every 600-800 km during on-road operation, also after any contact with water.
We usually wash the chain once every few lubrications. For this purpose we use a spray preparation or ordinary technical kerosene. Do not use solvents, WD-40 and gasoline for this purpose, they can dissolve the sealers or go under them and thus destroy the chain.