Why should I care about motorcycle chains?
Motorcycle chain maintenance, along with oil changes and tire maintenance is a crucial part of safe riding. Chains are the unsung mechanical heroes of motorcycling; they're responsible for the crucial task of transferring power from the engine to the rear wheel, and without proper inspection and maintenance, can fail and cripple the motorcycle, or worse, become dangerous projectiles.This tutorial covers three essential aspects of chain care: inspection, cleaning, and adjustment.
How often should chains be inspected and adjusted?
Depending on how aggressively you ride, chains should be inspected every 500-700 miles, or roughly twice a month.What items will I need on hand for chain maintenance?
Keep the following items on hand:- Various wrenches.
- A soft brush, or old toothbrush.
- An O-ring friendly chain cleaner (if, like most chains, yours is of an o-ring type.)
- O-ring friendly chain lubricant (again, if applicable.)
- A new cotter pin (when adjusting the chain tension.)
- Rags (for wiping grime off the chain.)
- A rubber mallet (optional.)
- A rear wheel stand (optional.)
- A tape measure (optional.)
