How To Lubricate Your Motorcycle Chain | MC Garage
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- čas přidán 23. 10. 2015
- Chain maintenance-riders rarely do it as frequently as they should, and often don’t do it right. In this video from the MC Garage, we’ll show you how to determine when your chain needs lubing and then demonstrate the easiest and most effective way to clean and lubricate your chain. Also in this video: The inner workings of the modern “sealed” motorcycle chain, and an explanation of why it only takes a little chain lube (applied to the right area!) to keep your drivetrain happy.
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What Do I Need To Lubricate My Motorcycle Chain?
Even before you start gathering your tools to clean and lubricate your chain, you need to determine if your chain needs it. A good rule of thumb is that you should be lubricating your chain every third or fourth time that you fill up your gas tank. If you live in a place where it rains often, we suggest tightening this schedule. Check your chain and sprockets for rust and wear and determine if it is time to change them out.
While checking out your chain and sprockets, go ahead and read your service manual for how much slack your chain should have. Depending on your manufacturer, this measurement might be taken on the kickstand or while the bike is vertical. If you find that your chain is out of spec, go ahead and adjust it. If you have a single-sided swingarm that needs adjusting, we have you covered.
Now that you’ve determined it’s time for a lube, go ahead and gather what you need. At the very minimum, you’ll need some clean rags, an o-ring safe chain cleaner, a chain cleaning brush, chain lube, a piece of cardboard or thick paper to protect from overspray, and latex gloves to keep your hands clean.
Get The Rear Wheel Off Of The Ground
If you’re one of the lucky few who have a motorcycle equipped with a center stand, go ahead and skip over this section. If you’re not, we suggest that you find or purchase a rear stand, because if not, you’ll only be able to lubricate and wipe down a small section of the chain at a time. You could also buy a motorcycle jack, as long as your motorcycle’s rear wheel is able to spin freely.
Clean Your Chain And Sprockets
You’ve identified that you need to lubricate your chain, but what about cleaning it? It is recommended that you get dirt and grime off your chain before you apply more lube, but sometimes you cannot. If you’re at home, not only a transcontinental trip, you should clean your chain-check out our in-depth guide on how to clean your chain. Cleaning your chain will make it, and your sprockets, last longer.
A staple of many garages, WD-40 is effective at keeping your chain clean, with a little elbow grease and a good wipe down after application. Do not use it as a lubricant though. We repeat, WD-40 is not a lubricant. It might make door hinges less squeaky, but it will not be sufficient enough for your rollers and bushings.
Apply New Lubricant To The Chain
Believe it or not, but there is a right way to apply lubricant to your chain. Also, to echo what we said before, WD-40 should not be used as a motorcycle chain lubricant. Go ahead and save yourself the headache and purchase a motorcycle-specific chain lubricant. To lubricate your chain correctly, you should spray the lube on the top of the chain below the swingarm. Kick your bike into neutral, rotate the rear tire with one hand, and spray the lube on the top of the rollers and plates with the other. That handy piece of cardboard will protect your tire and wheel from any splash or overspray.
Another tip: As tempting as it might be, do not turn on your motorcycle and allow your engine to run in gear while you spray the lubricant on your chain. This is a good way to get the can, spray nozzle, or even your finger trapped in the chain and cut off. Just don’t do it.
Read the step-by-step on Motorcyclist: www.motorcyclistonline.com/ho...
Chain Cleaner - amzn.to/2JL2lx8
Chain Lube - amzn.to/2E7mQRi
Tirox 360 Chain Brush - amzn.to/2JGMu30
Motion Pro Chain Brush - amzn.to/2E5MNR6
When should you lubricate your chain? (0:15)
What chain lube should I use? (0:34)
What do I need to lube my chain? (0:50)
How do I clean my chain? (1:15)
Chain lubrication tips (1:43)
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I can attest to lubing a chain with it running. I did lose the last digit of my right index finger many years ago. Stupid mistake , lesson learned the hard way.
few month later, but you'r not alone bro, i lose part of my thumb that way.
I lost a bit of my middle and ring finger on the left. Luckily not that much. The nails grew back. Really stupid idea!
me too, lost the top of my right thumb. one less nail to trim i suppose.
Gruxxan Good for you?! My nails are so curved now and they're thick. So hard to trim those mutated nails.
I seen a German bloke on You Tube doing a knife review and he lost part of a finger through the same thing
I can't wait until every subject has been covered. These are excellent.
looks like you got you degree after 2 yrs, what do you ride now amigo?
This gentleman is smart.
His videos are short and packed with information.
Can't thank him enough for all his hard work into putting together this educational material
These are just so incredibly helpful. They are basic to some, but none of this is obvious or common knowledge to a beginner. You're genuinely doing a great service to the community. Thank you.
this has got to be the smallest yet useful video on you tube on chain lubrication...
this is the best part of your videos... thumbs up.
Thank you so much for not making this video unnecessarily long!
thanks guys . i really ask this question lots of times. each time i got diffrent answer . thanks for making it clear!
Thanks for making a quick and easy-to-follow video on the subject!
honestly one of the best MC channels you youtube. Awesome stuff!
Another great vid for all riders. Frequently checking the chain if it's dry & lube accordingly. Clean the chain as shown in this video at least once a month, depending on ride conditions. Both chain & sprocket will work 'happy' :-)
I just wanted to thank you for your videos. I have found your to be simple to the point and very helpful.
Hey Ari...I know this is an older vid. However, I just pick up the Tirox 360 brush...my old grunge thingy need replaced.
WoW! Tirox Roxz...this brush did indeed make quick work of cleaning my chain. Less kero, less scrubbing passes and very clean chain.
Keep up the great vids. And thanks!
Short & sweet. Well explained. Thanks for sharing
Short and sweet. Thanks.
G`day mate,after fourty years racing/riding motocycles ,I continue to enjoy your many excellent vids.Keep up your wonderful work.Ride safe and have fun.
Motorcyclist Magazine fortnine and revzilla have the best motorcycle maintenance videos..... Just wish i would have watched your videos before my bike broke down due to poor maintenace
Short, informative, and relevant, the secret to a great CZcams video!
Been a year and half since I lost the tip of my middle and ring fingers. Luckily, had a great surgeon. Got a cross finger graft on the middle finger from the back of the index and the ring finger was okay as I hadn't lost much flesh, it was stitched right back. Could hold a pen and write two months later. Had my engineering semester exams and it was one hell of an experience. So, guys, no matter how easy it seems, do not keep the engine running. Also, in my case I wasn't doing it in gear. It was on neutral and I knew I shouldn't do it on a running drive train. I was just lazy to turn off the engine and thought neutral would do no harm. As I was leaning over, my left knee hit the gear lever and I'd just lubed it. Bam, into gear 1 and in no time my fingers were stuck in the sprocket.
Nice and short video right to the point! No memes, no 10 min dubstep intro, no subscribe and like begging. T H A N K. Y O U !
Good no nonsense advice. Thanks
best video on chain maintenance I've seen to date
Kb
Another great video. Thank you sir!
I'm lubing my chain right now 😂 I love me a clean chain.
great video, you reminded me I really need to clean my chain. I do it every 10,000km's which isn't really the best ;)
Another great video. I'm enjoying the maintenance series almost as much as Grom Khana. Gas it up and burn it down! 🔥⛽️
best explanation guys, cheers
Dude this guy is very informative. Makes me feel like a pro even though im not haha. Thank you.
Honestly loving this series. Looking forward to more.
Quick and easy video, love it
Such a brilliant video guys, so informative.
9/10, the only thing that you forgot to mention was to apply after riding so the chain is warm (apparently it sticks better) :)
great straightforward short video!
Greetings from Romania! Very useful tips! :)
Always detailed and nifty explainers.
Great video! Very thorough. Nice job!
Easy enough, thank you for your help!!! 🙌🙌🙌🔥
I learn a few interresting things, thank you very much !
Why have i never ever thought of the clever use of cardboard, damn.
It's ALSO helpful to lay a piece directly underneath your chain too!!! (to keep your garage-floor from getting "slick" too!!!)
found that out the hard way!
ShooterMedic
hahaha
I can imagine ...!!!;-))
That was the first thing I thought too
if you’re clever, you can cut a piece out of an old box that fits perfectly and stands up by itself (think cut into the base and bend one side one way and the other side the other way so it stands up). If the cardboard is thick enough (or even better that waxed stuff you cant seem to get anymore), it’ll last for months maybe years.
Excellent vid, I learnt a lot, thanks.
Excelent, simple and precise
Very useful as always.
best channel ever
Thanks, very useful tips.
quick and to the point
Awesome commentary & super advise explained so easy for me as I’m not that hands on. 💯👏👌
Awesome chanel learned a lot.Thnx guys
Very very nice video ! 😇👌🏻
Thanks man video was very helpful
Great videos! Short & just the facts.
With all the subscribers of bike channels. This channel should have 3 million subscribers as your giving us good knowledge here +Motorcyclist Magazine
i actually loved cleaning and lubving my chain
Great job with detailed explanation, very helpful. Short and sweet. Love it. Thanks.
wow, what a video all info real quick . keep it up
Great video once again guys. Even the basics like this should be discussed and technique shared. My personal suspicion is that cleaning the chain is really more cosmetic - Anything thats actually in between the contact points between teeth and chain is instantaneously either pulverised or flung afar.. Take a look - Always spotless - How could it be otherwise with that treatment?! But I probably overlube if anything.. say every 2 rides meaning about once every 500km at most? But I lube inside of chain as Ari showed.. And i spray more prob 2 rotations easy and then also spray from outside as well.. And adjust when required.. And with that treatment even big v-twin chains like my KTM 1190 Adv are still in what looks like good shape at well over 30,000km. As the shop said to me "well whatever you're doing keep doin it" cos we dont usually see the chains last like that
your the best...thanks bro.
Thank you!
nicely done...
Perfect information
great video thankyou...
Thanks it was helpful
Terima kasih ilmunya
Hell yes to the Tyrox chain brush. Grunge brush is very messy. I wear o glove and cup the Tyrox in my hand and run it back and forth on the chain as you did and the spray of the chain goes in my gloves hand and not all over the bike or floor. I do or my bike on a rear stand, but I also put an old bath sheet down on the garage floor.
I do spray cleaner and chain wax onto the rear sprocket/chain area with the bike in gear but I hold the cardboard behind and against the back of the wheel hub. My hands are never in danger with this method.
I turn the bike off and into neutral as I put the Tyrex brush on the chain and manually turn the wheel to clean the chain. I don't wipe the chain off after applying chain wax.
My CB500F is being delivered in a about a week... I am binge watching your videos right now!
how is she doing now amigo? like the bike?
Oh, I did not get any notification for the comment reply.
I have had her for quite a while now haha. Great looks, handling and fuel economy.
The overall package is wonderful and the power is enough for everything I do. :)
ok ride safe!
Thanks, You too!
icecreamgecko congrats man! Treat her well and she will reciprocate. Ride safe!
excellent!!!
hi,
first thing, thanks for the vid : )
second thing: I'm new to motorcycling and I have no other mc friends who could teach me. So here are a few questions:
1. how does a dry chain look like? How can i tell, whether it already needs lubing or not?
2. how does a dirty chain look like? when do i need to clean it? When is it still ok and i can avoid the additional work?
3. what do you do with your dirty rags? do you clean them somehow or just use a new one?
I'm not asking about the extremes, i don't want to wait that long : )
thanks and cheers from poland..
Nice clear, you are sharp and short 👏 congratulations 👏
He manages to give valuable info in three minutes, where many fail even in ten - and you get tired from a ****'d music background. No nonsense at Ari's.
Thanks, nice video :D
U guys are the best 🔥🔥🔥👌🤘💓
i use wd40 or kero to clean chain then lube it with chain wax and has always worked for me after having 12 bikes over 20 years and gobs of miles ridden never an issue with seals rotting or etc using wd40 but i only use it for the cleaning not the lubrication, and dont forget to stick an old mat or tarp underneath the bike for any drippage if doing the job in your nice garage.
Very useful 💙💙💙
It motivates me to clean and lube my chain..
I enjoy doing chain maintenance.
I like doing it!
THANKS!
well explained 👏 👌
I actually use extreme pressure outboard gear oil and Champion chain lube spray Grease seems to work very well.
That's perfect .!
2:00 and that is exactly how I lost part of my thumb..... If only I saw this video before that happened hahah
Awesome ...
your such a clever guy , thank you so much for the tips about cleaning.
'Your such a clever guy'? Ohhh, the irony.... 🤣🤣🤣
Another great video after watching your “can you use WD40 on your chain” video too 👍 thanks very much best wishes Karl in Australia 🇦🇺😃
vry helpful tutorial#
Awesome 😎👍❤️❤️❤️
Nice Video, Try the Moto Chain-Mate and Crud Brush next time you clean and lube your motorcycle chain, it works fantastic, No Overspray!
You're the best
I should have watched this video but this video wasn't around when I started chain lubing first time. that's how useful these videos are *thumbs up* I left the lubes on without wiping off the excess so my swing arm is gummy. what can I do to clean this?
+VroomToRaftel WD-40, chain cleaner, or another solvent should take the goo right off. Just don't use anything harsh like carb cleaner or acetone!
You mentioned using different kinds of lube or wax depending on the environment but didn't go into detail. Can you do a video on what kind of chain lube is best for different environments?
Ojisan642 from what I was told I use dirt bike lube since it protects from dirt and water more than street chain lube
Idk if it's true or not but they cost the same so I use the dirt lube
Ojisan642 yes please. I need it too.
I live in tropical climate which is dusty, rainy, and muddy. So as recommended by a dude from AMA I use blendzall chain lubricant to deal with those conditions. It's kind of more sticky than regular chainlube.. But since it's mainly used for motocross race..I think it meets my need
I would think your local shop would sell what’s good for that area...
MiNuSx31 doubt it most local shops know jack and also sell all kinds of lubes. I personally use a paste wax on mine by Motul because it's the easiest to apply. Seems to be very effective.
Legend
thanks
Love the videos, so much great advice. Any suggestions for lube for southern Ontario weather? (so... wet, cold, humid, hot)
I feel more confident in cleaning my chain when it needs it on my R3, just started riding. Thank you MC Garage
i also turned the wheel backwards and sprayed just where the chain left the sprocket pointing in towards the rear sprocket and didn't worry about cardboard.
That's one of the reason i like BMW rnineT
No rage comments about using WD-40 as chain lube will destroy the chain into a million pieces? That seems odd.
there's another video busting the myth in the channel.
WD40 is mostly just hydrogenated naptha. Which is basically a heavier distillation of kerosene just a smidgen heavier. The problem is the film of addictive they've put into the oil that makes it a dirt magnet once it evaporates since the residue is sticky and over time the road grime just turns into a grinding paste on the chain. You probably should be cleaning your chain way before then but it's just....come on man....just use Kerosene. Kerosene tends to evaporate clean.
Exactly if someone thinks a degreaser greases a chain they must think gloves go on feet and shoes go on hands. Let them walk backwards upside down not my problem
I lubricate my gearset with Axle Oil. Is this a mistake?
I use Astro Glide
There's no need to "lube" an o-ring chain. The areas that need to be lubricated are inside the o-rings. An o-ring chain just needs to be kept very clean so dirt doesn't destroy the o-rings and cause a loss of the built-in lube. Lubing a good o-ring chain is like lubing a sealed bearing. For over 25 years, I've been cleaning my chains with kerosene, then drying with a rag. If I get caught in the rain, I spray the chain with WD-40 (the "WD" stands for "water displacing"), dry, then clean with kerosene to remove the WD-40 film. I've never had a chain kink. I've only had to replace one chain and that was after 10k hard miles (including some track days).
Yupp...u r damn right...never get in gear to clean or touch ur chain...u can easily loose your finger, i had lost my half thumb in my chain.
Wow thats cool
Great Explanation Buddy
I would have thought that a dry lubricant, like graphite, would be used for the links due to the danger of attracting dust and dirt with the oil. It would be a pain in the neck to do but the thought of having dust and dirt making an emulsion scares the hell out of me enough to try it. Nice video by the way.
Rafael Lastra
Today I did my first chain cleaning and I found it hard to understand how to know if I have enough lube on it. I wiped the excess lube like you did, but I am curious if i left enough (when i touch it, it doesn't leave too much on my finger).
p.s. I use Motul C1+C2 (cleaning + lubing)
any advice is very welcomed. thanks again for the useful advices on this channel
yo
guys
Do some of the videos regarding scooter maintainence too
just a thought
love from Nepal
Important tip of not tinkering the chain while the engines on. I wish I could have this video before I had lost my pinky finger in 2013😢