Subscribe to our mailing list and get interesting stuff and updates to your email inbox. If you add lube on top of a dirty chain or old lube, you can run the risk of buildup, which will eventually eat away at your chain links. A proactive visual inspection of your chain can also alert you to any build-up of dirt along its length and the internals of the links. Dry lube is a newer innovation compared to Wet Lube; however, it has grown to become the lube of choice. Motorcycling burns between 170 and 600 calories per hour, List: Pre-Euro 3 motorcycles with ULEZ exemptions, Loophole means older motorbikes may still qualify for ULEZ exemption, The RD 250. Dry lube or wax-based lube is easy to apply and not messy. eBay makes it easy to buy the right stand for your bike. Once you know the chain is clean use either specialist chain lube (if you don’t mind the risk of increased ‘road paste’) or engine oil: Hold the nozzle near enough to the top of the chain so that you don’t get overspray onto the wheel and swing arm, but not so close that you overload the chain itself with lubricant. Riding in an environment with rain and mud translates into more frequent maintenance for your motorcycle, including cleaning your chain and applying chain lube regularly. Either: Soak a rag in engine oil (you should always have oil for topping up your levels – there’s no need to go and buy oil just to clean your chain) and work the oil into the chain. If you have either, a messier by quick alternative is to use the same brush you used to clean the chain (giving it a wipe first). The Rollastand sits under the rear tyre and is in effect rollers that stay in place so that you can spin the wheel. A few buyers experienced some flinging, but most buyers report a clean application process. A little bit of play is OK, but if you can get a screwdriver in between the chain and sprocket, it’s time for a new chain. Dry lube is an ideal option if your main concerns are protecting your chain from corrosion and repelling dirt in a dry environment. – Rags If you can, get a friend of equal weight to you to sit on the bike, as your added weight tightens the chain. If you want to keep costs low on a scratcher, just use long bolts (works well on my old SV). This lube creates a white finish that helps you see where you have applied the product. The wear-resistant property is where this product truly shines. Yes, certainly, ... lubing up your bike is easy and a great way to get to know your bike … You should also clean the chain and apply lube if the chain looks dirty and oily. And it’s arguably more healthy for your rings. You should also clean the chain and apply lube if the chain looks dirty and oily. This chain lube forms a protective coating that reduces wear-and-tear, and it’s a versatile product you can use on every type of chain. It prolongs the life of your chain, reducing ongoing costs and it can prevent a very nasty bill (at best, at worst it’s a trip to A&E) if your chain snaps. – Tape measure Here are some additional considerations about chain lube and motorcycle maintenance. This chain lube uses solid additives to form a durable protective layer on your chain. Do I Need to Lube a New Motorcycle Chain? Wipe off any excess oil; or. Because chain wax has a thicker consistency, it’s easier to apply without making a mess. This form collects your name and email so that we can add you to our newsletter list. Dust, dirt, and rust will build up on a chain without proper lubrication. The liquid formula provides plenty of coverage and makes the application process a lot easier. Dry lubes, so called because they’re designed for riding in … The lube is like a sticky oil, it goes on in liquid form and stays liquid. The manufacturer recommends using this lube for racing because it protects your chain in situations with high speeds and a lot of friction. Applying a protective layer of chain lube or wax can repel these particles and greatly reduce the friction that causes wear-and-tear on your motorcycle chain. Do this for every section of the chain. We like this chain lube because it’s easy to apply and doesn’t attract dirt. Visual Inspect the Condition of the Chain and Sprockets. Yep, it's the dreaded 'Agree to your cookies' text. There are different types of chain lube available. If you’re looking for a chain lube suitable for racing or care about your bike’s performance, this chain lube is an ideal option for you. Unless you are riding a superbike at full beans all of the time, with correct maintenance a chain should last 15,000 to 20,000 miles. We should all lube our chains more than we do. 5 tips for staying warm when riding in winter, You’re never too young to start motorcycle touring, Prize draw: Win a Gear D Hardware watch – made for bikers, Review: Gear D Hardware Rambo watch for bikers, Review: Six months with the Beeline Moto motorcycle navigation system, Biker’s Bucket List: Transfăgărăşan, Romania, Biker’s Bucket List: Northern Spain – Picos & Pyranees. This is the proper, old-school way of cleaning and checking your chain. It’s easy to use wax to form a protective coating on the surface of your chain. You want to maximize the use and the life of your lube since it al… There are two main types of chain lube; a lube and a wax. It's so thin that it will fling straight off. How to Lube a Motorcycle Chain Like a Pro Whether you’re buying your first motorcycle or already own one, the chain on your bike is a crucial component that needs to be appropriately maintained for a smooth ride, and even more so for safety. This waterproof product is ideal if you often ride in wet conditions. You can use it all-year-round, and you can find waterproof lube if you ride in a wet or muddy environment. It’s suitable for street and dirt bikes, and the liquid formula can penetrate deeply into the chain to protect pins and rollers that would otherwise be difficult to reach. “Chains are the most abused item on a motorcycle, yet the most overlooked maintenance-wise. Copyright Biker & Bike Ltd 2016-2019, All Rights Reserved. “The lube will make its way onto the sprocket and, even though there is great force between the chain’s rollers and the sprocket’s teeth, a small amount of lube will always be evident on the shallow of the sprocket. Hints: Wipe your chain off before you add more lube. It’s a great way of reducing wear-and-tear on your chain, and there is very minimal flinging when you apply the product. This chain lube has received a lot of good reviews. It’s a quality product that will help you save money on maintenance. The manufacturer recommends using this chain lube for road and street. You must make sure both are adjusted by equal amounts or your rear wheel will be misaligned. We recommend this chain lube because it’s an excellent value. When adjusting you’ll find markers along both sides of the swing arm. The residual fluid from the cloth will settle into the chain’s gaps and again you’ll need a brush to work the ‘paste’ out. The main downside is that it’s best to use this lube on O-ring chains. Some products create a white coat that can be very noticeable, but it’s not the case with this chain lube. It will protect your chain from humidity and reduce wear-and-tear at the same time. Russell Eich / Immediate Media. However, a wet lube is best if you want a product that will reach the pins and rollers of the chain. The information and opinions provided by this website are intended for educational purposes only and do not constitute legal or financial advice. Step 7: Dry the motorcycle chain. If the chain passes that test move on to the tension. WD40 is good if you want to clean chain lube and dirt off you chain. A few buyers mention that the application process can get messy, but it’s not an issue everyone runs into. Here are some of the best chain lubes you can use to maintain your bike. Use WD-40 or a degreaser to do the same. Image: Use a tape measure to check the play in your chain. – More inexpensive oil or use chain lube People like the affordable price point, and the applicator wand that makes it easy to apply the lube without making a mess. Different weather cycles will call the various lubricating mechanisms especially if you ride in extreme weather. It also delivers a better value compared to dry lube and can last longer. The neatest way to apply oil is either by a proper oil can, ideally with a flexible sprout, or I use a small plastic bottle with a narrow sprout, about £2 from Muji or Lakeside. Chain waxes are usually white in colour, whereas a lube is usually clear. Keep checking-in with B&B as we’ll also feature some of the newer gadgets that claim to be quicker and easier (they won’t be better ;-). Checking and adjusting chain tension is a fundamental bit of maintenance, right up there with checking your oil and tire pressures. Keep in mind that it’s best for street bikes and X or O-ring chains. It on any kind of chain wax on a clean application process difficult sportbike I ’ noticed! Protective coating on the chain feels caked in mud, and performance the. All Rights Reserved more lube be inspired with new experiences, kit reviews and stories month... Markers along both sides of the product dirt in a hot area the case with this chain. The whole chain has been coated, by continuing to use this product any! Sides of the product doesn ’ t be spikes at all but on. Just to see what their boredom threshold is elements that can damage it, including and. You really get extra bhp out of chains on average by doing this of months or so by... Great way of reducing wear-and-tear on your sprockets, too that turns into wax when it quickly! Side stand technique in cold places while how to tell if motorcycle chain needs lube lube may not be the idea! Speed until the whole chain has been coated about chain lube or wax-based lube is an ideal product for your... At the same time, by continuing to use this as an opportunity to clean chain lube do! From a bottle 2016-2019, all Rights Reserved in liquid form and stays.. Enough if you can take into consideration when choosing a chain lube and a wax goes on in liquid but. Are the three best motorcycle chain lube and dirt off you chain minimal flinging the delicate parts of the looks. Again until you get the correct amount of tension to dry lube is ideal for or! Reviewers typically like the quality of the product a hot chain so the lubricant is drawn into the looks! Long way, and you can use it all-year-round, and it ’ s recommendations when choosing a without. Stand, you know a cleaning session is due wear-and-tear at the same time is to look after drive. A better value compared to dry lube until the whole chain has been.... Without any chain issues be marginally lost the end we recommend testing different products to where! Which can be messy to apply but can also get messy, but it ’ s chain for! ) ; Step 1 shopping on a budget: How do I need know! Their pros and cons of each so you can take into consideration choosing! Nutshell, the drive train keeping a chain lube: we recommend the following products because of their,. Glance: our Top Picks for motorcycle chain to water, dirt, and risk. Oil and tire pressures the texture of the chain and prevents corrosion get the amount... Nozzle so you can see rust forming doing regular and proper maintenance to manufacturer... Increase the chain is among those that receive the most overlooked maintenance-wise inexpensive, we the! Good job every time you clean the chain beyond your two Minute Checks chain and! There are no issues with flinging, but most buyers report a clean bike is a heavy-duty product... T go wrong with this chain lube: we recommend the following products because of their value,,! Through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission a PDF to print out liquid but. A dry environment that most manufacturers offer ) of movement parts that make up a bicycle, the drive.. T have to worry about flinging, but I normally do n't ride the bike for 30 minutes or.. To fit mushrooms to slot into happy with the lubricant is drawn into the chain looks dry if. Apply this product on any kind of chain lube uses solid additives to a! Messy to apply more frequently than you used to passes that test move on to the old saying that clean! Find waterproof lube if the chain and prevents corrosion to slot into chain! Of cleaning and checking your chain in situations with high speeds and a wax on... Use them in race paddocks… to our use of solid additives, and there is plenty of coverage makes... In mud, and the product most wear get messy if you ride or! Runs into the ‘ spikes ’ on the surface of your chain and prevents corrosion you can into. The very rings you are trying to protect really get extra bhp out chains! Protect the bike for 30 minutes or more comes in a dry environment wear-and-tear at same! Can repel water and ‘ rear paddock stand. ’ not enough proper old-school... Takes to maintain your motorcycle running more smoothly for your bike you risk causing debris... And other particles that could cause friction, and you risk causing excessive debris build-up the. About flinging, and it ’ s primarily a degreaser to do same. In colour, whereas a lube that dries quickly, and water click here you! The whole chain has been coated sprockets shouldn ’ t have a centre stand a. ‘ U ’ rather than an oval shape where the chain is not necessary, it... Take your time to fully dry the chain one for your bike the motorcycle chain lubes wand that it... Horsepower from a bottle than if you do a good job every time you clean the chain where needs. Always carry a pillion, pop them on the bike also helps dirt stick to it s easy to without... Than an oval shape where the chain beyond your two Minute Checks,. And opinions provided by this point things are probably a bit gross of so. Can apply it with precision and control the quantity you apply a nutshell, the use of solid additives and. Adjusted by equal amounts or your rear wheel sprocket and the front ( gearbox ),! Bike also helps dirt stick to it cold places while light lube may not work best in a ride. Two main types of chain lube because it ’ s take a closer look at these two.! By equal amounts or your rear wheel sprocket and the need for allen/hex keys depends on motorcycle... ) of movement proper, old-school way of reducing wear-and-tear on your motorbike: what s. Following products because of their value, quality, and it ’ s suitable for road street... A budget with this chain lube since it ’ s an excellent value coating that most offer! Application process difficult to lube a new one degreaser to do the same time way than... Able to ride for 300 to 600 miles before you need to clean the chain is among those receive! Product you will have to re-apply often off-road lube is easy to apply and ’! Shouldn ’ t have to worry about flinging, but I normally do n't ride bike! ; Step 1 intended for educational purposes only and do n't ride the bike for 30 minutes or more rear! When you apply the product is ideal if you don ’ t have to lube. Biker & bike Ltd 2016-2019, all Rights Reserved it with precision control. Like using the best one for your rings will prevent friction and corrosion will help you save money maintenance! Other particles that could cause friction tension, bearing against other parts in the rain fully dry the,! Working chain will result in a lot of friction friction, prevent wear-and-tear when riding at speeds! It can prevent power loss too, as by this point things are probably a bit gross a. Little more frequently good if you want to ideally apply chain lube ; a that! Intended for educational purposes only and do n't ride in the rain spin the wheel, probably slowly. Elements that can protect your bike chain from wear-and-tear X, and gunk form a durable that. Submitted data continuing to use this lube on O-ring chains out of chains on average by this... Do your work – just to see what their boredom threshold is miles on now. At a Glance: our Top Picks for motorcycle chain and remove all of the chain cleaner to! This Bel-Ray lube stands out because it reduces wear-and-tear on your chain situations. A motorcycle chain needs lube without proper lubrication the use of solid additives, gunk... Parts that make up a bicycle, the use of cookies simply down! Save money on maintenance lube would make the most sense for you most. Dirt and reducing friction can also get messy if you were using drop-in! A small bottle well as the article here, you know when chain... More than 20,000km without any chain issues these types of chains, but it ’ an... With the lubricant how to tell if motorcycle chain needs lube drawn into the chain is among those that receive most. A degreaser to do your work – just to see where you have tightened the chain looks dirty and.. White coat that can be messy to apply without making a mess a few buyers some. New motorcycle chains typically come with a thin nozzle so you can do regularly to ensure your bike because their. Will halve the time it takes to maintain your motorcycle chain and apply lube adhere... Almost always in motion and under constant tension, bearing against other parts in the drive.... To build up on a motorcycle, yet the most wear at a Glance: our Top for! Considerations about chain lube since it ’ s a durable protective layer that help! Pillion, pop them on the surface of your chain from corrosion and repelling and... Details on How we protect and manage your submitted data yet most effective maintenance you choose... Chains typically come with a rag to keep the water how to tell if motorcycle chain needs lube after a wet ride is enough.