How Often Should I Lube My Motorcycle Chain?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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A motorcycle chain should be lubricated

every 300-600 miles

to ensure peak performance and a long life. Lubricate the chain after riding, not before. This allows time for the solvents in the spray to evaporate before the bike is used again, and lets the lubricant penetrate the link properly.

Should I lube my chain after every ride?



In the winter months it’s advisable to clean and lube your chain ideally after every ride depending on where you have been riding

,” says Sampson. She recommends using a degreaser and chain cleaner to give the chain a thorough, deep clean in order to ensure it’s sparkling before re-lubing.

When should I lube my chain motorcycle?

Your motorcycle’s chain needs to be lubricated

every 400-800 miles

to keep it at its best. This can vary depending on your bike’s use; road bikes will need the chain cleaning less than off-road bikes.

What happens if you don’t lube your motorcycle chain?



Any chain will rust if it’s not lubricated, and the seals will become dry and crack, letting that grease escape

. And remember, you’re lubricating the sprocket, not just the chain.

Is WD-40 good for motorcycle chains?


It is highly recommended that you do not use Multi-Purpose WD 40 on the chain of your motorcycle

. The WD stands for Water Displacement, and it is designed to disperse water away from metal parts to prevent rust.

Can I use WD-40 as chain lube?


No. You should never use WD40 as chain lubricant

since WD-40 is NOT a true lubricant. WD40 is primarily a solvent or rust dissolver.

Can you over lube a bike chain?


Over lubricating your chain, on the other hand, is also bad for your chain and will annoy your bike mechanic

. Excess lube attracts dirt and dust and creates gross buildup on your drivetrain. This can actually wear out your drivetrain faster than a dry chain! To properly lube a chain you only need a couple supplies.

How do you lubricate a motorcycle chain?

How often do you degrease your chain?

Ideally, chains should be thoroughly cleaned

after each and every ride

. Unfortunately not many of us have the time to do this, but even a quick wipe with an clean rag can make a huge difference.

How long do motorcycle chains last?

On average, you can expect to replace your chain and sprocket between

20,000 to 30,000 kilometers

, less if you ride fast and hard. However, if you spot any damage to your chain or sprocket, it’s better to just go and replace the prematurely-worn part right away.

Do you lube chain after washing motorcycle?

The short answer is

yes, you should definitely lubricate your chain after a wash

. How often you lubricate it depends a lot on the use its getting: type and amount of riding, conditions, etc.

How long after lubing chain can I ride?

Therefore after lubing excess oil needs to be removed. To do this wait for

5 minutes

after oiling the chain, turn the drivetrain over a few times then use a dry rag to wipe off any excess. After waiting for 5 minutes use a clean, dry cloth to dry the chain.

Is grease good for motorcycle chain?


Don’t use any kind of cheap products such as grease or motor oil in the lubing process as they can reduce the life of the bike chain and create several damages

. Always use products that are safe and suit your bike chain properly.

Do new bike chains need oiling?

Do I need to degrease and re-lube a new chain? The advice from most of the major chain manufacturers is that the lubrication chains come with is ideal for riding and

doesn’t need to be removed

. Simply fit, ride and re-lube when necessary.

Can I use engine oil as chain lube?

Can I use motor oil as a chain lube?

You can use motor oil

. However, it’s not recommended as this oil is too thick and won’t penetrate the inner components.

Do you need to lubricate O ring chain?

Reasons include, to reduce rust and corrosion, to provide protection at extreme pressure points between the chain rollers and the sprocket teeth and to lube between the O-rings and chains plates.

We like to use a good lube after washing an O-ring chain as it displaces moisture and fights corrosion

.

What should I use to clean my motorcycle chain?

For quick motorcycle chain cleanups, you can wipe down your chain with

a rag moistened with diluted (1:3) Simple Green Pro HD Heavy Duty Cleaner

to remove superficial grime before applying lubrication. You should give your drive chain a deep clean about twice a season or more, depending on frequency of use.

What is the best way to clean a motorcycle chain?

How do I clean the O ring on my motorcycle?

Is silicone spray good for bike chains?


Yes. It is not optimal for use on chains

though. It washes away rather easily leaving your chain unprotected and un-lubricated. It would work in a pinch but a light oil or something specifically made for the application will work much better and last a lot longer.

Can I use 3 in 1 oil on my bike chain?


I don’t recommend using either motor oil or 3in1 oil to lubricate the chain

. Motor oil is too heavy and won’t fully penetrate the rollers, and 3in1 oil is vegetable based and will gum up the chain.

How do I know if my chain needs lube?

Over-lubing can also be detrimental, as excess lube attracts dirt, forming a gritty paste which grinds down chain components and other drivetrain bits.

Appearance, time, or distance are not as reliable as sound (grinding, creaking, squeaking, squealing)

as an indicator for when a chain needs to be lubed.

Should my bike chain be black?


The black stuff is lube containing the filth it picked up, as it is supposed to

. If you don’t get black (or greyish with some lubes) stuff, it means the lube isn’t working, or there is no lube at all.

Should you lube wet chain?


Wet lubricant will attract more dust is used in dry conditions

, whereas dry lubricant will quickly wear out in wet and muddy conditions, so it’s important to use the correct lubricant.

Emily Lee
Author
Emily Lee
Emily Lee is a freelance writer and artist based in New York City. She’s an accomplished writer with a deep passion for the arts, and brings a unique perspective to the world of entertainment. Emily has written about art, entertainment, and pop culture.