Removing Debris and Dirt — Start by inspecting the chain for any loose debris, dirt, or grime. Use a soft brush or cloth to remove any loose particles. Be gentle to avoid scratching the chain.

Obviously, if you apply too much of either, you’ll always end up with fling. So don’t go spraying it like it’s a can of Silly String Again it’s not advisable to. In fact, giving your chain a coating of WD-40 is a really good way of loosening up the dirt before you clean it. If you don’t have a chain cleaner, WD will do the job well but it’s best to use a lube after you have cleaned off the WD-40. Shake the chain lubricant canister well to mix the contents thoroughly. While rotating the rear wheel, evenly apply the lubricant to the inner side of the lower chain run, aiming for the gaps between the links. Avoid over-lubricating, as excess lubricant can attract dirt and create a messy buildup. Rotate the WheelAllow the Bike to Cool — If you’ve recently been riding, give the motorcycle some time to cool down. A hot chain can be uncomfortable to touch and may not respond as well to cleaning and lubrication.

Würth High Performance Dry looks really good, and did well across the board but it struggled in comparison to the others in the wear and weld tests. How much that matters will have to come down to your own judgement, but it did have better wear protection than the Muc-Off. Chain Lubricant — Choose a high-quality motorcycle chain lubricant like our Motul MC Care series. We offer the C2 chain cleaner for road bikes, C3 for dirt bikes and C4 for performance applications. Container or Plastic Bag — To catch excess cleaning solution and prevent it from splattering on other parts of your motorcycle.

Safety Gear — As mentioned earlier, safety first. Ensure you are wearing appropriate safety gear, including gloves and eye protection. Motorcycle chain maintenance can be messy, and you want to protect yourself from any splatter or debris.

With the chain cut apart, the centre roller can be removed, showing how it needs to be kept lubricated Gear oil WILL make more of a mess, and it’ll need reapplying a lot more than a dedicated chain lube, but overall it performs better than chainsaw oil. Lubricating your motorcycle chain is the final step in ensuring it runs smoothly, quietly, and efficiently. Proper lubrication not only reduces friction and wear but also helps protect against corrosion. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to lubricate your motorcycle chain effectively: Choose the Right Lubricant Lower numbers are best in this graph showing the results of the IP 239 four-ball anti-wear; the performance of the XCP is truly outstanding. The testing of Scottoil showed it worked very well when you remember that it’s a constant loss system. This isn’t really designed to coat the outside of the chain plates, which while only cosmetic, can get a bit rusty if you haven’t got the delivery just so. Still though, they really do keep the rollers well lubed with little hassle. There are other chain oilers available too, like Tutoro, PDOiler and Loobman, but I don’t have any experience of these. Anecdotally, automatic oilers tend to be popular among their owners.We wouldn’t recommend it – it’ll attract way too much road crud which will work its way into your chain and prematurely wear it out. One of the issues with a chain wax is fling. You wax up your chain, go for a ride and when you come home, the underside of your pillion seat looks like a plasterer’s radio – chain wax splattered everywhere. Reason six: A chain lube will reduce friction – few road riders would notice the difference, but race teams use O-ring chains (except on some low-capacity and classic bikes), and they use chain lube, despite having the budget to regularly replace those chains. Inspect for Loose Clothing or Obstructions — Ensure there are no loose clothing, shoelaces, or any other obstructions near the chain area. Loose items can get caught in the chain, posing a safety risk.

Bulldog BDX was a surprise as it’s an all-purpose spray. It did well in my corrosion protectants test, and while it is a penetrating spray, it didn’t creep past the O-ring in my test rig. If you lube your chain on the outside, the lube is going to get flung off without penetrating the chain. Lube the inside and the centrifugal forces will help drive the lube through the chain, exactly where you want it to be! Mind your fingers Using a Chain Cleaning Tool (Optional) — If you have a chain cleaning tool, this is an excellent time to use it. These tools typically consist of a housing that holds the cleaning solution and brushes that scrub the chain as you pedal the wheel.

Motorcycle Chain Lube vs Wax

Choosing an Appropriate Chain Cleaner — Select a high-quality chain cleaner or degreaser. Ensure it’s suitable for motorcycle chains and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use. Torque Wrench (Optional) — If you need to adjust chain tension or remove the rear wheel for cleaning, a torque wrench is handy for proper reassembly. Friction causes heat, but the lubed chain on Rutter’s S1000RR was temperature tested as it came into the pits after the TT and it was showing just 38°C; something reduced the potential for heat to be caused through friction. Cleaning your motorcycle chain is the first and arguably the most crucial step in the maintenance process. A clean chain not only functions better but also allows for more effective lubrication. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to clean your motorcycle chain: