Bike Maintenance at Home: Chain Lube and Cleaner
Keeping your motorcycle’s chain well-lubricated and clean is important for quality performance, longevity, and safety. Regular maintenance prolongs the life of your chain and also ensures smooth operation and reduces the risk of accidents. This guide explains the different steps on how to use chain lube and cleaner at home to keep your motorbike well-maintained.
Gather Your Supplies
Before starting the process, collect all the required supplies:
– Chain cleaner
– Chain lube
– Clean rags or towels
– Disposable gloves (optional)
– Brush with stiff bristles
– Stand or paddock stand (optional)
Make sure you have all these supplies ready with you to streamline the maintenance process and ensure that you have everything you need within reach.
Prepare Your Motorcycle
If your motorbike has a center stand or paddock stand, use it to elevate the rear wheel off the ground. Ensure the motorcycle is turned off and in neutral before proceeding.
Clean the Chain
Start applying the chain cleaner freely to the chain, use a brush with stiff bristles to scrub the chain and make sure it reaches all the sides. The chain cleaner will remove all the dirt, grime and old lubricant and makes it easier to move.
Continue to brush until the chain appear clean, one may need to repeat the step few times as the chain is that part of the bike that is particularly dirty. Once satisfied, use a clean rag or towel to wipe off any excess cleaner from the chain and surrounding areas.
Let It Dry
After cleaning the chain, let it dry completely before applying the chain lube. This step is important as applying lube to a wet chain will not be effective and can cause the lube to fling off.
Depending on the chain cleaner and the weather conditions, drying time may vary. Ideally it takes atleast 15-30 minutes, or you can use a clean, dry rag to wipe off any remaining moisture.
Apply Chain Lube
Once the chain gets dry, it is time to apply chain lube, shake the canister well to ensure the contents gets properly mixed. Hold the nozzle of the lube canister against the inner side plates of the chain and spray a steady stream of lube as you rotate the wheel. Ensure even coverage by moving along the length of the chain.
Avoid over-lubrication of the chain as excess lube can attract dirt and debris that leads to accelerate wear. A light coating is enough to provide adequate lubrication.
Let It Set
After the application of chain lube, allow it to set for a few minutes to penetrate the chain links and rollers completely. This will ensure the maximum lubrication and protection against wear and tear.
Wipe Off Excess
Use a clean rag or towel, gently wipe off the excess chain lube from the chain and the surrounding areas. This step helps to prevent lube from flinging off onto other parts of the motorcycle and keeps the chain clean.
Final Inspection
Once you have cleaned and lubed the chain, take a moment to inspect it visually. Ensure there are no visible signs of dirt, grime, or excess lube build-up. Additionally, check for any tight or loose spots in the chain and adjust the tension of necessary.
Regular Maintenance
Finally, make chain lube and cleaner a regular part of your motorcycle maintenance routine. Depending on your riding conditions you may need to clean and lube the chain every 500-1000 miles if you ride in harsh environments.
Conclusion
By following these steps and maintaining a regular cleaning and lubrication schedule, you can prolong the life of your motorcycle’s chain, improve performance, and ensure a safer riding experience. Remember, a well-maintained chain is key to enjoying many miles of trouble-free riding on your motorcycle.