How to Deep Clean and Lubricate your motorcycle chain drive | #dominar400 #motorcyclemaintenance, by ARKIONX on YouTube. 5 min 3 s.
- Video length
- 5 min 3 s
- Time to do it
- 30 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Park the bike on level ground, switch the engine off and leave the gearbox in neutral. Lift the rear wheel with a paddock stand or centre stand so it spins freely.
Inspect the whole chain before cleaning. Look for rust, stiff links, missing O-rings and worn sprocket teeth, and replace anything that looks damaged.
Spray chain cleaner onto a stiff brush, not directly at the O-rings. Scrub the side plates and rollers along the bottom run of the chain.
Spin the wheel by hand and keep scrubbing until you have worked around the entire loop. Add more cleaner to the brush as the dirt lifts.
Wipe the chain with a clean rag to pull off the loosened grit and old lube. Repeat the clean and wipe if the chain is still grimy.
Let the chain dry fully for a few minutes so no solvent is left behind. Solvent thins fresh lube and stops it sticking.
Spray chain lube onto the inner run of the chain while slowly turning the wheel. Aim at the rollers and O-rings, not the side plates.
Wait 10 to 15 minutes for the lube to settle, then wipe off any overspray. Check chain slack against your manual, usually 25 to 35 mm, and adjust if needed.
Tips and common mistakes
Never spin the wheel with the engine running and the bike in gear. Your fingers can get pulled into the sprocket.
Keep cleaner and lube off the brake disc, pads and tyre. Cover them with a rag if you spray near the rear wheel.
Avoid blasting the chain with a pressure washer. It pushes water past the O-rings and washes out the grease.
Clean and lube roughly every 500 to 800 km, and always after riding in rain or on dusty roads.
Questions
How often should I clean and lube my motorcycle chain?
Clean it every 500 to 800 km and lube it a little more often, about every 300 to 500 km. Rain, dust and long rides mean doing it sooner.
Can I use WD-40 or engine oil instead of chain lube?
WD-40 works as a quick cleaner but not as a lube, and it can wash out the factory grease. Use a proper O-ring safe chain lube, not engine oil.
Do I have to remove the chain to clean it?
No. On most bikes you can clean and lube the chain in place on the bike with the rear wheel lifted. Only split the chain if you are replacing it.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
