Motorcycle Chain Maintenance

How to properly clean, adjust and lubricate a motorcycle drive chain.

25 Responses to “Motorcycle Chain Maintenance”

1. Kilteddoll says:

   May 3, 2009 at 2:59 pm

   That was great , you explained that so well I can go out and do it on our bikes ,cool
2. chickenofsea says:

   May 4, 2009 at 2:55 am

   Nice video, VF. I’ll never own a bike without a centerstand, personally. I’ve got the RK XSO chain on all three of my bikes and couldn’t be happier.
3. valleyfever says:

   May 4, 2009 at 6:06 am

   Thanks. And I use the 525 XSO on this bike. You’re right, great chain! And +1 on the centerstand = makes life so much easier..
4. sharpshot411 says:

   May 6, 2009 at 5:02 am

   This video works but Ok heres another Tip on motorcycles. (Fyi if you have any questions about help with your bike Pm me Ill trouble shoot it). You don’t need to go by exact measurement. Why? Because different chains react differently. Best chain to have is a X-ring. And as far as chains stretching in sections its true but to a certain point. Because Links stretch them selves. Most of the time near the master link. Also ON new street bikes when the tire moves up they have a
5. sharpshot411 says:

   May 6, 2009 at 5:06 am

   Tenstioner (which keeps the chain tight at all times). My 2005 cr125 (I think if you took a look at the newest walk around video of my bike you’d like it). But Back to my point. SInce its a offroad bike the chain tentioner is a little less slack than your cbr. But its nice to know your using a x-ring
6. valleyfever says:

   May 6, 2009 at 7:27 pm

   Good tips! Yeah I always run X-ring chains since they came out. I guess the newest thing are XW-ring chains which supposedly last like 20-30% longer. Something disappointing happened to the new chain I just put on a month ago to my chain. Brand-new chain, not even 1K miles and I noticed that 3 o-rings have sheared-off and the others appear to be disintegrating. Something is wrong with them and I’d better try to get a warranty replacement before it fails! Thanks for your comments, I appreciate it
7. sleddogg says:

   May 6, 2009 at 7:29 pm

   Dude,

   Super Video!
   Thanks for posting.

   Peace
8. YamahasRAwesome says:

   May 6, 2009 at 8:16 pm

   Are you gay
9. valleyfever says:

   May 6, 2009 at 8:29 pm

   More or less.
10. sharpshot411 says:

    May 6, 2009 at 8:33 pm

    What you should do is go on to motosport(dot)com and look up a gold x-ring chain for you bike. It’s like $50 and it would look awesom on your bike.
11. YamahasRAwesome says:

    May 6, 2009 at 9:29 pm

    first gay guy i seen that can drive a street bike, let alone do maintenance on one lol
12. valleyfever says:

    May 6, 2009 at 9:31 pm

    LOL I think I’m just one of the few that’s honest about it. A fun fact about me is I used to be a diesel mechanic!! That got me some good laughs. I was one of the better ones too!
13. Shanesta78 says:

    May 14, 2009 at 3:40 am

    Thanks for the Maintenance Post worked well for me
14. fazedsatchel says:

    June 7, 2009 at 1:19 am

    “something I was doing this morning before the shower”??? Did I hear that right?
    LOL! Thanks for the writeup
15. valleyfever says:

    June 7, 2009 at 1:26 am

    lol yeah. i can’t start the day without cranking the rod a few times!! lmao
16. photo2u says:

    June 8, 2009 at 5:21 am

    Thanks for the instructions. Your style worked for me. It kept me focus and motivated
17. generee says:

    June 20, 2009 at 7:19 am

    lol that shit had me crackin up. the “fuck’em i’ve been doin this for 18 yrs” is a nice touch too
18. fuyukodochi says:

    June 22, 2009 at 3:17 pm

    Oh that was great! I did not know about the tight spot thing, so this was very helpful. I use my centerstand instead of a jack… do you see any problem with that?
19. valleyfever says:

    June 22, 2009 at 3:26 pm

    I’m glad it helped you out. The tight spot is important, because it is the critical measurement since you are setting the ‘minimum’ slack by. The center stand is perfect! In fact all bikes should have them to make maintenance easier.
20. sayhellojello says:

    July 11, 2009 at 3:21 am

    very thoroughly explained!
21. tstockt says:

    July 23, 2009 at 1:34 am

    this is greatness. i spent about five hours trying to adjust my chain and do various other things to my ex500 today. i wish i would have seen this first. i was worried bc i took off my center stand and i had to use a car jack. i need to get the one like you used. looks a lot easier.
22. lifty1234 says:

    August 10, 2009 at 2:09 pm

    Good on ya mate!!! About time one of these chain maintenance videos has mentioned that you have to adjust BOTH SIDES of the axle! You explained it very nicely, thank you
23. 0ldNotBold says:

    August 12, 2009 at 2:35 pm

    Great vid my friend… I have just bought my first bike, and can’t wait to get into it! I can see myself watching more of your excellent “how to” vids
24. fredleplusbeau says:

    August 12, 2009 at 5:55 pm

    Hey THANKS!!!
    I just got a brand new YAMAHA FZ6 bike and it’s my first chain bike (alwas had SHAFT bikes before) so i wasn’t familiar with chain maintenance, I’ve read my OWNER MANUAL for how to’s…….pffffff !
    THANK GOD there’s YOU !!!! I would send you 100$ for the tip ,but i live in CANADA so i don’t think that canadian dollars worth that much you’re siide of the border : ) still : thank you very much!
25. valleyfever says:

    August 13, 2009 at 12:26 am

    Haha! Thanks! Keep the money and enjoy the bike – nice choice, ride safe.