Why is it important to keep a bike chain clean and lubricated?
The drive chain in a motorcycle, which transmits power to the rear wheel, is one important link for a motorcycle to work. That being said, it always faces a lot of stress while riding and needs frequent care to function normally. Almost every rider knows that a bike chain needs to be cleaned and lubricated at regular intervals. This task is an easy DIY and increases the life of your chain and sprocket. The bitter truth is that most users continue to chug along with dry chains. Let us go through some points which highlight the effects of having a dry chain –
6) Looks Bad – Not only does it hamper a bike’s reliability, a dirty chain looks bad as it remains totally covered in dust and grime.
5) Chances Of Snapping – The most serious consequence of using a dry chain is snapping. A snapped chain gets dislodged from the sprocket and may end up locking the wheel. This may lead to loss of control and result in a crash.
4) Chain Noise – Due to contact with sprocket teeth, a chain which lacks lubrication tends to make an irritating noise, which only goes up with increase in speed.
3) Wears Out Prematurely – While the life of a bike chain largely depends on the kind of use it undergoes, lack of proper lubrication is the number one reason for premature wearing out.
2) Damages The Sprocket – A dry chain gets stretched with time and damages the sprocket teeth as well.
1) Stresses The Engine – A dry chain gets damaged with time and then translates to poor performance and fuel efficiency. In turn, the engine has to work harder to maintain good speeds.
A dry chain, in the long term, will only lead to an increase in expenses. For extracting the best out of your bike’s chain, it is necessary to follow two simple steps –
2) Keep It Clean And Lubricated – Drive chain should be cleaned using a chain cleaner and then lubricated using a chain lube spray. For those who prefer a cheaper approach, a wire brush soaked in kerosene or diesel works best to clean the chain. Gear oil can be used as an alternative to chain lubricant.
1) Adjust Chain Slack – As the distance travelled keeps piling up, a bike chain tends to get loose. This causes a slack in the chain which affects the overall ride experience negatively. Chain slack should be monitored and adjusted as per manufacturer’s recommendation from time to time.
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