[Complete Guide] Motorcycle Chain Cleaning: Procedure, Lubrication, Frequency, and Recommendations

Items Required for Motorcycle Chain Lubrication

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Motorcycle chains are constantly exposed to the elements, making them prone to dirt accumulation and requiring regular maintenance such as cleaning and lubrication.

During riding, metal parts rub against each other at high speed, so lubrication is essential to ensure smooth operation. However, it's not enough to simply apply oil. Before lubricating, it's necessary to clean off old grease and dirt. Since chains are covered in oil and grime, simply hosing them down with water won't remove these substances.

Therefore, using a chain cleaner first can effectively remove the grease and dirt clinging to the chain.

Chain Cleaner

A chain cleaner is a liquid cleaning agent that dissolves chain oil and lifts dirt along with it. Since motorcycle chains are sealed, a cleaning agent that is safe for seals is required.

We recommend LAVEN Chain Cleaner 420ml.

Product URL: https://bikeman.jp/products/lav-97837-53101

As it is a chain-specific cleaner, it not only takes seals into consideration but also has a slower drying time, allowing it to penetrate old oil and dirt thoroughly.

It is also user-friendly, as it features an inverted valve that allows spraying even when the can is upside down, making it easy to work in tight spaces.

For those who regularly maintain their chains or want to use a cleaner generously, the large-capacity "Kingstar Chain Cleaner" (840ml) would be a good choice.

Product URL: https://bikeman.jp/products/lav-97837-53107

While there are similar cleaning agents like parts cleaners, using them may damage the chain's seals, so they are not recommended.

Chain Lube

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Chain lube serves as both a lubricant and rust preventative for chains.

After cleaning the chain with a chain cleaner, apply chain lube evenly over the entire chain, and then wipe off any excess oil with a rag.

If you only use chain lube without cleaning, dirt will accumulate and in the worst case, the chain could break. Therefore, always ensure a thorough cleaning before application.

Popular chain lubes include WAKO'S Chain Lube and KURE Super Chain Lube.

Regarding chain lubes, we will introduce more recommendations in a later section, so please refer to those as well.

Precautions for Using Chain Lube

Many motorcycle chains are designed to prevent oil from scattering, but even so, if you ride immediately after applying chain lube, it can spray onto the wheels, tires, frame, and other parts, causing them to get dirty.

To prevent this, after applying chain lube, allow it to settle into the chain for about a day during cold weather or half a day during hot summer weather.

Also, various types of chains are available, and there are many types of chain lubes, ranging from those that can be used on most chains to those specifically designed for color chains.

Especially if you are using a color chain, choose a chain lube that is suitable for your chain.

Chain Brush

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A chain brush is used to remove grease and dirt that has been loosened after using a chain cleaner.

For motorcycle chain brushes, those with bristles on two sides are more convenient than those with bristles on only one side, like a toothbrush.

The "DRC Dirt Freak Chain Brush" is recommended, as its shape is designed for use from various angles, making chain cleaning easier.

Maintenance Stand (if necessary)

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A maintenance stand lifts the rear wheel of your motorcycle, making chain maintenance easier.

It's not necessary for bikes with a center stand, but it's convenient to have one for bikes with only a side stand.

Stands come in types with and without wheels, with wheeled stands generally being more expensive.

The MORIWAKI maintenance stand, used by MORIWAKI who participates in motorcycle races, is recommended for wheeled stands.

Its robust construction ensures long-term use and it can be used for a wide range of purposes, from daily maintenance to motorcycle racing.

Rags / Paper Wipers

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Rags (cloth rags) and paper wipers are used to wipe off grease and dirt after brushing, and to wipe off excess oil after applying chain lube.

Cloth rags are thick and can be reused multiple times, but many people discard them when they become too dirty. Therefore, disposable paper wipers are now more common due to their convenience.

Kimtowels, a type of paper wiper, have a suitable thickness and can be used for wiping off chain oil as well as dirt on the motorcycle, making them a versatile and convenient item to have on hand.

There's also the traditional method of cutting old clothes into appropriate sizes and using them as rags.

Cardboard/Newspaper (to prevent oil splatter)

Cardboard or newspaper is useful for chain maintenance.

It's a good idea to lay down cardboard or newspaper before using chain cleaner to prevent grease and dirt from splattering onto the ground or the motorcycle body.

Proper chain maintenance will extend the life of your chain and help reduce running costs.

How to Lubricate a Motorcycle Chain

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Now that we've introduced handy items for chain maintenance, let's explain how to apply chain oil.

Once you have your chain cleaner, brush, and chain lube, let's get started on maintenance.

Cleaning the Chain / Cleaning Procedure

Before oiling the chain, first remove any old grease and dirt accumulated on it.

The chain cleaning procedure is as follows:

Rinse the entire chain with water to remove metal fragments, sand, and other dirt.
Rotate the chain to remove oily residue.
Spray chain cleaner and scrub with a chain brush.

Let's look at each step in order.

1. Rinse the entire chain with water to remove metal fragments, sand, and other dirt.

For chain cleaning, first spray water over the entire chain to remove as much dirt as possible, such as sand and metal fragments adhering to it.

At this point, simply remove only the dirt that comes off with water, without scrubbing with a brush or similar tool.

Since the chain is coated in oil, scrubbing it can actually cause dirt to adhere more firmly to the chain, making it harder to remove.

2. Rotate the chain to remove oily residue.

After rinsing the chain with water to remove dirt, rotate the chain and increase the water pressure to remove more dirt.

Bikes with a center stand can lift the rear wheel, but for bikes with only a side stand, a maintenance stand will make the work easier.

3. Spray chain cleaner and scrub with a chain brush.

After roughly cleaning the dirt with water, spray chain cleaner over the entire chain and scrub away the dirt with a chain brush.

If the dirt is stubborn and difficult to remove, try spraying chain cleaner and leaving it for about 5 minutes.

The chemical will penetrate deep into the dirt, making it easier to remove the grime and oil.

After using chain cleaner to remove dirt, rinse it off again with water.

Precautions During Chain Cleaning and Maintenance

Occasionally, some people lift the rear wheel with a stand, put the bike in first gear, and clean or lubricate the chain while it's idling. This is extremely dangerous and can lead to serious injuries, such as hands getting caught in the chain or sprocket.

Always perform chain maintenance with the engine off.

Applying Chain Oil

Once the chain is clean, apply oil to it with chain lube or similar products.

Let's go through the steps for applying chain oil in order.

1. Spray oil onto the movable parts of the chain.

Once you've finished cleaning the chain, drain as much water as possible using a rag or similar item.

When most of the moisture is gone, lay down newspaper or cardboard under the motorcycle body and spray oil, such as chain lube, onto the movable parts of the chain.

Laying down newspaper or cardboard is to prevent the ground from getting dirty if oil drips.

2. Once the oil has spread, rotate the tire to allow it to soak in.

Once the oil has spread to the movable parts of the chain, slowly rotate the tire to ensure the oil penetrates thoroughly.

Motorcycle chains are generally designed to prevent oil from scattering,

If you rotate the tire too quickly, oil can spray onto the motorcycle body and surroundings, making them dirty. So, rotate it slowly, at a pace of about one full rotation in 10 seconds.

3. Use a rag and rotate the tire to wipe off excess oil.

Once the chain oil has spread throughout the chain, wipe off any excess oil with a rag or similar material.

While rotating the tire, as you did when applying the oil, lightly tap the chain to wipe off the oil.

After wiping off excess oil, it is ideal to leave the motorcycle undisturbed for a while to allow the oil to fully penetrate the chain.

How often should you clean your motorcycle chain?

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Ideally, you should clean your motorcycle chain after every ride.

However, since it's not always possible to clean the chain after every ride, it's a good idea to set a cleaning schedule, such as based on mileage or on weekend holidays.

Cleaning after every ride is generally ideal, so it's important to manage your schedule so that the cleaning cycles don't become too infrequent.

How often should I oil my motorcycle chain?

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Since the chain's oil is also removed during cleaning, it's necessary to apply oil after every cleaning. Cleaning and oiling go hand in hand, so don't forget to lubricate after you've finished cleaning.

However, high-end chrome-plated chains are resistant to dirt and rust, so they don't require frequent lubrication.

After riding in the rain, rinsing off any dirt on the chain surface with water will help it last longer.

What are the symptoms if a motorcycle chain runs out of oil?

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If a motorcycle chain runs out of oil, friction can make the chain more prone to breaking and the plates more susceptible to rust.

Even if it doesn't break, a rusty chain doesn't look good.

There are also chrome-plated chains that don't rust even without oiling.

Is motorcycle chain maintenance really necessary?

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A motorcycle chain is exposed to the elements and covered in oil, making it prone to accumulating sand and dust. If dirt builds up, the chain's movable parts can malfunction, and in the worst case, the chain can break.

Some chains, such as chrome-plated ones, may not rust even without maintenance, but generally, maintenance will extend the chain's lifespan.

5 Recommended Motorcycle Chain Oils / Chain Lubes>

Here are 5 recommended motorcycle chain oils.

Chain oils are broadly divided into those compatible with sealed chains and those not. Motorcycle chain oils are designed for sealed chains.

All the products introduced here are for sealed motorcycle chains, so you can choose with confidence.

1. KURE Super Chain Lube

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KURE's Super Chain Lube, from the long-established chemical manufacturer "KURE", is a chain lube with strong adhesion that prevents oil from scattering even during riding.

It is formulated with high-purity organic molybdenum and fluororesin to maintain its effectiveness for a long time, providing excellent lubrication, wear resistance, and water resistance.

2. WAKO'S CHL Chain Lube A310 180ml

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WAKO'S "CHL Chain Lube A310 180ml," sold by the motorcycle and automotive chemical manufacturer "WAKO'S," is a chain lube compatible with both sealed and non-sealed chains.

Its highly viscous polymer prevents scattering after application, maintaining long-term lubrication, water resistance, and wear resistance.

3. D.I.D Motorcycle Chain Lube

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D.I.D (Daido Kogyo), a motorcycle chain manufacturer, offers this motorcycle chain lube with excellent wear resistance, rust prevention, and durability.

Made from highly refined oil with consideration for seals, it is also environmentally friendly, being non-CFC and non-ethane.

4. MOTUL C2 CHAIN LUBE ROAD

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MOTUL C2 CHAIN LUBE ROAD is a chain lube that covers a wide range of motorcycle usage environments, from daily riding to race track use, regardless of whether it's on-road or off-road.

It has strong adhesive properties, preventing oil from scattering even at high speeds and rotations, and boasts excellent lubrication and water resistance.

5. Yamaha Yamalube Super Chain Oil

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Yamaha's genuine chain lube, "Yamalube," maintains a solid oil film from low to high speeds thanks to its higher viscosity.

Its wet mousse type comes with a 2-way nozzle, featuring a wide spray nozzle for broad areas and a spot nozzle for limited areas, making it very user-friendly.