Motorcycle Chain & Sprocket Maintenance Tips
Comments CommentLike tires and motor oil, a motorcycle drive chain and its sprockets are consumable components – sooner or later they will wear out and need to be replaced. The rate at which the chain and sprockets wear can be quite variable, depending on where and how you ride, the type of motorcycle you ride, and how well you maintain the driveline. As a motorcycle owner, it is good practice to inspect your motorcycle chain and sprockets for wear and tear on a regular basis. Here’s what to look out for when it comes to motorcycle sprockets and chains.
Motorcycle Chain & Sprocket Maintenance FAQs
How often should I replace my motorcycle chain and sprockets?
A well-maintained motorcycle chain can usually last 15,000 to 20,000 miles, or even longer. The sprockets should likely outlast the chain. Bikes that are ridden off-road expose the chain and sprockets to abrasive sand and dirt that will accelerate chain wear. A chain that is cleaned, lubricated and adjusted regularly will most likely last longer than a chain that is allowed to accumulate crud. Because the chain and sprockets function as a system, a well-maintained chain may also extend sprocket life. It’s recommended to maintain the driveline and inspect your chain regularly, and then replace it and the sprockets when they show signs of excessive wear.
How can I inspect my motorcycle chain?
On most motorcycles, the chain is exposed and easy to inspect. On bikes with side cases or saddlebags, you may need to remove the luggage to see the chain. Follow these steps to inspect your motorcycle’s chain:
- Chains can be very dirty. Put on a pair of nitril shop gloves before inspecting or servicing the chain.
- If your bike is equipped with a center stand, use the stand to raise the rear wheel and put the transmission in neutral so you can rotate the rear wheel to inspect the entire chain. As you rotate the wheel, inspect the chain for dirt and rust, links that are binding and damaged links.
- Next comes cleaning and lubricating the chain. If you don’t have a stand, push the bike forward in the garage or driveway and inspect the chain one section at a time. Your motorcycle operators or service manual will have a procedure for gauging chain wear, sometimes by measuring the length of a certain number of links. A quick and easy way to check for chain wear on most bikes is to use your fingers to pull the chain away from the back of the rear wheel sprocket. If you can lift the chain far enough to expose more than half a sprocket tooth, the chain should probably be replaced.
- Rotate the wheel and check the chain in several places – chain wear is not always even.
- Some chains have rubber O-rings between the plates to hold lubricant, and if the O-rings wear you may see little tails of rubber sticking out from between the plates. This is another sign that the chain is near the end of its life.
How can I inspect my motorcycle sprockets?
Your bike most likely has two motorcycle sprockets – a small sprocket on the transmission counter shaft and the larger sprocket on the rear wheel. The rear sprocket is usually easy to inspect. You may need to remove a cover to see the counter shaft sprocket. When inspecting your motorcycle’s sprockets, check for the following indicators:
- Inspect the sprocket teeth for signs of wear. The tips of teeth on a new sprocket have a squared-off shape or a smooth radius. The valley between the teeth will have a constant radius.
- Worn teeth may become very sharp and pointed, or wear on one side and get a hooked shape, like a shark tooth or a wave.
- The valleys between the teeth should be a constant radius, without a flat area. If you see any of this wear, it’s time to replace the sprockets.
- The sprockets and chain don’t always wear at the same rate, so in some cases you may need to replace a worn chain before the sprockets show wear. However, even if a sprocket is only slightly worn it may not mesh properly with a new chain and may sound very noisy. It is often good practice to replace both the chain and sprockets so all components are new and work well together.
Sprocket Teeth Condition
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How can I maintain motorcycle chain and sprocket for longer life?
Follow these maintenance tips to extend the life of your motorcycle chain and sprockets.
- Keeping the chain clean and lubricated may reduce the rate of wear. Raise the bike off its rear wheel if your bike has a center stand. If it does not have a stand, clean a section of chain, and then push the bike forward to expose the next section. Use commercial motorcycle chain cleaner or a spray bottle with kerosene to soak down the chain and start the process. Use a narrow nylon brush or motorcycle chain-cleaning brush to knock off more gunk, then spray the chain down again to rinse. Use a rag to wipe off the chain. Let the chain cleaner dry before lubricating the chain.
- Lubricate the chain after cleaning. Check your operators or service manual to determine if your bike has a sealed or unsealed chain.
a. Sealed chains (often called an O-ring or Z-ring chain) use a small rubber O-ring to retain factory-installed grease within the chain links. These chains should be cleaned and lubricated only with products specifically designed not to damage these O-rings. On an O-ring chain you only need to lubricate the outer plates to prevent rust.
b. A standard (unsealed) chain requires lubricant within the chain plates and pins. You’ll want to spray lubricant between each link and on the outside of the links. Then wipe down the chain to remove excess lubricant. - Motorcycle chain lubricant (for either O-ring or standard chains) usually dries with a tacky or waxy finish and is less likely than regular oil to “fling” off the chain as you ride, which can leave a mess on wheels and other bike components. It may also attract less road grit as you ride.
- As you ride, the chain both wears and stretches and you’ll periodically need to tighten the chain if it has “grown” beyond the specification in your operator’s manual. A chain that’s too loose may cause premature wear, excessive noise and jerky transition between acceleration and deceleration. If the chain is too tight it can cause driveline bearings to wear prematurely. Your operator’s or service manual will provide instruction on how to measure chain deflection, and how to adjust chain tension.
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Still not sure about your motorcycle’s chain and sprockets? The service experts at an authorized Harley-Davidson® dealer can inspect and adjust your motorcycle driveline and advise you on required service or replacement of the chain and sprockets.
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