The chain is an essential part of your motorcycle and needs to be cared for with proper maintenance and attention. Eventually, though, your motorcycle chain will need to be replaced. Here’s what to expect from a new chain.
A new motorcycle chain will appear to stretch during the first few rides after installation. However, a chain should not stretch too much immediately and might be defective if it continues to stretch or needs to be constantly adjusted.
There are a few factors that go into chain stretching, which isn’t actually stretching so much as it is increased wear and tear. Let’s get into some of the details.
Will your new motorcycle chains stretch?
Your new chain doesn’t actually stretch, but it will appear to stretch after you first install it and take it for a ride.
This initial stretch is just due to the various pieces adjusting. When you buy your chain, it should come with instructions on how tightly it should be put on. After the first ride, you’ll want to readjust to make sure there’s still the right amount of tautness, since the chain will have adjusted while you were on the road.
Depending on the quality of chain, you may need to adjust a few times during the first few days. It’s worth it to take the time to make sure your chain is on properly after you’ve installed it.
A loose chain can cause serious wear and tear to your bike and lead to needing to replace the sprockets and chain. It can also be dangerous as it impacts the safety of the bike.
A chain will naturally seem to stretch as you ride, but it should never stretch to more than 2 percent. If you’re experiencing significant stretch with a new chain, contact the manufacturer.
However, old chains will begin to see significant stretch. This “stretch” is actually just the wearing down of the pins and bushings. You may not notice any difference in length if you lay a new and old chain side by side, but you’ll see a significant difference in the way they hold weight.
Besides time, other things that can affect motorcycle chain longevity are extreme weather, lack of lubrication, precipitation, and quality of chain.
You can postpone the necessary chain replacement by taking proper care of your motorcycle and its chain. More on that below.
How can you tell how much your motorcycle chain has stretched?
So, your motorcycle chain can stretch a bit as it adjusts. How do you know how much your chain has stretched? When do you need to worry that it’s stretched too much?
Each chain is a little bit different, so start by checking your service manual for the details on your specific chain. There are methods that sound complicated and intimidating but are more accurate, and there are some simple ways to check the chain’s slack.
One method that has commonly been used as an easy way to check your chain’s stretch is to pull the chain away from the sprocket on the rear wheel. If you can lift the chin out and reveal half a tooth–it’s too loose!
While this method works, it may also be too late. Ideally, you should be replacing your chain before it gets to that point.
A little later in this article we’ll talk about how important chain maintenance is. In addition to extending the lifespan of your chain, it will help you know when to replace the chain and sprockets.
One thing to note with checking the stretch of an old motorcycle chain is that the chain isn’t actually stretched, just worn down. Often you won’t be able to visually notice much difference between a new and used chain.
This is why maintenance is so important. You can check your chain routinely and avoid discovering suddenly that your chain is unusable. Again, your manual should give you the specifics on how to check the slack in your chain, and youtube is full of helpful tutorials.
How tight should your motorcycle chain be?
The exact details on this question will depend on your bike and chain. Your user manual should have the details, or you can check with a mechanic to get the correct tightness.
A properly adjusted chain will be snug against the sprocket of the rear wheel, with no tight spots caused by kinks. Visually, the chain should be even throughout, with no sections tighter or looser than the others, which would cause uneven wear.
A loose chain will damage the sprockets and could damage the wheel and other parts of the bike. In addition, it could lead to loss of control, loss of suspension, and even loss of power.
On the other hand, a chain that is too tight will wear down sprockets and won’t last as long. In worst case scenarios, a chain that is too tight could snap during a ride, which could lead to a serious accident.
In order to ensure that your chain is never too tight or too loose, you’ll need to routinely adjust. It’s a good idea to make this a habit. Check for irregularities on the chain and adjust the tightness as necessary to make sure you’re riding safely and giving your bike the longest lifespan possible.
What is proper motorcycle chain maintenance?
I’ve mentioned motorcycle chain maintenance a few times, so now I really want to dig into what that means. Proper bike maintenance is important for all aspects of the motorcycle, but the chain often gets overlooked.
In ideal circumstances, you should give your motorcycle chain some love after riding 300 miles. This means cleaning, inspecting, and lubing.
If you ride in extreme weather, dusty environments, or wet conditions, you may want to attend to your chain even more often than 300 miles. In fact, after a wet ride, it’s a good idea to at least wipe down the chain to prevent rust.
Cleaning
To clean your motorcycle chain, first rub the chain with a dry cloth and remove any visible dust or chunks of gunk that have built up.
Then use a chain cleaner, some riders use kerosene, to thoroughly clean the chain. Follow that up by wiping it down with water and soap, then let dry completely or dry with a clean cloth.
Inspection
While you’re cleaning the chain, you should be taking the time to inspect for any issues with the chain or sprockets. This is the time to check for uneven wear, bent or worn sprockets, kinks, or other issues.
This is also the time to check the chain stretch. Make sure the pins are worn down too much, adjust if necessary, and pay attention to when you might need to replace the chain.
Lubrication
Finally, in order to extend the life of your chain as much as possible and avoid stretch, you need to lubricate your chain consistently.
Lubrication will prevent wear and tear, rust, dirt buildup, and corrosion. It’s an essential part of motorcycle chain care and will make a huge difference in the lifespan of your chain.
With these tips, you should be able to keep your chain in top condition and postpone needing to buy a new one. Keep your chain from wearing, and stretching, too quickly with proper maintenance.
