Guide To Lubricating Your Motorcycle

What’s included in the guide to lubricating your motorcycle?

1. Knowing when to use a lubricant
2. Gathering the things you need
3. Positioning your motorcycle
4. Cleaning the chain
5. Applying the lubricant

A motorcycle chain is a moving part that needs to be lubricated regularly. The main purpose of using a lubricant is to keep this part in working order. When the part can move smoothly with minimal friction, you will experience a smoother and safer ride. Aside from that, a lubricant also protects the component from corrosion. If you’re new to this process or just want to properly perform this task, here is a guide to lubricating your motorcycle.

Knowing When To Use A Lubricant

The first thing you need to do is determine whether your motorcycle chain needs lubing. Most motorcycles have a roller chain that passes the power from the gearbox to the rear wheel. With proper maintenance, a motorcycle chain will last between 20,000 to 30,000 miles. The exact lifespan of this component will depend on the quality of the chain, how you use your motorcycle, and the conditions where you use it. 

A motorcycle chain requires cleaning, lubrication, and other maintenance tasks to be in the best condition. It’s recommended to lubricate the chain every third or fourth time you fill your fuel tank. During the rainy season, you might need to lubricate more, as the rain can wash off the lube. 

Make it a habit to check the chains before every ride. Inspect for wear and tear — especially rust spots, which can indicate that you’re not lubricating enough or often. 

Gathering The Things You Need

Lubricating your motorcycle is a fairly simple process — one that only takes about 15 minutes or so once you get the hang of things. But this task can help you extend the lifespan of your motorcycle chain.

There are only a few things you need for this task. 

• Clean rags
• O-ring safe chain cleaner
• Chain cleaning brush
• Chain lube

Positioning Your Motorcycle

If your motorcycle has a center stand, you’re in luck! This component is primarily made for maintenance work, so it will make your cleaning and lubrication tasks so much easier. A center stand allows you to lift one of the wheels off the ground for chain maintenance. 

If your motorcycle doesn’t have a center stand, you can purchase a paddock stand. This achieves the same thing as a center stand — to allow the rear wheel to spin freely, helping you apply the chain cleaner and lube conveniently. You’ll get a lot of uses from your paddock stand when lubricating the chain in the future. 

But if you absolutely need to lubricate the chains but don’t have access to these two, you can consider removing the chain. 

Cleaning The Chain

Once your motorcycle is in position, it’s now time to clean the chain. You can also use this opportunity to examine the components closely, so you have an idea of the overall state of the chain. Check for signs of wear and tear. If it’s too worn out, it might be time to replace the chain soon. 

If everything is well, you can proceed to do the cleaning. It’s a must to clean the chain first before applying the lube. This ensures that you remove the existing traces of lubricant and remove the dirt particles from the chain. The combination of dirt, grit, and chain lube can create a grinding paste that can cause premature wear on the chain.

Here are the steps to clean the chain:

1. Protect the motorcycle wheel and tire from spray by holding a piece of cardboard under the chain. Then spray the chain cleaner to the entire chain. Let the solution soak into the chain for a few minutes.
2. Scrub the chain using a chain cleaning brush. You can also use an old toothbrush for this job.
3. Spray the chain with the chain cleaner again, then wipe with a clean rag. Make sure that the chain is clean and dry. 

Applying The Lubricant

Once the chain is clean and dry, you can apply the lubricant. Make sure to purchase lubricants made specifically for a motorcycle. 

Apply the lubricant evenly to all sides of the chain. If you have a plain chain, you will need to slather the lube on the chain and wipe the excess off. For sealed chains, you will only need to apply the chain lubricant to the outside to protect it from rust. The grease inside the O-rings will lubricate the chain. 

Once you’re done, you can pack up your things, clean up, and go for a ride in your newly lubed motorcycle. 

Key Takeaway

Follow this guide to lubricating your motorcycle, so you can prolong the lifespan of your chain and have a smoother and safer ride. If you’re in need of reliable motorcycle components, you can send us a message here at Roberts. As a motorcycle parts supplier, we’re trusted by big brands in the industry — such as Kawasaki, Yamaha, Suzuki, and Honda.