5 mistakes to avoid if you want to extend the life of your motorcycle chain kit

Content

1) Lubricate the chain without cleaning it
2) Clean the motorcycle chain kit with gasoline.
3) Do not lubricate the master link.
4) Drive in dragster mode
5) Lubricate the cold chain
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- Read also: Choosing and caring for a motorcycle chain

We all want our chain kit to last as long as possible. On the occasion of the publication of our motorcycle chain kits buying guide, here are five tips to avoid to maximize the life of this wear part.

1) Lubricate the chain without cleaning it

Lubricate the chain regularly. Even irreplaceable. But if you don't properly clean it first, you're far from optimal. Kind of like putting on deodorant without washing. If you lubricate a dirty chain, you are recirculating the dirt - dust, sand, sawdust, etc. - that has accumulated there for miles. Not only does it look ugly, but above all, this dirt ends up being abrasive to the mechanical parts. A good cleaning allows healthy lubrication to be applied and therefore greatly increases the life of your chain set.

2) Clean the motorcycle chain kit with gasoline.

Put some order in the chain. "Gasoline, we all have a canister in our garage, and there is nothing more effective for dissolving sediment!" Yes, but no. Gasoline is indeed a powerful solvent, but it is also a very corrosive fluid on your chain joints, especially since it carries its dose of ethanol (isn't it, SP95 E10?) Gnawing at them like annoying. witness in an acid bath. Use specially formulated cleaning agents. This way, you are sure (e) to overcome the sludge without damaging the circuit components.

3) Do not lubricate the master link.

Chain kit manufacturers are unanimous: Installing the master link without proper lubrication means dividing the life of the chain kit by 2 or 3. Due to lack of lubrication, the link pins (quick coupler or chain link) will be riveted. heat up, wear out at high speed and finally stop offering the desired joint. Such a puff, what a. As a result, the specified link will become a rigid place on the chain, which will prevent the chain from being evenly tensioned. However, poor tension is a major factor in wear. In short, fill the master link shafts with grease before closing!

4) Drive in dragster mode

Your chain kit is a mechanical component like any other: it doesn't like to be overused - a pompous way of talking about steering. Be careful, everyone rides a bike the way they see fit. But don't be surprised if you like big fires, as chain kits don't last the same as your little buddies' kits. It is literally purely mechanical.

5) Lubricate the cold chain

I admit that to say that this should be avoided is an overstatement. On the other hand, it's really helpful to apply lube to the chain after a little rolling, i.e., a heated chain. The lubricant spreads better and more effectively penetrates into the recesses between the seals and the chain components. It goes without saying that heating a motorcycle chain with a flashlight is not a good idea!