How To Lubricate Your Motorcycle Chain | MC Garage

Chain maintenance—riders rarely do it as frequently as they should, and often don’t do it right. In this video from the MC Garage, we’ll show you how to determine when your chain needs lubing and then demonstrate the easiest and most effective way to clean and lubricate your chain. Also in this video: The inner workings of the modern “sealed” motorcycle chain, and an explanation of why it only takes a little chain lube (applied to the right area!) to keep your drivetrain happy.

--

What Do I Need To Lubricate My Motorcycle Chain?
Even before you start gathering your tools to clean and lubricate your chain, you need to determine if your chain needs it. A good rule of thumb is that you should be lubricating your chain every third or fourth time that you fill up your gas tank. If you live in a place where it rains often, we suggest tightening this schedule. Check your chain and sprockets for rust and wear and determine if it is time to change them out.

While checking out your chain and sprockets, go ahead and read your service manual for how much slack your chain should have. Depending on your manufacturer, this measurement might be taken on the kickstand or while the bike is vertical. If you find that your chain is out of spec, go ahead and adjust it. If you have a single-sided swingarm that needs adjusting, we have you covered.

Now that you’ve determined it’s time for a lube, go ahead and gather what you need. At the very minimum, you’ll need some clean rags, an o-ring safe chain cleaner, a chain cleaning brush, chain lube, a piece of cardboard or thick paper to protect from overspray, and latex gloves to keep your hands clean.

Get The Rear Wheel Off Of The Ground
If you’re one of the lucky few who have a motorcycle equipped with a center stand, go ahead and skip over this section. If you’re not, we suggest that you find or purchase a rear stand, because if not, you’ll only be able to lubricate and wipe down a small section of the chain at a time. You could also buy a motorcycle jack, as long as your motorcycle’s rear wheel is able to spin freely.

Clean Your Chain And Sprockets
You’ve identified that you need to lubricate your chain, but what about cleaning it? It is recommended that you get dirt and grime off your chain before you apply more lube, but sometimes you cannot. If you’re at home, not only a transcontinental trip, you should clean your chain—check out our in-depth guide on how to clean your chain. Cleaning your chain will make it, and your sprockets, last longer.

A staple of many garages, WD-40 is effective at keeping your chain clean, with a little elbow grease and a good wipe down after application. Do not use it as a lubricant though. We repeat, WD-40 is not a lubricant. It might make door hinges less squeaky, but it will not be sufficient enough for your rollers and bushings.

Apply New Lubricant To The Chain
Believe it or not, but there is a right way to apply lubricant to your chain. Also, to echo what we said before, WD-40 should not be used as a motorcycle chain lubricant. Go ahead and save yourself the headache and purchase a motorcycle-specific chain lubricant. To lubricate your chain correctly, you should spray the lube on the top of the chain below the swingarm. Kick your bike into neutral, rotate the rear tire with one hand, and spray the lube on the top of the rollers and plates with the other. That handy piece of cardboard will protect your tire and wheel from any splash or overspray.

Another tip: As tempting as it might be, do not turn on your motorcycle and allow your engine to run in gear while you spray the lubricant on your chain. This is a good way to get the can, spray nozzle, or even your finger trapped in the chain and cut off. Just don’t do it.

When should you lubricate your chain? (0:15)
What chain lube should I use? (0:34)
What do I need to lube my chain? (0:50)
How do I clean my chain? (1:15)
Chain lubrication tips (1:43)

[raymadani]

This gentleman is smart.
His videos are short and packed with information.
Can't thank him enough for all his hard work into putting together this educational material

[GTSuzukaTimeTrials]

I can't wait until every subject has been covered. These are excellent.

[jimtomstimpson]

I can attest to lubing a chain with it running. I did lose the last digit of my right index finger many years ago. Stupid mistake, lesson learned the hard way.

[breaddrinker]

These are just so incredibly helpful. They are basic to some, but none of this is obvious or common knowledge to a beginner. You're genuinely doing a great service to the community. Thank you.

[Ankit-pjly]

this has got to be the smallest yet useful video on you tube on chain lubrication...

this is the best part of your videos... thumbs up.

[jai]

Thank you so much for not making this video unnecessarily long!

[icecreamgecko]

My CB500F is being delivered in a about a week... I am binge watching your videos right now!

[Channel-ucnq]

Nice and short video right to the point! No memes, no 10 min dubstep intro, no subscribe and like begging. T H A N K. Y O U !

[sasohribernik]

Motorcyclist Magazine fortnine and revzilla have the best motorcycle maintenance Just wish i would have watched your videos before my bike broke down due to poor maintenace

[zakeh]

best video on chain maintenance I've seen to date

[gronkgrunk]

Another great vid for all riders. Frequently checking the chain if it's dry & lube accordingly. Clean the chain as shown in this video at least once a month, depending on ride conditions. Both chain & sprocket will work 'happy' :-)

[Anoldphotographer]

Short, informative, and relevant, the secret to a great YouTube video!

[Slidewxyz]

Straight to the point, no filler, and easy to understand. Thank you for this! 🫡

[aGTRplayer]

Hey Ari...I know this is an older vid. However, I just pick up the Tirox 360 brush...my old grunge thingy need replaced.
WoW! Tirox Roxz...this brush did indeed make quick work of cleaning my chain. Less kero, less scrubbing passes and very clean chain.
Keep up the great vids. And thanks!

[rodjaynes]

excellent, really thorough and concise video, thank you!

[danielh]

G`day mate, after fourty years racing/riding motocycles, I continue to enjoy your many excellent vids.Keep up your wonderful work.Ride safe and have fun.

[johnvu]

Thanks for making a quick and easy-to-follow video on the subject!

[bryaneekelder]

Why have i never ever thought of the clever use of cardboard, damn.

[yishay]

thanks guys . i really ask this question lots of times. each time i got diffrent answer . thanks for making it clear!

[michaelkunzig]

I just wanted to thank you for your videos. I have found your to be simple to the point and very helpful.