Your dirt bike chain is one of the most crucial parts of your bike. It’s responsible for transferring power from the engine to the rear wheel, so you want to make sure it’s in good condition. In this blog post, we’ll teach you everything you need to know about dirt bike chains, including how to clean and maintain them.
The anatomy of a dirt bike chain
Before we get into how to clean and maintain your dirt bike chain, let’s first take a look at its anatomy. A typical dirt bike chain is composed of the following parts:
- Master link: This is also known as the connecting link. It’s the link that connects the two ends of the chain together.
- Rollers: These are the cylindrical parts that rotate as the chain moves. They help reduce friction between the plates and pins.
- Pins: These are the vertical parts that connect the inner and outer plates together.
- Inner plates: These are the plates that face towards the sprockets.
- Outer plates: These are the plates that face away from the sprockets.
Cleaning your dirt bike chain
Now that you know what a dirt bike chain looks like, it’s time to learn how to clean it. Luckily, cleaning a dirt bike chain is a relatively easy process. You’ll need some basic supplies, including a brush,degreaser, old toothbrush, and rag. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to clean your dirt bike chain:
- First, use a brush to remove any large pieces of debris that are attached to your chain. Be sure to pay special attention to areas where grit and grime tend to build up, such as between the rollers and pins.
- Next, use degreaser to remove any stubborn grease or grime that’s clinging to your chain. Apply the degreaser liberally and let it sit for a few minutes before scrubbing with an old toothbrush.
- Once you’ve removed all of the degreaser, use a clean rag to wipe down your entire chain. This will remove any residual degreaser and leave your chain shiny and new-looking.
Maintaining your dirt bike chain
Of course, cleaning is just one part of maintaining your dirt bike chain; you also need to lubricate it on a regular basis. The best way to lubricate your chain is by using a spray-on specifically designed for motorcycle chains. Apply liberally and wipe off any excess with a clean rag; this will help prevent gunk from building up on your drivetrain. aim for once every couple of weeks or after every ride (if you’re particularly hard on your bike). Doing this will extend the life of yourchain significantly!
Tools Required to tighten the Dirt Bike Chain
The first tool you’ll need is a chain breaker. This specially designed tool attaches to the chain and breaks it so that you can remove or replace a link. Next, you’ll need a pair of needle-nose pliers. These will come in handy for holding onto small parts and removing links from the chain. Finally, you’ll need a chain rivetter. This tool is used to reconnect the links once they’ve been removed or replaced.
With these three tools in your toolbox, you’ll be able to keep your dirt bike’s chain in tip-top shape. And that will go a long way towards keeping you safe on the trails. So don’t wait until your chain snaps to get these tools—get them now and be prepared for anything.
How to tighten your Dirt Bike Chain?
There’s nothing more frustrating than an ill-fitting chain on your dirt bike. A chain that’s too loose will come off mid-ride, but a chain that’s too tight will rub against the bike and other parts, causing damage. So how do you get it just right? With a little practice, it’s easy to find the perfect adjustment for your dirt bike chain. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do it.
- Park your bike on level ground and put it in neutral. Place the tip of your wrench on one of the bolts that secure the rear axle, and turn it counterclockwise until it’s loose enough to move by hand. Do the same with the other bolt.
- Push the axle towards the back of the bike until there’s about an inch of space between it and the dropouts. This is known as “chain slack.”
- Find the adjusters on either side of the swingarm (the frame that holds up the rear wheel). Each adjuster has a locknut and an adjustment screw. The locknuts keep the adjustment screws from moving, so you’ll need to loosen them before proceeding.
- With the lock nuts loosened, turn each adjustment screw clockwise until there’s no more slack in the chain. Then, turn each screw one full turn more—this is known as “taking up the lash.”
- Once you’ve taken up the lash, tighten the lock nuts so they’re snug against the adjustment screws. Make sure not to over tighten them, or you’ll have to start over from scratch.
- Finally, check both bolts that secure the rear axle—they should be tightened to about 35 foot-pounds of torque (about 47 Newton-meters). And that’s it! You’ve now successfully tightened your dirt bike chain for perfectly adjusted tension every time you ride.
Conclusion:
A properly adjusted dirt bike chain is important for both performance and safety reasons. With this step-by-step guide, you can rest assured that your chain will be perfectly adjusted before every ride!
