ATV Riders Forum > ATV Riders Mechanical Section > ATV Maintenance > How do u oil your chain on your 4wheeler....
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Honda400exrox
08-10-2004, 06:41 PM
How do you oil your chain on your 4wheeler?:confused: i know its a stupid topic but could any tell me?
Sportrax10
08-10-2004, 07:10 PM
I life the back tires off the ground with a stand, and rotate the wheels while spraying the chain lube on the chain...:bandit:
PEPwalshZ440
08-10-2004, 07:38 PM
Wd40
mps5000
08-10-2004, 08:52 PM
maxima chain wax
Honda400exrox
08-10-2004, 09:48 PM
Hey sportrax10 ive had that idea before...do u just put a jack under the rear supsension and jack it up or what do u use as a stand?:confused:
roostin_dale
08-10-2004, 09:53 PM
Originally posted by PEPwalshZ440
Wd40
that actually dries out the rubers in the chain and takes away some life from the chain!
I use chain lube (its a fact that all chain lube is the same, just different names and adds) and just roll it and spray it on:)
Sportrax10
08-10-2004, 10:23 PM
Originally posted by Honda400exrox
Hey sportrax10 ive had that idea before. ..do u just put a jack under the rear supsension and jack it up or what do u use as a stand?:confused:
Any way that gets the rear wheels off the groud is fine...
Sometimes when im in a rush I just pust the quad and spray the chain as it moves...
Sportrax10
08-10-2004, 10:25 PM
Originally posted by roostin_dale
that actually dries out the rubers in the chain and takes away some life from the chain!
I use chain lube (its a fact that all chain lube is the same, just different names and adds) and just roll it and spray it on:)
I like some chain lubes better then others because some of them make a nasty mess... So they must be differant... Plus there are all kinds of chain waxes, and just sprays..
08-10-2004, 10:29 PM
i use white lithium grease...whenever you spray it make sure you spray under the chain & not on the top..or do both but dont just do the top
47501exracer
08-11-2004, 11:44 AM
you should spray the lube on the sides of the chain where the rubbers are instead of spraying the middle of it.
I would never use WD-40 for the reasons mentioned above. My quad is 3 1/2 years old and have raced 30-40 races and I have only tightened the chain once. Use quality lube.
Ryan
08-11-2004, 12:07 PM
Originally posted by roostin_dale
that actually dries out the rubers in the chain and takes away some life from the chain!
Yup. Don't use wd40 .
Rip_Tear
08-11-2004, 06:02 PM
My dad always suggests the old way of boiling the oil and putting the chain in it... Crazy old man :p
I use Case chain lube! It maybe be for heavy equipment, but it does wonders on my lil old 400ex..
LaSalleKid
08-12-2004, 08:09 AM
I dont like all the complication, so I put a jack under the swingarm and jack it up, crank the quad and put it in 1st gear and ease out on the clutch like your riding it but just let the wheels keep turning. Go back behind it and spray the chain real good while the "tires are turning the chain" .
.it sprays the chain very evenly and this is one of the best way to do it that I have seen. If your clutch wont let you do this, and it keeps dying get someone else to help you and give it a little gas but it does it on my yfz and my buddys raptor. Hope this helps:)
440ex2001
08-17-2004, 06:23 PM
I drive it around to warm it up then I leave it in 1st walk beside it and pray the chain really good. Then I park for 30mins or so.
ExRacer02
08-18-2004, 11:47 AM
For a non-o-ring chain wd40 works fine, but for a 0-ring I wouldnt use it. I like the Maxium lube and the Castrol. Some guy at a race said he uses STP son of a gun. I never tried it though has anyone else ever heard of this?
Woodsrider
08-22-2004, 06:28 PM
I use bar oil. Like for a chain saw, with the wheels off the ground and turning in gear. Bar oil is cheap and is made for lubing chains.
It cleans off easier than chain lube in a can also.
DaleJrFan
08-23-2004, 08:57 PM
i asked this in a another thread and again i have seen mixed results, using bel-ray, i ride in a clean area to warm the chain up and spray on the wax so it melts evenly.
i do like the idea of using wd40 in the dunes cause it makes sense that it would keep junk off your chain that the wax would draw to it.
nosliw
08-24-2004, 07:31 PM
well what i do is take some SAE 90 gear oil and liberally rub the chain on both side and use my freehand to grab the chain to make sure i get that gear oil everywhere. seems different than what a lot of people do on here.... is what im doing ok?
nosliw
08-25-2004, 10:13 PM
:mad: come on this is something i really need to make sure is ok
Rip_Tear
08-27-2004, 06:09 PM
I have heard about putting the sae 90 gear oil on the chain before, but I have never done it...
DaleJrFan
08-27-2004, 07:15 PM
over the last couple of days,i have used wd40 and it is alot better than the bel-ray chain lube i was using. i spray a coat on when i unload and right before i load up i spray on another coat just to clean caked on mud. after i go home and wash apply another layer for lube.
nosliw
08-27-2004, 10:37 PM
rubbing the gear oil on is what the manual told me to do. well, they also told me to use 93 when i appartently only have to use 87 :rolleyes:
stupid manuals trying to make life harder :mad:
DaleJrFan
08-28-2004, 10:20 AM
you only use 87 what? octane? and what manual cause if it is owners manual mine tells me to use at least 92.
Kilabanshee
08-28-2004, 11:08 AM
I thought its the same as lubing your handel bars:confused:
nosliw
08-29-2004, 10:37 PM
Originally posted by DaleJrFan
you only use 87 what? octane? and what manual cause if it is owners manual mine tells me to use at least 92.
yes octane.
yea it says use 92 or higher but you only have to use 87 from what ive heard. also my clymers tells me to use regular unleaded...
REAPER
08-31-2004, 10:30 AM
1] clean off excess debris.
2] wash 3] degrease with wd-40 4] ride for a bit to warm chain. 5] coat with Maxima Chain wax. 6] ride. 7] repeat Reaper
400exKy1e
09-04-2004, 07:57 PM
what do u guys use to clean ur chain with? and also, sry if this is a stupid question but how can u tell if u have an o ring chain or non o ring chain? thanks
Jersey450R
09-10-2004, 08:26 AM
i use a very damp cloth with gasoline to clean the chain. then i use a tooth brush to get all around the rollers and o-rings. this is a lenghty process but its worth it. the o-rings are those little black rubber rings inbetween the side of the chain and the big outside wall of it.
nosliw
09-10-2004, 08:58 AM
just for people to know...
i called WD40 and they said that the only damage WD40 can do to the rubber in our sealed O-ring chains is swelling if we soak them (full submersion (sp?)) for long periods of time. the guy there said it was perfectly OK for us to use WD40 as a lubricant.
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Along with changing your motorcycle oil, learning how to clean and lube a motorcycle chain is one of the first forays into proper motorcycle maintenance for a lot of new riders. In all, it’s a pretty simple process that should only take about 15 minutes or so, but will go a long way in extending the life and performance of both your motorcycle chain and sprockets.
This article will provide a quick step-by-step guide for the best way to clean and lube a motorcycle chain. If you are looking for more detail, be sure to check out our How to Clean and Lube Your Motorcycle Chain video. where Lemmy goes a little more in-depth on some of the nuances of motorcycle chain maintenance.
How To Clean & Lube Your Motorcycle Chain
First things first, let's get started with how to clean a motorcycle chain.
If you're just looking for how to lube your motorcycle chain, you can jump down to step eight.
The type of motorcycle chain you are using will affect the way you go about getting the grime off.
You can tell the difference between a plain and a sealed motorcycle chain based on the space (or lack thereof) between the metal links. RevZilla photo.
A plain motorcycle chain consists of metal-on-metal links with no seal in between. As such, plain chains can be cleaned more aggressively than sealed motorcycle chains. Sealed motorcycle chains (aka: O-ring, X-ring, or Z-ring chains) use a rubber seal between the inner link and outer links to keep grease inside the pin and bushing cavity (and to keep road grime out). This design helps extend the longevity of the chain and also necessitates a more gentle approach to cleaning.
Plain motorcycle chains consist of metal-on-metal links, while sealed motorcycle chains use rubber seals to better keep grease in, and road dirt out.
RevZilla photo.
Cleaning and lubing a motorcycle chain is a relatively easy process. It is a lot easier if your bike has a center stand or if you have a paddock stand. Either option allows the rear wheel (and your motorcycle chain) to spin freely, thus allowing for more efficient application of your chain cleaner and chain lube.
If you have neither of the above stands, don’t worry. You can use your kickstand and a bit of maneuvering around the driveway. Clean one section and then move the motorcycle to get access to the next section. Another alternative is to remove the chain entirely and work on it that way.
Getting up close and personal with your chain while cleaning it provides a great opportunity to check the current state of its overall well-being.
A sprocket in good condition will have a flat top and will be evenly worn on both the leading and trailing edges of each tooth.
RevZilla photo.
While you're down there, check for chain wear. How much side-to-side “wiggle room” does your chain allow? How much do the links slide back and forth under compression and tension? A motorcycle chain in good working order should allow for minimal variances in each.
Then there's the by-the-book way to determine if your chain is due for replacement. Your shop manual will give you a certain maximum length of a given number of links of your chain. If that number of links is longer than that, it's too worn. Here's another quick way to do an unofficial check. Tug on a link of the chain at the rearmost portion of the sprocket on the rear wheel. If the chain is very worn, it will pull away from the sprocket instead of hugging it like it should.
How much side-to-side play does your chain have? How much do the links slide back-and-forth under compression / tension? RevZilla photo.
Check the master link. The master link on a motorcycle chain is the link that has been used to join the two ends together and will look slightly different than the surrounding links.
Whether the master link is fastened via a clip or rivets that have been peened over, this is a great opportunity to check to make sure the master link is secure.
Held together with a clip or peened rivets, the Master Link is the link that joins the two ends of a motorcycle chain. RevZilla photo.
You should also examine your sprockets. Based on the condition of your chain and the style of your riding, your sprockets will tend to show wear in a couple ways. When checking for worn sprockets, keep an eye out for "shark fins" and sharp teeth. "Shark fins" occur when the leading edge of the sprocket tooth wears more heavily than the back side. This happens on bikes that tend to be accelerated hard, and decelerated more gently (or on bikes with very old chains).
"Shark fins" happen when the leading edge of a sprocket wears faster than the trailing edge. RevZilla photo.
Generally speaking, the tips of your motorcycle sprocket's teeth should be flat.
When they become sharp, it is due to both shark fins coupled with an abundance of hard braking and downshifting that wear away at the trailing edge of the sprocket tooth, as well.
Sharp sprocket teeth occur when both leading and trailing edges have been heavily worn down. RevZilla photo.
It does little good to put a new chain on a worn sprocket, so as a general rule of thumb, chains and sprockets should be replaced simultaneously.
At this point, it’s time to start knockin’ the grime off. While you can opt for something like Maxima Clean Up Chain Cleaner, kerosene will also work equally as well to dissolve the existing lubricant and dirt particles on the chain. As you work your way around the chain, don’t be shy about really soaking things down. Kerosene is cheap, new motorcycle chains are not. So be liberal in your application.
When spraying your chain with cleaner, don't be shy about it.
Kerosene is a heck of a lot cheaper than a new chain. RevZilla photo.
With the chain soaked, use a motorcycle chain brush to really get at the caked-on gunk. Something like The Grunge Brush has been a time-tested and proven favorite for years, and for good reason, as it allows you to clean three of the four sides of your motorcycle chain at once. Be thorough. It will pay off later. A clean surface allows for better adhesion of the motorcycle chain lube.
After you have soaked your chain, a quality scrubber such as The Grunge Brush allows you to knock off any additional grime. RevZilla photo.
To finish off the cleaning portion of the process, re-soak the motorcycle chain with your cleaning agent of choice. Ensure that the last remnants of chain grime have been blasted into oblivion. Gunk kills motorcycle chains. Get rid of as much of it as possible.
With the chain clean, it never hurts to give it one last good spray with the chain cleaner.
RevZilla photo.
For the motorcycle chain lube to adhere to the chain, it needs to be applied to a dry surface. Take your time to fully dry the chain and remove all of the chain cleaner prior to lubricating. You can also use this as an opportunity to clean up your workstation, as by this point things are probably a bit gross.
Use a dry cloth to wipe away the excess chain cleaner. A dry surface is needed for the lubricant to do its job. RevZilla photo.
With the chain clean and dry, apply the lubricant evenly to all sides. Preferences for the best type of chain lube are vast and include everything from specialty items such as Maxima Chain Wax to regular ol’ chainsaw bar oil. The advantage of something like the Maxima wax is that it is much less likely to fling off of the motorcycle chain and make a mess on other parts of the bike.
Apply the chain lube to all sides of the chain and sprocket.
RevZilla photo.
When it comes to the best way to lube a motorcycle chain, there are a few differences between plain and sealed chains that you want to keep in mind. With plain chains, slather on the lube and wipe off the excess. Keeping a plain chain continually coated in clean lubricant is the best way to ensure that it continues to function properly for many miles to come. With sealed chains, on the other hand, the grease inside the O-rings does the job of lubricating and the chain lubricant you apply is just for protecting the outside of the chain from rust, so you can use it more sparingly.
So that’s it. Like we said, motorcycle chain maintenance is pretty simple. Check your manual to see how often you should clean and lubricate the chain on your motorcycle. Of course, it's not a bad idea to do it more often if you're riding in wet or dirty conditions. Some riders will make sure to clean the chain right after a ride in the rain, to get moisture off before rust can start forming.
If you have any additional questions or are looking for some feedback from one of our award-winning Gear Geeks, just give us a shout and we will be happy to help with this or any of your other motorcycle-related inquires.
Not only the traction of the bike depends on the condition of the chain, but also the safety of the equipment. If the element falls off or breaks, it can damage the bike's engine or get into the rider himself. Regular maintenance of the assembly and lubricant for the motorcycle chain will help to avoid unpleasant consequences. Therefore, the rider needs to figure out how to buy a reliable motorcycle and properly care for it.
Lubricants protect the chain from rust, reduce friction and increase sprocket life. But in order to choose the right tool, you need to understand its features. Now on the market you can find:
This is a convenient and easy-to-use composition that dries within 20 minutes. When choosing a product, you should also pay attention to the type of motorcycle. For example, for cross-country devices it is better to use a composition with sand protection. But a sportbike is better treated with a lubricant designed for high speeds.
To prevent rust from forming on the drive component, it must be checked every 500-700 km. The owner of the equipment needs to monitor the tension, wear of the chain and grease residues.
To begin with, the remnants of the old composition, dirt, dust, etc. are removed. Not only the chain, but also the sprockets are cleaned of debris. To do this, you can use special chemicals or kerosene. Although the second option is not as effective, since the product does not remove dirt from the oil seals.
Before applying motorcycle chain lubricant:
Important : When cleaning the links, it is absolutely not recommended to use metal scrapers, etc. They can damage the O-rings.
There are many compounds for processing the drive component. It can be lithol, spray or graphite grease. Most motorists prefer aerosol products. But if there is nothing at hand, you can even use ordinary motor oil.
Although this is not the best option for import bikes that need more "sensitive" care.
Make sure that the kerosene has completely evaporated before starting the procedure (if you cleaned the unit with this product). Then apply lube to the inner circle of the chain, while paying attention to each link. Let the lubricant soak in a little, and then wipe the component with a dry cloth (to remove any remaining compound).
Please note that it is not recommended to ride the bike immediately after completing the procedure. It will take about 30-60 minutes for the motorcycle chain lube or chain spray to fully absorb.
Note : If the tires of the bike get grease, the tire must be washed with mineral spirits or detergent, otherwise the grip of the machine with the track will deteriorate.
You should not save on the lubricant composition, because the efficiency of the equipment depends on its quality.
And the best manufacturers of chain products are Motul, Liqui Moly, Motorex. Among the riders, the compositions are especially popular:
The best lubricant for a motorcycle chain depends on the riding conditions. For example, for off-road driving, you should choose sprays marked Offroad or Enduro.
But for a small-cube one, you can even buy an inexpensive tool.
05/29/2021 4409
Cleaning and maintaining your ATV chain is one of the most important aspects of ATV maintenance. Late maintenance of the chain, sooner or later, can lead to disastrous consequences, such as premature wear of the teeth of the stars, sticking of the chain rollers, uneven stretching, sagging of the chain.
In the context of this article, you may also be interested in making a do-it-yourself chain tensioner roller for an ATV.
Attention! Remember also that a chain that has not been looked after tends to break, this usually happens on the go.
Most often, chain breaks and premature wear are due to misalignment of the drive and driven stars (see diagram).
Schematic provided by Zar999
A broken chain, at best, will leave you without a vehicle away from home, at worst, it will pierce the crankcase or jam the rear axle at full speed, I think it’s not worth talking about the consequences.
Here are a few items that you should not hesitate to replace the chain on your ATV:
Rusted connections, damaged or deformed rollers, failure to tension the chain to its normal state. There is also a method for checking the chain, it is as follows: on the rear star we take the chain with two fingers for one link and pull it back (the shoulder of the chain should have sagging), if more than 3 links are pulled from the star, the chain must be replaced.
ATV chain lubrication and cleaning.
Thoroughly clean and lubricate the chain every 300-500 km. depending on driving style.
If encountering mud, sand and water is a common occurrence during your ATV rides, we recommend lubricating the chain before each ride.
There are a great variety of oils for chain care, and each of them has the right to exist, the purchase of one or another lubricant is limited only by your imagination and financial capabilities.
Of course, lubes labeled Off Road would be ideal for ATVs, but again it all depends on the riding style.
If the chain is heavily soiled, it must be cleaned. To do this, the chain is removed and cleaned in kerosene, solvent or a special liquid. Also for the lazy there are machines for cleaning chains.
How to tension a chain on an ATV.
Before starting work, be sure to put the ATV in neutral and place the ATV on a relatively level surface.
There are two design options for the chain tensioner and, based on this, two tension options:
Option 1. Loosen the bolts under No. 1, tighten the chain with bolts No. 2 (keep an even number of turns), after tightening, tighten the bolts No. 1.
Option 2. You need to loosen the two bolts that, roughly speaking, compress the rear axle (marked with arrows in the picture below). Then you need to insert a stud or screwdriver into the hole on the driven star, align it with the hole on the tensioner (the disk with holes that is located behind the star) and push the stud further into this hole, thereby fixing both the star bracket and the tensioner.
