Chains get dirty. Really dirty. Wiping your chain down with a cleaner-moistened rag works well for removing superficial grime prior to applying fresh lube, but occasionally (with every oil change anyway) you should give your drive chain a deep clean. Here’s how.

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Step 1


The best time to clean your chain is after a ride when it’s good and warm. Park your bike on its centerstand or on a rearstand near a hose. You’ll understand why in a moment.




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Step 2


Place a piece of cardboard beneath the lower rung of the chain to block overspray, and then liberally apply an O-ring-safe chain cleaner to the entire chain.




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Step 3


Gently scrub the chain with an old toothbrush or a chain-specific brush such as the Tirox 360 brush (tiroxusa.com (http://www.tiroxproducts.com/)) used here.




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Step 4


Clean your rear sprocket with a solvent-soaked rag. If necessary, remove stubborn grime with a plastic putty knife. Bonus points for removing the front sprocket cover and scraping the crud from the countershaft-sprocket pocket.




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Step 5


Rinse the chain with a hose to wash the cleaner off. Resist the urge to pressurize the stream with your thumb, and don’t even think about firing up the pressure washer.




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Step 6


Take the bike for a short ride (5 miles or 10 minutes) to dry the chain and to warm it up. Then put it back on a stand and apply your lube of choice to the overlapping links of the lower rung. Wipe off excess lube, check your chain slack, and you’re good to go.




CHAIN RELATED:


MC Garage Video: How To Lubricate Your Chain (http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/how-to-properly-lubricate-your-chain-mc-garage-video-motorcyclist-magazine-tech-tips)
MC Garage Video: How To Replace Your Chain & Sprockets (http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/mc-garage-video-tech-tips-how-to-replace-your-motorcycle-chain-sprockets-motorcyclist-magazine)
MC Garage Video: Will WD-40 Destroy Your O-Ring Chain? (http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/mc-garage-video-will-wd-40-destroy-your-motorcycle-chain-o-rings)




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