If you notice that the drive chain is stretched, do not just use the chain adjuster to adjust the play, but carefully look at various key points and try to anticipate possible problems before proceeding with maintenance. Noticing changes in the condition of parts can save unnecessary expenses later on.
In this section, we will try to check the condition of the drive chain and its surrounding parts and perform maintenance.
- If the teeth wear out, it’s a matter of form…
- Cleaning and lubricating only the top surface is ineffective.
- After removing the rear wheel, check the cleaning once in a while.
If the teeth wear out, it’s a matter of form…
Surprisingly, there are many no-maintenance motorcycles that continue to operate with unevenly worn sprocket teeth as shown in this image. This kind of wear situation occurs not only on aluminum sprockets but also on steel sprockets, if they are used continuously. Since a worn sprocket means a stretched drive chain and worn chain bushings, the drive chain should be replaced at the same time. As the sharply pointed teeth wear down further, they become like the paste food natto in ramen noodles.
Cleaning and lubricating only the top surface is ineffective.
Drive chains can be kept in good condition by regular cleaning and lubrication. Even with the same model and the same mileage, the condition of the drive chain and sprockets can vary greatly between vehicles that have been regularly maintained and those that have not. For efficient drive chain maintenance, it is convenient to use a chain cleaner chemical and a special drive chain cleaning brush with a U-shaped brush to proceed with the work. Spraying chain grease over a dirty drive chain is less than half as effective. The correct way to care for a dirty chain is to clean it and then apply chain grease or chain oil.
After removing the rear wheel, check the cleaning once in a while.
Whenever the rear wheel is removed for wheel bearing maintenance or brake maintenance, it is a good idea to clean the drive sprocket while doing so. Dirty grease accumulates in places that are normally inaccessible. The sprockets can easily be removed for a thorough cleaning, but they can also be cleaned in detail even when they are integrated into the wheel, as long as the drive chain is not interlocked. If the grime is very dirty, it is best to fill a spray bottle with kerosene, spray, and brush to loosen the grime, and then rinse it off with parts cleaner or chain cleaner.