This is Part 17 of the Car & Bike Owner's Guide, our 20-part series on owning, running and staying legal with a vehicle in India. New here? Start with Part 1: Choosing Your First Car, or read the previous part, Part 16: Owning an Electric Scooter.
The drive chain is one of the hardest-working parts of a motorcycle, and one of the most neglected. A dry, dirty or loose chain wastes power, wears out sprockets faster and can even snap. The good news: chain care takes about 15 minutes.
How often
- Clean and lubricate every 500 to 1,000 km, or as your manual suggests.
- Always after riding in rain or on dusty roads.
- Check chain slack every couple of weeks.
Cleaning and lubricating
- Put the bike on its main stand, or use a paddock stand, so the rear wheel turns freely. Switch off the engine.
- Spray chain cleaner on a section and scrub gently with a soft chain brush. Rotate the wheel by hand to work around the whole chain.
- Wipe it dry with a clean cloth.
- Apply chain lube to the inner side of the chain, where it meets the sprockets, while turning the wheel slowly.
- Leave it for 10 to 15 minutes, or ideally overnight, then wipe off the excess so it does not fling onto the wheel.
Never clean or lube a chain with the engine running and the wheel spinning. Fingers and cloths can get caught.
Adjusting chain slack
- Push the chain up and down at the midpoint of the lower run. Most commuter bikes need about 20 to 30 mm of free play, but check your manual for the exact figure.
- Too tight strains the gearbox and bearings. Too loose can make the chain jump or slip off.
- Adjust with the rear axle adjusters, keeping both sides equal so the wheel stays aligned. If unsure, ask your service centre.
Signs it is time to replace
- Stiff or kinked links that do not straighten.
- Sprocket teeth that look hooked or sharply pointed.
- The chain needs adjusting very often.
- Replace the chain and both sprockets together for best life.
The weekly two-minute check
- Tyres: Pressure and tread. See our tyre guide.
- Brakes: Lever and pedal feel, and brake fluid level for disc brakes.
- Lights and horn: Headlight, tail light, indicators and brake light.
- Engine oil: Check the level window or dipstick. See engine oil guide.
- Clutch and throttle cables: Smooth movement, no fraying.
Scooters with belt drives have no chain to clean, but the other checks apply. For rainy season tips, read our monsoon motorcycle checklist.
Next in the series: Part 18: Authorised Service vs Local Garage.
