Chain Mantenance

I usually clean the chain on my track bike after every track event, usually a two day event, sometimes three. Cleaning the chain before washing a sportbike works best for me. Because, spraying chain cleaning solvent onto an already wet chain, really dilutes the solvent, or just slides right off. Same thing with a dirt bike, cleaning the chain/bike after every riding event. Although, I like to remove the chain before washing. It’s quick and easy with a clip style master link.

My dirt bike chain is a non-sealed chain. So, I put it into the eight gallon ultrasonic cleaner. After one or two 30 minute sessions at around 170 degrees Fahrenheit, the chain comes out clean! I have not yet tried to put a sealed chain into the ultrasonic cleaner because I am not sure if the ultrasonic waves will vibrate the cleaning solution past the seals. Thus, removing all the grease that is supposed to stay behind the seals. When I have a used-up sealed type chain, I will try this on low heat. If this does work, it would have to be an end of the season process. I don’t have the time and money to break and replace a rivet style master link in between track day events. If I’m not removing the chain from the bike, I prefer Motul’s Chain Clean. I like it best out of all the cleaners I’ve tried.

I’ve been in search of the best chain lube and cleaning process. The latest lube that I have tried is gear oil (80w-90) to lube the chain. I have done this several times with the dirt bike and once with the sport bike. Gear oil, although heavier than engine oil, is still just too thin of an oil for a sport bike on the track; in my opinion. The oil will fling all over everything and get on the side of the tire. So will the stickiest of chain lubes, but it’s a lot less than gear oil. I know this because I have ridden R1 around the neighborhood to confirm the kit ECU and non-ABS lines are working correctly. Even at neighborhood speeds, the gear oil-lubed chain flung all over everything.

With gear oil as a lubricant, I can put the chain into a 4” by 4” deep dish baking pan. Then, pour the gear oil into the pan until the chain is submerged. Let it soak overnight. This lets the oil soak into the rollers and all the other cracks and crevasses. The next day, I pour all the excess oil back into the gear oil bottle and put some expanded metal under the chain to let the remaining oil drip out for another day. After some time has passed, I wipe down the chain with a rag and install it back onto the bike. With a dirt bike and having a clip style master link, this is a quick process. With the rivet style master link on a sportbike, it is a little more involved.

For sport bikes, I’m sticking with a sticky Lubricant. Like Motul’s Chain Lube Road, or their, Chain Paste. Maybe I should try Motul’s Chain Lube Road-Factory Line. They do say,”…lubricant for racing motorcycle chains…” Maybe this means even less fling?! For the dirt bike, I’m staying with soaking it in gear oil.

Edited April 6th, 2025