It is very rare to see the extra care given to the cleaning and maintenance of motorcycle parts. Especially, in the case of new riders who hardly give any attention to clean and lube a motorcycle chain which is as important as changing your motorcycle oil period. However, it is very easy and simplistic which hardly take 15-20 minutes or so. But, if you do it on regular basis, you can extend the life and performance of your motorcycle drive chain. That’s why in this section, we will guide you in picking the best motorcycle chain lube for your motorcycle. This article will help you to learn another important thing regarding motorcycles in a quick step-by-step way.
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How to Pick the Right Chain Lube for your Motorcycle?
Well, there is not much to discuss in this area. But, there are certain things which I believe worth discussing.
Like, what type of chain lube are you looking for?
Wax (Paste) or Aerosol.
Paste formula is an easy application where you apply the paste to the specific chain areas without making any mess. Since you’ve more control while applying it.
However, Aerosol is for quick lubricant application, wherein few seconds you can spray the chain lube all over the motorcycle chain and let it dry. This is the easiest way to apply chain lube. But, it comes at a cost. I.e., you gotta be more careful to not spray over the other parts like tires and fabrics.
The second thing you must consider is the chain type. It may seem normal but the chain lube can only work better if it uses the right type of chain which it was supposed to make for. So, figure out the type of motorcycle chain you have e.g. X, Z, and O-ring etc.
And last is, to go through the necessary features like dirt & water resistant and protection from rust and corrosion.
Once you figure out the above factors, then it won’t be so hard to pick the right type of chain lube for your motorcycle.
Top 5 Best Motorcycle Chain Lube Reviews – Our Editor’s Choice
Maxima 74920 Chain Wax
- Water Protection
- Fling Resistant
- Anti-Wear
- Extremely Flammable
This is a top-notch power spray lubricant which has the quality of both spray and wax. If you had ever noticed a wax takes more time to spread over motorcycle chain but a spray can do the same quickly just by spraying all over the chain surface. In Maxima 74920 Chain Wax, you will get the advantage of Para-film formula sprays which goes as a liquid but sets up as a soft waxy film. This wax film penetrates deep and protects it from rust and corrosion.
You can use this Maxima’s chain wax for all type of chains. Especially, for X, Z and O-ring chains for superior performance.
Its spray-wax combination lubricates all non-accessible areas to provide maximum protection to the chain, sprockets, and cable.
Verdict |
| Whether you ride on streets or off-roads, Maxima 74920 Chain Wax will provide resistance to wear and long-term protection against humidity and water etc. If you’re looking for heavy duty chain lube then Maxima 74920 Chain Wax will be the perfect choice for your motorcycle. |
Motorex Road Chain Lube
- Perfect for X & O-ring Type Chains
- Water-Proof Solution
- White Wear-Reducing Lubricant
- Extremely Flammable
This is another motorcycle chain lube which has excellent adhesion and provides a water-proof solution and resistant to spin and high-pressure. This adhesion is of all chain types especially X-ring and O-ring chains.
This lube is 50 state legal and contains white wear-reducing lubricant which highlights the area where a chain is lubricated and where not. If you travel more often then you must have this chain lube which instantly clings to the chain and stay on the chain without flying off.
Verdict |
| Overall, Motorex Road Chain Lube is excellent lube for your motorcycle chain and really gets the job done. Its water-proof feature stands out and I would highly recommend this chain lube for motorcyclists who need solid stuff. |
PJ1 Blue Label Chain Lube
- Petroleum Based Formula
- Suitable for
- Protection against Rust & Corrosion
- Not for all Chain Types
Based on petroleum formula, this chain lube will really finish the job of lubricating the chain of your motorcycle. The reason for PJ1 Blue Label Chain Lube on 3rd position is its narrow usage in types of chain. PJ1 Blue Label Chain Lube is best for O-Ring Chains.
So, if you’ve any other chain type then I would suggest you pick another formula. But, if your motorcycle chain is an O-ring type, then no other chain lube is better than PJ1 Blue Label.
It has a water-repelling feature which will automatically give protection against corrosion and rust. Regular use of PJ1 will increase the life of the chain and make it quieter when rolling at speed.
PJ1 Blue Label also reduce chain friction and creates minimal rolling resistance. All these features put the PJ1 Chain Lube in the third position of best motorcycle chain lubes.
Verdict |
| If you are using an O-ring type chain, then you will be satisfied by the PJ1 Blue Label Chain Lube. It will give protection from numerous external elements and will not fly-off easily. The result, the life of motorcycle will extend by regular usage. So, I would suggest you give it a shot! |
Bel-Ray Super Clean Chain Lube
- Anti-Wear Protection
- Outer Protective Coating
- Suitable for all Chain Types
- Extremely Flammable
This is the perfect example of innovations and lubricant technology of next-level. Bel-Ray designed a motorcycle chain lube which is suitable for most all chain types like O, X, and Z ring and roller chains. Whether you ride on streets, off-road, or in racing tracks, Bel-Ray Super Clean Chain Lube is what you need for your motorcycle.
Bel-Ray Super Clean’s white color helps in indicating the areas received lube. Many off-road riders complaint that excess dirt and dust damage the chain and sprocket areas of their motorcycle. But, with Bel-Ray chain lube, you will get an outer protective coating that will not attract dirt, sand, and dust. Plus, it will not leave any residue on your motorcycle. This aerosol chain lube has unsuppressed anti-wear protection for long chain and sprocket life and will not fling at all.
Verdict |
| I would highly recommend this motorcycle chain lube especially if you ride off-road more often. |
DuPont Teflon Chain-Saver Dry Self-Cleaning Chain Lube
- No Fling-off
- Dirt-Resistant
- Self-Cleaning Technology
- Extremely Flammable
DuPont’s Chain Lube is a wax-based chain lube and formulated for chains and cables. It is highly recommended for O-Ring type of motorcycle chains which can extend the life of sprocket and chain 5 times (DuPont’s Commitment).
Never-the-less, I haven’t seen any much flaws in this chain lube. On the contrary, it is very cheap and features the Teflon and molybdenum for wear protection. You will not face any fling problem while using DuPont Teflon Chain-Saver Dry Self-Cleaning Chain Lube. In fact, its water and dirt resistant property made it suitable for humid and wet environments. It penetrates deep into the chain and coat frictional surfaces with a dry Teflon fluoropolymer wax film. It is perfect for reducing chain stretching and protects against rust and corrosion.
Verdict |
| This is a cheap lubricant solution for your motorcycle chain. As its name, DuPont is a chain-saver which can give high performance and extended life to the motorcycle chains and sprockets. Moreover, it suits all type of motorcycle chains. |
How to Clean and Lube a Motorcycle Chain?
For full-service cleaning and lubrication, you don’t need to read the unnecessarily long steps over the internet. Because even I realized that many motorcyclist experts made it a very complicated process of cleaning and lubricating the motorcycle chain which is actually not. Never-the-less, you can get info whichever you see fit.
But, at motorcyclist lifestyle, we will tell you about the easiest “old-school” method of full cleaning and lubricate your motorcycle chain with least efforts and moderate knowledge. So, without wasting any more time, let’s take a look at those methods.
Step 1: First, you must know that anything which you will go on your motorcycle chain should not go on the tires. Any lubricant or oil shouldn’t come in direct contact with the tires. If any oil gets on tires, then make sure to immediately wash with soap and water.
But, don’t worry!
You can minimise the probability of something like this to happen by using a needle nose pliers to separate the chain at its master link and add a couple of feet extra chain to one end with the master link. It will give you full accessibility at both ends when you pull the spare chain over the drive sprocket and then disconnect the drive chain. You can leave the spare chain on the sprocket and can attach the newly serviced chain and pull it over the sprocket without removing the housing.
Step 2: Now, use a brush to clean the chain with kerosene or a “Safeticlean” –type solution.
Note: Never use gasoline or any other solvent. Because it will only embed the dirt in the center of the chain instead of removing it.
Now, shake it off and wipe it dry before you put it into the heated pan of gear oil.
Step 3: It is time to lube the cleaned motorcycle chain with some good, thick lubricant and heat it up until it’s thin, then cooks the chain in it for not more than 30-40 minutes so that the grease penetrates the rollers. After that, you can hang the chain on a nail and let the excess drip back into the pan.
Just make sure to choose the right formula for lubricant. Since there are vast options available in the market according to the motorcycle that may include molybdenum disulfide, graphite, STP, on something else. Luckily, you can check out the best motorcycle chain lube at Motorcyclist Lifestyle to pick the right lubricant for your motorcycle chain.
Step 4: There is not much left to do in step four. Since you’ve already lubricated the motorcycle chain all you have to do is reattach the cleaned and lubricated chain over the drive sprocket carefully and remove the spare chain and reclip the master link and making sure the closed end is facing forward.
Final Conclusion:-
There are plenty of aerosols and paste powered chain lubricants in the market. Some are expensive and some are cheap. I am sure, you’ve got the general idea of “How to pick the right chain lube for a motorcycle?”
But, that’s not the point.
What you need to understand is that “Chain lube is considered as a mandatory task and give importance to it as much as you give to engine oil or petrol.”
Because, with just a little work, you can actually extend the life of motorcycle chain which automatically extends the life of your motorcycle.
So, make no mistake in picking the chain lube for your motorcycle. And if you’ve any quires then please don’t hesitate to comment on the section given below.
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