5 Chain & Sprocket Maintenance Tips

The chain and sprockets transfer every bit of your engine’s power to the road. Neglect them and you get a notchy, noisy ride, faster wear and worse fuel economy. Spend ten minutes a fortnight and they will outlast the rest of your service schedule.

1. Keep it clean

Grit sticks to chain lube and grinds away at the rollers like sandpaper. Wipe the chain down with a rag and a dedicated chain cleaner — never a wire brush, which damages the O-rings that seal in the factory grease.

2. Lubricate after every wash or wet ride

Apply lube to the inside of the chain while slowly rotating the rear wheel, then leave it to penetrate for a few minutes before riding. A warm chain — straight after a short ride — takes lube best.

3. Check the tension

A chain that is too tight stresses the gearbox output bearing; too loose and it can jump the sprocket. Check the free play at the midpoint of the lower run against your manual’s figure — usually around 20–30 mm.

4. Inspect for wear

• Tight spots — rotate the wheel and watch for sections that snag.
• A chain you can pull more than halfway off the rear sprocket is worn out.
• Hooked or shark-fin sprocket teeth mean it is replacement time.

5. Replace as a set

A worn chain quickly chews up fresh sprockets and vice versa. Always replace the chain and both sprockets together so the new parts wear in evenly and last their full life.