| Caring for your motorcycle chain won't just prolong its | | | | sportsbike, you can always buy a race stand that |
| life; it will mean your bike will ride as smoothly as it | | | | performs the same job - you'll need one to easily and |
| should too. | | | | effectively adjust your chain anyway, and they're a |
| Chain lubrication should be carried out roughly every | | | | help in motorcycle maintenance and cleaning in general, |
| 500km or so, so if you're a weekday commuter then | | | | so whatever way you look at it it's a good investment. |
| simply make it part of your weekly maintenance | | | | Similarly, dirt bike owners will need a dirt bike stand - |
| schedule, while dirt bike riders should give it a once | | | | these use a small amount of leverage to lift the bike |
| over each and every ride. | | | | up from under its engine. |
| A well lubricated chain will ward off corrosion, run | | | | And here's a motorcycle riding tip - if the chain is warm |
| quieter and last longer, and it will prolong the life of your | | | | to begin with, ie you've been riding the bike for a few |
| sprockets too, so it's well worth the effort. A variety of | | | | minutes to get some heat into it, you'll find a lot more |
| different brands of chain spray are available, but go for | | | | of the chain lube will actually work its way into the links |
| a wax-based type of spray - these tend to cling | | | | and stay there, as opposed to flying off within |
| better, with more of the lubricant sticking to your chain, | | | | seconds after you've ridden off with a cold chain. |
| rather than all over your wheel and swingarm. | | | | A lubricated chain will pay dividends in the long term, |
| If you've got a road bike with a centrestand you'll find | | | | but there's more to keeping your chain happy than |
| lubricating your chain takes seconds - simply put the | | | | simply keeping it well lubed - a thorough clean every |
| bike on the centrestand on level ground, engage | | | | now and then also helps and often highlights any minor |
| neutral and spin the wheel around while you spray a | | | | problems before they become major ones, while |
| decent coating of lubricant onto your chain. | | | | maintaining the correct chain tension is vital. |
| If you don't have a centrestand, like if you've got a | | | | |