One of the most important parts of your dirt bike that needs to be changed with time is the chain. It is very important for your safety and can be very dangerous if you try to assemble an unmaintained or old chain that needs a replacement.
So, how often should I change my dirt bike chain? In general, dirt bikes chain will have to be replaced between 500 and 5000 miles but that varies with the level of maintenance and care you give to the chain and of course your riding style.
In addition, it is important to note that you do not compare a dirt bike chain to a regular motorcycle chain; they are completely different and an 8 eye bike chain is more expensive and stands out than a dirt bike chain.
If this dirt bike chain topic is of interest to you, keep reading. This guide will show you all the things you need to know about replacing and maintaining your dirt bike chain.
Here are the topics I will discuss in this guide.
Signs that Your dirt bike Chain Needs Replacing |
Can I ride with a worn dirt bike chain? |
How to maintain a dirt bike chain? (and extend chain life span) |
How to Install a New Dirt Bike Chain? |
Related questions |
Need dirt bike safety gear? Click here to buy safety gear for dirt bike riding on amazon , or go check my sales pages of recommended safety gear page click here to view.
Signs that Your dirt bike Chain Needs Replacing
If you are not sure that your dirt bike chain needs replacement, the truth is there are a few signs that can indicate your dirt bike chain needs replacement. While you have to do a chain check at least every month, the more you do it, the more you will have the understanding to know when the chain needs to be replaced.
In addition, if you are not sure about the state of the chain, I recommend you consult with an expert to help you.
- Rust – The number one reason that shows you need to replace this chain is Rust. It can form on wet surfaces on the train. It is important to note that rust on a chain does not mean you must replace it. The chain should be replaced when there is rust on it and there is a sign that the pins and seals are rusty and the chain itself is old and not reinforced.
- Noise – if the chain makes a strange noise when riding, consider replacing it. However, if the chain is still in good condition, it will make a slight noise but not a strange noise. Usually, a chain that needs replacement will be very creaky and will make very strange noises.
- The chain is too tight – if your chain is too tight when you use your hand to give it a slight displacement, it needs a replacement.
- Weak chain – Weak chain in this contest means the chain is very clumsy and can be moved easily. So, if the chain is weak, it needs to be replaced.
- Jump – if you take your chain and bounce it from the bottom up, and a part of the chain also jumps and stays unstable, it means that the chain needs to be replaced.
All these signs will indicate your chain needs to be replaced. Also, I recommend you watch the videos above that I have uploaded. They are very helpful.
It is important you know that a well-maintained chain can last for a significantly longer time than a non-maintained chain.
Can I ride with a worn dirt bike chain?
You should never ride with a worn chain that shows signs that it needs to be replaced. It is very dangerous and can cause a fatal accident. The reason is that the chain can tear when riding, especially when it is very worn and in bad shape.
- At best, you can ride slowly or your dirt bike chain will tear, and then it will tangle with the rear wheel, which will cause you to lose stability very quickly and result in a collapse.
- On the other hand, the chain can tear when riding high speed, resulting in a more deadly crash or a life-threatening accident.
You have to understand that a ripped chain is super dangerous and can happen in either scenario. In the first scenario, the chain will simply tear and tangle with the rear wheel, causing you to lose stability. And the second and most fatal scenario is that the chain will tear and move between your legs, causing your legs to cut and even break and then cause a fatal accident.
In short, all of these reasons prove why you should never ride a worn-out chain because it can cause a fatal, life-threatening accident. I personally know a lot of riders Who thought they could ride a worn chain, but they ended up in an accident because the chain got torn when riding.
How to maintain a dirt bike chain? (and extend chain life)
There are several ways you can extend the life of your dirt bike chain very easily and without any problems and you can save lots of money.
In addition, a consistently well-maintained chain will give you a much better performance when riding.
These are the main ways through which you can maintain a dirt bike chain
Check the chain consistently
The first and most important thing you need to do to maintain the chain is to check it consistently before any ride. You need to ensure the chain is in good condition and has no damage or rust. Also, check the tensile strength and tightness of the chain.
So, to avoid unforeseen circumstances, it is very important you check the condition of the chain before going for a ride.
Clean your chain
You must clean your chain at least every 500 miles of riding, including the routine cleaning you carry out on the chain. The truth is it takes only between 5 and 10 minutes to clean the chain.
To clean the chain, simply place the dirt bike on a stand or in a convenient location. Take a cleaning brush or sponge and water and just start cleaning the chain. If the chain is very dirty and it has pieces of mud, try to get more into its inner parts and exercise patience when cleaning the mud layers.
It is also important to note that you should never use detergents or remove the grease. Instead, use only water that will already clean the chain well enough and will do the job. After cleaning, I strongly recommend that you apply lubricant and that will greatly improve the chain performance.
Oil the chain
Once you have cleaned the chain, you need to grease it. This will give you a great performance and a much more free and smooth chain when riding. You should lubricate the chain only after riding and not before.
If you do these 3 things to maintain the chain, believe me, your chain will last you a long time and even a few good years.
How to Install a New Dirt Bike Chain?
If you performed all the chain tests and came to the conclusion that your dirt bike chain needs replacement, that’s not a problem. To switch to a new chain, it can take 15 to 20 minutes without any problem. You just need to learn how to do it.
Also, before you start, it is important that you have a copy of the guide that came with your dirt bike when you bought it. The guide will give you important and specific instructions on how to replace the chain.
So here are the steps you need to take to replace your dirt bike chain
- Buy a new chain – before you start replacing the chain, first thing, what you need to do is buy a new chain. while I use this chain for my dirt bike and I think it is the best on the market. You can buy it on Amazon at a very cheap price. Click here to see
- Get the tools – You will need to get the tools needed to replace the dirt bike chain, which includes a blade screwdriver, patty, and rivet tool to perform the chain replacement process.
- Remove the chain – Removing the dirt bike chain is very easy. You just need to take out the head link punch or you will need a team to tear the chain and then just slide and remove it.
- Install the new chain – Before you install the new chain, it is important that you also take a look at the instruction manual that came with your dirt bike, while you only need to place the two ends of the chain around the drive and rear sprockets.
As you have read, it is a very simple and easy process to replace a dirt bike chain and possibly you can do it without any problems. I also recommend that you clean and lubricate the chain after installation.
Related questions
How much money does a new dirt bike chain cost? A new dirt bike chain will cost you between $50 and $100. Also, chains that are priced at $50 can be great for you.
Should I buy an expensive or cheap chain? It all depends on you and your type of riding. If you regularly ride your dirt bike and you ride on hard surfaces, you will need a new chain. But if you are an amateur who rides for fun occasionally, a cheap chain will be good enough for you.
Can I Ride with a worn chain? You can’t ride a worn chain. It is very dangerous and can cause the chain to tear when riding, which will cause you to lose stability and consequently leads to an accident.
Need dirt bike safety gear? Click here to buy safety gear for dirt bike riding on amazon , or go check my sales pages of recommended safety gear page click here to view.
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