Harley-Davidson® Motorcycle Chain Maintenance
In order to keep your Harley-Davidson® motorcycle in top shape, you need to be conducting regular maintenance. Maintaining your motorcycle’s chain doesn’t just prolong its life—it’s also crucial for safe riding. Chains play a vital role in providing power from the engine to the rear wheel, so without proper treatment, it can prevent your motorcycle from running.
We here at Rochester Harley-Davidson have provided some motorcycle chain maintenance tips to help you keep your Harley bike safe and fit for the road. If you have any questions, feel free to stop at our location in Rochester, NH, so one of our experienced staff can assist you. We also serve those from Dover and Concord.
Inspecting The Chain
Regular inspections are recommended depending on how often and far you ride your motorcycle. Riders should schedule timely inspections for every 500-700 miles, which is normally twice a month for the average rider.
To start this process, pull the chain up and down with a slight force. This will indicate if the chain has become a little loose or too tight. Depending on what the scenario is, you will need to adjust your chain to the right amount of tension (refer to your owner’s manual to follow the proper steps for this process). Sometimes, it’s just an individual link that needs to be fixed, so rolling your chain to inspect each one will save you from buying an entirely new one.
The sprockets are important components that work hand in hand with the chain, so don’t overlook them. Inspect them by making sure the teeth are running smoothly with the chain. Of course, if you have them on for quite a while, it is expected for them to be worn out and will need replacement. However, they usually do not wear out very quickly, so if you see them wearing out at a rapid pace, then there might be an issue with their connection.
Cleaning The Chain
A clean chain runs better and lasts longer. This is a very easy process and acts as a preventative measure for chain failures. So grab a brush, a towel, a chain cleaner, and a chain lubricant, and let’s get right into it.
Apply a generous amount of chain cleaner to the entire chain and with a compatible brush, start scrubbing it, getting off all the dirt and grime. Since your chain is made up of small connected links, a little extra patience and effort are required to try getting each link opening cleaned.
Lubricating The Chain
Use the towel to speed up the drying process, and after it’s dried, continue by spraying lubricant on it. While doing this, spin the tires so the chain is in motion, making sure that you don’t miss a spot. Make sure to cover each of the four sides of the chain and then wipe away any excess product. You might need to wait a few minutes for some products to set, so check the directions.
These tips are the basic steps of maintaining a healthy chain on your Harley-Davidson motorcycle. However, some chain problems do require professional help. For further tips, stop by Rochester Harley-Davidson, so one of our friendly staff can help you. We are your trusted Harley-Davidson motorcycle dealer and we are located in Rochester, NH. We also serve Dover and Concord too.