Dirt, mud and sand may be your chain’s worst enemy.
Even Superman had his kryptonite—the one element that could bring the superhero to his knees. Dirt, mud and sand can weaken the most super bike chain just as easily.
The modern motorcycle chain is designed to transfer power from the engine to the rear wheel with tremendous efficiency and smoothness. And, with proper care, it does a super job of that. Unfortunately, there is an arch enemy to the motorcycle chain: dirt. The dirt, mud and sand commonly found in popular riding environments can be as harsh as an industrial abrasive. Whether you’re riding in the dirt or on the street, those nasty elements can find their way onto your bike’s chain and wreak havoc on the rollers and seals that normally provide smooth and reliable operation. Dirt also accelerates wear of the chain and sprockets, shortening the service life of your drivetrain.
While none of us wants to avoid those favorite riding environments where dirt and sand are abundant, there are some things we can do to keep nature’s kryptonite from destroying our bike’s precious drivetrain.
Start with proper chain prep
To fight off a powerful enemy, you need to make sure you have all of your strength on tap. Prepare your bike’s chain for action before you hit the dirt by applying quality chain lubrication and assuring the chain is adjusted to factory specifications.
Fight grime with quick action
The longer coarse dirt is allowed to attack your chain, the more damage will be done. Remember, grime doesn’t pay; it costs money. So, make a habit of carefully cleaning your bike’s drivetrain with proper cleaning solutions immediately after each ride in harsh environments. The faster you act, the less chance all that grunge has to do its dirty work.
Keep an eye out for your chain’s arch enemy
Even when riding in fairly clean environments, nasty dirt finds its way onto your bike’s drivetrain. Make a point to regularly examine the condition of your bike’s chain and sprockets, looking for evidence of gritty dirt before it has a chance to chew on your bike’s components. A regular maintenance routine is the easiest way to spot problems early and keep your bike’s drivetrain performing at its peak.
Boost your super power with quality components
Advanced sealed and self-lubricating chain designs can give you the edge you need to keep that chain performing for the long haul, even when riding in adverse conditions. SUNSTAR®, a leader in premium motorcycle chain design and manufacture, has a wide variety of high-quality chains available for your machine.
Explore the wide range of performance chain options at sunstar-braking.com. Need help selecting the right parts for your bike? Just ask!