Before we get started, here are some handy tips:

  • Use a paddock stand or a center stand. It makes life much easier when spinning the rear wheel to expose more of the chain
  • Don’t be tempted to use petrol in place of a degreaser. It damages the chain. Standard WD-40 isn’t great either; it evaporates after a while and collects more dirt than the proper stuff.
  • Place a piece of cardboard on the floor as you spray. The last thing you want is a slippery patch left on your garage floor while moving your motorcycle around!
  • Be careful not to get oil on your tyres, especially if they’re new – ever seen this video?
  • Think about taking off your chain guard for easy access to clean your motorcycle chain, it’s only two bolts
  • Be careful when moving the rear wheel and cleaning near the rear sprocket. Ever caught your finger in there? It hurts. Believe me
  • The best time to clean your chain is after a ride, when it’s still hot

Depending on how dirty your chain is, before step 1 you could give it a blast with a pressure washer or hose, allowing it to dry before continuing.

Cleaning Instructions

1) Use a proper chain cleaner or degreaser, such as our PrimeShine Motorcycle Chain Cleaner. It’s suitable for on and off-road bikes, too.

2) Spray everywhere, both sides of the chain, top and bottom, leave for around 5-10 minutes.

3) Use a chain brush, toothbrush or similar to breakdown the thick grime that has accumulated on the chain

4) Using a rag, wipe off the chunkier bits that have become loose from your scrubbing. Water can be applied to help if necessary.

5) The chain should now look nice and bright. Allow another 5-10 minutes for the chain to dry.

6) Apply lubricant to the chain. Make sure you lube both sides of the chain, outside and inside of where the joints are in the chain. We recommend using our BananaSlip Motorcycle Chain Lube for high performance/street riding or our Chain Wax for touring-style riding.

How often should I clean my motorcycle chain?

When it’s dirty! If you only use your bike for short, slow rides in summer conditions, it may be a while before you need to clean it to this extent. If you’re keen like us, we tend to do this each time we deep clean our bikes.

How often should I lubricate or oil my motorcycle chain?

It does depend on how often you ride and in what conditions, however we recommend every 200-300 miles. A good rule of thumb is to do it every 2-3 times you need to fill up for fuel, which should equate to similar intervals.

Looking after your motorcycle chain will:

  • Improve efficiency
  • Prolong chain and sprocket life
  • Help keep your bike clean

Read more:

How to set a chain for touring with luggage or with a pillion?