Chain Preparations for MX

Be ready for when the gate drops

Avoid your chain from becoming the weakest link in your motocross adventures. Make sure you arrive at the gate with your chain in tip-top shape with these maintenance and preparation tips.

Start Clean

For step one, get your motorcycle chain brush out as well as an effective chain cleaner like the Tsubaki Chain Cleaner. Start with spraying your chain with the cleaner, ensuring the fluid reaches the inside and the sides of the chain. Turn the wheel while spraying to make sure the full chain is properly moist, and give it a minute so the cleaner can break down the buildup of grease. Now get the brush, spray the inside of it with chain cleaner, and firmly push it up, forward, and pull it towards you while turning the wheel. Repeat this while pushing the brush onto the chain from the other side before firmly cleaning the rear sprocket while you’re at it. End with removing the released grease and dirt with a rag. Make sure to always turn the chain forward and away from the brush or the rag you are working with to prevent your fingers from colliding with the sprocket as well as preventing the clip on your master link from catching on to anything and snap off.

Grease Up

Now that the links and rollers are properly cleaned, it is time to lubricate the chain with our Tsubaki Oily. This lubricant is specifically developed for non-sealed chains as used in MX, ensuring all areas of the chain are penetrated with lubrication. Apply the lubricant on the inside of the chain, and work from the bottom so the rear sprocket gets lubed directly. Lube both sides of each roller and both sides of each link in a couple revolutions of the rear wheel and your chain is running smoothly again.

Adjusted Properly

In MX having enough chain slack is crucial to allow your chain to work with the long suspension travel. At the same time you want to prevent having too much slack, so proper adjustment is needed. Before setting up the slack on your MX bike, you want to check your manual as it will show you the amount of slack that is required. Once you find this out, loosen the rear wheel so you can adjust your chain adjuster bolts. A pro tip is to make sure these are greased slightly so they will come undone more easily after playing in the dirt. Undo the nut first, and then adjust your chain slack with the bolt until you reach the specifications from your service manual. Make sure to use the lines that serve as indicators on your swingarm on both sides to ensure your rear wheel is sitting perfectly straight before tightening up the rear axle again using a torque wrench. Again, check your bike’s manual to find the proper torque settings needed on your rear axle.

Ready for the Gate Drop

With decades of experience, and countless professional MX riders who have relied on Tsubaki chains in championships around the world, we pride ourselves in having developed an extremely strong chain that helps you focus on victory from the moment the gate drops. With these preparation tips, you can ensure your chain is always in the best condition to help transfer the power from your engine to your back wheel in the best way possible. Find out more about our MXC chain, developed with the input of world class motocross racers from around the globe. Click here for the product page.