How to Tighten a Dirt Bike Chain – Bike chains are crucial for transferring power from the engine to the rear wheel. It’s vital to keep them in good condition. Whether it is knowing when to change them or clean them, you should know how to maintain them. One other way you can maintain your dirt bike chain is by knowing how to tighten it. Doing so can prevent damage or snapping. A malfunctioning chain can lead to serious consequences, including a cracked motor case or a dangerous accident. Maintaining your bike chain is not just about performance; it’s a critical aspect of rider safety.
If you are not aware, a dirt bike chain should have 1.4 to 2.0 inches of play, allowing smooth up-and-down motion. Street bikes need slightly less play, around 1.2 to 1.6 inches. Measure at the midpoint between the transmission and rear sprockets. Consult your owner’s manual for exact measurements and tools. If you lack specialized tools, use your hand by measuring the combined thickness of your first three fingers as a makeshift gauge to ensure the right chain tension for a smooth ride.
Chain Looseness and Its Consequences
Now, how can you tell if your chain is loose? It’s rather simple. If it easily comes off the rear sprocket, it’s too loose. Use a measuring tool like a tape measure or ruler for precise adjustment, or use your fingers to ensure the chain stays on the sprocket while allowing a slight up-and-down movement between the transmission and rear sprockets. It’s better to have a slightly looser drive chain, nearing the upper recommended limit, as this accommodates the vertical motion of dirt bike suspensions over rough terrain, ensuring flexibility and smoother performance during jumps and rides.
If your dirt bike chain is too loose, it can cause serious problems. The main issue is the chain frequently falling off the sprocket, risking damage. A loose chain, once detached, can get tangled in the wheel, spokes, or engine cases, potentially causing severe harm. In unfortunate cases, the chain coming off might lead to a crash, resulting in injuries or bike damage.
Whether it happens before a big jump or during high-speed trail riding, these situations highlight the crucial need to maintain the right tension in your dirt bike chain for both rider safety and the bike’s long-term well-being.
How to Tighten a Dirt Bike Chain: The Tools
To effectively change or tighten your dirt bike chain, it’s crucial to gather the necessary tools beforehand. Begin by cleaning your bike thoroughly, as a clean surface facilitates the repair process. A dirt and grease-free dirt bike not only makes the job easier but also contributes to the longevity of your bike and chain, enabling prompt identification of any issues.
After cleaning, ensure you have essential tools on hand: a degreaser, a grunge brush, a bike stand, a large crescent wrench, and chain lube. Having these items ready streamlines the maintenance process and enhances the overall performance and durability of your dirt bike.
How to Tighten a Dirt Bike Chain: The Process
Tightening a dirt bike chain involves a step-by-step process:
- Use a large crescent wrench to loosen the axle nut, ensuring there’s no tension. Note that the axle can be on the left or right side based on your bike’s make and model.
- Employ a 12 mm wrench to loosen the lock nuts against the swingarm, following the owner’s manual recommendations.
- With a wrench, tighten the tension bolt, focusing on the left side first to adjust the chain directly.
- Aim for a chain slack of approximately 1 – 1.30 inches, following the recommended setting at the end of the chain guide or by feeling tension with three fingers between the chain and swingarm.
- Secure the chain on the left axle and repeat the process on the right side, aligning axle blocks and swingarm notches to maintain balance.
- Confirm all nuts and bolts are properly tightened. Finally, lubricate the chain with a recommended chain lubricant for a smooth ride, ensuring it’s clean and oiled before hitting the dirt.
Choosing the Right Chain Size
While it helps to know how to tighten a chain or replace it with top-market choices, it also helps to know the right size. Choosing the right chain size for your dirt bike is essential for a proper fit and to avoid potential harm. Dirt bikes have specific chain sizes based on pitch and length, and selecting the wrong size can lead to permanent damage or serious injury.
Consult your owner’s manual to find the accurate chain size for your motorcycle. When buying a new dirt bike chain, manufacturers usually indicate the pitch and number of links to help you choose a suitable replacement. Remember, the chain’s length depends on the number of links, and adjustments may be needed when fitting a new chain to your dirt bike.
Can a Bike Chain Be Too Tight?
The short answer is yes and it can lead to many problems. Unlike a loose chain that might come off immediately, a tight chain doesn’t disengage right away but wears down the components more. Signs of it being too tight include more noise, difficult shifting, the rear wheel locking up during suspension movement, and the clutch dragging.
An overly tight chain can get noisier as you go faster, making gear shifts and clutch use harder, potentially harming the engine, motor, and transmission. It can also affect the bike’s suspension, leading to the rear wheel skidding on rough terrain. Maintaining the proper tension ensures smoother operation and protects essential components from unnecessary strain and wear.
Other Chain Tightening Notes
To tighten your bike chain, whether on a dirt bike or pit bike, adjust the chain tension nuts or bolts located near the rear wheel in the swingarm. On a pit bike, use the chain tension nuts or bolts near both the rear wheel and swingarm for proper adjustment. This straightforward process ensures the correct tension, contributing to optimal performance and preventing potential issues associated with overly loose or tight chains. Regularly checking and adjusting the chain tension is a simple yet essential maintenance task for a smoother and safer ride.
If you want to learn more maintenance tips for your bike, check out How to Clean a Dirt Bike Carburetor and How to Change Dirt Bike Grips. You can also learn to adjust other parts like dirt bike suspension or tighten other parts like the spokes. Aside from this, you can learn to customize your bike via installing graphics.
