How To Tighten A Chain On Dirt Bike?

How To Tighten A Chain On Dirt Bike

There are several advantages of why you must tighten the chain, comprising the apparent reason that if you don’t, it will fall off or snap. Snapping is the crucial part. You could break your motor case or the same if your chain snaps are not incredible. Furthermore, if the chain becomes flexible, it can harm and wear down your sprocket. Oh yeah, it could get bound up between your sprocket and motor and toss you over the handlebars. But humans heal; dirt bikes don’t.

What Can Cause Your Dirt Bike Chain To Loosen?

The first thing you should do if your chain starts to loosen up is to review the tension. A loose chain will decay your gears faster than a tight one. You’ll note that the teeth of your chain become worn down over time, particularly after riding in dirty circumstances.

When you’re done riding, eliminate your front wheel from the drive sprocket and twist the rear axle. The chain should shift smoothly back and forward as you whirl the rear wheel. If not, then you’ve got trouble with your chain. To fix it, pursue these notches.

How To Tighten A Chain On Dirt Bike

Read Also: 5 Best Dirt Bike Chain & Sprocket Set

What Tools Do You Need?

Before you begin tightening the chain, ensure you have all the necessary appliances. It’s a good impression to keep track of what you already have and where you purchased them from so you don’t consume time looking for something specific. The following roster should help you learn everything you might need:

Chain Tensioner. This device is wielded to tighten the chain. It has a ratchet with a flexible tensioning bolt.

Make sure you purchase one with a proper size range; if you use too small a wrench, you won’t be eligible to tighten the chain appropriately.

Below are the tools you will require to tighten your dirt bike chain:

  • Ratchet Wrench: A regular ratchet wrench will do fine to tighten the chain.
  • Chain Lock: A chain bolt assists in impeding unexpected loosening of the chain.
  • Chain Tool Kit: Various chain devices will help you loosen and tighten the chain without harming it. These comprise a chain breaker, a chain puller, a chain cutter, a ring spanner for adjusting the length, a chain lube gun, and a scraper.
  • Chain Lubricant:  Use lubrication to lessen the tension between the chain connections and the sprocket teeth.
  • Bike Stand: Keeps your bike upright during repairs. For this, you will require a bike stand.
  • Grunge Brush: Gives your bike a neat look after eliminating dirt and debris.
  • Tape Measure: Helps you assess the distance between the chain and the crab arm.
  • Chain Adjustment Guide:  Helps you align the chain perfectly.
  • Exhaust Plugs: They defend the chain ring from overheating.
how to tighten motorcycle chain

Steps Of How To Tighten a Chain on Dirt Bike

Step #1

With the huge crescent wrench, untie the nut on the axle; it can be placed on either the left or the right side, leaning on the bike. You will require to untie it so that it bends with no tension.

Step #2

 Take the 12MM or whatever size you require a wrench and unlock the lock nuts against the swingarm. Loosen both sides.

Step #3

 Turn the tension bolt out with a wrench until the chain realizes tight enough. You will require to do the left side first because you are modifying the chain. If you were to modify the right side first, you would have to make many adjustments later.

Step #4

 Calculate chain margin. Correct chain slack should be around 1 – 1.25 inches at the end of the chain directory. A detailed manner to see if it is correct is to put three fingers between the chain and the swingarm, right at the end of the chain guide. The chain and swingarm should be mashing on your fingers. If this is the possibility, the chain has been compressed properly.

Step # 5

Repeat for the right side. Once the chain has been fastened enough on the left side, you will need to do the same on the right. Again, there will be marks placed on the axle blocks, and on the swingarm, you will need to modify the right side so the notch is in the same stance as it is on the left. If it isn’t, it will happen in the wheel not spinning straight and could harm the bike or even result in an undesirable wreck.

Step #6: 

Make sure everything is tightened down latch nuts & axle nuts. Once you have completed these steps, you are ready to go.

Step #7

 Yes, technically, that is all it takes to fasten a dirt bike chain, but you need to lube it up afterward. Therefore, maintaining the chain lubricated is crucial. If you didn’t clean and lubed the chain already, pick a good lubricant and use it as explained in the instructions.

How Do You Maintain Your Dirt Bike Chain?

After riding your motorcycle for a while, dirt inclines to build up inside the chain. This dirt can be eliminated by rinsing the chain with warm water and wiping it with a cloth. If the chain becomes too filthy, you can use an abrasive cleanser such as WD-40 to keep the chain looking decent.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, keeping your motorbike well-retained will assist you in relishing its full power. With reasonable care, your bike can last for many years. Remember always to take safeguards when traveling to avert disasters. Dirt bikes are ideal for anyone who likes to get away from it all and enjoy nature.

These vehicles have become increasingly prominent in recent years because they give something different; they enable people to experience nature without fuss about getting damaged. The best part of acquiring a dirt bike is you can go to spots that would otherwise only be accessible to those with four wheels.

Happy Riding!!!!

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