Chain Lubricant Spray Mistakes That Quietly Damage Your Bike

Many motorcycle enthusiasts are selective about the engine maintenance, fuel quality, condition of their tyres, and appearance of their bikes, and they neglect one important part — the chain! The health of a chain can contribute significantly to a smooth riding experience, increased miles per gallon, efficient power transmission and a long-lasting life. That’s why the proper use of a chain lubricant spray is of great importance.

By knowing the common pitfalls associated with the chain lubricant spray, riders can help them avoid damage to their motorcycles and extend their performance time.

Applying Chain Lubricant Spray on a Dirty Chain

A very common error made by riders is to spray on chain lube to a dirty chain. Motorcycle chains are regularly catching dust, mud, dirt and old lubricants on Indian roads, particularly during monsoons.

Spraying a lubricant over dirt will cause dirt to be caught between the chain links and rollers. This causes unnecessary wear and tear and may cause friction thus speeding up the wear and tear.

Using excess Chain Lubricant Spray

Many people think that the more lubricant, the better protection, but this is wrong. In fact, over-spraying the chain with a chain spray lubricant can cause further issues.

If the amount of lubricant is excessive, it will create more dust and dirt, causing the dust to clog around the chain and sprockets. This accumulation can lower chain efficiency and will add up to dirtiness of the drivetrain over time.

If there is too much lubricant, it can also dribble on other parts of the motorcycle like the wheel rim and tire, posing a safety risk.

It is sufficient to apply a balanced chain lubricant spray to the chain to make sure it is lubricated and protected.

Ignoring Lubrication Frequency

Another common error made is failing to follow the regular chain maintenance. Some motorcyclists will only lubricate the chain when the bike is serviced at regular intervals, but otherwise use it on all sorts of roads and weather conditions.

Motorcycle chains are continually subjected to friction, heat, moisture and dirt. If the chain is not well lubricated using chain spray lubricant in time, the chain can overheat and wear too much.

More often people who have to use a chain every day, long distance motorcyclists, or sports bike riders need to get the chain lubricated more often than those who use it on an occasional basis.

Spraying the Wrong Areas

If chain lubricant spray is improperly applied it will not be as effective. Some riders just spray the outside parts of the chain and forget to lubricate the moving parts inside. The lubricant should contact the inner side of the chain and rollers since they are the most frictional during operation.

Slowly spin the back wheel while you spray the lubricant to get the lubricant to cover the whole chain. Proper use makes lubrication more efficient and unnecessary waste is minimised.

Riding Immediately After Application

The one thing that is not done is to ride the motorcycle right after applying chain lubricant spray.

The lubricant needs to sit and seep in a couple of minutes to work its way into the parts of the chain correctly. Without having time to lubricate the bearings, the rider can cause the lubricant to splash out of place before it can begin to work. Lubrication spray can be left to settle for awhile to give better adhesion properties and lubrication performance.

It can enhance the cleanliness of the chain and minimize lubricant losses.

Using Low-Quality Lubricants

The performance of different lubes isn’t equal. Poor Quality products can not offer adequate protection from friction, moisture and heat.

Low quality chain lubricant sprays can run out, pick up too much dirt or not cope with the rigours of riding.

Using a good chain lubricant spray, especially formulated for motorcycles, will ensure smoother chain operation and extended wear.

Sports bikes, touring motorcycles and motorcycles that are often used in harsh environments are particularly demanding when it comes to the quality of the lubricant.

Ignoring Weather Conditions

Weather has a huge impact on chain maintenance, but many people don’t adjust their maintenance routine for the weather.

Chains can be affected by water, mud, and humidity during the monsoons, leading to the possibility of rust and contamination. Road conditions and summer heat have also a strong impact on the condition of the chains. Regular use of chain lubricant spray throughout the year, based on riding conditions, ensures chain protection throughout the year.

Often the frequent riding on wet or dusty roads will necessitate more frequent cleaning and lubrication cycles.

Conclusion

The motorcycle chain, though a smaller part, actually has a direct impact to the riding experience, performance and efficiency of a motorcycle. The application of chain lubricant spray and inappropriate maintenance practices can cause damage to the motorcycle without any obvious symptoms over time.

Regular and correct application of the chain lubricant spray increases the smoothness of the ride and also contributes towards ensuring better health of the motorcycles and minimises the cost of additional maintenance in the future.