If you’re new to dirt biking, you might not know how to adjust your bike’s chain. It’s actually a pretty simple process, and only takes a few minutes. You’ll need a few tools before you get started: a wrench, a screwdriver, and some pliers.
Once you have those tools, follow these steps to adjust your chain.
If you’re an avid dirt bike rider, then you know that one of the most important maintenance tasks is to adjust your chain. A properly adjusted chain will help keep your bike running smoothly and prevent unnecessary wear and tear. Here’s a quick guide on how to adjust a dirt bike chain:
1. Start by putting your bike on a stand so that the rear wheel is elevated. This will make it easier to work on the chain.
2. Using a wrench, loosen the axle nut so that you can rotate the axle.
3. Find the adjustment screws on either side of the rear sprocket assembly. These are usually located near the bottom of the assembly.
4. Use a screwdriver to turn each adjustment screw until there is about 1/8″ of play in the chain (this is known as “slack”).
Make sure that both sides are adjusted evenly.
5. Once you have achieved the proper amount of slack, tighten down the axle nut and give everything a quick once-over to make sure everything looks good before heading out for a ride!
Dirt bike chain adjustment beginners guide.
How Much Tension Should a Dirt Bike Chain Have?
If you have a dirt bike, it’s important to know how much tension should be in the chain. Too much tension and the chain could break, too little tension and the chain will come off. The ideal tension for a dirt bike chain is 1/2″ to 3/4″.
To measure the tension, use a ruler or tape measurer. Place it in the middle of the bottom rung of the chain, and pull up on the ruler until it’s level with the top rung. If the measurement is between 1/2″ and 3/4″, then your chain has enough tension.
How Do I Know If My Dirtbike Chain is Too Tight?
If your dirtbike chain is too tight, it can cause the sprockets to wear out prematurely and may eventually break. To check if your chain is too tight, first see if you can move it up and down with your fingers. If there is any noticeable resistance or binding, then it’s most likely too tight.
Another way to check is by measuring the distance between the bottom of the swingarm and the top of the tire. There should be about 2-3 inches of clearance. If there’s less than that, then your chain is probably too tight.
What Happens If Your Dirt Bike Chain is Too Loose?
If your dirt bike chain is too loose, it will eventually fall off. This can be dangerous because the chain could get wrapped around the wheel and cause you to lose control. It is also important to keep the chain tight because if it is too loose, it can damage the sprockets.
How Often Should You Tighten Your Dirt Bike Chain?
It’s important to keep your dirt bike chain in good condition and properly tensioned. But how often should you adjust the chain?
The general rule of thumb is to check and adjust your chain every 25 hours of riding time.
However, if you ride in dusty or muddy conditions, you’ll need to clean and inspect your chain more often. And if you do a lot of hard acceleration or big jumps, you may need to adjust your chain more frequently as well.
Here’s a quick checklist for inspecting and adjusting your dirt bike chain:
1. Clean the chain with a rag or brush to remove any dirt, debris, or grit. Use a Chain Cleaning Brush for best results.
2. Check the master link to make sure it’s tight and secure.
The master link holds the two ends of the chain together. If it’s loose, thechain could come off while you’re riding!
3. Inspect each individual link for wear or damage.
Look for stretched out links, cracked links, or missing pins/clips/rollers. A damaged or excessively worn chain can cause premature wear on sprockets and gears so it’s important to replace it before it gets too bad.
4. Measure the slack in the middle of the longest run of unbroken links (this is called “chain pitch”).
The ideal amount of slack is about 1/2″ (12mm). If there’s more than that, the chain is too loose and needs to be adjusted. If there’s less than that, thechain is too tight and could break!
5A . To loosen the chain: Loosen one axle nut at a time until there’s enough slack in the middle of the longest run of unbroken links to measure 1/2″ (12mm) with a ruler or tape measurer . Be careful not to letthe wheel move when loosening axle nuts!
5B . To tighten th e cha in: Tighten one axle nut at a time until there’s 1/2″ (12mm) of play in t h e middle o f th e longes t run o f unbro k en l i nks . Aga i n , be care ful not t o let th e wh eel move when tightening axle nuts!
6 .
Credit: www.instructables.com
Dirt Bike Chain Guide
A chain guide is a device that helps keep your dirt bike’s chain in place while you’re riding. It’s mounted to the frame of the bike, usually near the rear wheel. The guide consists of two parts: a track that the chain runs through, and a guard that covers the track and keeps the chain from coming off.
There are several reasons why you might want to use a chain guide on your dirt bike. First, it can help prevent the chain from falling off, which can be a major problem if you’re out riding in rough terrain. Second, it can help reduce wear and tear on both the chain and sprockets by keeping them aligned properly.
And third, it can simply give you peace of mind knowing that your chain isn’t going to come flying off at an inopportune moment!
If you’re considering using a chain guide on your dirt bike, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, make sure that the model you choose is compatible with your bike’s frame and drivetrain setup.
Second, be aware that some guides are designed for use with specific types of chains (such as O-ring chains), so make sure you get the right type of guide for your needs. Finally, remember to check yourchain guide regularly for wear and tear – especially if you ride in dusty or muddy conditions – and replace it when necessary.
Conclusion
If the chain on your dirt bike is too loose, it can fall off and cause you to crash. If it’s too tight, it can damage the sprockets or break. You need to adjust the tension so that it’s just right.
Here’s how:
1. Park the bike on a level surface and put it in neutral.
2. Rotate the rear wheel until the lower run of chain is at its tightest point.
This is where the chain meets the sprocket teeth at their lowest point.
3. Measure from the center of one axle nut to the center of the other axle nut. This is your wheelbase measurement.
4. Add 2 inches (5 cm) to your wheelbase measurement and mark this distance on both sides of the lower run of chain with chalk or a permanent marker. These marks should be equidistant from the axle nuts on both sides of the wheelbase measurement line you just drew.
5 now loosen or remove the master link (depending on your type of bike) and hold one end of The Chain in place while you pull The Other End through until The Links are back together again but not connected (you’ll hear a clicking sound when they’re properly aligned).
Then reconnect The Master Link (or install a new one if needed) making sure that allLinks face The Same Direction .You may need needle nose pliers to help with this step depending onThe Type Of BikeChain You Have .