The chain is a very important Component of your Bike as the chain is what powers the rear wheel. The Chain drive of your bike has to be in proper condition so that the there is no power dissipation when the power is delivered from the engine via the cam chain tensioner to the rear wheel. A Bike’s chain, sprocket and the cam chain tensioner are the main components that transfer power to the road from the engine. The chain, sprocket technique is the most efficient method to power the rear wheel and that’s why most of the bikes employ this method. Some bikes employ Belt driven method like the Gearless scooter Honda Activa that employs a V-Matic belt driven transmission system. Big V-twin Bikes like the Suzuki Boulevard 1783 cc employs a Shaft Driven Transmission system like in a car. The chain cant handle the extra torque produced by the bigger engine as there is higher wear and tear so shaft system is used in higher engine capacity bikes.
Why Chain Maintenance: India is a country, which has a diverse range of environmental conditions so this ensures that the chains in your bikes need regular care. Rains, dust, muddy and slushy roads etc all wreak havoc with your bike’s chain. These days many bikes come with an O Ring sealed chain, which is exposed to the environment. The conventional Chain Guard prevents the chain from getting damaged. The O Ring chains are more prone to wear and tear as they are exposed and need regular maintenance so that your bike’s chain is healthy. Conventional Chains also need regular maintenance.
Tips for maintenance of O Ring Chains and conventional Chains: Your bike’s chain need regular lubrication, cleaning and adjustment. In case you have a bike which has a conventional chain cover remove it and then go ahead with the job.
Cleaning: Wash the chain with paraffin, a soft brush and a piece of cloth and remove the dirt accumulated in the chain. Don’t use Water as it might rust the chain links because if the water has salt or minerals or chlorine and sodium it will damage the chain. After the dirt is cleaned with the brush and paraffin wipe the chain with a clean dry cloth.
Lubrication: Lubricate the chain links and the chain with used engine oil. For this you need not buy expensive oils, whenever you get your bike serviced ask the workshop to give you some old engine oil in a bottle. Use this used Engine oil and lubricate all the areas of your bike’s chain by rotating the wheel so that you lubricate all the areas of the chain. Check if the chain has rusted or starting to rust if it is, then put more lubricant on the rusted areas. It is a good idea to touchup with paint in the rusted areas to prevent further rusting, WD 40 Antirust spray is also helpful. Make sure your bike is switched off to prevent any injuries to your hand.
Inspection and Adjustment: Check if your bike’s chain has a free play of 2-4 mm in general by moving the chain up and down in a vertical direction with your fingers. Your bike’s chain must have the correct tension and free play of the rear wheel. If the tension is more the chain wont power the rear wheel smoothly during motion. If in case the chain is loose, the power delivery from the engine to the rear wheel wont be optimal and there will be loss of power due to slippage. Take the bike to your mechanic or service center and get it adjusted to the manufacturer’s specifications.
Always remember that all the moving parts will affect the performance of your bikes. The Transmission system in bikes is often overlooked by many people. You must inspect the Transmission system every three weeks in general to ensure your bike’s engine and transmission components are in perfect working order. Remember you bike must not only look good Cosmetically but also function properly and regular Chain Drive Maintenance will ensure this and the performance of your bikes wont drop through passage of time.
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{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
For your information, there are chain sparays available in the market which can clean you chain of dirt and sludge. Also, sprays with paraffin are available which can lubricate your chain.
Motul has a chain clean and chain lube which are slightly expensive as they are imported but offer excellent protection to your bike’s chain. You will find these sprays at dreambikes on MG road in Pune…or you may ask your oil dealer to get it for you as they are officaly imported in India.
Hi there,
My Pulsar 180 DTS-i’s Manual recommends to keep chain slackness of 15-20 mm. But on this page it is advised to keep 2-4 mm slackness.
I think, I should follow the Owner’s Manual recommendation.
Hi i have Pulsar DTS-I 150CC Bike… But initial pickup is not good in my bike and Engine Noise is very High.. Kindly suggest me to overcome this Issues..
“Check if your bike’s chain has a free play of 2-4 mm in general by moving the chain up and down in a vertical direction with your fingers” – 2-4mm? no dude the chan should ha a vertical slack aprox 30mm or 1.5 inch
i was having problems wwith my avenger 200 dtsi a mechanic told me to go to service station and tell to adjust the play to 1 mm coz it was cozing the problem.
very nice and useful
hi, I wanted to remove the chain cover form my zmr, is it advisable to do that or not.
but the bike looks great without it.
hi… i have plan to buy new bike… but i have some confusion in which one is best in compareing pulsar and apache… give me some ideas….
Used oil for lubrication?? I disagree!
Used oil has little or no lubrication properties left (that is why it is removed from the engine) and it already contains dissolved metal from engine wear, gasses and particulate from the air. So it is quite corrosive. only protection used oil may offer is from rusting by acting as a barrier. Also some oil is definitely going to be skimmed off from the chain to the chain covers etc. I recommend fresh oil.
Also, the nozzle of the filter should be on the ‘inside’ of the chain. Not as shown in the illustration. That way oil will just fly away from the chain and might not lubricate the needles etc at all.
Regards
Thts wonderfully written.. Thanks a lot.
Akash, I want some more help from u..
I am interested in buying a pulsar 180 dtsi. It’s a open chain bike and needs regular servicing. All I want to know is whether it suffers from cold start during winters (as it lacks kick start) and how expensive is it to maintain a open chain bike?
Does it require servicing every month?
Is it better to go for the 150 dtsi? I’m really v confused… Plz help!!
Hi Rakesh,
Thanks for appreciating.
I think 180 dtsi sports and O-ring chain. This type of chain contains lubrication to the rolling pins and lubricant is sealed inside using O-rings on both sides of each and every link of the chain. So internal wear is reduced a LOT. You can see the Black rings between the links in this image: http://i00.i.aliimg.com/photo/v0/221642662/O_Ring_Chain.jpg
Externally, exposed chains face more dust than covered ones. So you have to visually check for dirt and grit and keep the chain clean externally esp in rainy season. Using a non-penetrating cleaner like Motul chain clean (or cheaper alternative like turpentine oil) will be good. Penetrating fluids (spirit, thinner, WD 40 etc) can reach inside the rings and drain the factory filled lubricant from the roller pins.
How to clean chain:
1. Take the bike to open ground
2. remove the small cover on the engine side sprocket for better results
3. Use a 1 inch brush and one of the mentioned cleaners to clean the chain. Dissolve the dirt. don’t scrub. Clean the sprockets too. Detail is yours
4. Use a clean cloth to clean off excess cleaning fluid
5. Lubricate with a light non sticky lubricant (motul chain lube, fresh engine oil). Only use enough that it does not drip and only in the inside of the chain.
Electric start issue:
I own a dazzler (no kick) and it has got excellent cold start properties. it is December as I write and I never have to crank it twice even in the mornings!
If you go by standard electricals (don’t add high wattage horns, more lights etc) then it should be fine. Point is to keep the battery charge at its best and refrain from battery draining accessories.
My Dazzler comes with a Maintenance Free battery. check 180 dtsi and replace the stock one with an equivalent MF battery later on if you feel you have probs. Also, regular service adds to cold start features because a healthier engine will fire up easily.
A company will not put its product on stake because of a starter. Trust that the 180′s starter has been tested in Indian conditions and go ahead.
Akash, thanks for the help..
I would also like to know how frequently the air filter needs to be cleaned.
and also what is the average lifetime of a battery.. ie how frequently the battery needs to be changed.. or from when should I start doubting it//
Removing the chain covers will decrease the live of chain spocket in bajaj pulsar 150 dtsi, can chain spocket of bajaj pulsar 180 dtsi be fitted perfectly to bajaj pulsar 150 dtsi, if yes reply waiting for quick response
hii
this is suhail from hyderabad. i hav got a yamaha fazer its giving a mileage of 28-30 can i improve it n how. i heard from a old mechanic that if you change a spark plug u can wat do u say
hi suhail spark plug will do some black if white no need to change and FI {fuel injector} time adjusment also.
try dealers advice on this they will chek your bike and do that need full things but the dealer have problem with less employed good mechanics that s why delay.
hi all i have pulsar 150 want to get 200 bore kit for it what will be the cost and how effective it will be did any of you guys get that mod for your bikes please reply..
I do it very simple. I visit my local mechanic and lubricate and tight chain for 20rs.
I do this very rarely as i service my bike (again 4m a known mechanic not service center) once in a month and my bike has chain covers. Bikes with Open chain covers might often need self service like this.
Hi frnds, im mddy having hero honda hunk new nd it giveme millage aprox. 50+, m happy with it.
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