Step-By-Step Guide For Cutting Motorcycle Chain

As anyone who’s ever spent time on a motorcycle knows, there’s a particular thrill about gliding down the highway on a bike. From the unique sense of liberty to the wind flowing through your hair, there’s not much like it. However, while receiving so much enjoyment from our motorcycles, we can be quick to neglect them in terms of regular maintenance and TLC.

Depending on your bike and its current condition, chains can stretch drastically over time, making it vital to resize them from both a performance and safety point of view.

In this article, we’ll be simplifying a seemingly tricky process – how to cut and resize a motorcycle chain. We’ll break down each of these steps into seven easy-to-follow sections, outlining the benefits of a maintained chain too.

Before we kick things off, you’ll need to gather a few supplies to get the job done:

7 -Step Process For Cutting Motorcycle Chain

Whatever the reason, let’s explore the best way to cut your old chain and return your motorcycle to top performance.

1. Assessing your motorcycle chain
2. Loosening the rear axle nut
3. Measuring chain length for resizing.
4. Using a chain breaker
5. Removing excess chain links and sharp edges.
6. Reattaching the chain
7. Applying lubricant

1.   Assessing Your Motorcycle Chain

Before we actually commit to anything serious, try to give your chain a thorough check to see if it really needs to be cut or altered in any way. Check for small signs of wear, like rust, kinks, or any loose links – you may not need to cut your chain if it’s in good condition, but you may have to shorten it if it’s too loose or seems to have quite a few tight links.

While you’re giving your motorcycle chain a check, try to consider the specific type of chain that you have, as different chains require different cutting methods. For instance, O-ring chains need to be cut in a specific location, while a non-O-ring chain can be cut from anywhere.

2.   Loosening The Rear Axle Nut

Next up, you’ll need to loosen your rear axle nut using the socket wrench you gathered earlier. This helps you adjust your chain tension to the loosest setting, making the whole process much easier.

Don’t worry if you’ve never done this before – it’s fairly simple and makes removing the necessary amount of chain a lot easier to do. Ultimately, just take your time and make sure you’re using the correct size socket wrench, and you’ll be alright. With the rear axle nut loosened you’ll have some slack in the chain, making the next step a lot less effort.

3.   Measuring The Chain Length For Resizing

After you’ve loosened the chain tension, it’s time to measure the specific length of the chain that you’re removing from your motorcycle. Have your measuring tape at the ready and, crucially, take your time to ensure an accurate measurement. If you’re feeling apprehensive about this part, it’s always better to double-check before moving forward.

Remember, it’s generally better to keep your chain a little longer than to cut it too short – you’ll always be able to remove more links if needed, but adding them back on can be a real pain.

4.   Using a Chain Breaker

This is the fun part – breaking the chain! With your chain breaker tool at hand, carefully break the chain at the link that lines up with the length you measured in the previous step. While you’re doing this, try to keep steady pressure and the tool straight at all times to avoid inflicting any damage to your chain.

Once you’ve fully broken the link, gently wiggle the chain until it comes apart. Don’t stress if this takes a bit of effort – it’s all part of the process. This part is crucial, so aim for a straight and clean cut to prevent any jagged edges that might cause issues further down the line.

5.   Removing Excess Chain Links and Sharp Edges

After you’ve broken the chain, you might notice a few excess links that’ll need to be removed before reattaching the chain to your bike. Using your pliers, carefully remove these links and put them to one side.

Next, take a moment to clean up any sharp edges with a file or grinder. Sharp edges make the process of putting your chain back on a lot more awkward, so it’s vital to include this part to stop any scratching or premature damage to your motorcycle.

6.   Reattaching The Chain

To finish things up, we need to align and connect the chain back to your motorcycle using a master link or rivet link. Make sure you’re adjusting the tension according to the bike’s specific manufacturing instructions, checking that it’s not too tight or loose. Take your time here and finish by securing the chain in place with the necessary bolts or screws.

7.   Applying Lubricant

And lastly, all that’s left is to apply some chain lubricant to give your new chain some final touches of maintenance. When you’re applying it, try to keep an even distribution and be sure to wipe off any excess as well to attract less dirt. And that’s it; you’re all set to hit the road with a properly maintained chain!

Conclusion

To wrap things up, it’s vital for motorcycle riders to give their bike the respect and love it deserves, and it all starts with the chain – the foundation for your motorcycle’s longevity and for your safety. Whether it’s to resize just for regular maintenance, be sure to follow these steps carefully and have the right tools to make cutting your chain a simple process, eliminating the need for a professional to do the job for you.