Clear and sensible advice without the product placement bull. Thanks Dave.

Thanks again Dave, just the kind of no-nonsense advice i was looking for to help make this call

Dave needs to do more vids like this! Dude is awesome with explanation and speaking

Just changed my chain and sprocket, amazing, I'm amazed I'm not dead because my chain was significantly worse than this for weeks of heavy riding

i been going straight to motorcycle servicing shops and letting them do it, but now and then i have caught them doing dodges... and now im trying to learn myself how to do things..... i never know it was that simple to check if a chain needs replacing - so glad i have come across this video it was so EASY to understand thank you so much

after every track day, dave changes tires, brake discs, chain, oil, plugs and filters. every second track day, he gets a new bike, because the old one is unsafe =)

This is great advice, thanks dave. Keep meaning to see your workshops when they are in Christchurch NZ

Simple, clear explanation with a lot of information. Thanks.

I learn a lot from you thank goodness I found this video, I just find out that my chain has been worn out for such a long time, luckily this maintenance staff told me about it and I have to replace it on tomorrow. Thanks a lot sir this knowledge is totally worth to know.

Awesome information, I often get a difficult time adjusting chain slack, when it's up on the stands it feels ok but when I'm all done tightening everything up, it's slack, I do stick a tool between the chain and sprocket to pull when tightening too.

I've been debating on changing my chain and sprockets. After watching the video i am absolutely getting them changed. Thanks man

Replacing your own chain (and sprockets!) is a pretty easy job btw, and satisfying :) Get a workshop manual and have a look, judge if you can do it or not.

Great info as always, thanks Dave!

Good tips Dave , I've seen a few break and 'wrap-up' over the years , only luck that people weren't injured or dead . Dave NZ

Very informative Dave! Thanks,I have checked my chains and sprockets ,I subscribed to your channel, thanks again from the Philippines.

amazing! I learned some great info today. Thanks Dave!

i love this presentation. thank you for not talking to me like a car salesmen. i dont know why that impresses people (edited for spelling)

My experience with road bike chains is a bit different. Over the years I've had excellent results from DID O- and X-ring chains and have stuck with them. I lube every other tank of fuel or when the chain gets wet. I have been using PJ-1 Blue Label on the sealed chains exclusively. I have yet to go through the cleaning process on any chain that so many use. The shortest life I've had with these has been 40,000 miles. The last chain I ran from new-to-sold the bike, on my Kawasaki ZX1100E, had 58,000 miles on it and was still in spec. My standards for chain inspection are first, kinks. If a link tends to stay bent after coming off the sprocket, that's a sign it's done. I mostly rely on the standard service manual length check, where you apply a weight or other tension to the lower run and measure 20 links of the upper run. The weighting stretches all the slack out of each of those pin/hole combinations. Doing 20 links gains accuracy by checking a greater number of pin/hole wear amounts. The manual will specify the maximum measurement allowed. The ZX1100E chain mentioned above was still just barely within the Kawasaki/DID spec and had no kinking whatsoever when I sold the bike (with 106,000 miles and still the second chain). It was running quietly (noise is another sign of worn-out) and smoothly without jumping up and down as it comes off the sprockets (yet another bad sign). In contrast, when my wife was buying her Suzuki SV650S, I looked at the 5,000 mile chain and it was a rusty, kinky mess. I asked the fellow when last he'd lubed the chain. His reply was "I didn't know you had to lube a chain." When we're buying a used bike, we pretty much consider a new chain to be part of the expense of purchase. Needless to say, an ample supply of PJ-1 Blue Label is always on hand in this garage.

I'm impressed you could kneel down all the time while making that video. I couldn't do it without hurting my knee and foot.

Correct.!!! When is gone is gone.. Thanks... Great advice... have a great day....

Thanks mate, new to motorbikes and could hear something occasionally rub the tire. Thanks to your video i realised the chain had excessive wear and was the problem. A+ from a newbies perspective

so true I had few cheap chains and had to replace them often....I only put OEM chains and sprockets on these days

Well said. Thanks dave , great info as always. You put the words together so well and easy to understand.

Great info ad advice . Thank you very much

Thanks Dave! Awesome as always!

Best advice.Thankyou.

Dave, so great to have this channel and get the benefit of your detailed knowledge and experience. Thanks for getting me ready to haul ass on track day!

Straight to the point information 👍

Wow Dave you must be psychic Iv'e been wondering if my chain needs to be replace as I take very good care of it but wasn't sure if it was time// just checked it and it looks like I have about a set of tires or two till I need replacement thanks for your wealth of information (I just unsubscribed and resubscribed so I'm a born again subscriber) thanks for saving me!!!

Hey Dave thanks for the video mate seen heaps of other videos about when to replace a chain but they don't actually tell you what to look out for. Your video on the other hand was bloody fantastic explanation. Cheers mate ride safe

Haven’t gotten past ads yet, but… i was so happy to see when searching for diagnoses info that Dave Moss has a vid on the possible issue

God damn it need to change my chain, my first manual bike bought it from January I'm using it every day never cleaned up the chain just started 1 months ago, all the tips u showed...my chain have them...thx man

Damnnn that chain is as loose as my ex! 😂

been wondering whats wrong with my bike. you really helped me figure it out

"How many links do you have?" " *MMMH* "

Good video great information thank you.

Thanks for the video! I’m looking to buy my first bike. Do you think you can make a video showing what to to look for when buying a used bike? Just some stuff to help decide if the bike is a good buy or not or even things to help negotiate the price down. Thanks!

To be honest ,I wish it will be showned on properly adjusted chain as per specs. As I can do all these things on a new chain sitting loose on sprockets. Might be wrong though :) What wasn't mentioned , is to see if tense/slack of the chain remains same by twisting rear wheel by hand on center stand.

Thanks Dave. You da Man.

very straight forward video

If my chain touches the wheel wen you move it to the side does that mean the chains done even if you still got a lot of room to pull your wheel back . Thanks your suspension videos helped me out alot thanks

Thanks Dave, great content ;)

This is a great bit of wisdom!

I need a new chain for my MT-09, any recommendations? From EU.

What I would like to know/hear is specifically what these symptoms can translate to in terms of failure. In other words, when a chain is like this, does it mean the pins are so worn they're about to snap? Does it mean the chain can derail itself or catch on the frame or other part? Basically, what is the first "danger" or failure mode of a worn chain to look for? Knowing what kind of failures a worn chain can lead to specifically regarding the type of wear and which occur first can make it easier to understand where the line is drawn in the sand where replacement is necessary. For example, if touching the tire means it's capable of derailing itself, that's a good thing to test for and makes other checks superfluous. We can all be scared and overdo maintenance to the moon and back, but that's not science or engineering, so knowing not just what the symptoms are but what they actually correlate to is crucial.

Salamat pare sa info

Great video thank you.

Thanks, you're awesome!

also depends on the kind of chain you get and spokets- O ring chains are internally lubed and sealed, so they last longer. Also depends on the quality of metal used in the chain and sprockets. Conclusion- by quality products and they will last longer. :)

I always used the mechanical standard of compressing the links then measuring the amount of free slack that can be stretched out of it. In other words the difference from compressed length and extended length. This test is easily done on a concrete floor and is the most accurate method I know of. Look up the manufacturer's specifications. It's measurable and scientific.

Thanks 👍

Really great video, will check my chain on my bike(first ever real bike, GSXR K4 750) when I get home. What are the symptoms that the chain is gone while riding?

Hey day what size combination are you running with the Bridgestones? How do you find them?

Good vid thanks

thanks

Bought a 2017 BMW f700GS used had 4500 mi. on her. I ride 650mi/wk all highway in Florida, and clean and lube, tension also, every Sunday. At 20K now and think I need replacement. Going with DID. And new sprockets. I'm nervous! lol Never changed a chain. I also get the feeling from you a click link is a BAD choice! "Honey, I need to buy some more tools! " Uh oh... 😜

Good advice 👍

Forgot to mention changing the sprockets as well…they cause wear if not replaced.

So useful

Dam I love your knowledge

Thanks much for this!

Thank you l have been waiting for good info like this again thanks

The black chain looks nice

Cleaning is the main thing and how you do it. I have a ZX12R with over 40k on it and the original 20 year old chain is still very good. I clean every 500-1000km and lube maybe twice between that time and more often if raining. The trick is not just in cleaning but how you do it and how you apply the initial lube after cleaning. The key secret here is KEROSINE. Kerosine is basically an oil and lubricant that doesn't harm any of the components in the chain. But it does vapor off fairly quick. So take a rag and soak it in kerosine almost dripping. Then just pull the chain through the rag dripping till all the old lube and dirt is gone and use the kerosine also for the cleaning of the sprockets. Take a clean rag again with kerosine and wet the chain before the initial lube and apply the lube when the chain is still wet. This will dilude the new lube and it gets past the O rings or X rings easier to the main parts of the chain that is the roller. There is no other real way to lube the roller after manufacturing than doing this. Apply generous amount of lube. Let it sit for half an hour for the kerosine to vapor off so the lube regains it original viscosity and you are ready to ride. You do this and take care of your chain it will last a long time. Good chain also keeps the sprockets in good shape.

I put a larger and heigher tire than standard on my bike and it has a small clearance for the suspension arm. My question is, if I could put a longer chain than the ordinal one to increase that clearance?

I use a clip link after I rough the surface and use a 2 part apoxy over it. Never an issue.

@dave moss tuning - Wouldn't tightening the chain solved the yaw and general slop issues?

@4:46 Quicklink? That is available for bicycle chains, too. :)

is it worth saying you need to check your chain slack before doing the first two checks as would this not give a wrong reading.

Are you making these measurements at the chains slackest spot? Also, some people say you have to swap out the sprockets when you do a chain. If my steel sprockets still looks fine do you think that’s really applicable?

But if you just move your wheel back won't that stop the movement? Or is it already gone if you have to adjust your wheel?

I have noticed that the master link on my chain is not loose/rotating easily like the rest of the chain. I complained to the shop that did it and they said most of them are like that, not their fault. I think they just suck at pressing the link onto the master. Should I make them cut it off and replace it?

Lov u. Ty for your service to society. Keep up the good work.

Great advice 👍🇨🇦

done is done retired kaput finito lol. So many things you can learn from Mr Dave

Dave: You don't mention measuring chain stretch. Any reason to not trust that assessment? Thank you for a practical set of assessments I can do in seconds every time I give my chain some love. (Every two tanks of fuel, more often when bushwhacking or rain riding)

Is Vortex chain and sprocket good?? I got a 05 gsxr600 and I'm pretty sure the guy I bought it from got a cheap Amazon chain and threw it on well it clicks and clacks while riding I'm not sure if the adjustment is wrong or if chain is bad I gotta look into it more..

1:00 Great video from there

Isn't the pullback trick also checking for sprocket wear?

my chain has 75 000km on it. makes some funny noises now. It was a 530 x ring sport bike chian.

I believe my Chain is done, after testing it as you did yours. I have a 2011 Suzuki GSX 1250FA. What brand of Chain and Sprockets do you recommend to replace my original OEM set?

Dave, how about sticky links? it's ok to WD40 and ride to clean them out?

Do i need to replace my sprockets when i get a new chain? they're still pretty good but my chain is starting to air on the side of needing to be replaced.

Some of those symptoms sound like a chain that is just too loose. How can you tell the difference between a “worn out” chain and one that just needs to be tightened up?

I have a DID zvm x 525 chain and jt sprockets. Total cost maybe 120 euros. Clean and lube using used engine oil basically every day. I've only had to adjust chain tension once or twice in around 25k kms which was after the initial bedding in. It's only an sv650 so not a massive amount of power but don't underestimate taking good care of a premium chain in terms of longevity

I guess your chain is loose.. can you please reply me if I'm wrong

wouldnt an ill adjusted tension create a loose chain? creating most of these symptoms?

Nice! What’s your opinion on a 520 chain conversion for a liter bike like the RSV4?

Is this what would cause the engine to jolts throttle at a low gear?

Hey Dave Do you think it worth fitting a 1000cc bike with a chain rated upto 1400cc instead of the standard upto 1000cc chain for a bike ridden by heavy rider or two up?

Dont need to change sprockets at same time?

i have a 2001 honda cr125. im pretty sure its still the original chain. there is no chain link on it anyway. its still going strong.

Sprockets at the same time Dave?

Can anyone recommend some quality brands for chain and sprockets for my 07 sv650s. The choices on amazon scare me.

What if you just keep tighting them?

3:01 that is not that much movement btw from the sprocket.

Can't most of these be corrected by just tightening the chain?!? So how then can I be sure?

Hi Dave, I have this problem with the chain and sprocket that I can't find a solution. Lets call the problem a "wobbling sprocket". My motorcycle transmission department has been maintained well and the chain is not nearly there for a change. However, recently after the usual cleaning-lubing process I prepared to adjust the tension. That's when I noticed the sprocket wobbling a bit. In no way is the performance affected in any manner with the wobble. In fact, when I searched the KZfaq for "wobbling sprocket" I found a dozen short clips with no real solution or discussion. It's a dead end for me. Do you think it is something that I should be bothered? P.S. the rims are not bent and the brake rotor is sliding between pads just fine. This wobbling is only on the sprocket side of the motorcycle.

Along with those 3 symptoms, is a chain that feels like the links are tight only because it binds on itself needs to be replaced? On the stand my rear wheel hardly spun, I took off the chain and my wheel spin like a champ now so is my chain causing it?

My motorcycle is 1month old but anytime I start to move on the 1st gear I hear a sound in the spokat and the chain