Lubing Chain

Maintenance

• The chain needs to be lubricated. We recommend a high-performance chain wax as it will cause less fling than oil. The chain should be lubricated once per hour at minimum. Failure to lubricate the chain will result in accelerated chain wear.

• The chain should be cleaned with a non-solvent chain cleaner every 4 hours at minimum. Clean more often if you are in a dirty environment, such as a gravel paddock. Clean your sprockets too!

• The chain needs to be adjusted correctly. The chain should be adjusted to have one half to one inch vertical play at the midpoint between sprockets. This should be checked through the whole rotation of the rear sprocket and chain. A tight spot is a sign of a problem and should NOT be ignored.

• A new chain will stretch, it will need to be adjusted a couple of times before it sets.

Inspection

• This should be a deliberate step and should be part of the chain lube process! The chain should be inspected visually for any links that are going tight or for discoloration of a link barrel due to heat. The chain is a sealed chain meaning that grease is sealed in at the factory. If the seals are damaged that grease will escape and that link will seize and fail. If you see this, replace the chain early.

• The sprockets should be inspected for damage. This is best done by feel. Touch each tooth between your thumb and forefinger, if there is any damage you will feel it. Please don’t turn the wheels while doing this, lest your own fingers will need maintenance!

  • This step is important, all it takes is a stone from the track to get thrown into the chain and it can cause damage to a sprocket. A damaged sprocket will break a chain.

Replacement

• While chain and sprocket life will be dependent on your usage, you should expect 25-50 hrs from a chain and sprocket set. Some will get significantly more.

  • Use Only a Rush 530 or RK 530 ZXW chain!