How to Correctly Adjust your Chain

This video is a part of a series on our channel from videos we shot with Elevate. Today we talk about how-to adjust your chain properly.
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Jay Clark/Dirt Bike TV has been around the Dirt Bike industry for thirty years and is always looking to learn and help others do so as well. Give a follow or drop an email if you have any questions or comments. Thanks for watching!
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#dunlop #dirtbike #motocross

[@TheCarlejoseph]

Thanks for the video. I think many people overlook the chain adjustment and it leads to more significant issues.

[@seashackf1]

Great advice about no chain lube. Glad to see more people talking about it. It’s more about rust prevention and keeping the chain clean than lubrication. Especially on an o-ring chain where the lub is sealed in. Fortnine has two great video’s on cleaning and lubing proving it. They are a must see for those that haven’t already.

[@dirtbiketv1]

Yes His video re enforced what we had figured over the years--

[@seashackf1]

@@dirtbiketv1 I’ve watched a bunch of your videos lately and you seem to have the right approach to dirt bikes. The most expensive route isn’t always the best. Do what actually works and has been proven over time. Not just what the marketers tell us to do. Keep the great videos coming. 👍

[@cbh148]

I 3D printed an insert for chain slack adjustment to make sure it’s in the 53-63mm range above the rear slider bolt that Yamaha spec’d for YZ125.

[@ophx1337]

thats smart lol. i wanna do it now lmaooo

[@apriloneal3397]

Thanks Jay

[@Hanibul_Lecktor]

Never use WD40, it becomes hydrostatic. Heat gun, after cleaned your chain or new. Heat up to 140f, hot to touch. Then take chain wax or lube, spray your chain. Two complete revolutions of the chain, lubing above and below. Let cool 5-10 mins, then re oves excess with rag. Heating the chain, then applying room temperature lube. Sucks the lube inside the chain orings. Never use WD40, take some nails. Coat them with WD40 and let sit in a ziploc bag or empty can. They'll rust !! Same with your chain. If you insist on exterior lube for guides, a teflon based lube works best. Everything else in this video, top notch.

[@deganwilder620]

Thanks Jay…Good refresher. Have had a chance to check out the Stark Vargs clicker chain adjuster system?

[@dirtbiketv1]

No- No electric here 😂

[@human1513]

I have seen KTM's and other bikes that will crack and break the rear engine casing mount(s) if the chain is too tight. Have also seen a chain come off due to being too loose and the chain then putting a hole in the engine cover.

[@Sinodasilva]

hi jay, can you make a video on how to treat aluminum oxidation on the yz front forks , there is hardly any info about this on the web

[@bradley7723]

Got a klr650 for cheap as the previous owner had chain way to tight and it actually took out the trans output shaft.

[@connor3288]

Wild. Suprised it didn't ruin the cases.

[@billbob9304]

Is it ok to run with the adjustment of the axle blocks inside of the hash marks, or is that not recommended?

[@bigironjakesd619]

Jay o ring chain or non o ring chain? What should my son run on his 2016 yz250f track bike?

[@bertamusprime618]

Thanks for the video and thanks for the Chain Lube tip about using WD-40. I never thought of chain lube doing that to the chain but totally makes sense. Keep up the great work and when you gonna start selling those Dunlop Stickers 😉.

[@christopherevans4978]

Yea that’s a good tip I used to use the maxima chain wax and it makes my rim stained with it and it stinks up my garage also wd 40 is good at preventing rust

[@jeffdacey4673]

Idk if wd 40 is the best option. Wd isn’t just a lubricant. I have used it in a pinch but I have found for o ring chains if you use a on road chain lube it don’t fling off as it is made to be used at highspeed. Yamalube makes a good one so does muck off

[@christopherevans4978]

@@jeffdacey4673 I may start using yammalube I saw some pro motocross guys using it at the track

[@seashackf1]

⁠@@jeffdacey4673it’s more about rust prevention and keeping the chain clean than lubrication. Especially on an o-ring chain where the lub is sealed in. Fortnine has two great video’s on cleaning and lubing proving it. They are a must see if you haven’t already.

[@dudethatsaboy5627]

Bro I just put wd40 on my chain😐

[@mickcain7397]

Line wrenches are great for the jam nuts so that you don't strip them.

[@bertamusprime618]

That is a great tip! Funny thing is I have a set of metric line wrenches that I have maybe have used 3-4 times in the last 15 years.

[@jcarman2389]

Hey I adjusted my chain and got the wheel alignment perfect, but my master link keeps snapping off and I’ve gone through 5 master links, I just changed my tire and put the wheel back on and the problem started then, any suggestions would be amazing

[@dirtbiketv1]

email Jay directly for tech questions--

[@ioanniskonovesis3438]

Im to scared to do it i might just add a tensioner roller perhaps instead

[@Rieju300]

I see you have the bike on a stand. My Rieju manual says “with no load on the motorcycle and the side stand out it should be between 30-36mm measured behind the chain guard” so about the same place you are measuring. But should I interpret that to mean it should be sitting on the side stand or on a center stand? Thx!

[@onthethrottle7104]

If it says side stand out, that means the bike should be on the kickstand when you check it. I was surprised Jay didn't mention this because lots of manufacturers want the chain to be checked with the bike off the center stand because once you take it off the center stand and sit on the bike the chain is tight. It's always better to have a chain very loose than it is snug. I've seen pro enduro and motocross riders with super loose chains so don't worry about a loose chain. A tight chain will break and leave you stranded...a loose chain will not and the worse thing that can happen is the chain comes off the rear sprocket which is extremely rare...but if that happens you can lay the bike on the its side and just start the chain on the sprocket then spin the rear wheel with your hands and the chain will pop on. Hope that helps.

[@Rieju300]

Thanks so much! Super helpful. Appreciate it.

[@motomogul4023]

wd40 on non O ring chains or just O ring, is the sprocket alignment tool ok to use? I don’t trust those marks sometimes , thanks

[@dirtbiketv1]

Yes ok to use or measure with calipers---

[@seashackf1]

Both. It’s more about rust prevention and keeping the chain clean than lubrication.

[@Ktm-jas]

Ktm exc (pds) 55-58 mm to the service book.

[@AnthonyStory]

My adjuster bolts are mysteriously stripped after leaving the bike with a new mechanic… FUCK

[@MotoSurgeon]

How do you account for sprocket size changes?

[@gophop]

Measure the diameters of the old and the new sprockets. Calculate the difference. Divide by 2 to get radius. Divide by 2 to get the difference at half-way point between sprockets. Use that value to increase or decrease (depending on which way the sprocket has changed) the chain slack. Or take the shock out and measure the actual limit of your setup.

[@jonathanbennett4836]

I was always told that wd-40 is not a lubricant.

[@andreasjonsson8075]

Hey Jay! Give xcp professional a try. Very high quality stuff.

[@DanielS784]

Did youbsay to use WD 40 for the lub on the chain?

[@bidenisgod6978]

No it's to keep the chain clean

[@JarrellLund]

How do I remember this it's going to take an hour to remember

[@inevespace]

It is first time I see a chain with holes in plates. What it is?

[@night1ish]

Those are the link pins

[@dirtbiketv1]

ProX chain

[@peterbonivart6818]

EK also has it on some of their chains

[@JC21x]

What about chain length? is it just a guess?

[@bidenisgod6978]

Use your brain

[@Smacka04]

Can somebody help me!!

[@billderych1291]

I've always used wd40, chain definitely stays cleaner.

[@Factory928AC]

Need some light 👀

[@Hyngyynj]

I read in an older motocross book to not use wd-40 on a chain haha

[@yodavizion]

Ok I got my chain adjusted, time to throw fattys 🥞 🤤

[@OffroadTakeover8]

Is chain Wax ok?

[@EricBanner571]

I've used chain wax and that also attracts sand and dirt and wears out the chain prematurely. Stick to WD40 or silicon spray.

[@dirtbiketv1]

We dont prefer it as its such a mess on clean up and dirt build up

[@OffroadTakeover8]

@@EricBanner571 thanks brother

[@dylanfilmz676]

If you’re not riding sandy or on dirt do not use wd40

[@noahstang]

Why?

[@patrose6072]

Why not mane?

[@bidenisgod6978]

What do you ride on then 😂

[@Cetrifuga1945]

Sciarecarena si