How-To Clean, Lube & Adjust Your Motorcycle Chain | Royal Enfield Himalayan | Ol' Man Ronin (S2,E1)

How-To Clean, Lube & Adjust Your Motorcycle Chain. The featured Motorcycle is the Royal Enfield Himalayan, but it applies to any Chain Driven Motorcycle! Ol' Man Ronin shows you the Tips and the Tricks of Motorcycle Chain Maintenance by checking the "play" in the chain, then cleaning and lubricating it and finally proper adjustments according to Manufacturer's Specifications! Royal Enfield Himalayan Chain Maintenance featuring Chain Adjustments, How-To Clean the Chain and How-To Lube the Chain
Take Time For TCLOCS Video Link:
• TCLOCS WARNING! Are Yo...
SUBSCRIBE!
Help us prepare for the Trans America Trail & making awesome videos (well the best I can) by becoming a supporter of Ol' Man Ronin on Patreon! Visit the link below!
/ olmanronin
C'mon SUBSCRIBE Already!
/ olmanronin
Follow us on:
/ olmanronin
/ olmanronin
/ olmanronin
Send Ol' Man Ronin an email at:
[e-mail]
The Bike featured in the Video:
2018 Royal Enfield Himalayan
www.royalenfield.com/in/en/mo...
The Closest Dealer to me is ...
Royal Enfield of Columbus:
royalenfieldofcolumbus.com/
These are the Gadgets I use for filming:
GoPro Hero 7 Black
GoPro Hero 8 Black
GoPro Mic Adapter
Purple Panda Mic

[@cisium1184]

Speaking just for myself, I will happily and thankfully watch every single RE Himalayan maintenance video you do.

[@OlManRonin]

Thank you! These usually don't do as well but I really think they are important! Cheers!

[@juant.8279]

Me too! Thanks from Colombia!

[@titanbum7365]

@@OlManRonin They should. Seeing it done is much easier for some of us old dudes than figuring out what the dang book is trying to get across. By the time I get my Hymmy Im gonna already know how to maintain it because of your videoes which I can aleays refer to if needed. Thanks again Ronin!

[@OlManRonin]

@@titanbum7365 Thank you so very much

[@EmeteriodelaRosa]

Thanks

[@matg.4307]

I like to watch your videos because you break things down simply for beginners. As a beginner and new Himalayan owner these basic maintenance videos are immensely helpful. Thanks!

[@OlManRonin]

Thank you so much for the awesome comment. Cheers and congratulations on your new bike

[@ScooterintheSticks]

Having spent the last 17 years with belt or shaft drives, I needed a short course on chain maintenance. Your videos are clear, well shot, and easy to understand. After deciding a year to have dealers do all my service, watching your stuff has rekindled the hapless mechanic in me and I plan to service the Himalayan myself. I only wish I hadn't sold my lift table last spring...

[@Grasshoppers_Path]

I remember when I was younger I never took care of my motorcycle chains. I have now come to learn how important chain maintenance really is. Glad to see you clean it first, many people think they just need to lube the chain, but cleaning it just prolongs it life. 😊

[@OlManRonin]

Thanks for sharing

[@gcprost]

I picked my Himalayan today! When it comes to adjusting the chain, I usually count the flats instead of using degrees.

[@ranplan]

RIP man, took my Himalayan out yesterday and got to thinking… I should probably learn how to maintain my chain. Came to KZbin, found your video, and knew you’d know how to simply explain it. Bookmarked and will return every time I do it. 🙏🏼

[@MotoOffroadAdventures]

Thanks for a great video. I just bought a 2022 Himalayan. It is not only my first adventure bike, but my first motorcycle ever. This video was perfect. Thanks again

[@beastfremont]

This is the best Himalayan chain maintenance video on KZbin. They might not do as well numbers wise but your tutorials are a great resource for Himalayan owners.

[@jamesurban2287]

I have my Royal Enfield for almost a year now, every video you put out about the Himalayan, I watch, excellent videos, I especially like your maintenance videos. Keep up the good work.

[@javierlopez4461]

I agree with Cisium. The more and more I watch your videos the more I’m on the hunt for a Himalayan to buy. I live in Mass and there is a few around me, but luckily it’s not far. Keep doing your thing and posting. I like how you have your garage set up too and how your videos are playing in the background. Keep posting cause I’ll be watching.

[@OlManRonin]

Awesome Javier Thank you so much!!!!

[@OrangeManStan]

You should always check the chain again after you tighten the axle nut. The locking nuts will stop the chain slackening off but will not stop the chain from going tighter ie decreasing the 25mm. This often happens as the leverage on the 24mm spanner pulls the wheel back. Also check it again when you take it off the centre stand.

[@alaneddy4575]

Thank you brother. Please do a full maintenance series.

[@OlManRonin]

working on it

[@leepearce787]

Thanks for this mate, New Himmy owner from the UK :)

[@OlManRonin]

welcome Lee and Congratulations

[@devranjith2665]

Sir, I’d like to include one more thing for the newbies that if you’re adjusting chain on the centre stand that chain will be a bit loose and when you remove the stand the chain becomes tight. So you guys should adjust accordingly. I learned the hard way. Please pin this sir

[@pissoff247]

RE themselves recommends measuring and adjusting in the center stand.

[@geoffschmidt1944]

This is great.. and easy! Thanks so much!

[@johnpawson7400]

Enjoyed watching someone else adjust their chain, thanks for the video

[@OlManRonin]

You're welcome John

[@andycutting2041]

Great video, I'm one of those people who has just gone back to chain drive from having shaft driven bikes.

[@OlManRonin]

Ive never owned a shaft driven bike.

[@ThisIsABargain]

Great videos and a great person, thanks...BUT may I also add that it is useful to check slack in a number of different places as others have said, and adjust with some weight on (get someone to sit on it if poss) as the geometry means it will tighten when you sit on it and may be over tight. There is a certain distance from the sprocket you measure the slack at too. I also spray the lube in the middle of the lower chain run with a piece of cardboard behind to reduce spray mess and not near the rear sprocket so as to avoid overspray near brake disc which could be lethal. Make sure to torque up axel nut. Also I didn't see you ensure correct wheel alignment by actually measuring each side... Never trust the markings, I saw you did make the same number of adjustment turns either side but that assumes wheel is already in alignment. See DellBoys Garage or Spicy110 videos on chain adjustment. Great content though. Cheers and keep the videos coming please. You are very entertaining.

[@hernanmesa4624]

Thank you, very usefull

[@mikecrowley3102]

Yes, I was surprised to notice that he didnt check the wheel alignment before tightening the axle nut. Correct wheel alignment is very important to check whenever an adjustment of the wheel axle is performed

[@josephsperato5645]

Excellent video for EVERYONE , I have been riding since 1972 and this basic maintenance is needed !

[@OlManRonin]

Thank you

[@noot7109]

I'm glad you made the video. It's always nice to see how someone else does their maintenance and repairs!

[@OlManRonin]

Thank you Noot

[@christopherstromberg3070]

Appreciate the video. I’ve been wrenching for over a decade on the automotive side, but I just bought my first bike and this makes it simple enough.

[@OlManRonin]

awesomeness thank you

[@michealrcnicholson9342]

Brilliant, going to check my Himmy chain now.

[@ojbarberena7090]

Such useful information. I just adjusted the chain on my Himalayan for the first time. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. Cheers from Colombia South America

[@lindayorke8108]

Thanks for doing this. Always thought chain maintenance was a little like brain surgery. I got this!

[@timherendeen4531]

best Himalayan maintenance video I have seen. am looking for valve adjustment now.

[@truth4012]

Damn I should have done mine 3 times by now. I’ve only adjusted once but I’ve cleaned and lubed about 3. 😂

[@OlManRonin]

I always refer to the owner's manual for making videos like this BECAUSE, you know someone somewhere will find a fault lol Thanks for watching! Cheers

[@OurDee]

I've worked on my own bikes since 1974. I've not so self centered that I won't check your video to make sure I get it right. Thank you

[@OlManRonin]

lol thanks

[@braddawson3654]

I am thankful for your maintenance stuff too! Definitely owe ya a beer or two!

[@sscbkr48]

Fantastic chanel, always interesting. Everytime I hear that cardigan piano jazz my BP goes wayy down.. takes me back 50 yrs to saner times. 😁

[@klano8443]

That was beru good you make it look simple.

[@stefansmuts8882]

Thanks for doing this video - its great to know exactly how to perform this!

[@OlManRonin]

Thank You Stefan

[@SO-zi3zq]

Thanks so much for guide, I recently bought a Himilayan but haven't got a clue about chain adjustment - my other bike is a shaft drive! I've been watching your posts and enjoyed them all so you have another subscriber here. Thanks again and hi from England!

[@OlManRonin]

Welcome and thank you

[@mickjarrett6796]

Excellent demonstration, succinct, comprehensive interesting and easy to follow, a perfect example of ‘KISS’ (keep it simple stupid). Thank you.

[@chintu306ify]

Very informative video, thanks! This will be helpful to me during my upcoming long ride.

[@denisobek6784]

Super helpful. I just cleaned my chain for the first time. Thanks

[@durgeshtripathi446]

What a great person.

[@OlManRonin]

Thank you

[@frankrightbrain]

I like to check for sprocket/chain/wheel alignment when adjusting my chain.

[@OlManRonin]

Exactly, why I went behind the bike and rolled the wheel to check both sprocket alignment and wheel alignment. This was a BASIC maintenance video. I will do more indepth videos sown the road. Great comment and Thank you

[@TaftBenJamin]

Very helpful, thank you!

[@VRTOC]

Great video, thank you!

[@IanRobertSanders]

Great channel. I find both the maintenance vids and also the ones where you go out riding to be very informative and fin to watch. Keep up the great work with these nice videos!

[@MrBikercat]

Hello there, should also let your viewers know about the clip style master link on the chain. past week was riding to work on a local road and the chain broke. the rest of the chain was intact. the chain put a hole in the stator cover. luckily it didn't crack the engine case. will be installing a rivet style master link on the new chain.

[@jauken83]

About to adjust the chain on my Scram for the first time, and this video was very helpful.

[@OlManRonin]

Thats awesome and Thank you

[@paulo1787]

Just followed your instructions, was prepared and I really enjoyed it, I’m 57, never done this before 🤦‍♂️, can you do some more of these, such a help 👏👏👏 Thank you 😁

[@OlManRonin]

You got it!!

[@wardroland270]

Thanks OMR. Great job. Good info. God bless. Happy trails.

[@corriecole4687]

Looks super simple. Thanks

[@devdattamanjrekar3655]

👍Very informative video… Ronin… Thanks for that 🤝

[@paulo1787]

wonderful, more please, so helpful 🙏👏😎

[@petervansoestdevrolijkeboe3320]

Please keep doing these maintenance video’s for newbees like myself, helps a lot!😎

[@OlManRonin]

you got it

[@theridingman1]

very interesting explanation. Thank you very much

[@joesepandrealutfi2489]

Great vid, man… thanks a bunch

[@mrgrizzlyrides]

Been doin chains since 1977; still watched and enjoyed your vid. Your right, not everyone knows how to look after their chain and it can seem scary; you explained it so it looks like a piece of cake. Always watch your videos. Take care and ride safe🏍🍻🤪

[@OlManRonin]

Thank you Griz, appreciate it more than you know Cheers

[@markoppelaar861]

Thanks for the instructional video Ronin. Great stuff!

[@OlManRonin]

Thank you Mark

[@HarshMcNair]

Really appreciate the work you put in to demonstrate basic skills of maintaining a motorbike!

[@brianbadovin1919]

I agree with Cisium. I enjoy your videos and being a newly minted Himalayan owner, I find them interesting and informative. You never know what you might learn. Thanks again Ol'Man Ronin.

[@OlManRonin]

Thank you Brian! Cheers!

[@Photofex]

Thanks for the video! Appreciate every tip to maintain my Himalayan!

[@OlManRonin]

You're extremely welcome

[@Ven66]

Thanks! Very helpful. A beautiful channel

[@OlManRonin]

Thank you so much

[@demotedD]

Very simple for simpletons like me. Only concern I have is with the spray and not putting like some kind of disposable barrier like cardboard or paper between the chain and the wheel. Someone once told me to avoid getting lube sprays on rubber and other components around there.

[@tmaioli]

That's the way I do it, I noticed the same thing.

[@nightsofcandy]

This was super informative and helpful, thank you for making and posting this video.

[@OlManRonin]

You're quite welcome

[@tripleaaa8662]

Thankful for every tipp and hint for maintenance! Sometimes the simple things count 👍🏻

[@OlManRonin]

Absolutely!

[@OurDee]

Nice video by the way!

[@donaguitar]

You can also check with the stripes in the little window in the axle, if there are the same on both side you are good if there is a difference you better put it right. Hope you understand what I mean.

[@giso79]

thank you for that instruction and as soon as i will have my Himalayan i will do it like you discripted. and a huge thank you also that you gave us also the metric measurements. greatings from germany and a Simson S51 rider even if i have the Himalayan ;-)

[@shawnmoore4292]

I enjoy maintenance stuff and helps when we have a go. It great to watch RE stuff.

[@OlManRonin]

Thank you for watching and subscribing!

[@jofletcher6168]

cheers bro very helpful

[@haroldklassen5493]

Thanks Ol' man always good to get a refresh of how to do this stuff Ya always think it's ok but good to know how to really check it to make sure it's right! Makes the ride that much better!

[@OlManRonin]

Awesome comment thank you

[@peterhobbs7609]

Nice one OMR, simple but clear, job done

[@OlManRonin]

Appreciated thank you!

[@raydean9330]

Well done again 👏 👍

[@modeamity]

I need RE Himalayan now since I picked a 2021 model up with only 920 miles!

[@tribaldata]

This is gold for a newbie like me, I really appreciate you doing theses, thank you Sir.

[@kostah976]

Good video!

[@michaeltait3783]

It’s been 22 yrs from the time I purchased my Valkyrie that I have done chain maintenance. My Brother in laws V85 TT Moto Guzzi is shaft drive as well and deciding between the two for my 2nd motorcycle is difficult. The Moto Guzzi is both beautiful and fantastic for all round riding but a bit much as 2nd bike. I’m liking the Himalayan for 2nd bike to let wife and Grandkids training wheels.

[@jannerfox9292]

Thanks' for the video, handy for folks new to motorcycles or folks who may have forgotten about chain maintenance. . Good idea

[@OlManRonin]

Glad it was helpful!

[@DJ-jx5qo]

Excellent video, very good detailed explanation... I learned quite a bit about the right method to follow. thank you, Ronin! subscribed!

[@OlManRonin]

Glad it was helpful! Thank you!

[@StpBks]

Thanks...just review your video again for my 2021 RE Himalayans. I like to take a sharpie and index the adjustmemt nuts. I sometimes forget where I'm at on adjustmemts.

[@harshavardhanv5729]

Off you go in a new direction. Great watching it!

[@OlManRonin]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@PersianRider]

A fantastic video. Just bought a 2018 Himalayan so need to kind of know how to do basic service to save money and also look after my bike so .. thank you .. best video I seen about adjusting the chain.

[@HarleyDayRider]

Thanks, this was very informative, and it looks easy enough for us old Harley guys to take care of. Ride Safe

[@OlManRonin]

Lol It is! Just like the old days when Harleys all had chain drive. Oops my age is showing lol

[@richardsmt990]

I do not like doing it but your vidéo gave me the desire to begin. Thanks from France.

[@OlManRonin]

You can do it!

[@merveswafega2166]

New to bike riding so found that really useful especially the chosen bike, my Himalayan is still floating off the coast of NZ somewhere due to the delays everyone is having to deal with these days. Enjoying your channel so thumbs up from down under in NZ👍🏼

[@OlManRonin]

Thank you Merve

[@bvleon]

That's a pretty useful video. Thank you

[@OlManRonin]

Glad it was helpful!

[@mattyb7736]

Great vid on basic maint, but I noticed a couple of things. I lube the "inside" of the chain, thats where the contact surfaces are, and you get less "throw off" too, none of that nasty lube on the tyre waiting for that first left hand corner. Chain slack on the RE Himalayan should be measured on the top of the swing arm, not the bottom side, doing it on the bottom side with the travel these have means the chain will be over tight as the suspension travels thru centre (axle, swingarm pivot and engine sprocket in line), leading to added wear to the chain and sprockets. Ask how i broke a chain. Check page 118 of the handbook.

[@sscbkr48]

You could be correct but Pg.108 in my 2018 manual has a pic showing 25-30mm 'beneath' the swing arm! Must have something to do with the horoscope. Mine's a Pisces. lol

[@mattyb7736]

@@sscbkr48 Interesting mine also shows the pic of the underside of the swing arm, but the first line says "Measure the drive chain free play on the top of the run" which was the method I learned the hard way on my first monoshock bike with long travel suspension. Mines a Taurus.....stubborn. It is due to have steering head and swingarm and all linkages out for a wash and re grease. Call me old fashioned, I do this every 10,000 kms. When I got it, I checked the suspension linkages at 1500 km as I had to remove a drop link to adjust the preload, they were bone dry. Steering head and swing arm were not much better. Good marine grade wheel bearing grease and no issues.

[@markodurin]

Great! Thank you 👌

[@AntonyPS]

Great video. Greetings from Brazil

[@OlManRonin]

Thank you Antony

[@Doctoralcuadrado]

Thank you very much, I enjoy your videos from my country Chile, where I ride with my royal enfield himalayan.

[@OlManRonin]

Glad you like them!

[@TictacAddict1]

Really appreciate the video. I plan on doing my own maintenance. Your succinct yet thorough videos are genius in a world of KZbin blather.

[@OlManRonin]

Thank you

[@RoadDogSteve]

If one person helped by vid its well worth it... Good vid and info...

[@OlManRonin]

Thank you Stephen! I really appreciate that comment!

[@n4zou]

I have a Honda VLX 600 with chain drive. I purchased it with just 1,400 miles on the odometer. I've always followed the maintenance schedule except for oil changes. I do that every 3,000 miles instead of the 7,000 miles called for in the manual. Anyway, the manual calls for checking, cleaning, and lubricating the chain every 500 miles. I've always done that and as a result I rolled up 45,000 miles on the original chain and sprockets before I hit the indicated chain wear limit line on the chain adjustment decal. I've seen shaft drive systems fail on very expensive motorcycles (BMW) with less than half the miles I put on my chain and sprockets. A new chain along with new sprockets cost just $60 on Amazon with free shipping. I'm sure you and everyone else could also have the same result with their chain and sprockets just by checking, cleaning, and lubricating as shown in this video.

[@zaphod92065]

Thanks Ol’ Man! I’ve got a 2020 Himi and love it! Follow you religiously. Appreciate all you do. I like you was a Harley guy and still ride with my Harley buddies. They hate it that I just go and can go anywhere without a glitch (except the stupid compas! Lol!) while we have an issue with one of the Harleys each ride. Granted mines new and their bikes are much older but we still all laugh.

[@OlManRonin]

Lol I still ride my Harleys and love them too, but the Himalayan has a permanent place in my shop and heart!! Thank you so much for watching

[@RamaHimalayan]

Muy bueno! Gracias!

[@jfro5867]

Tip 4u. Find the tight spot and wipe one side link on the chain, then put a dab of say white paint on it. Then let it dry. In future when cleaning and lubing your chain you can see as the chain rotates where the white link is. It just helps you see where you have been. 👍 (not all bikes have a green link plate)

[@OlManRonin]

cool thanks

[@TheNkkalita]

Thank you so much

[@Dosey121]

Thank You!

[@LuisGGomezPhoto]

I usually run the engine on first gear and spread the chain with the Motul Chain Lube. Also when I check the slack chain and adjust, I use the marks on the sides, making sure they are the same on each side. And finally I use the torque wrench to tighten the rear tire. Thanks for your video. Stay safe.

[@OlManRonin]

Thank you for your comment

[@Kemrer]

Thank you

[@MrZapata]

Muchas Gracias, saludos desde Chile.

[@OlManRonin]

Muchas gracias y bienvenido al canal.

[@henrya3530]

Thank you for a useful and informative video :-) This is exactly how I have been looking after the chains and sprockets on my motorcycles for over 30 years. It's amazing how long they last if you clean and lube them regularly. After the first couple of thousand miles you don't need to adjust modern heavy duty chains that much (depending on your riding style). Still gotta clean and lube though. YMMV. While you're doing the chain coat the wheel rims and spokes with ACF-50. My old (pre-2001) Royal Enfield 350 Bullet came with an automatic chain lubricator that massively extended chain life. Basically a pipe from the crank case breather was aimed at the chain. Honestly don't know why this feature is not seen on more bikes.

[@OlManRonin]

Thank you for your comment! Cheers!

[@davericketts9101]

Hi Ronin and thanks for another entertaining and informative video. I like the way you present your videos and also that you acknowledge that the people who watch this could be anyone from new riders to old guys like you and me. You`re never too old to learn eh? Just to say to those riders who may be doing this for the first time, that 25 to 30mm is 1" to 1, 1/4" and an over tight chain is as bad as a loose chain. Ride safe Ronin.

[@OlManRonin]

thanks for pointing that out. Which is why i said Refer to your manual.. Cheers

[@davericketts9101]

@@OlManRonin Yep, absolutely. My comment was aimed more at the newer riders, who are attempting this for the first time. Love your videos.

[@Ghumtu]

Thank You...

[@sarathme32]

thanks for the tips....

[@OlManRonin]

Thank you for watching

[@1whazzoo]

Good basic video but a couple of important points, Chains inherently have tight and loose points. You should rotate the chain to locate the tight spot, that is where the 25 to 30 MM should be measured. It needs to be measured at the center of the chains run (middle point of chain from front and rear sprocket) contact. Also remember these are O'ring chains so be careful how hard you scrub if you are using a different brush. Kerosene is a great cleaner for O'ring chains and does not damage the O'rings. When you are tightening or getting ready to tighten the axle nut, it is a good idea to lock the chain to sprocket by putting a screwdriver between a sprocket tooth and the chain and rotating the wheel till it is locked in place. It prevents the axle from cocking as you tighten it and keeps it bedded against the tensioner. Lastly sight down the the top length of the chain. I know it is hard for us old guys, but it is easy to see if the sprocket to sprocket run is dead true. The last thing I do is lightly wipe the excess lube off, I find it lessens the grit and sand from clinging to the chains surface. Keep up the good work.

[@OlManRonin]

Thank you for your comment. Cheers

[@1whazzoo]

And I find it funny an old Harley guy is riding a Himalayan, I too am riding a brand new one and can't stop smiling. 50 years plus of riding and I am having more fun on this thing cruising at 90KPH than all my other bikes combined. Brilliant bike the Himalayan.

[@OlManRonin]

@@1whazzoo lol its not hard to understand, both are a tinkerers bike.

[@1whazzoo]

@@OlManRonin good point LOL

[@sscbkr48]

This is an '0' ring chain?! My Suzuki has a sealed 0 ring chain which is waxed and the himi's is oiled.