Usage info To indicate the timing of chain replacement based on 2% of elongation rate.

• To indicate the chain alignment setting on bike so that uneven wearing due to misalignment can be reduced.

The easiest way to know that your chain needs replacement is when you see rust, kinks, and a lot of noise during operation. If the seals of the chains give in, the pins and rollers get rusted with the moisture in the air. This will also cause “kinks” on the chain since the special lubricant present within the seal would have dried, and the rollers and pins tend to get jammed up along with other dirt.

These kinks will eventually become weak points within the chain and will be at a higher risk of breaking and can cause excess wear on your sprockets. Such things will also cause damage to the sprocket and will tend the chain to operate from being smooth to a clunky, squeaking rattle.

Another critical inspection to be carried out is the chain’s fitment within the sprockets and the tension it needs to hold. For prolonged usage, the chains tend to get stretched, or rather, the holes where the links attach wear and get slightly larger. This expands the length of the chain and loses the necessary tension for an efficient transfer of power.

Your motorcycle’s owner’s manual will give the right amount of slack the chain needs to have at all times. Luckily, every chain can be adjusted to retain this slack over a limited range, after which the chain can no longer be modified and needs it to be replaced with a new one. 1.2–1.6 inches of slack is typical for street bikes, while dirt bikes may need 1.4–2.0 inches.

Most motorcycles these days have bolts that you turn to increase or decrease the chain slack. Checking and adjusting your chain every 500 miles is necessary.