How to Lube a Motorcycle Chain

A well-lubed chain makes your bike smoother, quieter, and helps your chain and sprockets last longer. Most riders don’t actually get lube into the spots that matter—they hit the outside plates, overload some areas, under spray other areas, then overspray their wheel and brakes. It only takes a few missed or under-lubed links to cause problems.

This guide makes it simple.

What you’ll need

• Motorcycle chain lube (spray lube is easiest)

• A rag or paper towels

• A chain brush

• Rear stand (optional)

• Oinker® chain lube tool (recommended if you want clean, even coverage)

The 30-second chain basics (so you know where the lube needs to go)

The friction happens at the roller/bushing contact zone. That’s the area you’re trying to lubricate—not the tire, not your swingarm, and not just the outside plates (a film is good for rust prevention). A non-sealed chain also needs lube at the link plates so it can travel to the pin inside the bushing. 

When to lube your chain

• Street riding: every 300–600 miles (more often in rain).

• Dirt/off-road: after every ride or every couple of hours of riding.

• After cleaning: re-lube when the chain is dry.
  

• As a general rule, it is better to re-lube often with minor amounts of lube than to wait long periods and overlube. One rotation of the chain while applying lube is all that is needed.

Step-by-step: how to lube your motorcycle chain correctly

Step 1) Put the bike in a safe position

• Best: Rear stand so you can rotate the wheel easily.

• Next best: Side Lift Stand - a compact wheel lift that works with the bike’s kickstand (portable and space-saving, but often costs close to a full rear stand).

• If you don’t have a lift: you can still lube the chain by rolling the bike forward in small increments.

Step 2) Clean the chain

Dried dirt - brush it off with a bristle brush; most of the dirt will fall off.

Sticky/Waxy Lube - use solvent-based chain cleaner. Soap/water does not typically break it down eg. Motul Road, Bel-Ray, PJ1, Muc-Off All Weather, Dupont Chain Saver. 

Gooey chain - Don't brush the chain first, it will not remove the dirt, only spread it around the chain. Use a solvent-based cleaner. Milder amounts, use a good soap based wash.

Light oil film - Use your judgment. If there’s no visible dirt, you can sometimes re-lube without cleaning first.

Step 3) Apply lube to the right area

Most riders make the mistake and spray the outside plates.

You want the lube to reach between the link plates and toward the edges of the rollers—this allows lube to get under the rollers where friction happens.

Use Oinker® for even coverage

Oinker® is a patented tool that directs the spray to both sides of the link plates in one pass, helping lube reach the roller/bushing zone with control.

Result: no missed links, less overspray near wheels/brakes, and consistent coverage.

Step 4) Let it set

Give it 10–20 minutes before riding if you can. This helps it tack up and reduces fling.

Step 5) Final wipe (optional)

Lightly wipe the outside plates. You’re not removing the lubrication inside—just cleaning the surface so it doesn’t attract extra dirt. Leave a thin film on the plates rust prevention.

Common mistakes

Mistake 1: The biggest mistake made by beginner and experienced riders:

Not rotating the chain enough immediately after the lube is applied. Chain lube has a short window in which it is thin and capable of seeping under rollers and between plates. Spin your wheel for at least a minute before the solvent flashes off. While you spin your wheel, the rollers of your chain rotate each time they engage the sprocket. As the roller rotates it will pull lube under it, where it needs to be. Oinker puts the lube at the edge of the roller and allows it to begin the seeping process while it is thin.

Mistake 2: Only lubing the outside plates

Outside plates aren’t the main friction zone. You need lube between plates and toward the rollers.

Mistake 3: Over-lubing to “make sure you got it all”

That’s how you end up with fling, mess, and gunk buildup.

Mistake 4: Spraying near the wheel/brakes

Chain lube can splash when it hits the chain and reach the rotor. Overspray can reduce braking performance. If you’ve ever felt your rear brake get inconsistent after lubing, this is usually why.

Oinker helps reduce overspray by controlling where the spray goes.

Oinker® is designed to deliver even coverage to both sides of the link plates—helping lube reach the roller/bushing contact zone with control.

👉 Shop Oinker Motorcycle: (link)