Your bike's chain goes through a lot of abuse every time you drive it. It's an important part responsible for keeping your bike moving forward, and a simple issue can prevent the communication between the rear wheel and the engine, which will translate into no power, which will translate in you not being able to go anywhere. And while there are ways that you can prolong the lifespan of your chain, such as performing regular maintenance, for instance, replacing your motorbike's chain is inevitable at some point. What isn't inevitable, however, is picking the right chain. That being said, there are a few crucial elements you need to consider when shopping for these motorbike parts Australia wide, in order to ensure you get the most value out of your new chain.

The first thing you need to consider is whether you need an O-ring or X-ring seal. The purpose of the seal is to keep lubricants and grease in place. X-ring chains are considered the more durable type that provides less power loss and more longevity due to the fact that they have less friction, which also improves their reliability. However, both X-ring and O-ring seals have benefits over standard rollers that don't come with a lubricant seal. Standard chains require extra external lubrication, frequent maintenance and have significantly lower durability. Then, you need to consider the pitch of the chain, which represents the distance between the pins. There are many different types of chain pitches available nowadays, but the most popular ones are 530, 525 and 520.

Furthermore, you have to consider the size of the chain, which besides the pitch includes the length of chain and that's typically determined by the number of links. The master link is the link connecting the end of the chain to the other, and there are a few different types of master links, including rivet and clip styles. Rivet chains are considered better by most bike enthusiasts, but clip chains are easier to install. Some chains come without a master link, meaning you'll need to buy it separately. Moreover, you need to consider the tensile strength, which is the load weight the chain can take before it starts stretching. The higher the tensile strength rating, the more force the chain will be able to tolerate.

So when is it time to replace your current motorcycle chain? Well, if you notice that you're making adjustments to the chain more and more frequently, then you're probably better off getting a new chain as soon as possible. If the chain links need more frequent lubrication or they stick, you should consider the chain. If your gear shifts aren't smooth as usual, then your sprockets and chain are the first things you need to check for wear. Contrary to what some people think, motorcycle chains don't stretch, and there's no change in the length of the metal in the links. However, constant wear and tear can cause the connecting pins to wear down and thus, the space between the links can increase, which causes the chain to "stretch".

Depending on the type of bike you have and what you use it for, the slack needed in your chain can vary. You can check the amount of slack you need in your owner's manual, and you can check whether your chain needs adjustment by turning the engine off and placing the bike on its stand. Transmission into neutral, and locate the point midway between the sprockets. Push up on the bottom of the chain until there's no slack in it. Take note of the distance between the original position of the chain, and the pushed up position of the chain. If the amount of slack is different than what's stated in your owner's manual, you'll need to adjust the chain.

In order to adjust the chain, loosen the axle nut by a few turns and use the bolt at the end of the swing arm to adjust the slack. Remember to make the same adjustment on both sides in order to keep the rear wheel properly aligned. Make the adjustments a 1/4 turn at a time and check the slack every time until it's within the given specifications of the manual. When you're done adjusting, remember to tighten back the axle nut and correct the torque.

With that said, most motorbike parts Australia experts would suggest that you regularly clean, check and adjust your chain in order to get the most of it. If you have to buy a new one, you can look online, where you can find a wide range of chains, so you're bound to find models that fit your type of bike and style of riding. Being aware that a chain is wearing down can save you from catastrophic failure. Some of the biggest signs that your chain is wearing down are having to lubricate and adjust it more and more frequently.