MXstore Guide | How To Change a Dirt Bike Chain & Sprockets

Check out our huge range of Dirt Bike Sprockets at https://www.mxstore.com.au/category/b... and see all our Chains at https://www.mxstore.com.au/category/b... Your chain and sprockets are the key components to the drive of your dirt bike, so it's important to ensure they're in good shape and regularly replaced. We highly recommend that the chain and sprockets are always replaced together, as this will minimalise the chances of any excessive wear on the components. First thing you'll want to do is grab your tools. We've got ourselves a full T-Bar set, allen key set, rear axle wrench, chain breaker, 10mm & 12mm spanners and set of Ballards Master Link chain pliers. You might also want some disposable gloves to keep your hands clean as this can be a pretty messy job. Some bikes may vary with the tools required, so check out your owners manual to ensure you have the right tools ready to go. If your bike has a front sprocket cover, you'll want to remove that before getting started. Loosen the front and rear sprocket bolts prior to removing the chain, as it's much easier to do with the chain still on the bike. Use your Master Link pliers to undo the master link on your chain, which will allow you to remove your old chain. You'll always want to remove the old chain while the rear wheel is still on the bike. Next you'll want to remove the front sprocket from the bike. Most bikes front sprockets will vary, but we'll need to use a 14mm socket and breaker bar to undo and remove ours. Clean up the countershaft area, then you can install your new front sprocket and tighten her up. Remember to ensure any hardware like directional washers are placed back in the same way they were before removal. Moving onto the rear wheel, you'll want to loosen your rear sprocket bolts before you remove the rear wheel, as it's much easier to do it with the wheel still on the bike. Undo your axle nut using your axle wrench, and remove your whole rear wheel from the bike. You can now fully remove the sprocket bolts and take the rear sprocket off, using your allen key and an open end wrench. Once you've removed your old sprocket, you'll also want to clean up the hub ready for your new one. Grab your new sprocket and line up the bolt holes with the hub. We also recommend replacing your sprocket bolts whenever you change your rear sprocket. You'll want to use a threadlock on your sprocket bolts, which you should always re-check after your first ride. Chuck your sprocket bolts in and tighten them up, moving in a star pattern to ensure the sprocket tightens evenly. Check your service manual again for your recommended torque settings. This is also a good time to check your chain rollers and swingarm sliders for wear and tear. If they show signs of damage, it may also be time to get these replaced. Next you'll want to grab your new chain and chuck it onto your bike, start with aligning it with your rear sprocket, then moving it up around your front sprocket. Follow all the way around, through the chain guide, then back onto the rear sprocket. Make sure you never cut the new chain to the length of the old chain, as it may have stretched throughout its life. Always roll the chain on and re-check the measurement before cutting it to size. Grab the master link of your new chain and line it up. You will need to adjust the wheel to a position on the swingarm using the chain adjusters to get the required length for the correct chain adjustment. Make sure you adjust each side exactly the same to keep the chain alignment straight. As a general rule, measure three fingers of distance between the chain slider on the swingarm and the chain, although this may vary between bikes. Once you are happy with the adjustment and your chain has been cut to the correct length and rolled onto the bike, you can install your master link. O-ring and X-ring chains will require you to install the O-rings in the master link. You'll also want to ensure that the clip link is facing the correct way, with the open end facing the rear of the bike. This is to prevent the clip from ever accidently popping off while riding. New chain will come with a wax coating, so there's no need to lube your new chain. Also be sure to re-check the tension of your chain after your first ride, as they may stretch and need re-adjustment. This will be part of your regular maintenance routine anyway.