A motorcycle’s chain needs thorough lubrification and adjustment every 500 to 1,000 kilometers, two simple but indispensable procedures.

A chain is correctly adjusted when its give, that is its vertical flexion, is between 15 and 25 mm, at its central point, between the chain sprocket exiting the gearbox and the rear wheel rim. This can be checked using a rag on the lower strand of the chain (the portion which passes above is generally protected). Also check the wheel alignment—the marks should be the same on both sides of the radius arm. If you can move the chain vertically back and forth more than 25mm, it is too slack and it needs tightening. To regulate the tension of the chain, you need a minimal amount of equipment—the standard manufacturer’s toolkit provided should be sufficient. For this operation which is inevitably messy, choose a flat surface and put the bike upon its central kickstand, if it has one!

1 - Loosen the rear axle (without removing the nut) and the chain tensioner to allow the wheel to move.

2 – Adjust the chain tensioners, by an 8th or 16th of a turn, simultaneously on both sides (in most cases, you turn clockwise to tighten the chain). When the adjustment is correct, check the alignment again.

3 – Block the lock nut, tighten the rear axle and test the alignment again since the wheel can shift during these procedures.

4 – After this adjustment, grease the chain with Chain Lube, spray the interior portion of the chain, along the bottom of the strand and along the small plates. Make sure that the entire length is treated and that the spray did not get on the brake or the tire treads. .

WHY DO I NEED A SPECIAL LUBRICANT?
A chain lubricant is a product that has to conform to highly specific constraints. It must be fluid enough to fully penetrate the interior of the rollers and the chain plates. It must also be thick and viscous enough to provide resistance at high spin ratios. Add to that the fact that it must be waterproof and it is obvious that the oilcan or the pot of grease falls far short of the mark. Finally, the lubricants Motul Chain and Chain Lube have a specially formulated packaging in the form of an aerosol with a precisely adapted nozzle which prevents spillage. As far as the cleaning of the chain, be careful not to use a substance which is too harsh, like gasoline which can cause the deterioration of the small rubber toric joints between the rollers. For this operation, the specially formulated cleaner MotoWash is a guarantee of efficiency and protection.
THE SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS OF ALL-TERRAIN BIKES
All-terrain bikes with their large suspension clearance require less tension, so a looser chain is actually a good thing. For trail bikes, allow for 30 to 40mm, even for street use. Finally, use in a dusty or sandy environment does not mean that lubrication is useless—on the contrary, a specific product is required, such as Motul Chain with its distinctive yellow color.

FORK OIL

The key component of the cycle portion of a bike, the fork has the delicate task of maintaining the suspension of the front axle, and determines the degree of comfort, the bike’s on-road handling and the rider’s feel for the road.

Whether it is inverse or not, the fork is above all a hydraulic system. Each arm of the fork contains a precise quantity of lubricant, maintained under compression and forced into a specifically calibrated circuit in order to function as a shock absorber for the front suspension. The regulation of the forks are directly related to the size of the oil circuits, which regulate the level of shock absorbency and engine pressure for example. Certain bikes are equipped with oleopneumatic forks which additionally require a certain level of air pressure to function correctly. Be careful when adjusting this pressure, a special pump is required and in no circumstance should you use a tire pump, which would be too powerful.
The most important element in a fork is the lubricant, it determines the quality of the motorcycle’s handling. It is frequently subjected to high pressure and temperatures and should be replaced regularly with a specifically adapted product. Replacing the oil in the fork is not a simple operation and requires several special tools, notably to jack up the bike, as well as in-depth mechanical knowledge. The safest way is to entrust the task to a qualified specialist, you can, however, opt for the viscosity (2.5W-5W to 20W-30) which is best suited to your machine and your riding style. A fork which is too soft or too stiff can be perfectly calibrated to suit your needs. Motul has a line of four products for classic forks and two for inverse forks.
Before replacing your fork oil, check the state of the SPI seals between the tubes and the sheath, at the least sign of a leak, get them repaired before changing the oil. On average, fork oil should be changed every 10,000 to 15,000 km.

Check your oil levels precisely and easily!

Checking the oil in your motorbike every 1,000 km is a simplebut crucial operation. To get a precise reading, put your bike upon itscentral kickstand. Most manufacturers recommend running the engine for two to three minutes to get the oil circulating throughout theengine. Then shut down the engine, wait one minute and then check thelevel, using either the dipstick or the window on the oil sump. In thefirst case, unscrew the dipstick, wipe it off and set it aside before attempting a precise reading. In all cases,the correct level is between the maximum and minimum levels, which shouldnever be exceeded. Low levels could mean insufficient lubrication, whichmeans serious damage to the engine. A high oil level creates excessive pressure in the lubrication circuits,necessitating higher power levels and which is also damaging to the engine.If your bike only has a lateral kickstand, be careful to extend it properlyonly a few seconds right before you take the reading from the dipstick. If the levels are too low, addthe necessary quantity, taking care not to put in an excessive amount. Takeit step by step and always wait for the oil to get well into the crankcase.Be careful not to introduce foreign objects or substances into the lubrication system, such as smallstones and debris which can collect around the mouth of the dipstick or thecap. If you follow these tips you can be sure of riding your bike safely.Do not be content to trust the oil readout on your panel, the oil light generally indicates a lack of pressureand does not measure quantity. In any case, if that light goes on, evenintermittently, check your oil manually right away.

Additives prohibited!
The composition of Motul lubricants is a carefully thought-out process which takes into account thespecifications of bike manufacturers and the most recently establishednorms. The end result is a well-balanced and totally evolved product whichis made to function synergistically with the technical constraints of the machine in order to guarantee the bestcompromise between high performance, protection and longevity. Addingadditives to these products modifies them and puts the long-term life ofyour engine at risk. To avoid this, careful and regular maintenance is required and will guarantee a long life foryour engine. The lubricant of a motorcycle engine ensures the lubricationof your clutch and your gearbox and constant quality and a careful balanceof substances is crucial. The entire line of Motul products is geared to handle all these requirements, noadditional additives are necessary.

Two-strokes
As for two-stroke motorcycle engines, the oil is directlyinjected and therefore completely consumed. Here it is not a question of anoil sump but an "oil tank," which functions more like a fuel tank. The gauge on your dash flashes redto indicate a low level or that you are drawing on the reserves. At thispoint, you should get your tank filled as soon as possible, and of course,you should fill it with a Motul lubricant especially created for the special needsof two-stroke engines.

Spotlessly Clean in Five Minutes

The chore of cleaning two-wheelers is over, the latest in technological breakthroughs now allows you to complete this task effortlessly and in record time.

/
The trick to make your bike or scooter shine like new is called MotoWash, a biodegradable product especially formulated to efficiently clean and protect all of the metal and plastic parts of your machine.
Since MotoWash requires a thorough rinsing, choose an appropriate place. When using a high-pressure hose, be careful not to directly spray the electrical parts, the bearings and the mechanical joints of the machine. In all cases, protect the exhaust system and the muffler so that they remain completely free of water.
Using its adjustable diffuser, apply Moto Wash, concentrating on the dirtiest parts, such as around the chain, its special formula was created to effortlessly dissolve greasy residue, all the while protecting rubber, so there is no danger for the toric joints of the chains.
/ Once applied, MotoWash works all by itself, leave it for five minutes to do its work.
All that is left to do is to rinse thoroughly
Once you have finished rinsing, the tip for perfect results is a thorough wipedown to remove all traces of water. Do a final once over with a chamois over the main parts and finish with a rag on the wheel rims.
MotoWash deposits a protective film but that doesn’t mean that you can pass on a careful lubrification of the joints. /
/ Levers, pedals, footrests and kickstands should all be treated with a bit of Multi-Protec to ensure perfect functioning. As for the chain, it should definitely be lubricated with Motyl Chain or Chain Lub after each washing.
/ Finally, for plastic parts that aren’t painted, make them look like new with Silicone Clean, which instantly restores their original brightness and prevents water and dirt from sticking.