When was the last time you checked the chain on your Surron LBX? Points go to those who said ‘before my last ride’! You better keep reading if you haven’t checked your chain for a while (or ever). A few simple checks will save you money as you’ll get more life from your chain and sprockets, but not only that, these checks could save you from a catastrophic failure and getting injured.
We suggest checking these items before every ride on your Surron:
- Check chain tension is correct
- Check for wear on your chain
- Check for wear on your sprocket
- Check wheel spokes for tightness
- Check the chain is adequately lubricated
With a quick glance and feel, all these checks should only take a few seconds. This applies to all e-motos, ICE dirt bikes, motorcycles, etc… but there are a few subtle differences with e-motos and the Surron LBX in particular.
Let’s look at each of these in more detail.
How to check your Surron’s chain tension
Chain tension is super important on a Surron LBX. Get it wrong, and you could either have a chain that wears out quicker, produces less power if it’s jumping or bouncing, or even come off the sprocket, which can do some major damage. If it’s too tight, you can run the risk of it breaking, which would also be a really, really bad day.
So, what do you check? Lift the bottom half of the chain upwards from the center (halfway from front to rear sprocket). You’re good to go if the movement is around 10-15mm (or somewhere around half an inch). Outside that range, you’ll need to make some adjustments.
That’s all the movement it needs?
Coming from an ICE dirt bike background, this measurement might seem like it’s not enough. I know I questioned it at first, but it all makes sense when you think about the reasons. Think of this – thanks to its primary belt drive and final chain drive, the LBX’s front sprocket is on the pivot point of the swing arm. As the swingarm moves with the movements of the rear shock, the distance from the drive sprocket to the rear axle does not change. Therefore, unlike most ICE dirt bikes, the chain tension doesn’t change, where the front sprocket is independent of the swing arm, causing the chain to change tension through the suspension strokes, thereby requiring more slack.
How often should you check your Surron chain?
You need to check your chain tension before every ride. Yep, every ride! It takes only a few seconds as you’re looking over your bike. If your chain is too loose, you’ll need to make a few adjustments. It is a straightforward task… when you know what you’re doing – like anything! Read the next section, and you’ll be a pro in no time.
Pro Tip: While you’re checking the tension, have a quick look at the chain, including the master link, to determine its general condition.
How to fix chain tension on an LBX
Correcting your Surron’s chain tension requires a few tools. If you don’t have them, I suggest heading to your local shop and picking up a basic tool set.
Or get this tool set from GritShift delivered to your door; it has all the tools you’ll need for your e-moto.
Owning an e-moto requires a little maintenance. Make sure you also subscribe to our newsletter to learn all the basics.
If you have a brand new Surron LBX or have just replaced a chain, you’ll find the chain tension needs tightening within a very short time frame. This is because the brand new chain will loosen and ‘stretch’ as it starts to get worn in.
What you’ll need:
- 6mm Allen wrench
- 17mm socket wrench
- 10mm wrench
Steps
- Ensure your Surron is on a sturdy stand.
- Using your 17mm socket wrench and a 6mm Allen key, loosen the rear axle nut.
- Using the 10mm wrench, adjust the adjustment on one side a few indicators rearward.
- Repeat step 3 on the other side – make sure the adjustment is equal on both sides of the wheel.
- Check chain tension by lifting up the middle of the bottom section of the chain. If it’s in the range of 10-15mm (about half an inch), then continue these steps. If it’s still too loose, go back to step 3.
- Tighten the rear axle nut.
- Tighten the adjusters.
- Re-check the chain tension.
When do you need to replace your Surron’s chain?
Replacing your chain should be done at least in accordance with your manual, but there are also a few other reasons you may consider changing your chain. The first would be sprocket size. If you increase your sprocket size, you’ll find your chain isn’t long enough, so a longer chain will be required!
On the topic of sprockets, look at the teeth. Do they appear worn? You may notice the teeth start looking like waves, unevenly worn. You may even notice some of the teeth are missing. If this is the case, I highly suggest clicking this button here: https://gritshift.com/collections/sur-ron/drivetrain-sprockets and grabbing a new sprocket right away!
Back to chains, replacing your Surron chain will also depend on how you ride your e-moto. Someone who rides hard will wear out the chain and other components faster than if you use your e-moto for slow commutes. If the rear axle gets to the last position on the adjustment, it would also be time to swap that chain. Other riders change to a new chain when they see the gap between the links get too big. If you’re not sure, ask your local e-moto store.
How to replace your Surron’s chain
What you’ll need:
- 6mm Allen wrench
- 17mm socket wrench
- 10mm wrench
- Needle-nose pliers
Steps:
- Ensure your Surron is on a sturdy stand.
- Locate the master link and use the needle nose pliers to remove the link.
- Take out the o ring.
- (Optional) Connect the old chain to the new chain and slowly feed the new chain around the front sprocket to the rear sprocket, then remove the old chain completely. Otherwise, slowly and carefully feed the new chain around the front sprocket to the rear sprocket.
- Loosen the axle nut and adjusters to move the rear wheel forward slightly. For reference, please note where the axle was sitting prior to moving.
- Remove links as necessary to make the chain the correct length. As long as you’re installing an identical chain to the one you took off, make sure they both have the same number of links – if you buy an LBX-specific kit, it often already will.
- Connect the new master link together using pliers.
- Slide the rear wheel backwards to the original position.
- Tighten the axle nut and adjusters and recheck the master linkage connection.
- Check chain tension.
- Test ride!
If you’re not comfortable replacing the chain yourself, contact your local e-moto store or motorcycle shop, as they can help you do so.
Surron LBX chain maintenance
There are a few ways you can extend the life of your chain – and the sprocket. The first is to make sure the chain is always lubed. Well, because without lube, things can get uncomfortable. For your bike. On a serious note, always use the right lube. Something like Muc-off lube works well. Be careful not to get overspray onto the brake pads/disk. Wipe away any excess with a damp cloth.
Lube your chain after every wash and at least every few rides. Everyone has their opinions on how often to lube your chain. When riding in sand, I’ll lube my chain before every ride.
Then, every now and then, get all the dirt and grime off your chain. Use a chain cleaner with a nylon brush, and it’ll come up nice and shiny.
Pro Tip: Do not clean your e-moto on your lawn. It will leave you with a dead patch. I learned the hard way, so you don’t have to!!
This kit here is a great way to get everything you need to keep your LBX’s chain in tip-top shape.
Pro Tip #2: Make sure you use a cleaner and lube that is safe for your e-moto. It’s best to get a proper motorcycle cleaner and lube, so you don’t damage the chain or get large amounts of oil spray on other parts of your e-moto.
LBX Wheel Spokes – What do you need to check?
There is a known weakness with the stock wheels on an LBX, and that is the spokes becoming loose. As you can imagine, if a spoke became loose and you happened to land a jump or apply pressure on that part of the wheel, you could do some serious damage. It could also simply mean your wheel doesn’t run straight and picks up a wobble.
Use a 5mm wrench to check how tight the spokes are every now and then. However, you need to be careful not to overtighten it as it will pull the wheel out of shape. A simple way to check is to tap the spokes with your wrench lightly. A higher-pitched ‘ting’ is what you’re after. Tighten slightly if it’s more of a ‘thud’ or lower pitch. Try to get all spokes to sound the same.
Surron Chain Maintenance Tips
Let’s do a quick recap on the steps to take prior to every ride. Remember, if all is looking good then you’ll be out on the track or trail in no time. And if you picked up a small issue, great! It is much better to pick up any problem before the ride and not let it morph into a potentially dangerous, costly problem later.
Check chain tension is correct
Pull the middle of the bottom part of the chain upwards, it should be in the range of 10-15mm or half an inch. Adjust your chain if it’s too loose.
Check wear on your chain
Does it look like it needs replacing? In particular, look at the master link to check it hasn’t come apart. Lube before you ride. Clean if it needs a clean.
Check wear on your sprocket
Look at the sprocket. If it looks like some hippy wave photo, replace it! Likewise if any teeth are missing.
Check wheel spokes for tightness
Don’t forget your wheel spokes. Check them periodically for tightness, but remember not to overtighten and pull your wheel out of shape.
With practice, checking your chain should take only a few seconds before a ride and is a great habit to develop. As the saying goes, if you look after your e-moto, your e-moto will look after you!
Check out Gritshift for your chain or sprocket replacements and cleaning products for your Surron LBX.
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