Proper maintenance is a must when it comes to motorcycles, yet the majority of motorcycle owners go far too long without completing even the least time consuming tasks — cleaning and lubing the chain is a prime example. With companies like Muc-Off introducing new products such as the Chain Doc however, all of your excuses for not tending to your chain are thrown out the window.
A closer look at the Chain Doc will have you wondering, “Why didn’t someone think of this before?” The concept is extremely simple; a plastic casing is affixed to a can of the company’s already proven Dry Chain Cleaner. An easy-to-grab trigger allows you to clamp the mechanism onto your chain, and internal brushes work with a scraper to penetrate your chain. Already assembled and nicely packaged, the $59.95 Chain Doc looks to be the perfect addition to any motorcyclist’s garage — especially when you consider that the package includes a trial-size can of Muc-Off’s Dry PTFE Chain Lube, which can be used once you are finished cleaning the chain.
When pitted against our test fleet’s dirtiest of chains, the Muc-Off Chain Doc proved its worth. Even our BMW S 1000 RR chain, which was soiled in our hunt for water puddles and gravel in this issue’s ABS story, was brought back to life by the Chain Doc. With the bike on a rearstand, the Chain Doc clamped onto the BMW’s chain easily. And thanks to the product’s all-encompassing design, we were able to clean the chain without having to ask anyone to spin the wheel — our right hand now free of rag-holding duties. As we applied the cleaner, which is sprayed directly onto the chain via a short tube that leads from the can to the plastic casing, the coarse rotary brushes worked quickly to break up the grime, penetrating the chain better than any rag could. And the Dry Chain Cleaner works well in comparison to equivalent chain cleaners to dissolve the grease and grime.
The residue coming off the chain and overspray from the hose is all contained in the lower portion of the Chain Doc’s casing, which makes cleaning up after yourself a simple task. Plus, the Chain Doc and provided Muc-Off Chain Cleaner are O-, X- and Z-ring compatible.
To ensure that the Chain Doc would fit easily to the majority of sportbikes, without hitting the swingarm or other hard parts, we fitted it to a wide range of bikes in our test fleet. And we are happy to report that it fitted to each with ease. Perhaps more important though, is the fact that you can transfer the plastic casing to a new can of chain cleaner once your can is empty, meaning the Chain Doc is as versatile as it is easy to use. The only concern then is with keeping the rotary brushes and inside of the casing clean. Ours was soiled after the first few uses, and required we clean the mechanism before cleaning another chain.
What’s your excuse now for not keeping up with your required maintenance? SR