All models: Cleaning motorcycle and adjusting chain tension

A proper cleaning and subsequent maintenance of your KUBERG motorcycle will ensure a more enjoyable ownership and experience from riding and can drastically prolong the lifespan of many parts, mainly the chain and the battery. You can wash your KUBERG motorcycle with a low-pressure water hose with clean water and a soft sponge or cloth. While cleaning the motorcycle, inspect all the motorcycle’s components visually.

CAUTION!

You can remove the chain guard (Start/Trial/Cross) before washing, but do not disassemble the motorcycle in any other way. Ranger has front chain cover directly mounted into the motor and if this cover is removed, water can get into the motor! Bolt in all bolts and tighten them just slightly for the water NOT get into the motor during cleaning!
Pressure washing is not permitted!
Do not use any engine cleaners, solvents or detergents with added salt, as they often contain phosphates, which can damage the paint and electronics.
Prevent contact the water with electrical parts of the motorcycle, especially the charge port, controller, battery, motor and accelerator.

Follow these steps to clean the motorcycle and set the correct chain tension:

Required tools:

hex wrench #3
hex wrench #4 or Torx wrench #T30
hex wrench #5
hex wrench #10
brush with hard plastic bristles
soft cloth
brake disc cleaner
chain wear indicator
chain tension indicator
sliding gauge
wrench #10
wrench #15
wrench #17
wrench #21
wrench #24
off-road motorcycle chain lubricant
specialized lubricant for suspension fork gliders

Ensure, that the magnetic kill switch is in OFF position (magnet NOT attached), the charger is unplugged and the charging port is closed or covered.
Place the motorcycle on a solid and level surface of a mounting stand, so that both wheels are off the ground.
(Only for Start/Trial/Cross): Using the hex wrench #3 loosen and remove 4 bolts holding the chain guard to the swingarm.
(Only for Start/Trial/Cross): Remove the chain cover from the motorcycle by a gentle sideways pull.
(Only for Ranger): If it's necessary, using the hex wrench #4 (or Torx wrench #30) loosen and remove 3 bolts, holding the primary chain guard. Each bolt has its own spacer under the chain guard.
(Only for Ranger): Remove the chain guard and uncover the primary chain, then bolt all 3 bolts with their spacers back into the motor and using the hex wrench #4 (or Torx wrench #30) tighten them just slightly for the water NOT get into the motor during cleaning.
Manually clean any dirt from the rear wheel, chain, spring-loaded chain tensioner, swingarm and brake calipers. A brush with hard plastic bristles and a soft cloth will be very useful here.
Clean the motorcycle and let all the parts dry off completely, especially the chain. You can speed up this process by hand-spinning the wheels and using a soft cloth.
Clean brake calipers with a soft cloth and both sides of brake discs with a suitable brake disc cleaner.

After cleaning:
Inspect both sprockets, chain and spring-loaded chain tensioner (if the motorcycle has it) for any damage. If found any, please contact your local selling dealer or the KUBERG Customer Service.
Using a chain wear indicator check the chain wear. KUBERG Start uses chain type 25H, all other KUBERG motorcycles up to date (November 2024) uses chain type 219H. If the chain needs to be replaced, search for knowledge base article "Chain removal and installation" to find more information.

CAUTION!
Do not wait with the chain change for the last possible moment - better sooner than later. If you don’t change the chain in time, one or both sprockets may wear out extensively, so the change of one or both of them will be required altogether with the chain change.
(Only for Trial/Cross): Check the chain tension by hand and measure the distance between the spring-loaded chain tensioner’s roll (if the motorcycle has it) and the swingarm, which should be
0.2 – 0.4“ (5 - 10 mm). The roll must not be able to touch the swingarm during its up and down movement.
(For all except Trial/Cross): Check the chain tension by hand or by a 219 chain tension indicator.

If the chain tension needs to be adjusted, follow these steps:

Loosen the rear wheel:
(Only for Start/Trial/Cross): using the wrench #15.
(Only forRanger/Challenger): using the hex wrench #10 and wrench #24.
(Only for FreeRider/X-Force): using the wrench #17 and #21.
Slowly and alternately loosen or tighten both rear wheel tensioners, while still maintaining a straight position of the rear wheel relative to the shock absorber, which will also keep the chain line straight for the chain to move correctly and safely. During tightening the tensioners it’s not necessary, but during their loosening regularly gently push the rear wheel forward, for both tensioners to stay in contact with the rear end of the swingarm.
(Only for Start/Trial/Cross/FreeRider/Ranger): Use the wrench #10.
(Only for Challenger/X-Force): Rotate the adjustment eccentres evenly on both sides by hand, no tools are required.
(Only for Trial/Cross): Continuously measure the distance between the spring-loaded chain tensioner’s roll and the swingarm (if the motorcycle has it), which should be 0.2 – 0.4“ (5 - 10 mm). The roll must not be able to touch the swingarm during its up and down movement. Set the correct chain tension.
(For all except Trial/Cross): Continuously check the chain tension by hand or by a 219 chain tension indicator and set the correct chain tension.

WARNING!
Proper chain tension and straight chain line (rear sprocket-chain-front sprocket) are important for its lifespan and rider safety and can also prolong the riding time. Do not tighten the chain too much - if the chain is overtightened, it will be loud, it will wear out quicker and also shorten riding time. If the chain is too loose, or the chain line is not straight, the chain may fall off the rear sprocket and cause an accident. The spring-loaded chain tensioner (if the motorcycle has it) helps to keep the chain tension in optimal values, but for its correct operation a proper distance of the rear wheel to the motor is required. Additionally if the spring is damaged, the spring-loaded chain tensioner will not be able to preload the chain sufficiently.
(Only for FreeRider/Ranger): Using the wrench #10 tighten the counter nut on the tensioners' bolts to fix their position.
Tighten the rear wheel:
(Only for Start/Trial/Cross): using the wrench #15 (24 - 26 Nm).
(Only forRanger/Challenger): using the hex wrench #10 and wrench #24 (68 - 70 Nm).
(Only for FreeRider/X-Force): using the wrench #17 and #21 (68 - 70 Nm).
Double check, that all bolts and nuts are properly tightened.
Check, whether the whole braking surface of the rear brake pads is in contact with the rear brake disc, when the rear brake lever is pushed. If not, using the hex wrench #5 loosen 2 side bolts, holding the rear brake caliper adapter on the swingarm, and move the rear brake caliper forward or backward to increase the braking surface to its maximum.
While hand-spinning the rear wheel, lubricate the cleaned chain in the area behind the spring-loaded chain tensioner with an appropriate off-road motorcycle chain lubricant. Wait a minute for a lubricant to dry off, then remove excess lubricant from the chain with a soft cloth.
Spray a small amount of lubricant on the spring-loaded chain tensioner’s pivots and bearings and ensure, that it moves up and down smoothly. Remove excess lubricant with a soft cloth.

WARNING!
Prevent contact of the lubricant with the tire, brake calipers and discs - it would have a major negative impact on the braking force! It probably won’t be sufficient to brush lubricated brake pads with sandpaper and very often new brake pads are required.
(Only for Start/Trial/Cross): Reinstall the chain cover and using the hex wrench #3 tighten all 4 bolts, that hold the chain cover on the swingarm (3 - 4 Nm).
Double check, that all bolts and nuts are properly tightened.
Clean and lubricate the shock absorber with an appropriate amount of specialized lubricant. Remove excess lubricant with a soft cloth.
Clean and lubricate the front fork glides with an appropriate amount of specialized lubricant. Remove excess lubricant with a soft cloth.

(Only for Ranger): Follow these steps to set the correct primary chain tension:

Using the hex wrench #4 (or Torx wrench #30) loosen and remove 3 bolts holding the primary chain guard. Each bolt has its own spacer under the chain guard.

CAUTION!
Do NOT wash Your Ranger without the primary chain guard, as the water can get into the motor through the primary chain guard bolt holes.
Remove the chain guard and uncover the primary chain.
Using the hex wrench #4 (or Torx wrench #30) loosen 3 bolts holding the motor in the frame just enough for the motor to still be able to move up and down.
Using a dry cloth and a motorcycle chain cleaner remove all the dirt from both chains if there’s any.
By moving the motor up or down adjust the primary chain tension. Continuously check the chain tension by hand or by a chain tension indicator and set the correct chain tension.

WARNING!
Proper chain tension is important for its lifespan and rider safety and can also prolong the riding time. Do not tighten the chain too much - if the chain is overtightened, it will be loud, it will wear out quicker and also shorten riding time. If the chain is too loose, or the chain line is not straight, the chain may fall off the rear sprocket and cause an accident.
Using the hex wrench #4 (or Torx wrench #30) tighten 3 motor bolts to secure its position in the frame (9 - 10 Nm).
While hand-spinning the rear wheel, lubricate the cleaned chain with an appropriate off-road motorcycle chain lubricant. Wait a minute for a lubricant to dry off, then remove excess lubricant from the chain with a soft cloth.
Install primary chain guard with remaining 3 bolts and 3 spacers and using the hex wrench #4 (or Torx wrench #30) (9 - 10 Nm).
Double check, that all bolts and nuts are properly tightened.

If Your motorcycle is under warranty, please register it on our website, if You have not already done so:
https://www.kuberg.com/en/bike-registration

If the problem persists, please contact Your dealer or KUBERG customer service (support@kuberg.com). For the fastest possible resolution please send:

VIN of Your motorcycle (it is stamped on the right side of the steering column).
Detailed information on actions taken so far, a few photos and preferably a video

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All models: Cleaning motorcycle and adjusting chain tension

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