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Do You Need A Chain Guard On A Motorcycle
From a technical point of view, your motorcycle can still run without that chain cover. In the modification circle, in order to pursue the minimalist and neat visual effect, removing the chain cover is indeed a quite common operation. But I have to remind you that there is a price for being beautiful: first of all, nasty “grease fling” ruining your jacket and bike tail; What is more serious is the potential safety hazard. Once the loose trousers or shoelaces are rolled into the back dental tray, the consequences are really not a joke. In addition, it depends on where you ride. Without this stuff, you may not be able to pass the annual inspection or be targeted by the traffic police. Although it is not necessary for the operation of the engine, it is better to replace it with a slimmer modification or install a “shark fin” toe protector to find a balance between safety and personality.
Mechanical Necessity Vs. Modification Aesthetics
From a purely mechanical logic point of view, the chain cover does not contribute to the power transmission of the vehicle. With or without that layer of plastic shell, the transmission relationship between the engine, Xiaofei, chain and rear tooth plate will not change.
In the eyes of these veterans, the original chain cover is “visual garbage”. After removing it, the rear of the car looks lighter and the original mechanical beauty is revealed. If you just want to make a show car, or pursue the extreme minimalist lines, removing the cover is indeed the fastest way to modify the rear contour of the car.
Oil Throwing: The Consequences Of A Sloppy
The car can be ridden without a cover, but the riding experience is likely to deteriorate, mainly because of “Grease Fling”. The chain will generate huge centrifugal force at high speed. If there is no cover, the lubricating oil, chain wax and road dirt on the chain will directly splash upward and outward.
- Damage to your riding gear: The back of your riding suit or backpack is often the first victim. Once that dark chain oil gets into the fabric or leather, believe me, it’s almost impossible to wash it thoroughly.
- Contamination of body parts: The oil thrown out will stick to the bottom of the rear, license plate, rear turn signal and even the back seat. For a long, these places will be covered with dust and impurities, which is not only extremely difficult to clean, but may even corrode your carefully customized car paint.
Safety Risk: Hooking And Injury
The core argument against removing the chain cover is actually physical security. It is a key barrier between the body and the transmission system. The place where the chain engages the backset is a “pinch point”, with a surprisingly large bite force that can generate thousands of pounds of pressure.
- Clothes hook: The kind of loose pants or fluttering riding equipment you usually wear can easily swing near the exposed chain. Once the cloth is bitten by the dental tray, a huge pulling force will instantly drag your leg into the mechanical structure.
- Shoelace problem: This is especially dangerous for cyclists in the city. The loose shoelaces are floating in the wind. In case they are entangled in the chain, the ankle will be seriously injured, and the rear wheel will be locked and the car will fall.
Legal Compliance And Annual Inspection Issues
You have to weigh the local laws before you start the demolition. Road safety regulations in many places explicitly require that drive chains be covered to protect pedestrians and riders.
- Annual inspection and safety inspection: in the UK and many European countries, if the chain cover is missing, the annual inspection (MOT) in the “transmission system” will be directly suspended.
- Police penalties: Even in places where there is no annual testing (such as parts of the United States), missing a chain cover may give the police a reason to stop you. If your car is judged to be “Not Street Legal”, you may face a ticket or be issued a mandatory rectification notice.
Chain Series
The brake calipers and sprockets offer excellent performance.
Sprockets
Brake calipers, sprockets, and chains are available in bulk.
Caliper Series
Lighter weight、Corrosion resisting 、Sliding resistance
The Compromise: Modified Hood And Shark Fin
If you really can’t stand the heavy, cheap plastic feeling of the original factory, but also want to avoid risks, there is actually a compromise. You don’t have to choose between safety and style.
- Lightweight modified cover: many manufacturers will produce aluminum alloy, stainless steel and even carbon fiber chain cover. They are much thinner and more delicate than the original parts. They can block oil and prevent hooking without damaging the lines of the entire vehicle.
- Shark Fin: If you’re looking for competition, I highly recommend at least a shark fin “. This is the 1 kind of curved metal sheet installed at the bottom of the rear flat fork. Although it does not block oil, it can prevent the toe or sole from being caught between the chain and the tooth plate in extreme situations such as car crashes. This is mandatory in almost all motorcycle races and is a very smart upgrade for street riders.
Author: Alex Mercer
As a seasoned motorcycle mechanic and custom bike builder, I’ve spent years turning stock bikes into cafe racers. I specialize in helping riders navigate the fine line between achieving a clean, custom aesthetic and maintaining essential road safety and legality.