Belt, chain or shaft: what to check and when

Each final drive needs its own care, and none of them runs forever untended. October is a good moment to clear off the summer grit before the wet roads arrive.

• Chain: clean it with a soft brush, dry it, then apply chain lube to the inner side and let it soak in.
• Chain: measure the slack as the owner's manual says, and look at the sprockets for hooked teeth and seized links.
• Belt: inspect for cracks, delamination and nicks along the edges; rinse off dirt with water, no lubricants or solvents.
• Belt: check tension per the manual and make sure no small stones are caught between belt and pulleys.
• Shaft: check the rubber boots for cracks and leaks, and the final drive oil level as the manual specifies.
• Replacing tensioners, sprockets or the final drive without experience is a job for a workshop.