Chain care: when to clean and when to lube

A dry, dirty chain wears out the chain and sprockets together, and a new set is expensive. November mud, water and road salt strip lubricant off especially fast.

• Check the chain before every ride: it should look slightly wet with lube, with no rust and no dry patches.
• Clean it roughly every 500–1000 km, and sooner after riding in rain, mud or road salt.
• Put the bike on a paddock stand or lift so the rear wheel spins freely. Switch the engine off and let it cool.
• Remove grime with a brush and a chain cleaner suited to your seal type (O-ring, X-ring). Harsh solvents will damage those seals. Wipe the chain dry.
• Apply lube to the inside of the lower run while turning the wheel. Wipe off the excess with a rag.
• Let the lube settle for a few minutes before you ride. Check chain slack against your owner's manual.