If you have a nice bike, you may want to lay a drop cloth in between your bike and the ground so you don’t scratch its paint job. Bike racks are relatively easy to make from scrap parts. Make a stable frame equipped with hooks and hang your bike by its wheels. Hanging your bike in a rack or turning it upside down has the added bonus of making the chain more accessible as you work on it. [1] X Research source
To ensure the longest life and best operation of bike chains, avid cyclists should clean their chain once a week or roughly once every 200 miles (321 km). Keeping your chain cleaned and lubed will help maintain the condition of your chain and drivetrain. It will also help you notice damaged links sooner. Replace bad links straightaway to prevent further damage. [3] X Research source
Many kinds of single speed bike will not have a master link. If the link is not clearly visible, chances are your chain doesn’t have one. If you happen to have a bike chain without a master link, consider having a local bike shop add one for you. This process usually only costs around $15 for most bikes. [5] X Research source
Bikes with multiple gears often have complicated shifting mechanisms at the wheels. If this is the case for your bike, make sure your photos clearly depict how the chain runs through these parts. Failing to properly reinstall your chain in the drivetrain could cause serious damage to your bike, personal injury, or it could result the bike not working at all. [7] X Research source
Removing the chain is especially important for chains with heavy surface rust and grime. Chains with light rust and dirtiness can often be cleaned with the chain attached. Chains without a master link are reinserted into the drivetrain in the same fashion they are removed, only in reverse.
Most degreasers can be quite harsh on the skin. Wear latex gloves when using a degreaser unless otherwise indicated on its label
Rust that is neutralized and scrubbed free may gunk up your steel wool. If this happens, rinse it in hot water, reapply the lime juice, and continue scrubbing. When breaking up large amounts of rust, you may need to wipe the surface periodically so you can see how much rust is left on the surface.
Wipe off the chain with a clean rag as necessary to remove rust residue. When the rust is gone, you’re ready to reattach and/or lubricate the chain. WD-40 should never be used to lubricate the chain of your bike. You should only use a specially formulated bike lubricant for this purpose.
Chain links should fit onto the points of gears and run smoothly through all component parts of the drivetrain. If you feel resistance, it’s likely you’ve inserted the chain improperly. If you find yourself really struggling to get the chain back in the drivetrain, look up a tutorial on YouTube or do a keyword search for your bike’s manual online. [13] X Research source
When properly refastened, the master link should align evenly with other links. If the master link is fastened unevenly, it could cause the chain to warp, ruining it.
Many small errors can be corrected with your fingers while the chain is still on the bike. In some cases, you may need to remove the chain completely and reinstall it from scratch.
