Chains and sand
We are taking two bikes on the western route to Dakar next month. It is going to be 3000-4000 km through fairly sandy conditions. For this purpose I have recently acquired second hand bikes: a KTM 640 Adv and a DR650SE which I believe are both pretty much in stock setup.
The chains look all-right on both but I have no clue what particular make they are, O or X or ... I believe the KTM has a steel sprocket and the DR an Alu one. I have read suggestions to change to steel sprockets and a custom X-ring chain otherwise they would wear out quickly in the sand. Is that a must do or nice to have?
How would you care for the chains in the desert? I would have thought that the more oil/lube you apply the more sand gets stuck to it? Is there a daily routine to wash/clean the chain? What does your experience say?
many thanks for your help!
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London to Bamako, Oct-Nov 2009, KTM 640 Adventure + DR650SE
Lagos to Libreville, Dec 2015, KTM 640 + DR650
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