well, I am brand new to the bike and the last bike I rode had a shaft. I do believe you need to check it if you ride a lot every couple of weeks at a minimum and make adjustments as necessary to keep the chain in the sweet zone. I have cleaned mine with kerosene and lubed it with wax once in about 1400 miles and tightened the chain up once. I think mine needs a slight adjustment again now. Too loose is not good and too tight is not good either. I think just a hair under an inch of play is the sweet spot.
