Chain cleaning challenged

[OakLeaf]

Even with a Powerlink, I don't know about removing the chain to clean it (and definitely not if you don't have a SRAM Powerlink chain). Every time you push that pin through it has the potential to cause wear on the links and makes breakage more likely. Plus it's $5 every time you replace it, then. Anyway, just in terms of building your home shop, maybe a chain tool isn't the best first thing to learn to use.

You'll also find differences of opinion on degreasers. I use them, but I've seen convincing opinions that they reduce the life of a chain. Honestly, I think it depends (like most things) on conditions. If what mostly gets on your chain is farm dust, mud or rain, then probably no degreaser. Simple Green, an old toothbrush, and a stream of rinse water from a pump-up garden sprayer, repeat until clean (I don't remember who it was on TE who suggested the pump-up sprayer, but it's the best cleaning tip evah - just enough pressure to force the crud out from inside the links, not enough pressure to threaten bearings; a narrow stream so it doesn't get inside the frame down the seatpost hole or elsewhere.) In the winter, I get a lot of sand, and I think that getting the sand off is more important than trying to maintain the internal lubrication of my chain.

WD-40 also tends to attract a lot of crud. If you use a degreaser, use a real one, either a water soluble one like Royal Purple or a solvent like Goo Gone. There are some that are more environmentally friendly than others - I use Park Tool brand, and I strain it through a shop-quality paper towel and re-use it.

Whatever solvent you use, when you discard it, put it in an old bottle and take it to your household hazmat disposal site. PLEASE don't pour it down the drain, on the ground or into a gutter! As for Simple Green, do be sure to rinse it off thoroughly, as it is slightly acid and will corrode metal and cloud plastic if it's allowed to stay on the surface for a long time.

I lube my chain with Pedro's Go! roughly every 300-400 miles - it depends on the lube and the conditions. If I've been riding in the rain, the chain will be dry and need new lube. A new chain I'll run in the grease that came on it until it starts getting really cruddy - that can be 5-600 miles depending on conditions. A "thin stream" of lube is too much - I usually put a drop every 3-4 links and follow with a paper towel as I'm applying it, to spread it evenly and wipe off the excess.