How'd you guys know that I cleaned both bike's chains yesterday & that my cleaner thingy broke?

Guess I'm going to have to spring for another one.

Yes, the fluid fills up with crud. (Just think how much crud a recumbent chain can collect - when 'bent riders replace chains, we buy 3 and, um, chain them together.) I just replace the fluid a few times, and it works.

Maybe I'm slow, but I finally figured out that it doesn't do an awful lot of good to clean you chain if the rest of the drive train is still filthy. Dirt and grit is something that mechanical parts just love to share. In addition to the front & back "teeth," I cleaned the derallier "teeth" too. You now, the bitsy little cogs? Good heavens, they collect stuff. Makes sense, I suppose, they see a lot of action.

Anyway, now both bikes are much happier and run better. And my hands are a mess.