Bokkie

Way back when I was a lad, you'd split the chain and soak it in a jar of petrol and slightly regrease it once it dried. What's the rub these days. I think chain technology has moved on so is petrol 'destructive'? Are their proper chain cleaning techniques I need to consider?

dirtbikedude

Some riders still disasemble the chain and clean it, the easiest way would be to get a chain cleaner. They are simple to use, just and a bit of mild soap with water, run the chain through for a minute or so and it's clean. Wipe the excess of let dry and lube. It is a good item to have if you clean the chain on a regular basis. I have one from Pedros but there are others. As for lube, I like to use White Lightning.
Slainte

greatnexus

I usually spray the chain with WD-40, wipe with rag, and lube with dry chain lube.

For messier chains (friend's bike), I go for simple green first and follow the same process.

Once I have the new chain with powerlink, I will probably go with solvent bath instead of spray.

velo

I just purchased Pedro's Citrus Degreaser. I love it. So, I use that. Wipe off the chain, and then any lube you like would be good.

Mashimaro

i have yet to try one of those Park or Pedro's chain cleaners, but i hear good things about them.

when i clean my chain, which is only once in a while (i try to keep it clean as much as i can), i take it off and let it sit in paint thinner/solvent over night. The next day, i take it out and blast it w/ compressed air. You'll be amazed how much crud comes out when you blast it! Let it dry properly before you put on some new lube otherwise the leftover solvent will dissolve the new lube.

beowoulfe

The chain may look clean....but you can't really get a clean chain until you take
it off and agitate it in something. There is stuff down in the links you can't get
out any other way.

hotrod

I spray the chain a section at a time with a silicon lubricant from an aerosol can while holding a rag under it. This flushes grime out onto the rag. Then I lightly wipe the excess off. Keeps the chain very clean looking and I've never had a problem.

Bokkie

With the chain removed, I guess that's a good time to check if it's stretched. I recall somewhere that you measure the distance between a number of links and if it exceeds a certain amount you should trash the chain for a new one. Is that really necessary though? Do chains have that problem still?

beowoulfe

Yup. By holding a ruler along the chain on the bicycle, align an inch mark with
a pin and see how far off the mark the pin is at twelve inches. An eighth of an
inch (0.125) is a little over the one percent limit while more than a sixteenth is a
prudent time to get a new chain.

MichaelW

Chains still wear out and "stretch".

Be careful splitting chains. Shimano and Campagnolo top of the range ones need a special replacement pin. Sachs chains which come with a powerlink which can be split without tools. Generally, removing rivets willl weaken a chain and should be avoided.