Originally Posted by
cyccommute
The color of the lubricant on the chain and paper will likely be black...no argument there. The black color is from finely divided bits of steel...again no argument. The source of the finely divided steel is not from any steel that has been ground off the chain. Not after only a couple of hours, anyway. Most likely it's finely divided bits of steel that are left over from the manufacturing process.
Since you are in an experimental mood, try the same experiment as above but this time, clean the chain in clean solvent. Remove all traces of previous lubrication. Apply a dry lube...my weapon of choice is White Lightning. Repeat steps 3 to 5. Now answer the same 3 questions.
I'll answer them for you. 1. Transparent. 2. What stuff? 3. Again, what stuff?
So you're saying that White Lightning keeps metal fragments left over from the manufacturing process inside the chain?
Originally Posted by
supton
Why would you lube a brand new chain? [I guess you could say I'm in the camp that believes the factory lube is just that--lube.] I'd ride it until it got dirty, then clean it--that lube seems to be a grit magnet.
You can do the experiment with factory lube as well. My main point is that there
is a way to make a chain last 5000-8000 miles before you reach the 1/16th stretch limit. Back when Sedisport chains cost $3.95, I didn't bother with lube too much as I'd just replace the chain every couple of months. When chains started costing $30, it became more of a challenge. Different people also ride under different conditions and the chain-care regimen must be adjusted for the situations the chain faces.