So, I just went out to the garage, and set the bike up on my work rig. I kept reapplying brake klean to the towel & chain until no more dirt showed on the towel. I had to 'apply' cleaner four times. Mind you this is a recumbent that uses two chains, minus two links. There sure was a lot of black stuff on the cleaning towel. Flossed between the links with a pipe cleaner. Barely got any dirt on it. Applied Pro Link Gold with a clean white towel, and it came out clean. This is a clean chain. Perfectly clean? I doubt it. But cleaner than it will be in a few miles of riding a clean, paved trail. bk