Originally Posted by
Walter S
I don't mess with solvents. I just clean the chain with more lubricant. Put a drop of triple flow on every link every other day or two. Then wipe off VERY well. I know some people say you need to really clean the chain. But I say not. I get very normal wear from what I can tell.
+1
I am convinced that cleaning a chain with detergents or solvents shortens it's life by allowing the grit to penetrate deeper in the chain. Also I think it tends to kill the lube deeper in the chain. Clean as little as you can get by with and as non aggressively as possible. I do that and my chains have lasted in the neighborhood of 10,000 miles.