Originally Posted by
canklecat
That was my original concern when I heard folks suggesting just leaving the chain's original lube alone and wiping down the externally accessible bits. But it's turned out to be a non-issue. After 500-600 miles the chain works fine, needing only an occasional wipe down with a dry rag
I hear ya, even the shimano experts says leave it on,
"leave the factory grease on, not apply any other lube, ride until it wears out and then start applying liquid chain lube."
https://www.bikerumor.com/2011/06/28...-with-shimano/
But he admits it wears out, and of course it does, but when? I have a sealed x-ring chain on my motorcycle that has done 20,000 km but a sealed x-ring chain allows no particle egress. With nothing to seal the entry to the rollers aside from shimano's magic grease fine road grit will work its way in from day one. The process will be a lot slower than with light lube but it will occur. Eventually that factory lubricant will be degraded like the oil in an engine is and if you don't get the timing right you'll be doing damage to the chain for hundreds of miles without even knowing it.
Chains are throwaways, they only cost a few bucks, I lube mine every 100 and bin it as soon as it stretches near the limit. Perhaps that is shimano's theory, use their pre-lubed chains for 1000 miles then buy another. They are in the business of selling chains, not maintaining chains.