this is a stupid question, so don't hate me too much.

i'm putting the finishing touches on my new build, and am ready to install the chain. my question is, should i degrease the chain and get rid of the factory lube, and then lube with what i normally use? or would it be better to leave the factory lube on, wipe it down some, and wait until it needs to really be lubed?

the chain is an hkk vertex, and the stuff from the factory is thin, not the really thick nasty stuff found on some new chains.

I used to because something I read recommended it. Then I realized all of my bikes are ridden through scuzz anyway, and my chains are not the pretty type, so what's the point? Unless you're going to be lubing with a wax based lube, in which case you must. So now I don't.

But the new bike I'm building up is supposed to be purty, so I'm going to for that one.

So do. Or don't. Or do.

If that helps.

I'd strongly recommend using a wax lubricant (boeshield is what I use) just cause it keeps your shiz cleaner in general over a nasty nasty lube like tri-flow.

So degrease then wax it up.

i've used white lightning in the past, but wasn't too impressed with it. recently i've found that dumonde tech and tri-flow run a lot smoother on my conversion than white lightning. who knows with my new track bike though...

I've actually gone back to White Lightning over Boelube of late. Boelube is nice and buttery, but you always end up with this black greasy sludge everywhere eventually. Not so much with WL. In any case, though, I do degrease a new chain before lubing it. I figure it can't hurt and would help avoid any issues with applying one lubricant type over top of another.

i'm using cross country now since it's reasonably cold out and because i have to ride through wet conditions somewhat regularly. waxes wash off in no time. i'll be switching back to ice wax / white lightning come drier times.

I use the finishline krytech wax lubricant and it works great. Keeps the chain clean and smooth. I've stopped using triflow because I got tired of everything it comes in contact with turning black. Triflow turns my chain black in a day in NYC riding and that sludge sticks to whatever it touches.

Oh yeah, OP, you should degrease it if it's a decent chain, if not,then it's not such a big deal.

Hrmmm...lube...that's a new idea for me...where's my triflow?

the factory "lube" on a chain isn't lube, it's a rust inhibitor.
degrease it and lube with something more appropriate, otherwise it'll just attract lots of crap.
I like homebrew "pro-link": 1 part synth motor oil to 4 parts mineral spirits.
I hate wax-based lubes, especially krytech. In the wet weather here, they wash off really fast and leave waxy gunk wherever you don't want it.

i thought it was 1:3?

what about the lazyman's dry lube in a can? I use the Dry Teflon Lube. Judging by the fact that someone has yet to recommend it, I'm beginning to doubt my actions. Any comments or suggestions?