Lubing a dirty chain

[Dogtrousers]

The chain I have on my bike at the moment has shiny outer plates and dark inner ones, so it looks snazzy when cleaned. That gives me a reason to run a rag over it. Not always a compelling enough reason to get me to actually do it tho.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

You (don't) want to risk your luck after he's slept in an empty station overnight and finished off a 1000km ride, and there's free beer at the capital finish!

Happy days at Monty’s. A most enjoyable finish to a grand audax.

 

[figbat]

I have to admit that despite my profession (31 years in lubricant R&D) I'm pretty lackadaisical about chain lubrication. Most of my rides are offroad, including through the grime, mud and rain of winter. My typical regime is to hose down the whole bike (including chain) if it gets muddy, spray the chain with GT85 or WD40 to dry it, then dribble whatever oil I have to hand on it (might be a dedicated bicycle chain oil, might be a fork oil, could be a household '3-in-1' type oil, occasionally an engine oil). If the bike isn't that muddy I skip the wash-down and just go straight to oiling. I'll wipe off any excess once done. I don't do intercontinental miles on any bike so chain replacement is acceptable in terms of time.

 

[potsy]

Wipe with a rag and dribble some oil into the links, another wipe and away you go.

 

[silva]

Lubing a dirty chain is no problem, as long as you wipe reachable dirt off afterwards.
In fact, when my chain is dirty and appears dry, it's THE moment to put well oil on it, spin the cranks a while or a ride, the sand etc sticks to the oil and hangs on the outside of the rotation, making it easier to wipe it off.

 

[Ajax Bay]

Wipe with a rag and dribble some oil into the links, another wipe and away you go.

@ mickle If only there was a name for that method.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

More worried I'll be savaged by the nearest Labrador puppy than the warrior from the east!

Thou shalt eat dog food for this insolent remark, puny Human

 

[Pat "5mph"]

A chain should only be removed when it needs replacing.

How to clean the jockey wheels then, without removing the chain?
Once in a blue moon, in my case, but still ...

 

[Ian H]

How to clean the jockey wheels then, without removing the chain?
Once in a blue moon, in my case, but still ...

Easiest with the rear wheel removed, but not too difficult. In any case, Campagnolo make it almost impossible to remove & refit a chain - and warn against it.