When I was younger my uncle told me I could use a pickle to clean my chain . I did once, and it WORKED. That same uncle told me I could you engine oil to lube my chain which I completely wrote off since I was till trying to understand how and why he knew that a pickle would work on a chain. Watched this on YouTube a few weeks ago and though to myself, damn Unc, 2 for 2.
This thread has cost me money! My chains side plates are rusty. I could neither keep it from happening or keep it at bay with the chain the bike came with. So new chain purchased and fitted today. I’m gonna ditch all my different types of lube and go with gear oil. I’m hoping a good lube then even a wipe after most rides with a rag impregnated with oil will keep it spankers.
I hope you can see that although the side plate are rusty the rollers are clean and the chain links all move properly, I just could not have people seeing a chain like that. The same thing happened on a Multistrada I had but these DID chains are more resistant to rust and easier to keep clean.
I've been using gear oil since I replaced my chain (and was gratified to watch that video a while ago too). This is what I use to apply it, followed by a very gentle wipe of the excess...
