Whats best to clean and/or lube a chain

[Amode]

Steam cleaning is bad for a chain.
You are blasting water into every clearance in the chain links.
You can only dry the exterior.
All the moisture you can't see or reach has to evaporate.
But since the exterior is dry, and chain wax is applied, you have then sealed the water in.
Even with plated/coated chain links, you are causing corrosion and speeding up chain wear.

1 A little kerosene
2 very low steam pressure
3 Then dry the chain with air
4 Steam is just to remove the film from all the crap on the chain.
5Then lube the chain

[CBXRider]

I clean chain about every 400 miles or so. I clean it while it's warm.

View attachment 1587117

You clean it every 400 miles or lube it?

[CBXRider]

For an O-Ring Chain, no lube. Run it dry.

Ahh, no. The part of the O ring that isn’t against the factory lube needs lubing to keep it soft and pliable and lubing also keeps the chain rollers flexible so there is no kinking.

[Kiwi Rider]

There is no "best way" to lube a chain, there are many good ways to do it'

[bussassin417]

You clean it every 400 miles or lube it?

I use three step process every 400 or so miles.

wash,lube,wax

[CBXRider]

Are you new to motorcycles? IME that regimen is completely unnecessary.

[bussassin417]

IME

to each their own ... A lot of the things I do are unnecessary; changing parts because of age before they fail, customizing and "tweaking."

We all do what make us happy and/or enjoy.

[Fernando]

Awesome Combination!!!

[Bagherra]

I use diesel from the pump to clean my chain.....then go for a spin around the block to warm up chain and then lube it