I just installed my new RK chain/sprocket kit, and the thing comes loaded with grease. Is it alright to ride on this, or should I be scrubbing and cleaning the chain down, then applying my normal chain lube? I couldn't find anything regarding this in my kit instructions or on their website, so I'm just curious what you guys think.

 

I would clean off any excessive lube as it will end up all over your bike but the chain is lubed from the factory ready for use until your next required maintenance interval.

 

I tend to wipe it down with a rag and relube as I would normally.

Factory grease tends to be a bit sticky and attracts a lot of grime.

 

I brush Gear Oil 80/90w on my chain aproximately every 500 miles. In the 'good old days' of British bikes, we used to have a tin of chain grease that you used to heat on a camping gas stove with the chain coiled up on top until the grease melted and after a few minutes it was removed, hung up with wire or string until it cooled and then put back on the bike. This lasted for quite a while and got into all the rollers and pins and was very good, but today modern chains only need to be lubricated with gear oil as I am pretty certain that the inner rollers have grease in them with oil seals between the pins and it is the outer rollers that need lubricating. Wash the chain with a brush and paraffin, then wipe it dry before brushing the gear oil on the lower run of the chain. Mark the chain with tippex anywhere on the chain before you start so you can see where you started making it easier to see you have covered it all with the oil. Don't over do it though and check your rear tyre after the first run out for any oil on it and wipe it off if necessary!

 

I am right along with the others. It comes well lubed so just wipe down some excess, and relubricate every 500 miles or so. Like what highway said about marking the chain, I just rotate my rear tire until the Master Link is at the bottom, start there, and go around once until I see it again. Master link is easy to spot.