I spoke with a Regina chain engineer and he insisted that cleaning a chain will shorten it's life. He said even using a toothbrush will push some dort and debris into the o-rings thus tearing or nicking them and allowing lube out and water in.
Now I just clean the sideplates so it looks nice, as Brian said, and I stay away from the space between sideplates where o-rings reside.
Now I just clean the sideplates so it looks nice, as Brian said, and I stay away from the space between sideplates where o-rings reside.