Hey Moe, it's only 2 screws to remove to get the chain guard off. Takes all of 1 minute to do. With the chain guard off, it also makes it easier to cup the chain in my hand with a rag to get the grime off after I slather it in kerosene. Spin the rear wheel with one hand while loosely holding the chain with a rag. Comes out pretty clean.
And actually I do take off the sprocket cover about every 2 thousand miles. Lots of gritty grime can get built up in there, and that stuff is hard on the chain. But then I'm one of those people that doesn't mind cleaning the chain. I know, I'm depraved.
