The Sheldon Brown Chain Cleaning Method illustrated at the following link
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/
is indeed an April Fools joke.
All you have to do is scroll down to the bottom to find the following disclaimer
Note! This page is a joke! Note the date above! ShelBroCo does not actually recommend taking your chain completely apart! Deakinol Rinsing Solvent, Shelbrothane Cleaning Solvent, Shelbroconol Pre-soak, and Deakins White RollerGrease are all imaginary products.
If you are looking for serious advice on Chain Maintence, click here!
The REAL link directs you to
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/
Brian Booth
Toronto, Ontario, Canada