Is ordinary engine oil considered a wet lube?
I am eventually going to scare up some bike dedicated wet lube.
Until then I was wondering if engine oil would do to seal out the winter nasties. |
Anything will work as a chain lubricant, over a short enough timeframe. Sure, single/multi-weight motor oil will work, but it's absolutely not what it was designed for. It will make the chain a jet black, filthy mess rather quickly, but it will stop rust from forming and probably keep things squeak-free.
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I've certainly used motor oil for chain lube when I've had nothing else on hand. If it wasn't for the fact that motor oil will sling all over your rear wheel, rim brake surface, and tire, I'd be okay with it.
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Originally Posted by FiftySix
(Post 21246179)
I've certainly used motor oil for chain lube when I've had nothing else on hand. If it wasn't for the fact that motor oil will sling all over your rear wheel, rim brake surface, and tire, I'd be okay with it.
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I suspect if you apply the motor oil as carefully as you would very expensive bike chain lube, that the mess would be quite tolerable. Maybe use a Q-tip? Or a pocket knife. Dip blade into oil then along the inner-outer interface on each side of each link. Slow, But a careful job should work just fine and not be too messy and not throw oil. (And yes, motor oil is formulated for different challenges. Bike chains and normal riding are so un-demanding lubrication-wise that simple 3-1 oil works just fine. That motor oil will still be working when you get your pedal RPM up to 5000.
Ben |
I use motor oil on the bike I ride to the train station. Not a lot of miles, but I leave it outside a lot in all kinds of weather. The chain is almost 30 years old and still going strong.
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Originally Posted by FiftySix
(Post 21246179)
I've certainly used motor oil for chain lube when I've had nothing else on hand. If it wasn't for the fact that motor oil will sling all over your rear wheel, rim brake surface, and tire, I'd be okay with it.
I don't ride quickly especially in the winter. That means oil wouldn't get flung around much nor debris get picked up. But oil on my nice Schwalbés is a no-no. Thanks |
Originally Posted by PdalPowr
(Post 21246254)
Ah,you had me at tire.🤗
I don't ride quickly especially in the winter. That means oil wouldn't get flung around much nor debris get picked up. But oil on my nice Schwalbés is a no-no. Thanks |
Engine oil on a sponge against the chain will do, no oil sling.
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Originally Posted by PdalPowr
(Post 21245950)
I am eventually going to scare up some bike dedicated wet lube.
Until then I was wondering if engine oil would do to seal out the winter nasties. https://www.amazon.com/s?k=bike+chai...f=nb_sb_noss_2 |
Originally Posted by PdalPowr
(Post 21245950)
I am eventually going to scare up some bike dedicated wet lube.
Until then I was wondering if engine oil would do to seal out the winter nasties. |
Sigh...
Just spend $5-$10 and get some chain lube. Motor oil is not meant for chains. Lubricants Not to Use!While it's hard to say which lubricants are best for chains, some lubricants are real no-nos:
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I wouldn't use it now, but rode thousands of miles using it in my youth. I'm sure there was bike chain oil, but we weren't really hip to it. Every household had a squirt can filled with motor oil that was used for many general lubrication purposes, including bike chains.
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If you have some 80w90 gear oil around, mix with some mineral spirits and use instead.
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Originally Posted by 79pmooney
(Post 21246194)
I suspect if you apply the motor oil as carefully as you would very expensive bike chain lube, that the mess would be quite tolerable. Maybe use a Q-tip? Or a pocket knife. Dip blade into oil then along the inner-outer interface on each side of each link. Slow, But a careful job should work just fine and not be too messy and not throw oil. (And yes, motor oil is formulated for different challenges. Bike chains and normal riding are so un-demanding lubrication-wise that simple 3-1 oil works just fine. That motor oil will still be working when you get your pedal RPM up to 5000.
Ben Cheers |
It's only cold pressed, extra virgin, locally sourced, ethical, non gmo olive oil for my bike but you do what you want.
Unrelated, but does anybody know where I can pick up a set of virtue signals for my bike? I like to be noticed in traffic. |
Originally Posted by 79pmooney
(Post 21246194)
That motor oil will still be working when you get your pedal RPM up to 5000.
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Wax is a very, very, very short term solution.
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500-700 miles per application in my experience... and everything stays clean.
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Myself, I use motorcycle chain spray "wax". Works great and stays lubricated with no mess. Plus cheaper than bike chain specific lube.
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Originally Posted by Happy Feet
(Post 21250449)
It's only cold pressed, extra virgin, locally sourced, ethical, non gmo olive oil for my bike but you do what you
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Originally Posted by PdalPowr
(Post 21254480)
Glass or plastic bottle?🤗
Cheers |
I never had more or less problems with engine oil than bike specific oil.
Only that the latter /liter cost is like 100 times the former. |
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