Bottle or Dropper for Bicycle Lube
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Bottle or Dropper for Bicycle Lube
Hi,
Using 3 in 1 oil. Feel that the oil drops too much at a time when trying to lube a chain. What bottle or dropper should I get to transfer the oil into, and where do I get it?
Using 3 in 1 oil. Feel that the oil drops too much at a time when trying to lube a chain. What bottle or dropper should I get to transfer the oil into, and where do I get it?
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Take an old fashioned broom, like with real or plastic straws. Cut off one. Open your oil container and insert straw. Lift up and hold over the desired location and watch a drop or two fall into place. I just used this technic to free a sticky lock on a U-lock. Worked great. Enjoy.
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Change the angle of the oil container and just touch the link when a little oil forms on the tip. You don't need to wait for a free drop to happen. Alternatively, mix the oil 1/3 (or thinner) with odorless mineral spirits to get a thin lube that penetrates well and once you wipe it off and the solvent evaporates, you only have lube inside the chain where it is needed.
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Yeah!!! Another chain lube question!!! Love it!
ATF in a dropper bottle. Generously lube the chain. Don't worry about the drops. The drops tell ya its lubed. Now wipe it off and clean it up. Easy Peasy.
Of course... You Know This... Ha
I have to Lube/Clean my chain regularly as it picks up dirt rather quickly. I don't really ride in the dirt either but my routes are very dusty. I don't really clean my chain either. Lubing with ATF penetrates deeply into the chain and loosens all the crud for a good wipe. I have used paraffin, special lubes both wet and dry, and have found ATF the best for my needs. Yep... I am a cheap Bastard too...
ATF in a dropper bottle. Generously lube the chain. Don't worry about the drops. The drops tell ya its lubed. Now wipe it off and clean it up. Easy Peasy.
Of course... You Know This... Ha
I have to Lube/Clean my chain regularly as it picks up dirt rather quickly. I don't really ride in the dirt either but my routes are very dusty. I don't really clean my chain either. Lubing with ATF penetrates deeply into the chain and loosens all the crud for a good wipe. I have used paraffin, special lubes both wet and dry, and have found ATF the best for my needs. Yep... I am a cheap Bastard too...
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I don't worry about too much lube. I wipe off the excess after I've finished.
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Just drip the oil on the inside of the chain as you back-pedal, 2-3 turns of the crank. Let it sit a few minutes, then wipe the excess off the outside of the chain with a (pick one) rag, paper towel, anything else absorbent and kind of clean you have available. Losing the excess oil may cost you $1 a year -- it's not worth your time to be parsimonious with the oil.
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Yeah!!! Another chain lube question!!! Love it!
ATF in a dropper bottle. Generously lube the chain. Don't worry about the drops. The drops tell ya its lubed. Now wipe it off and clean it up. Easy Peasy.
Of course... You Know This... Ha
I have to Lube/Clean my chain regularly as it picks up dirt rather quickly. I don't really ride in the dirt either but my routes are very dusty. I don't really clean my chain either. Lubing with ATF penetrates deeply into the chain and loosens all the crud for a good wipe. I have used paraffin, special lubes both wet and dry, and have found ATF the best for my needs. Yep... I am a cheap Bastard too...
ATF in a dropper bottle. Generously lube the chain. Don't worry about the drops. The drops tell ya its lubed. Now wipe it off and clean it up. Easy Peasy.
Of course... You Know This... Ha
I have to Lube/Clean my chain regularly as it picks up dirt rather quickly. I don't really ride in the dirt either but my routes are very dusty. I don't really clean my chain either. Lubing with ATF penetrates deeply into the chain and loosens all the crud for a good wipe. I have used paraffin, special lubes both wet and dry, and have found ATF the best for my needs. Yep... I am a cheap Bastard too...
#8
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Yes... Just regular ATF. One quart will last ya forever. Its a very good cleaner and has just enough viscosity that it can still be a lubricant. I have more or less consolidated my shelf of POL's. I end up using the same lubricants for almost all of my stuff, gas powered engines, electric devices, guns, autos, and bicycles. It's all boiled down to Marine Grease, 5w-20, Chain Bar oil, ATF, PB-Blaster, and Anti-Seize compound. I do know there is better stuff out there but how much better... Meh...
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#9
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On a route like the GAP or C&O, the lubing is also cleaning the stone dust off. I carry bar oil in a little dropper bottle I found in a cosmetics travel kit at the pharmacy. I use plenty of bar oil and destroy a handful of paper napkins wiping the chain down. On the primitive campsites I also lube up the pivot points on the pumps, makes a difference.
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Wow, 3 in 1 oil takes me back to the 70s and 80s and my Schwinn Varsity and Continental. My how things have changed in chain lube:
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Wiki says 3 in 1 was originally formulated in 1894 for bicycles. So of course there are still folks using it for bikes. I have a container of the sae 20 electric motor version that I’ve used on various things, including electric motors and bike mechanisms - but not chains - for a long time.
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On a route like the GAP or C&O, the lubing is also cleaning the stone dust off. I carry bar oil in a little dropper bottle I found in a cosmetics travel kit at the pharmacy. I use plenty of bar oil and destroy a handful of paper napkins wiping the chain down. On the primitive campsites I also lube up the pivot points on the pumps, makes a difference.
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My best advice regarding the GAP and keeping your drivetrain clean, is to use fenders. My wife and I used to ride is about once a week, and I have done the entire ride from Pittsburgh to DC. I hated cleaning her chain after each ride. Mine stayed clean. I have a Surly LHT with full fenders. She had no fenders. hers soon got fenders. No more problem. The dust from the GAP is very abrasive. It's nice not having it all over the drivetrain anymore.
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That's certainly part of the plan. Good call.
My best advice regarding the GAP and keeping your drivetrain clean, is to use fenders. My wife and I used to ride is about once a week, and I have done the entire ride from Pittsburgh to DC. I hated cleaning her chain after each ride. Mine stayed clean. I have a Surly LHT with full fenders. She had no fenders. hers soon got fenders. No more problem. The dust from the GAP is very abrasive. It's nice not having it all over the drivetrain anymore.
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If you're trying to do precision lube dropping, it's hard to beat a squeeze bottle with a metal needle tip:
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#18
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I have thought about fenders, but... It already has a little toe overlap. I spoke to the designer/builder, and he vehemently disparaged fenders, so I just bear the cross of a filthy chain with magnanimity.
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Unlike Terry, I use this:
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I wish it was easier to find syringe caps.
3 in 1 isn't a very good chain lube. And I hate the smell. But I guess anything is better than nothing.
3 in 1 isn't a very good chain lube. And I hate the smell. But I guess anything is better than nothing.