Multigrade engine oil as chain lube?

[ChUkKy]

Ive been tempted to try my Castrol chain wax that I use on my motorbike on my MTB chain, its in an aerosol can that sprays on.

Has anyone else tried this?

[GoLefty!!]

yes its very good as well. Just wipe off the excess

Edited May 22, 2014 by GoLefty!!

[GoLefty!!]

Everybody mentions you only need lube inside the rollers, wipe off excess etc, don't you technically want some lube at least on the teeth of the cogs/chainrings to easy the friction and wear there between them and the face of the rollers?

 

Not more a layer of EP additive is needed. As long as the roller can roll the friction is inside the chain.

[GaryvdM]

Everybody mentions you only need lube inside the rollers, wipe off excess etc, don't you technically want some lube at least on the teeth of the cogs/chainrings to easy the friction and wear there between them and the face of the rollers?

 

The only time the sides of the chain should touch the sides of the sprockets is the 1 second during a gear change. (If this is not the case, one should get ones derailleurs adjusted.)

 

Then there is movement between the chain and the face of the teeth when the chain comes together with, and comes apart from the sprockets. You want this movement to happen between the inside of the roller and the bushing. You don't want the outside of roller to slip on the teeth of the sprockets.

 

Hence, you want as little lubrication on the outside of the chain, as it tends to get a lot of dirt sticking to it, and lets the rollers slip on the teeth.

 

There are 3 place where there needs to be lube on a chain: 1) between the roller and the bushings, 2) between the bushings and the pin, 3) between the inner links and the outer links (less important)

Edited May 22, 2014 by GaryvdM

[Skylark]

Wow, my eyes have been opened!

I can see now how a chain and sprocket interact, the exterior of the roller once contacting with tooth face doesn't rotate on the face itself but rather the roller pivots around the roller/bushing and that's why all the lube needs to be there! Why did I not know this before..

Edited May 22, 2014 by Skylark

[GaryvdM]

My word.....then I'd rather budget for a new chain every month. Seriously too much time on his hands!

 

I trust you noticed the date of the article?

[Paul Ruinaard]

Just go shaft drive - my new bike has no chain lube issue.

 

Oh oops - no shaft drive MTB's

 

Bugger now there is an opportunity.

 

Think i saw a two wheel drive shaft idea MTB thingy somewhere

[Vangar]

I trust you noticed the date of the article?

 

I did not.....so I got taken by an April fools joke......the end of may!

[GoLefty!!]

LOL

[Cassie]

Wow, my eyes have been opened!

I can see now how a chain and sprocket interact, the exterior of the roller once contacting with tooth face doesn't rotate on the face itself but rather the roller pivots around the roller/bushing and that's why all the lube needs to be there! Why did I not know this before..

 

You will now also have realised that chains cannot actually "stretch"...

[Cassie]

Thx guys

 

Really enjoy these technical discussions...makes for a nice mental break over all the other Hub crap...

[Brian Fantana]

Just go shaft drive - my new bike has no chain lube issue.

 

Oh oops - no shaft drive MTB's

 

Bugger now there is an opportunity.

 

Think i saw a two wheel drive shaft idea MTB thingy somewhere

 

Closest you'll get to lube free drivetrain (only lubricant inside gearbox) is a belt drive:

 

 

[Off_da_brakes]

The ultimate in chain cleaning and lubrication: http://sheldonbrown.com/chainclean.html

I'd rather spend that time riding my bike!

[GaryvdM]

I'd rather spend that time riding my bike!

 

I trust you noticed the date of the article?

[Off_da_brakes]

 

 

I trust you noticed the date of the article?

Lol.... No. But it did cross my mind while I was reading it! /facepalm