What oil for an oil can ?

[john.wigley]

Originally Posted by MiniNinjaRob

As a bike mechanic myself I can say that neither 3 in 1 nor engine oil is any good for bike chain. You wouldn't use auto transmission fluid in your engine would you? So use proper cycle chain lubricants on your bike chain.

I was going to mention that 'M.N.R.', but realised that 'L.S.' was just using it as an example. I wouldn't use oil on a bike chain myself because it attracts grit increasing wear, gets either thrown (over you!) or washed off and is rarely in the right place (inside the rollers).

I used to soak my chains in melted grease in an old baking tray, hang them up above the tray to drain and then wipe off any surplus once set. My chains lasted well and were not messy. No doubt today you will have more sophisticated methods and materials, but I agree - you would not use oil.

Regards, John.

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by MiniNinjaRob

You wouldn't use auto transmission fluid in your engine would you?

Yes i do. It cleans the engine, revivies old oil seals, frees off hydraulic tappets so they work properly again and is also effective at releasing sticky piston rings, hence retoring compression. Anyalse the oil in either of my engines now and you will find traces of ATF-U, i've used it for many years in many engines, always with good results. It's also an excellent fuel system cleaner and quietens noisy fuel pumps.
It's also good as a hydraulic jack oil as well, plus many other uses.

I also use it for a host of other things too, mixed 50/50 with acetone, it's an amazing penetrating oil that also has derusting properties.

Clearly i was the wrong person to ask that question of!

[griston64]

Originally Posted by MiniNinjaRob

As a bike mechanic myself I can say that neither 3 in 1 nor engine oil is any good for bike chain. You wouldn't use auto transmission fluid in your engine would you? So use proper cycle chain lubricants on your bike chain.

100% never use 3 in one on any of my bike chains. I use different lubes on my winter bike chain as well I think Finish Line Green if I remember rightly. Summer road bike gets the white waxy stuff as it pretty much dries after applying

Need to stop this becoming a bike chain thread !

I think I've got some 0w 30 in the garage so ill bung that in can

[john.wigley]

Originally Posted by griston64

100% never use 3 in one on any of my bike chains. I use different lubes on my winter bike chain as well I think Finish Line Green if I remember rightly. Summer road bike gets the white waxy stuff as it pretty much dries after applying

Need to stop this becoming a bike chain thread !

I think I've got some 0w 30 in the garage so ill bung that in can

It's amazing what you can get out of an oil can ..... J.

[Ian21401]

Originally Posted by john.wigley

That's TWO oilcans, 'Ian21401'!! Sound policy, though! J.

I actually have two more both with flexible spouts. One each for gearbox transmission fluid and rear axle fluid. Bought when I eventually got around to changing the fluids in my car.

In my motorcycling days ( the late 60s ) the bike chain was laid in a can of the appropriate grease and heated on the hob until the chain sank into the melted grease. Then chain removed and hung up over the can to drain. That way grease got into the rollers etc.

[griston64]

Originally Posted by Ian21401

I actually have two more both with flexible spouts. One each for gearbox transmission fluid and rear axle fluid. Bought when I eventually got around to changing the fluids in my car.

In my motorcycling days ( the late 60s ) the bike chain was laid in a can of the appropriate grease and heated on the hob until the chain sank into the melted grease. Then chain removed and hung up over the can to drain. That way grease got into the rollers etc.

This getting a bit Pythonesque........Arthur Two Sheds Jackson