Veterans, gear oil as chain lube?

[DnosAAAA]

Always have used overpriced chain sprays for chain lube, worked alright i suppose.
Back on bikes after a 6 year hiatus, and after watching a fortnine video, i went down and purchased an $8 bottle of gear oil.
Anybody used it (gear oil) as chain lube? Is it as messy as i imagine it will be? Will i regret it?

video for reference https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnPYdcbcAe0

Cheers.

[OddDuck]

Yeah, I tried SAE 90 weight gear oil once.

Brilliant for freeing up a chain that's getting a bit stiff but has a nasty habit of coming off and then sticking to any nearby surface, no matter how lightly applied and carefully wiped. In my case that included the tread area of the rear tyre. If I'd leant 20 degrees or more toward the chain side of the bike, well, I'd have been riding on oil.

Never again.

[F5 Dave]

How much can you possibly be spending on actual chain lube to go look for an alternative? I use a shedload more on my dirtbike but a can lasts quite a while.

[SaferRides]

I tried some 140 gear oil last winter. It seems there was something in it that the o-rings didn’t like as there are are some tight links now. It’s intended for diffs (hypoid oil) so maybe too much EP additive? It stunk out the garage if applied to a warm chain.

It also made a disgusting mess on the wheel and I hate to think what is under the front sprocket cover.

I went back to the DuPont dry lube with PTFE and moly that I’ve used for about 10 years now.

[DnosAAAA]

Ok cheers folks, i've heard enough, i'll poor the gear oil on the neighbors Convolvulus when it gets dark.

[F5 Dave]

On his what?

Well it's a ten point word score so that's something to be proud of.

[DnosAAAA]

Sounded slightly sexual upon reading your response. I assure you that is not the case.

[george formby]

lolz.
I used gear oil for years back in the UK, had to oil the chain every couple of days due to only having a bike regardless of the weather. Shit weather constantly and salt for 4 months of the year. Big miles, too. Any product was blasted off after an hour on the motorway in heavy rain or slush.

I had a wee tin with an oil soaked rag in it and would just run this over the chain to clean and lube it. Never had a problem.

If you want to save a $ try chainsaw bar oil. Tacky.

[GazzaH]

A Scottoiler that drips oil directly onto the chain uses just enough and no more. Pays for itself in about a year.

I'm not on commission, but I am a happy customer for decades.

[F5 Dave]

How can it possibly? Who replaces a chain in a year? Yeah I've had two on bikes. Meh

[Bonez]

Used 90 weight hypoid gear oil for years with out any problem. Had a 3ltrs of a 4 ltr container I had too get rid of after owning a CX500. At the moment I use heavy duty chain oil from Bunnings which has a 3" pivotal nozzle. Just throw it in the XFs top box or CB550s tank bag I have mounted behind the seat when I go for a ride. Wipe over the chain with a rag with petro, turps. diesol or kerosine, basicly what ever I have laying about, on it when I arrive home and respray.

[Owl]

How can it possibly? Who replaces a chain in a year? Yeah I've had two on bikes. Meh

Me. I have chain/sprocket set number 5 ready to fit soonish.

Oh and tried the gear oil after watching that video. Even bought a brand new oil can for the occasion. Worst chain lube I've ever used.

[F5 Dave]

Stop buying your chain from industrial suppliers and sprockets off ali Express? My current chain is at 54000, (original) I have a new set on the shelf waiting but it is still smooth.

[Bonez]

I did 52,000 on my GSX750EZ in three years and sold it with its original chain on. Even on non o'ring chains I get around 30.000kms.

[Owl]

My current chain is at 54000

Yeah but I don't ride a girly bike.:bleh:

Current chain is DID ZVM-X at 41k

[Bonez]

Yeah but I don't ride a girly bike.:bleh:

Current chain is DID ZVM-X at 41kGoodness you've just about got the whole alphabet there. Does Harlely D know?:bleh:

[roogazza]

Yeah but I don't ride a girly bike.:bleh:

Current chain is DID ZVM-X at 41k

How many Kms on each set of sprockets and chain Owl ? I think we have chatted about this before?

I traded my gsxr1000 at 54,000 kms on the original chain AND having never adjusted it !!!! Spray lube after every second ride.

But I am a gentle 71 yr old !!! :laugh: :shifty: <_< :msn-wink:

[Owl]

How many Kms on each set of sprockets and chain Owl ?

OEM DID 31k stretched, 2nd JT Z1R 29k stretched, 3rd JT Z3 10k stretched/destroyed due to worn cush drive and 4th at the 41k with tight spots.

[F5 Dave]

Yeah but I don't ride a girly bike.:bleh:

Current chain is DID ZVM-X at 41k
Oooh, harsh, but true.

[roogazza]

OEM DID 31k stretched, 2nd JT Z1R 29k stretched, 3rd JT Z3 10k stretched/destroyed due to worn cush drive and 4th at the 41k with tight spots.

Out of my league ,I do 4000 km a year !! :cool:

[husaberg]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnPYdcbcAe0
346072
I am picking Honda know what they are talking about
Personally i used to use chainsaw chain and bar lube as its designed to lube chains and not fling off.

[F5 Dave]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnPYdcbcAe0
346072
I am picking Honda know what they are talking about
Personally i used to use chainsaw chain and bar lube as its designed to lube chains and not fling off.

Honda hated 2 strokes. I'd no sooner take advice than from Nick Smith.

[husaberg]

Honda hated 2 strokes. I'd no sooner take advice than from Nick Smith.

Nick Smith thats funny.....
the OP has a Foul stroke
Aside from being the devil, Pretty sure all the modern manufacturers recomend gear oil or engine oil , for me its too flingy and durty.
346074


BTWD out of all the japanese makers it was Yamaha that killed the 4 stokes in MX.
346073
Then again maybe Husaberg did years before.

IMO most people destroy chains not with the wrong lube, but by running them far to tight or on f'd-sprockets

[Kickaha]

Honda hated 2 strokes. I'd no sooner take advice than from Nick Smith.

But they made one of the best two strokes ever the MVX250, ah yeah I see your point

[F5 Dave]

My satan my GasGas300 has been splendid in its ringdingyness today. Chain looks a bit dry though. CZ chain is actually quite good. In fact. I'm going to say it. I think they are better than DID.

Yup. I said it.

[Bonez]

My satan my GasGas300 has been splendid in its ringdingyness today. Chain looks a bit dry though. CZ chain is actually quite good. In fact. I'm going to say it. I think they are better than DID.

Yup. I said it.Oh damn you. Just got a DID for the CB550.

[F5 Dave]

Well they are certainly a good chain maker. Several levels of quality available though.