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Thread: Veterans, gear oil as chain lube?

  1. #1
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    11th October 2013 - 08:04
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    Veterans, gear oil as chain lube?

    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.

  2. #2
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    28th January 2015 - 16:17
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    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.

  3. #3
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    25th March 2004 - 17:22
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    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.
    Don't you look at my accountant.
    He's the only one I've got.

  4. #4
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    2nd March 2018 - 15:32
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    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.

  5. #5
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    11th October 2013 - 08:04
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    Ok cheers folks, i've heard enough, i'll poor the gear oil on the neighbors Convolvulus when it gets dark.

  6. #6
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    25th March 2004 - 17:22
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    On his what?

    Well it's a ten point word score so that's something to be proud of.
    Don't you look at my accountant.
    He's the only one I've got.

  7. #7
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    Sounded slightly sexual upon reading your response. I assure you that is not the case.

  8. #8
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    14th June 2007 - 22:39
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    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.
    Manopausal.

  9. #9
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    10th February 2017 - 15:01
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    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.

  10. #10
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    How can it possibly? Who replaces a chain in a year? Yeah I've had two on bikes. Meh
    Don't you look at my accountant.
    He's the only one I've got.

  11. #11
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    24th September 2004 - 06:46
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    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.

  12. #12
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    3rd November 2007 - 07:46
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    Quote Originally Posted by F5 Dave View Post
    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.
    Nunquam Non Paratus

  13. #13
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    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.
    Don't you look at my accountant.
    He's the only one I've got.

  14. #14
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    24th September 2004 - 06:46
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    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.

  15. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by F5 Dave View Post
    My current chain is at 54000
    Yeah but I don't ride a girly bike.

    Current chain is DID ZVM-X at 41k
    Nunquam Non Paratus

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