Gonna use oil that had lost its ability to protect moving parts and was dirty to protect moving parts?
Chain lubes are an art and science, not meant to be cheap, but to be cost effective. Chain is an expendable item, but it's costly enough to Want to extend its life. Figuring out just How Much
YOUR chain should be protected is something that you will have to do. Cost of the chain,miles you can expect from it with
Cheap oil, miles you can expect with a Good lube, hassle of replacement, what chain wear does to sprockets,etc. Etc.

I'll 2nd (3rd?) that. Recycle used oil, don't reuse it.

I guess it's kinda like this: What's the point of using expensive lube when it's constantly getting dirty anyway?   Some people use as little as WD-40, and that's not really made to be a lubricant. Does chainsaw oil work? Different kind of chain. I don't think saw chains have rollers, do they?

We use Rotella as opposed to expensive, overrated motorcycle engine oils. Why shouldn't I be cynical and mistrusting of the rest of the motorcycle-specific product mindset? How would wax possibly work in a roller chain? Maybe it would roll free. Maybe it would stick the rollers up. I don't know. Is that wax just meant for sealed chains?

Just all seems a little questionable.

Sounds like you're on the right track, again..

I don't make the rules, I just know what they are, so I can break them when I think I can get away with it..

justin_o_guy2 wrote on 08/05/16 at 19:56:19:


When someone asks me what have I been up to, my standard response is  --   "as much as I can get away with."  

Best regards,

Use a 530 chain, soak it in 90wt oil the. Hang chain over a bucket till it stops dripping wipe clean & install ,no used oil , did you buy sprockets yet?

Ruttly wrote on 08/05/16 at 21:59:48:


Nope, Not yet.

I've read about doing the same thing with hot wax.

Is it easy to remove a chain and kerosene wash/ gear oil soak after installing it as maintenance? In other words, Do these cheap chains come with and easily removable master? Gear oil seems less convenient than motor oil. What would I do with the leftover soak oil as it's contaminated? Keep it to pour over the chain later?



Will 75w-90 work, as that's what I would have on hand? Gear oil is better than motor oil for extreme pressure. That's good. Does a roller chain benefit? What if I put motor oil on after the gear oil. Those two are incompatible, right? Yeah, I know. I'm getting ridiculous overthinking this.