Bicycle Mechanics - the perfect amount of oil on a chain is?

I oil my chain and wipe it down. But I suspect I may be putting too much oil on it. It sure seems to get very black very fast.

I try to drop on as little as possible from theIs there a way to get just the right amout of oil on squeeze bottle, and put a bit on each link.

Is there a better way? Is there a way to make sure I'm putting on just the right amount of oil?

Lube it, wipe it down thoroughly with a rag "wrapped" around the chain in your fist.

Ride.

If it keeps getting really dirty, try a different lube. Some like ProLink, but ... once you get into a generic "Which lube?" arena, I'd suggest a forum search.

The wiping it down part is key, though.

1 drop on each roller. Then i wipe the excess with a clean rag until barely any oil comes off.

Seems right to me.... but I don't have any special training. 1 drop is more than enough per roller, and cleaning off the excess keep the rest clean, and avoids attracting debri. I go for a ride around the block or 2... then wipe it off again.

I use one or two drops on each link and then wrap a rag around the chain and clean as much as possible off of the outside of the chain by turning the cranks backwards.

Al

I use one or two drops on each link and then wrap a rag around the chain and clean as much as possible off of the outside of the chain by turning the cranks backwards.

Al

Same here.

This all sounds like what I'm doing. And thanks for not turning this into "which lude" thread
I am using a major brand chain lube.

I don't think the lube brand matters much...As long as you are using something reputable and using it often enough.

As mine gets black, I just wipe it again. After a couple days it stays cleaner and I don't have to touch it for a week or two (unless I ride in the rain).

I like not to waste good oil. So, I remove the chain from the bike, get it cleanest possible by shaking it in mineral solvant, put the clean chain in a pot with couple inches of olive oil and 2 cups of potatoes cut in dice , watch the whole thing a few minutes while boiling. Finally, reinstall the chain on the bike and eat the crusty potatoes before going for a ride.

In : I get some tasty calories for the ride; the chain smells good along the way
Out: Once in a while, I get dogs running besides me trying to lick that chain.

Well, its February North here with too much snow for mental health...

Maxima chain wax for motorcycles is the best all around lube for your chain. It goes on liquidy to work it's way
into the rollers and between the plates, then it dries to a wax so it is less likely to collect dirt and crud. The waxy coating helps the chain move across the sprockets and through the derailluer with less noise when it
starts making more noise I can tell it is time for a relube.

This all sounds like what I'm doing. And thanks for not turning this into "which lude" thread

I liked the ones made by Lemmon, particularly the 714's.

Rohrer's version seemed to give me a headache.

:D

Is there a way to make sure I'm putting on just the right amount of oil?

Not really.

Some lubes do tend to gunk up, but that's more a function of type, condition and how well you wipe it down. As a former race support wrench, I subscribe to the speed lube method: drip a constant stream of lube onto the rollers as you pedal backward. Once it's wet, grab it with a rag and keep pedaling until it's no longer wet. If you have the time you can go through a few rags until the rags don't pick up more oil.

Oh, and say No to drugs.

Better yet, don't talk to your drugs at all.

I liked the ones made by Lemmon, particularly the 714's.

Oh crap. I hadn't thought of "Lemmon 714's" for at least twenty five years. I've got blurry, clumsy memories of those things. Bad news. I don't want any more-

This all sounds like what I'm doing. And thanks for not turning this into "which lude" thread
I am using a major brand chain lube.

Major brand chain lube stinks! You're outta your gourd for using it. I use brand X which does a much better job than major brand chain lube.

Major brand chain lube stinks! You're outta your gourd for using it. I use brand X which does a much better job than major brand chain lube.

Please! My home brew is a million times better than Brand X and cost only 1 penny per gallon.

I took me bit to figure I'd written "which lude" which might explain my riding speed.

And, thanks, Jan MM and Caloso. This thread has now gone off the deep end.

Must go lube my ludes now.

Please! My home brew is a million times better than Brand X and cost only 1 penny per gallon.


In memory of the Master, and his ShelBroCo Bicycle Chain Cleaning (and lubrication) System

http://sheldonbrown.com/chainclean.html

You can't over oil a chain. You can omit removing the excess. I clean my chain by giving a liberal application of 10w30 motor oil. It's what I have. I wipe as much will be absorbed by a new paper towel. Your chain is constantly exposed to the elements that will contribute to the oil turning black.

Very fine sand is being blown around you and your chain on almost every ride. This is the culprit that grinds the chain parts into fine black metal powder.

You would need to encase the chain in an air tight vessel to keep the lubricant from turning black.

You have to determine the frequency needed to clean and lube your chain drive based on your riding conditions and mileage.

On an old washcloth with a thick nap, I soak a spot about the size of a quarter and hold it against the sprocket side of the chain while slowly rotating it. Capillary action carries the fluid into the rollers. I repeat this one more time because I have a 'bent that uses two chainlengths. With a folded paper towel, I wipe the excess lube off the sideplates. (it has flowed thru the rollers and out by the pin). Run your fingers back and forth along the top of the chain, if the rollers move freely and smoothly, it has enough lube. Repeat once a week. Clean up is easy because it never really gets dirty. Pro Link Gold is the lube I use. bk

Since I started using the Gleitmo stuff, my chain never gets black, at all. This stuff isn't even really liquid (so I use mineral spirits to dilute it and get it "into" the chain), so dust and dirt doesn't stick to it almost at all.

On one bike I still use motor oil, and there the procedure is:

put one drop of oil on each roller.
leave it be for a couple of hours
remove excess oil thoroughly with paper towels
ride bike
wipe down after bike ride with rag. Repeat for a few rides.

Please! My home brew is a million times better than Brand X and cost only 1 penny per gallon.Pfft. Penny a gallon? They pay me to haul mine away.

I liked the ones made by Lemmon, particularly the 714's.

Rohrer's version seemed to give me a headache.

:D

Where have all the good Quaaludes gone?

Ahh, the good old days.

I never have taken Quaaludes...that I can recall...

I never have taken Quaaludes...that I can recall...

I read what you wrote about Sheldon.

You took /something/, and ... just between us ... I'm glad you did ;)

I read what you wrote about Sheldon.

You took /something/, and ... just between us ... I'm glad you did ;)

To further derail this thread...

No, I didn't take anything other than a real lesson from Sheldon's passing and the consequent re-examination of his life's work and reflecting upon my own.

As mine gets black, I just wipe it again. After a couple days it stays cleaner and I don't have to touch it for a week or two (unless I ride in the rain).

Agree with this method. I do the same. This time of year there seems to be a lot of dirt on the road from sanding for the snow and ice. Chains need a lot more TLC. I spray some WD-40 on the rag to wipe off the dirt then use a dry section of the rag to wipe it down completely.

Calli46, made my day with a good laugh!

cccorlew, looks like you are doing the right thing. Sure the oil gets black, that's from all the crud the chain picks up. At least you clean it now and then and keep it oiled. The chain will wear out eventually, just compare the time spent keeping it spotlessly clean against the cost of a new chain.

just compare the time spent keeping it spotlessly clean against the cost of a new chain.

One that is not adequately watched for wear, though, has a nasty tendency of taking cogs out with it.

I really agree, though: diminishing returns. Keep your chain reasonably clean, reasonably well lubed, and use the cheapest chain you can that's compatible with your drivetrain.