Bicycle Mechanics - Automatic Transmission Fluid as Chain Lube?

Question...

I've been told by a friend of mine that rides motorcycles that Automatic Transmission Fluid (the same stuff you'd use for a car) makes great chain lube. Has anyone else heard this or tried it? I'm biking in cold wet weather, and I'm leary about messing around. Also, I'm not sure if there's an additional environmental impact using the stuff.

Yes it will lubricate the chain. It will also pick up all sorts of road gunk.

Why do people look for anything to avoid buying a $6 bottle of chain lubricant?

Why do people look for anything to avoid buying a $6 bottle of chain lubricant?
Search me I couldn't tell you.

The reason it is reccomended for motorcycle chains is that most newer moto chains have O-rings sealing all the pin lube inside and the tranny fluid helps preserve the o-rings(It has additives to protect the seals in an auto tranny) And the oil keeps the chain from rusting.
I would stick to bike chain lube, altho the tranny fluid won't hurt anything. It will be messy.

Question...

I've been told by a friend of mine that rides motorcycles that Automatic Transmission Fluid (the same stuff you'd use for a car) makes great chain lube. Has anyone else heard this or tried it? I'm biking in cold wet weather, and I'm leary about messing around. Also, I'm not sure if there's an additional environmental impact using the stuff.Works better if you thin it 1 part oil to 3 or 4 parts paint thinner. Use sparingly and wipe off excess.Prolnk works as well or better.Cost a few bux more. Enviormentally, oil is oil.Being bike oil doesn't make it more richess than vehicle oil.

a good way of cleaning the crap off ur drivetrain is to spray and soak it with Brake cleaner for cars, or the same stuff is Carburettour cleaner or however u spell it. it strips it down nicely, dont damage paint or anything, makes it shiny so u simply lube ur bike and off u go!

Thanks again everyone!

I think I'll stick to regular bike chain lube.

dont damage paint or anything,

Guess again... it will discolor/stain paint, and dissolve plastic.

a good way of cleaning the crap off ur drivetrain is to spray and soak it with Brake cleaner for cars, or the same stuff is Carburettour cleaner or however u spell it. it strips it down nicely, dont damage paint or anything, makes it shiny so u simply lube ur bike and off u go!That is some nasty Cr@p.

a good way of cleaning the crap off ur drivetrain is to spray and soak it with Brake cleaner for cars, or the same stuff is Carburettour cleaner or however u spell it. it strips it down nicely, dont damage paint or anything, makes it shiny so u simply lube ur bike and off u go!

Or you can go at the much less caustic and cheaper way and use simple green or a product alike.

No im pretty sure brake cleaner is waaaay cheaper than simple green.

a good way of cleaning the crap off ur drivetrain is to spray and soak it with Brake cleaner for cars, or the same stuff is Carburettour cleaner or however u spell it. it strips it down nicely, dont damage paint or anything, makes it shiny so u simply lube ur bike and off u go!

plus you have the added benefit of getting dizzy and seeing spots if you're in the same room it's being used in. use something less volatile, carb n choke works great and fast, but it's way unhealthy.

Carb and brake cleaner are also very hard on your skin, they both remove oils. They will leave you dry and flaky if you dont wear gloves. Lately I have used this stuff called bike wash, it is pink, comes in a pump spray bottle. Works pretty good lasts forever, not really a drive train cleaner. For drive train I use a safety clean vat.

Besides, transmission fluid stinks to high hell in hot weather.