Originally Posted by
MamaBear
Just to check, I have a few products lying around that might or might not be useful for the bike. WD-40, Liquid Wrench, Hoppes No. 9 Solvent and Lubricating Oil (two products, same company), FrogLube, sewing machine oil, and some sort of basic gun oil in a little tube (got it for oiling my pocketknife). Are any of those really useful or really terrible for bikes? Just making sure I know what I have in the toolbox, so to speak. I've also got a decent assortment of hand tools (screwdrivers, various types of wrenches, etc.), but nothing bike-specific.
So for now: PB Blaster on anything rusted/stuck, avoiding wheel rims and brake pads. Multiple applications, clean stuff as best I can. Oil on the chain before riding. When I can get to Yellow Bike: new cables and whatever else they tell me. Anything else major that's obvious from the new pictures? (
Untitled)
...I think that you are polite enough and new enough that this will not create a controversy, but there
are often very heated discussions on the mechanics forum when a particular lubricating product is recommended.
I recall that I was quite amazed at the general rancor expressed in a thread I started once on using anti-seize.
And the "best" chain lube threads here were once the stuff of legend.
In your particular case, some lubricant is better than no lubricant, but WD-40 works better as a cleaner and
water shield than as a lubricant. The lighter oils are too light for use on most bike bearings, which require
disassembly, cleaning , and grease. You chain might be an item to replace, if it's been rusted or is worn
beyond a certain measurable point, They are pretty cheap online from KMC dealers.
Hoppe's has served for me more as a cleaner for powder residues...I've never used it on a bike, which seem
to clean up better with either simple green, that orange citrus degreaser stuff, or for painted surfaces, the
same stuff you use on cars (polishing and rubbing compounds, wax).