RoadBuzz and Rowan, I've been thinking of trying something cheaper than bike chain lube. The sythetic 5W-50 makes sense to me...nice and lightweight/runny for getting into the pin area yet good extreme pressure characteristics. I had initially thought of 80W-90 differential oil, but that is pretty damn thick and would probably need to sit at least overnight to 'run' inside the pin area.

Regarding the 'crap magnet' qualities of these auto oils...yes, I'm concerned. What if I give the chain a really good wipe with a cloth when I'm done...afterall, the only oil 'doing' anything is where the cloth can't reach anyhow....does it even matter if the outside layer picks up some extra crud??....or will capilliary action carry this crud inside the chain pin eventually??

I dunno, I'm just a little tired of paying $AUS15 for an itsy bitsy 2OZ (120ml) bottle of Finnishline.