30wt oil for a chain ??
 

If I remember correctly, some years ago it was acceptable to dip a clean chain in 30wt motor oil, wipe off the excess and you were good to go.

Any reason I shouldn't?

It would be better to clean the chain first before applying lubricant.

I use a plastic drink container filled partially with diesel fuel put the chain in and shake then wipe the chain clean. I repeat the process with clean fuel until the chain is clean.

Then I apply Prolink lubricant.

In my experience motor oil retains too much grit.

I tried that once and put it on my "Never again" list. My chain threw oil all over, not just the chainstay, but the whole right side of my bike.

One of the things that I've learned over time is just how tiny an amount of lube bike chains really need. It's actually pretty hard not to over lube chains. One of those tiny, way overpriced, bottles of chain lube lasts me for at least a year and I service more bikes than most folks. I can afford $5.00 per year for a purpose designed product.

Motor oil is an excellent lubricant, but designed for the sealed interior of an internal-combustion engine. As Retro Grouch says, it tends to fly off of bike chains.
Most chain lubes have a "carrier" which thins the lube for application, then evaporates, leaving a thicker goo behind.

The topic of chain lubes has generated much heated debate, but it is generally agreed that over-application of any wet chain lube is undesirable. Dunking a chain in 30wt certainly qualifies as over-application.

The suitability of 30wt as a chain lube is open to debate. Regardless of the specific lube used, the consensus appears to be that chain lube is best applied on drop at a time.

Applied one drop per link, rotating the chain a few revolutions, then wiping the exterior clean yeilds great results for me.

Most seem to over apply chain lube, using the "if a little is good, more is better" train of thought.

Any excess lube on the outside of the chain does nothing but attract dirt. If chain lube is being slung to other parts of the bike, way, way, waaayyyyy too much of it is being applied, or excess is not being wiped off.

No, never, don't do it! Use only dessicated sperm whale oil! All other oils will immediately cause your chain to malfunction, causing serious personal injuries and voiding all bicycle warranties.:rolleyes:

30wt is actually very good. Wipe chain often, oil infrequently and sparingly. Check chain for stretch (wear) often.

Thanks and no problem for the answers. I wasn't trying to start another debate or thread on lubing a chain. Just throwing that out there to see is anyone has tried it. I'm very "old skool" when it comes to bikes. Any bike with a 6 speed cluster or more is "new" in my book, lol.