need help with my chain
 

Hi i was wondering if i could use 10w40 oil on my bike chain as a lube

You can, but you'll make a mess of things. That oil will get all over your bike frame, the gears, your clothes, etc. It doesn't dry and never stops flowing.

If you do use the oil, let it sit a bit and then try to wipe it down.

I bet you have WD40 at home. That's probably better to use, in terms of making less mess, than engine oil, if you really do not want to get some chain lube.

WD40 isn't a lube. You'd actually be stripping all of the lube off of your chain and making it worse. Chain lube is cheap.

10W40 will work, and pretty well. You will probably want to wipe the chain off after the first 2-3 rides, as the oil seems to migrate out as you ride. After that, a weekly wipe-down should keep things moving freely. Re-lube when it starts squeaking or when the chain seems really, really dry.

Proper chain lube is $7 for what'll last a good amount of time. Other oils may work (note that WD-40 is a water displacer, not a lubricant) but won't have the dirt shedding/ long lasting lubrication that you want in a proper lube. White lightening Clean Ride seems to be popular and it's what I use.

most folks who use motor oil do so in a homebrew mix of motor oil and odorless mineral spirits.
Typical mixes are 3 to 4 parts mineral spirits and 1 part oil. Apply to the rollers of the chain and then wipe with a rag until the rag comes away clean. I put the bike in a stand and hand spin the crank for this process. That allows the oil to get inside the roller where it does its work and keeps the bike from getting as messy.

WD 40 also has a LUBE..

https://vimeo.com/57245552

Correct, but when most people ask about wd40, they mean this:
http://wd40.com/img/wd-40-smart-stra...w_up_right.png

...and it's been hashed to death, and the general assumption is not to use it as there are much better products on the market.
http://www.bikeforums.net/bicycle-me...lubricant.html (there are endless posts about it on this forum)

Why WD-40 is Bad for Your Bike Chain - Bicycle Tutor Video

Bike Chain Cleaning and Maintenance - REI Expert Advice

WD40 is not a lube for the chain. Use an inexpensive silicone lube from Home Depot or Menards. The lube does not have to be specifically for chains.

Why 10W40? Why not 5W20? Or 5W30? Why not straight 30 weight? Chains don't care about starting in cold weather. Etc.

Any lubricant is better than no lube for a chain.

Just don't use melted paraffin unless you understand that it's important to avoid catching it and your house on fire.:lol:

I like 10W40 but the detergents in the oil will cause nitrogen embrittlement of the link plates and lead to premature wear. Frankly, you'd be better off, and a whole lot happier, using bacon fat.
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u...ps5rx9vcjg.gif

Yes it is:
https://vimeo.com/57245552

WD=40 isn't a great lube, but IS an oil, and it's a great cleaner. And if you re-apply often, keeping your chain clean has more benefit than using a slipperier oil. However if you use it and don't re-apply often enough, the lighter oils evaporate out and leave a gummy residue. Motor oil is a better lube, but messier. Most bike-specific chain lubes try to strike a compromise between lubing well and making your chain an oily mess. For my applications, "cleanliness is next to godliness" because the chain runs less than an inch from my knee; so I use a wax-based lube. I still get smudges but they're not oily smeary messes.