I would like to thank the person(s) who recommended using motor oil as a chain lubricant.

First of all, I would like to thank you for the mediocre lubrication it provided.

Secondly I would like to thank you for the massive amounts of dirt, grime, grit, scum, swill, and funk that appeared on my chain within a week and began to take over my life by week two.

Thirdly, I would like to thank you for the semi-permanent and reapplied daily chain tatoo on my right calf.

Fourthly, I would like to thank you for the copious amounts of black splatter on my nice new rims.

Finally, I would like to thank you for the fumes that permeate my house as I had to use car engine cleaner to remove said funk from my chain.

I was a fool to stray from KryTech dry wax lubricants. Motor oil should stay in motors.

smart...

its like the time my neighbor suggested gasoline as a degreaser horrible idea

why? works great!

I had a problem with it smelling like gas reall bad (no duh) thats all but it works better then anything else and your hands smell like it after words thats the only problem every thing smells like gas it works so good that it left a fine gunk all over the can I was using but it made everything sparkle like no ones buisness

The only time I saw motor oil seriously mentioned was an emergency case where someone had degreased a chain and forgotten to lube it and was running late, or something along those lines. I wouldn't even bother to try it under any other circumstances.

I've never understood the passion for home brew chain lube. Hell, you can buy a bottle of chain lube for $5 and it should last quite awhile. Especially if you don't overlube your chain like most people do.

I always buy what I can get from the lbs or what they suggest

Annually I buy a can of Silicone Spray for $2 and a new chain for $5, and never get dirty hands.

With the possible exception of the first point, all wet lubricants do this.

+1 Motor oil is a temporary solution when you don't happen to have an LBS or chain lube w/ you. Hell, you can squirt baby oil or olive oil on your chain and it'll work in a pinch, but it's not a recommended permanent solution.

BTW, did the motor oil stop the squeaking and creaking? If so, stop complaining, it did its job!

Jesus, who told you to use motor oil?

I use 90wt gear oil. Works great. You do need to apply it sparingly and wipe the chain down with a rag afterwards, as any oil left on the outside of the chain does nothing but attract dirt.

I wonder if oil with Militec would help keep the chain going longer?

$10 says a "Bobish" cyclist suggested it.

Lubricating the chain with hot 90W gear lube works but it is also efficient fly paper, collecting plenty of hardpack between sprockets and on the outside of the chain. Motor oil is far better, but motorcycle chain and chainsaw lubricants are better yet, because they have volatile solvents that allow good penetration for their relatively viscous lubricant.

That was taken from here on Sheldon Brown's site, and was written by Jobst Brandt. Motor oil won't harm your bike, and is better than nothing, but it has definite drawbacks.
I also like Phil Wood's Tenacious oil.

Poor baby! Feel better now? So sorry you couldn't figure out how to make it work for you.

Motor oil? Blech.

A cheapo bottle of synthetic lube will do you much better. Take a dry chain, drip the stuff into the joints (just one drip per joint!). Let it sit a few hours to penetrate, spin the chain a few times. Take a dry rag, and wipe the chain dry. As dry as can be. Lube on the outside does nothing but suck up dirt. Lube on the inside is what you want, and it won't be removed by wiping.

That's messed up. People taking advantage of other peoples trust. I'm sorry that had to happen to you. I hope all is better and now you know what not to do. At least there was no permanent damage. Why are people so mean?

So you were too cheap to buy a $5 bottle of lubricant, you took some stupid advice to save a couple of dollars, now you are complaining?

I would have kept quiet about this one if I were you.

Exactly what I was thinking. It's great to get advice on the internet, but take everything with a grain of salt.

Hmmm...I'm missing a joke here, and I've been on this board for a while.

Who suggested motor oil? While there are some who would...I'd think that the overwhelming "no, don't do that" voices as evinced by this thread would overcome that.

I buy a big can of T-9 Boeshield every 3-5 years. Like Hunter sez: "Works for me."

I really doubt that. Send me the $10 so I can get some Pro-Link.

Some guy on the internet told me that I could cure my headache by plunging an ice pick into both eyes. I did it, now I have blood all over the floor, I am bind in both eyes and my head hurts worse than ever! Thanks guy on the internet.