Homemade Chain Lube

mudanoman · 10-05-2002, 01:45 PM

Going to start a small thread on my success with some homemade chain lube. I will post updates on how it is going here.

Have more pictures in the photo gallery. The price came out to $14 for everything which is quite nice because if all goes well the gallon plus of lube should last me a few years. I am currently trying the lube with 75% Mineral Spirit and 25% Motor oil. I am letting it dry right now but found the soultion to be quite thin. I think I am going to experiment with a heavier weight oil like 30wt instead of a multi weight 5-30wt which might be too thin for this application. Also I am thinking about doing a 50/50 mix ration and adding some of the teflon lubricant in as well. I will have some results later today if I get my ass outside to ride. Peace,mm

mudanoman · 10-05-2002, 05:23 PM

3:1 ratio...turned out to be a bit gunky...could be because I did not let it try long enough before I rode but this stuff seems to be holding up very well despite the gunk. I rode the bike in the parking garage today after the ride and it still seems to be very well lubricated ie. no dry rough noise. I will probably make the mixture a bit thinner next time and have it sit overnight before riding it. -mm

10-05-2002, 07:36 PM

What drop-out is that? It's not a Bullit? It's driven me Mad,Mad I tell ya. I must know. :? The project is interesting. Lets get a little bit closer
on the next chain shot Muda.

Dog{nobody move,nobody get hurt}

mudanoman · 10-05-2002, 08:17 PM

Dog,

It is a 2000 Bullit. The dropouts are a pain since they are not replaceable but they have managed some good abuse and fixes (bend back using special tool). I will try and get a close chain shot next time...my cam kept on running low on batts for some odd reason so I could not snap more. Anyway, I think I am going on a ride tomorrow so I will see if it still holds up on back to back rides. Peace.

Muda

Dog · 10-07-2002, 07:33 AM

http://www.eurekafluidfilm.com/home.htm

I dont know how this suff it cleans off, or anyone that has used
this it? But there it is,it looks interesting anyway.

Dog

leadfootedfool · 10-07-2002, 11:28 AM

I'm sure you guys know how motor oils work. 5w30, 5 is the cold weight and 30 is the hot weight(in an engine, will never approach that temp on a chain). You can buy up to straight 50 motor oil and can get even thicker stuff if you want to use gear lube.

mudanoman · 10-07-2002, 12:37 PM

leadfootedfool,

Thanks for the suggestion. I think I am going to get a heavier weight oil and add a dust/dirt repelling solution to the lubricant solution. I went on another ride this morning and the chain still seems to be very well lubricated and is shifting good too. I will probably degrease it at the shop today and apply some Prolink while I am there and compare the two lubes.

Peace,
mm

leadfootedfool · 10-07-2002, 08:43 PM

I just thought of something else. This will last longer than the mobil1 you're using now. You can buy pure castor oil as opposed to synthetic oils. It will be a little thicker and should work a little better. Non synthetic oils should last longer in low temp applications. Btw, you can pick up castor oil at hobby shops where they sell gas r/c cars or airplanes.

I'm curious to what you end up using for the dirt repelling, I wouldn't mind mixing some up and could certainly go for a more affordable lube.

mudanoman · 10-07-2002, 10:10 PM

I am going to do a little bit more research and maybe email people who have made their own lubes. I think I will have to go back to the good old expensive store stuff for this race weekend though just to keep it on the safe side...I hope someone brings some lube for me to use :lol: -mm

mudanoman · 10-08-2002, 05:29 PM

Crap...after three rides without re-applying lube the drivetrain seems to be a bit gunked up. I think I am just going to ride it out for the rest of the week until I get the bike preped up on Friday for the race this weekend. Everything still shifts fine but there is excess gunk stuck on the chain. I will have to figure out a way to deter that dirt from sticking on the chain. Thats about it for now. -mm

mudanoman · 10-09-2002, 01:35 PM

After 4 rides without reapplying lube...still shifting fine but has picked up some dirt as you can see in the picture. -mm

leadfootedfool · 10-12-2002, 09:18 PM

yummy.....xtr...drool....

Anyway, i still haven't thought of anything that will keep the chain from getting gunked up. I've read the ingredients on countless chain lube bottles to no avail. Maybe I'll be struck with an epiphany this week studying for midterms.

Ben · 10-13-2002, 04:00 PM

Nothing a little saturated fat/oil can't shed.

mudanoman · 10-22-2002, 10:46 PM

Pretty upset about my last usage of the homemade chain lube in conjunction with some liquidwrench w/teflon lube and a couple drops of pedros lube...the chain picked up a lot of dirt. Only positive thing is I can use the Mineral Spirit as a chain degreaser (shake in plastic container w/chain)...I am going to a mx shop to pick up some fork oil...so I might see what kind of chain lube they use on those bad boys. out -mm