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Motorcycle Chain Problem.

Can I use motorcycle chain lube or universal chain lube on a bicycle chain?

  • I ask because both motorcycle chain lubricant and universal chain lubricant are generally much cheaper than bicycle chain specific lubes.

  • Answer:

    Learn from the departed master, Sheldon Brown on this link. http://sheldonbrown.com/chains.html It's a rather lengthy article. Part of it reads, "Motorcycle-type Chain Lubes" The problem with lubricating conventional chains is that thick lubricants can't penetrate into the inaccessible crannies where they are really needed, but thin lubricants don't last long enough. The best solution in my humble opinion is to still use a bicycle chain oil designed for your own riding style. I would stay way from thicker oils or lubes designed for faster vehicles.

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Nope, No & Definitely NOT! Motorcycle chain lube & other chain lubes (such as chain saw lube) is simply way too thick & will gunk up a bicycle chain. It's too thick to reach the inner workings of a bicycle chain. Thick chain lube will also attract more dust, dirt & road debris. White Lightning Chain Lubricant is only $11.70 for the 8 oz. bottle and $29.99 for the super-sized 32 oz. bottle on Amazon. That should last a lifetime. Finish Line chain lube can also be found there at good prices. Your bicycle isn't worth a few bucks to maintain it well?

Old Hippie

I tried that chain saw bar oil trick once. Only once. Never again. Stick with a good bicycle chain lubricant. Maybe John M. feels like going through that whole process every 100 miles to clean & re-lube a chain. I don't. I have better ways to spend my time. Sorry John. Most of your answers are very good. But this one I will never agree with.

David D.

There are some differences, for example motorcycle chains run hot, and faster than bike chains so that's factored into the formula. But generally, yes you can use MC lubes on bikes, but you'll need to be attentive to keeping the outside wiped down so it doesn't attract and adhere a ton of dirt.

Any chain lubricant is better than no lubricant. However, there are plenty of bike chain lubricants out there that are not all that expensive, and even a small bottle lasts quite a long time. Even with almost daily application, a small bottle of chain lubricant will last me a whole season, so Why should I bother trying something that may not work as well? After all, a new chain costs far more than a bottle of lube. If my chain wears out too quickly because I used the wrong lubricant, it costs more, not less

Mtrlpqbiker

I remove my chain and clean it in kerosene and use chain saw bar oil. The bar oil I have is thinner then my regular bike chain oil and contains an additive that keeps it on the chain. You want to wipe off any excess oil or it collects dirt. I just soak the whole chain in oil and then hang it up so the excess drips off. http://www.nordicgroup.us/chain/

Dude---buy the $2- Giant Silk LPD-9 chain lube in blueskycycling.com---why waste more cash for moto lube???

hummerhead2002

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