Can I put lawn mower oil on my daughters bike chain?

Question

If not what kind of oil should I use and how to I apply it? Would a turkey baster to ok?

Answer 1

http://www.expertvillage.com/video/4871_...

If it is a kids bike, YES.

If it is a higher end bike with index shifting, NO.

I've got a few bikes one is an older Mt. bike that I've had for over 10 years. I've used fancy chain lube, WD-40, car motor oil, machine cutting oil, liquid wrench, tri flo...almost any reasonable lubricant to lube the chain and I'm still riding on the original chain with it shifting fine. I put on 10-30 miles a week depending on the time of year.

My road bike gets nothing but the bike shop chain lube scrubbed in w/ a rag and an old tooth brush. I put 100 plus miles a week on this bike.

Answer 2

Is this a kid's bike?

Normally I'd tell people to use some special bike chain lube with silicone but for your purposes I don't see a problem.  You may have to clean the chain once in awhile as this type of oil does attract dirt and water.  Just don't use 3-In One oil as that is vegetable based and is not suited for chains.  Maybe WD-40 would be better if you have it.

Joebanks2020, I'll have to try that with the wax, sounds like a homemade White Lightning chain lube.

Answer 3

Lawn mower oil is an exceedingly bad choice to lubricate a chain.  There are a multitude of problems with motor oil or other general purpose oils like WD-40, 3 in 1, etc.

First off, an oil will stay wet and attract dirt.  In no time whatsoever, her chain and everything it touches is going to be beyond nasty.  

Secondly, to grind and polish metals, machinists use compounds of oil and essentially dirt.  Putting a dirt magnet like oil on the chain is essentially the same as dousing it with grinding compound.  

Finally, lubrication isn't really needed on the outside of the chain.  To do its job, it must penetrate to the inside of the chain.  Prior to being subjected to a bath in grinding compound, the spaces lubricant must penetrate are very small.  This actually requires a pretty thin viscosity lubricant.

That said, the good news is most kids outgrow bikes before the chain is going to wear out.  Still you are really best off getting chain specific lubricant for the bike.  Personally, I really like Finish Line Dry.  It contains Teflon to lubricate the chain.  This lube goes on wet, but dries out so it doesn't attact dirt.  You may live a long way from town, but I am sure UPS will deliver.  You can get it from Performance.  Here is the link:

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/prof...

If the chain is already nasty, you'll want to clean it before applying any type of lube.  The fastest way to chean the chain is to scrub it with a rag saturated with a grease cutting detergent like Dawn.  When you get all the nastiness off, rinse with water.  Then let the chain dry and lube.

Hope this helps.

Answer 4

Does your spouse know you're going to do this?

It'll work but it'll pick up every piece of grime and cause a real mess on anything it touches.

Try this: clean it with a light oil (sewing machine or WD-40 are best, but lawn mower will do) then wipe off as much as you can. Next find a piece of an old candle and spin the chain on it, side top and bottom until you've really covered it in paraffin. Stops rust and sheds dirt as it falls off. It doesn't last very long, so you'll have to do it again every few weeks/months depending on how much she rides.

Try it. It works great, especially on a kids bike. And candles are easy to find.

Answer 5

Yes. There's nothing wrong with straight 30 weight.

Answer 6

G'day there Sarah, if it really needs it you can, oil is oil but it's the velocity, or planer lingo, the thickness etc, it won't hurt it, do you have a medical syringe type thing, turn the bike upside down, rest it on its seat and handle bars and turn the pedals, with someones help?

then just dribble it on the chain whilst it's turning around, it will quickly spread all around your chain.    just don't put stacks on, good luck  with it all, relax it won't hurt it, just get some from a department store or contact the manufacturer of the bike by email or something for the exact oil if you really want.

cheers.

Answer 7

well i quess any oil will work because they all have the same affect on the chain

Answer 8

WD 40 would be a better choice.  If you have regular oil in the shed for the lawn mover there may be better choises sitting on the shelf too.  If you use the lawn mover oil on the chain you could apply it with a brush, but make sure you wipe up all the extra oil or it will pick up all kinds of dirt and wear out the chain rather quickly.  You don't need special "bike chain" oil for a kids bike just something light like WD-40 or a silicone based lube like LD-1, no matter what you use wipe off the extra lube to keep it from collecting grime.