Oil thinning. Any experience?

C

Chris_D

Elite
 Mostly Holland. Sometimes UK.
Since I moved to 5W40 from 5W30 a few oil changes ago I have about 3 litres of 5W30 just sitting in the bottle doing nothing. I had an idea to use it as 'emergency' oil but I don't think that's ever going to happen.

That got me thinking about whether I can thin it down to use on my bike chains. It's way too thick too use in its normal state as it will just attract dirt, so it needs thinning.
I go through Squirt chain lube like it's going out of fashion. 7-8k km/year using 2 bikes means bottles of the stuff and it's fekin expensive too. It's good stuff but I resent the price of it; 13 European Euros for 120ml :headbang:

I read a couple of sources suggesting using paraffin oil. 20 parts paraffin to 1 part oil to use for things like machining/ cooling oil mist etc. so I wouldn't mind trying on my bike chains.

Observing how oil works on a bike chain is easy. If it starts squeaking then it's too dry and needs lubing. If it starts getting dirty quickly, then means the oil is too thick and/or the chain needs cleaning.
Squirt lube is wax-based and does the job better than oil but I'd rather trade a marginal performance gain for less cost.

Anyone have any experience? I wouldn't mind saving a few bob on bike chain oil this season.

dirty_chain.jpg
 
Chris_D said:
It's good stuff but I resent the price of it; 13 European Euros for 120ml
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I pay £6.99 (what's that about 8.5 weird euros?) for 500ml of squirt lube for my huge manly motorbike chain. That has 140bhp going through it, not one 'Chris power'.
They are seeing you coming, son! :D
 
Pondrew said:
Chris_D said:
It's good stuff but I resent the price of it; 13 European Euros for 120ml
Click to expand...
I pay £6.99 (what's that about 8.5 weird euros?) for 500ml of squirt lube for my huge manly motorbike chain. That has 140bhp going through it, not one 'Chris power'.
They are seeing you coming, son! :D
Click to expand...

Well it's about the going rate for the stuff here. I usually stock up 2 bottles at a time so at least I get free postage.
Is your stuff the wax-based stuff they make or is it just oil?
squirt.png
 
I'm even tempted to try the dodgy Chinkchong alibangfungdongexpress fake stuff at €2.18.
Cheeky fekkers even use the same official photos. lol.
They have all the 'best brands' in that shop there; mucoff, Silca, Smoove.... all the greats. What could go wrong? :lol:
:rofl:
squirt chinky.png
 
It says on the tin "a special blend of oils, grease and solvents". Special meaning cheap I presume! :thumbsup:
 
Pondrew said:
It says on the tin "a special blend of oils, grease and solvents". Special meaning cheap I presume! :thumbsup:
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You do realise this thread is about thinning oil and not thinning hair Pondlife?
Are you sure you're not getting your bottles of magic hair-thickener potions mixed up with chain oil?
:lol:
 
The Scottoiler on my Ducati uses chainsaw oil, it’s blended to give it anti fling properties so it doesn't go all over the back wheel when you are riding. Get the feed rate correct and it’s fine.
 
Rockhopper said:
The Scottoiler on my Ducati uses chainsaw oil, it’s blended to give it anti fling properties so it doesn't go all over the back wheel when you are riding. Get the feed rate correct and it’s fine.
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That sounds great, logical and sounds tip-top for you particular application. No really, I'm being sincere :lol:

However, I'm not doing Ducati speeds or worry about getting a wobble on from oil on my bicycle's back tyre, but I'd be curious to know how it's blended and what viscosity it is?
 
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