Chain lube
 

I,m two months into my trans Africa and I,ve now run out of my convenient spray can of chain lube. What do people recommend that one can buy in West Africa for the job going forward? Locals here in Bakino seem to use greese...

I remember reading somewhere once the Automatic Tranmission Fliud was a good subsitute?

Any advice appreciated.

Rob

Engine oil...
 

I cleaned my chain with paraffin and used engine oil to lube it on a trip through Africa.

31,000km on the chain and it's still okay.

With Africa, always keep it simple.

exactly
 

Yeah, don't sweat it.

In africa I did have a scott oiler on mine but ended up reusing a contact lense solution bottle (after I broke the scottie) and filling it with engine oil. The aim isn't to get the chain shiny with oil afterall :)

Any oil will do the trick at a push. Gear-box / axle oil (EP90) would be the best.

I swear by ATF but on long trips I just use my spare engine oil. Keep in mind that you lube the o-rings to keep the grease between the chain pin and the chain pin sleeve, not the chain links themselves. I don't like the sticky sprays at all because it turns everything into a grinding paste. It's one of those age old arguments though, but I've noticed the difference between 2 trips through similar dusty environments.

I agree. Oil won't stay on as well as a chain lube but when it does fling off, it takes the crap with it.

Forgot to mention that I put it on at night time when I build camp. That was the o-ring has all night to absorb it.

get some chainsaw bar oil from one of the logging camps. apply with old toothbrush.

don't like parrafin. alegedly it could damage the o rings.

i used WD40, engine oil or bar oil when i ran out of proper lube.