Looking after your bike chain ...

[Aliboy]

Blimey, that Pro Oiler is spendy.
Get a Scottoiler. They work fine. Had one on my last 3 bikes apart from the RSV and as long as you get the flow rate right, it's fit and forget.[/QUOTE

The only thing I don't like about the scottoiler is that you can't adjust it according to the weather conditions. I know it's quite expensive for something that lubes your chain but I don't know anything else on the market that can do the job just like this thing does and doesn't rely on mavity to do the job for you.

 

[Flukester]

it's just to much messing about imo... plus they look ugly unless you got somewhere to fit nicely.

maybe you can eek more from a chain with one though... but eek'ing life from a chain is a bad thing with bikes nearing 200bhp, it's a risk not worth taking.

when they snap it's without warning and will prolly remove your foot from leg while it's at it...

just replace every 10-12k, well thats what I do, aint gonna risk it

 

[Rilot]

The only thing I don't like about the scottoiler is that you can't adjust it according to the weather conditions. I know it's quite expensive for something that lubes your chain but I don't know anything else on the market that can do the job just like this thing does and doesn't rely on mavity to do the job for you.

Scottoiler doesn't use mavity. It uses a vacuum from the intake of the engine.
It is true that you can't adjust the flow on the fly, but seriously, is that really worth an extra £100 considering you can just adjust the scottoiler when you stop?

 

[Demon]

I've had 2 bikes with scottoilers, and 3 without.

I'd only now go with a scottoiler/pro-oiler if I was commuting etc or constantly on long trips.

The only reason I didn't like mine was the 'mess'.. I adjusted correctly but it obviously drips oil onto a fast moving chain which just flings it off, which was a mare to keep the undertray/rear shock area clean.. Since it just drips at one point, in order to get the oil where it should be (i.e. in the joints/o-rings) you do need to have a reasonable drip rate.. I always ran mine slightly drier then probably ideal, I just hated cleaning the damn bike..

In the end, I went with the 'inbetween' solution..
http://www.getgeared.co.uk/KETTENMAX_Motorcycle_Chain_Cleaner_and_Greaser
This clips on to the chain, and the oil is perfectly dispersed all around the chain with brushes that really take the crud from the joints.
All my chains have lasted as well as the scott-oiled ones, with almost zero mess.. Once oiled (with thin lube), since it's on the stand, and the oil has got to where it needs to, I pass the chain through a cloth to remove the excess.. It's easier then manually oiling, does a better job of actually getting the oil where it needs to be, and doesn't create the mess of an auto-oiler.

Each to their own of course!

 

[digisatman]

It's what I use.
Every time I've bought a new oiler, I use the bottle that comes with it, then switch to 10W40 engine oil. Works fine.

cool, thanks, will use engine oil next time.

I personally have scottoiler on the bike, and feel it does a good job. Reservoir is tucked under pillion seat, and you can barely notice the tubing!

 

[Rotty]

All those auto lube oil spilling gay things are pants, Real men spray it on when needed.

real me take their chain off and soak it in hot oil

or at least they did when I used to have bikes

 

[Draeger]

I have to confess I just use Scottoil to top up the resevoir. I'm not going to lose any sleep over the difference of a few quid here and there in comparison to other oils of a similar nature.

However, we have one guy on the RSV forums I hang around on who is as tight as a hens face and his solution is to seek out a local tool hire shop and buy bottles of chainsaw oil to top up with.

Apparently half decent chainsaw oil, although inexpensive, has some sort of clever "anti-fling" additive in it to stop it from splatting everywhere while the chainsaw is in use.

This guy swears by the stuff and to be honest, I have read a similar idea elsewhere.

But meh....I'll just use Scottoil for all the price of a bottle. It's not like you go through a bottle each time you fill up the res.

 

[CGrieves]

it's just to much messing about imo... plus they look ugly unless you got somewhere to fit nicely.

maybe you can eek more from a chain with one though... but eek'ing life from a chain is a bad thing with bikes nearing 200bhp, it's a risk not worth taking.

when they snap it's without warning and will prolly remove your foot from leg while it's at it...

just replace every 10-12k, well thats what I do, aint gonna risk it

I'm not quite sure where you need to "mess about" with a Scottoiler?

Spray lube: Put bike on centrestand, or more likely rear stand, spin rear wheel with hand while spraying lube with the other. Wait 10 minutes for lube to penetrate and solidify.

Scottoiler: Once a month, check and fill reservoir using a convenient bottle with tube, ride away.

I've never had a chain snap, including 30,000 mile chains on a litre sportsbike. to the best of my knowledge, the main reason for a chain to snap is due to bad lubrication or manufacturing defects.

 

[TheCrow]

I use lube man, like a manual version of scotoiler. Just give it a squeeze before setting off, or when stopped at lights etc. Will slowly feed the chain for about 15-30min (depending how much you squeezed it.

Can drip if you squeeze before a short trip.

Only like £15