Chain oilers....yes or no

[1/32 man]

I have recently bought a copy of the Nemo/Cobrra type of manually operated oiler.
There is debate elsewhere over them being unnecessary but looking for coments either way.
TIA.

[SaferRides]

This should be interesting...

It's good to keep some lube on the chain to prevent corrosion and reduce sprocket wear. I prefer dry lubes and am currently using Maxima chain wax, which seems to do the job.

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[nerrrd]

It's a yes from me, I had a Tutoro automatic (but mechanical, not electric) chain oiler on two bikes over 10 years, which I bought from a local supplier who brought them in.

Just recently the reservoir cracked and spilled the oil everywhere, so now I don't have one, but it seems to have worked very well over that time. I'd have another one.

[HenryDorsetCase]

didnt early HOnda CB750s have one that misted oil onto the chain from the crankcase?

I can see the argument in the olden times for them before chains had O-rings and the constant battle was to keep lubrication between the pins and rollers.... like it is now with a pushbike chain.

But a modern chain doesnt really need it and all it does is throw shit alll over the back of your bike. Never had one.

[R650R]

Anyone who has lived a neglected chain will feel the difference as they spin rear wheel on a stand after. It’s mechanical sympathy 101.
The biggest killer of drive chains is worn sprockets, how do sprockets wear??? Metal on metal contact so a little lube goes a long way to stopping that first little bit of wear biting in. You can also have too much combined with not cleaning chain and creating a grinding paste.
Nearly every moving mechanical device in world specifies some form of lubrication on moving metal parts yet somehow we think drive chains with 150hp transmitted through contact patch size of two match heads is immune.
Every time you hear of someone who never lubes their chain it might pay to note that perhaps they are a dry weather wider that only does couple thousand km each year and maybe never uses full power.
Had scottoiler on a previous bike was great. Not at moment due to various reasons and servicing chain is good rainy day therapy in man cave.

[HenryDorsetCase]

Every time you hear of someone who never lubes their chain it might pay to note that perhaps they are a dry weather wider that only does couple thousand km each year and maybe never uses full power.

I feel seen....

though I do lube my chain when I give the old girl a clean. So at least once every couple of years... whether it needs it or not.

[pete376403]

Scottoiler on the KLR has kept chain and sprockets alive longer than they should have, given the conditions it is used in.

[TheDemonLord]

HELL YES.

When I used to ride, I had a Hayabusa - I dailyd it from Gulf Harbour to Penrose - 60 km one-way, so a 120 km round trip. Every week day to work. At one point I was going through new set of tyres every 3 months and a new Chain and Sprocket set every 9.

Got a Scott Oiler - never had to worry about my Chain and Sprocket again, I think when I got rid of the bike, that Chain had done 40,000 km and hadnt needed to be adjusted.

If you are doing high Km - it is one of the best purchases you can get.

[Gremlin]

Absolutely yes to an oiler. I've used a manual Scottoiler for more than a decade and a half, good stuff. Better was using a Tutoro oiler on another bike (muuuuch cheaper oil) especially as it's an adventure bike. Dial it up to effectively wash the chain and keep it well lubricated.

[Laava]

I had a Pro Oiler from Belgium on my V Strom and the first chain and sprocket set went 56,000 hard km. It used engine oil and was fed electronically, only lubing while moving and increasing rate with speed. Could be geared up for off road stuff. Only downside was the mess it made on the rear wheel and swingarm. It did not end up with a thick spooge under the sprocket cover tho, and was easy to clean up as was the chain. Didn't bother me but cant see anyone putting one on their expensive Ducati etc.

[admenk]

Scottoiler on both my chain bikes

[1/32 man]

Thanks gentlemen....I will look further into the oiler world and see what I see.

[pritch]

I've had a Scott chain oiler on my last three bikes. Once set up they are trouble free. Wouldn't be without one - unless I had shaft drive again.

[R650R]

Now for all you guys who buy 200kg plus adv bikes and worry about weight and travelling light and cheap because you have no money left over; Bret Tkacs did a video where he uses the residual diesel fuel in truck stop fuel pump nozzle to clean and lube chain for free. All you need is a rag.
Although I disagree slightly that that’s all you need(prob doesn’t matter in short term in holiday) it does reinforce cleaning is prob more important than lube.
And diesel fuel is pretty much same as wd40 anyway.

[rastuscat]

didnt early HOnda CB750s have one that misted oil onto the chain from the crankcase?

I can see the argument in the olden times for them before chains had O-rings and the constant battle was to keep lubrication between the pins and rollers.... like it is now with a pushbike chain.

I'm now hot waxing then drip waxing my bicycle chains. Makes the chain, cassette and chainrings last several times longer, and is far cleaner. Needs more faffing, but is worth the trouble.