The Loobman chain oiler - 15 months on

**Mental Trousers** · 21st December 2007, 10:06

Had one on my bike. It was great. The biggest problem was lubing too often and too much at once. When you figure that out it's a great product. Would get one again.

I suggest using a very thick oil though. A thin, 15W50 or whatever flows quickly but also gets flung off easily.

**HungusMaximist** · 21st December 2007, 12:59

It suppose to be manual right, so just give it a squeeze when you need to aye.

But I guess that the only con that I have been hearing, that it tend to overflow.

**oldrider** · 21st December 2007, 14:07

I think the "Pixie" lube system is an excellent innovation for tarmac bikes and certainly would have installed one if I did not frequent dusty gravel roads etc.

I have bought and installed a "Pro-Oiler" on my Tiger. (Delivered: EUR 175.50)

I am amazed at the amount of chain condition control that it gives me.(Without having to stop or get off the bike)

I am now confident about the state of my chain, no matter what conditions I find myself riding in.

Very economic on the amount of oil actually required and very revealing about the type of oil most suitable to do the job effectively!

Before installing the Pro-Oiler I was always lamenting not having a drive shaft bike but now I would select a chain drive over a shaft drive, in a heart beat.

My pick for chain care and control is "Pro-Oiler" www.pro-oiler.com ( info@pro-oiler.com ).

My bias is driven by product performance!

Without doubt the best bit of bling I have ever put on a motorcycle!

Cheers John.

**sinned** · 21st December 2007, 14:40

I fitted a Loobman to the SV1000 and removed it when I traded the bike. Still have it but not going to fit to the S3.

I don't think I will bother with another oiler and certainly not until I had some hard evidence of the cost benefit.

The Loobman is a dirty beast with oil on the head and lots of other places. The zip tie feeders wear out quickly and it is a dirty job replacing them and adjusting the head. Also it looked ugly on the SV.

My riding is up to 400kms a day, so I reoil the chain when I get home. That only takes a few minutes and the good stuff sticks and doesn't fly around like oil from an oiler. I guess if a bike was being used for touring an oiler would be a good investment - but the benefit is questionable for my rides.

I have read the reports on how long a chain will last with an oiler but - what lubrication routine were they comparing it to? How much more does an oiler extend the life of a chain and sprockets if compared with a chain that is oiled after each day ride or 300 - 400 kms? And is the cost saving in chain and sprocket life worth the investment, ugly fitting and mess?

**Pixie** · 21st December 2007, 19:18

Originally Posted by dennisr

I have read the reports on how long a chain will last with an oiler but - what lubrication routine were they comparing it to? How much more does an oiler extend the life of a chain and sprockets if compared with a chain that is oiled after each day ride or 300 - 400 kms? And is the cost saving in chain and sprocket life worth the investment, ugly fitting and mess?

I lubed my chain on every ride on my first bandit.Chain was rooted at 19,000 km.-without an oiler
My current bandit has 50,000 km,I've adjusted the chain twice,little sign of wear,regularly replace tyres without needing to adjust the chain-with an oiler

**Bike-aholic** · 21st December 2007, 21:15

[QUOTE=oldrider;1350594]I think the "Pixie" lube system is an excellent innovation for tarmac bikes and certainly would have installed one if I did not frequent dusty gravel roads etc. QUOTE]

Is there a web site for that Pixie lube system or pics somewhere.
Cheers

**oldrider** · 21st December 2007, 21:19

[QUOTE=Bike-aholic;1351221]

Originally Posted by oldrider

I think the "Pixie" lube system is an excellent innovation for tarmac bikes and certainly would have installed one if I did not frequent dusty gravel roads etc. QUOTE]

Is there a web site for that Pixie lube system or pics somewhere.
Cheers

PM Pixie on the post above yours. Cheers John.

**sinned** · 22nd December 2007, 06:47

Originally Posted by Pixie

I lubed my chain on every ride on my first bandit.Chain was rooted at 19,000 km.-without an oiler
My current bandit has 50,000 km,I've adjusted the chain twice,little sign of wear,regularly replace tyres without needing to adjust the chain-with an oiler

Thats sounds convincing. Maybe I should look into the pro-oiler?

**Squiggles** · 23rd December 2007, 16:40

Originally Posted by Pixie

I lubed my chain on every ride on my first bandit.Chain was rooted at 19,000 km.-without an oiler
My current bandit has 50,000 km,I've adjusted the chain twice,little sign of wear,regularly replace tyres without needing to adjust the chain-with an oiler

I would be interested to know if the 19,000k's was on a factory chain, or the same chain with which the old one was replaced.

Fair comparisons cant be made otherwise!

**oldrider** · 24th December 2007, 10:45

Just buy a "Pixie Lube" or a "Pro-Oiler" all others are are OK if you like to settle for less!

Your choice, my opinion. Cheers John.

**sinned** · 28th December 2007, 16:31

It is about time bike manufacturers provided factory designed oilers for their bikes. Then the installation should be tidy and without the need of zip ties etc.

I wonder why they don't provide an oiler as an option?

**Dances With Poultry** · 11th March 2008, 02:48

For those who can't wait the couple of weeks to get one from England, want to support a local business, or want better support, there is now an NZ agent... Me!
Kiwi Biker Forum members get the low rate too. $50 a kit. By the time you add credit card foreign exchange fees etc, I'm probably cheaper too.
I always have some listed on Tarde-Me but they start at $55 due to their charges... rip-off bastards.

PM or email me for further details.

Cheers,

Nigel Marx
LoobMan NZ
loobmannz@ihug.co.nz

**HungusMaximist** · 11th March 2008, 15:10

Hey ah, I've bought the loobman off yah on Trade Me a few months back but haven't bothered to chuck it on yet.

Will be letting you know if I have any troubles!

**oldrider** · 12th March 2008, 21:09

Originally Posted by dennisr

It is about time bike manufacturers provided factory designed oilers for their bikes. Then the installation should be tidy and without the need of zip ties etc.

I wonder why they don't provide an oiler as an option?

Probably because the chain manufacturers would then charge more for their chains because they would be lasting longer and replaced less often.

Then we would have to pay more for our new bikes too because of the increase cost to the manufacturer!

Business is business and aftermarket suppliers need the business too!

Look at all the different brands/prices of oiler choices there are now too.

If the bike manufacturer put one on, that would be it, take it or leave it but you pay for it even if you don't like it.

That's why driveshafts are soooo expensive as an alternative to a chain and when they break down!

So far, my personal choice of Pro-oiler is because it (IMHO) is the best option and most cost effective alternative to a driveshaft.

It could be improved quite a bit yet too, without increasing the cost either, I reckon.

I began motorcycle riding when chains were the absolute pits not like the quality trouble free chains you can buy now.

If a Lubeman suits you, get one from "Dances with Poultry", he's offering a good deal by the sounds of it.

Cheers John.

**rext** · 1st April 2008, 07:17

Fitted my Loobman soon after purchasing it. It had done 11,000km at the time & now after 34,000km now have to replace the factory o-ring chain & sporockets. I ride this bike just about everyday (both for commuting & long rides)so basically am very pleased with its performance. Will replace the chain with a gold x-ring RK chain so hopefully will get even more distance out of it.