Chain lube and noobs...

**Tony W** · 14th January 2009, 05:25

Bart a $5, 5 second squeeze applicator, pays for itself in one day, leaving you a free $395 gift voucher to go shopping for tyres !
Bring a few beers down and I'll fit one for ya !!!

**NordieBoy** · 14th January 2009, 06:51

Originally Posted by bart

Consider me shot down. I thought they were more expensive than that.

68UK pounds + 20 pounds for the dual injector.
Still pays for itself over the life of 2 chains.

I wouldn't have a chain drive bike without one now.

**tri boy** · 14th January 2009, 07:34

I prefer to whip peasant DR/KLR riders into submission, and hoist the scrambler, with myself seated comfortably astride it, onto their lower caste shoulders, and carry one self across the trails and tracks.
I guess I could use an elephant, but the noble creatures are expensive to feed, and DR peasants are a dollar a dozen.
Why wear out a perfectly good chain when Japanese adv bike riders are every where.
Pip Pip.

**NordieBoy** · 14th January 2009, 07:52

Originally Posted by tri boy

I prefer to whip peasant DR/KLR riders into submission, and hoist the scrambler, with myself seated comfortably astride it, onto their lower caste shoulders, and carry one self across the trails and tracks.
I guess I could use an elephant, but the noble creatures are expensive to feed, and DR peasants are a dollar a dozen.
Why wear out a perfectly good chain when Japanese adv bike riders are every where.
Pip Pip.

Saves on petrol too.

**bart** · 14th January 2009, 08:08

Originally Posted by Tony W

Bart a $5, 5 second squeeze applicator, pays for itself in one day, leaving you a free $395 gift voucher to go shopping for tyres !
Bring a few beers down and I'll fit one for ya !!!

Cheers Tony. I'm due a new chain very soon. If all goes well, It may have a new bike attached to it.

**Tony W** · 14th January 2009, 15:22

Originally Posted by bart

Cheers Tony. I'm due a new chain very soon. If all goes well, It may have a new bike attached to it.

If you're purchasing a 9X0, don't bother turning up !!!

**OV Lander** · 14th January 2009, 20:55

Originally Posted by bart

Scott oiler seems to be the way to go.......but........you could buy a couple of new chains for the price of the oiler.

My Scott Oiler works a treat. After 12k on the current chain and sprockets everything is still in A1 condition... PITA to fill though!

**OV Lander** · 14th January 2009, 20:59

Originally Posted by bart

how much do these fancy automatic oilers cost compared to just replacing the chain every few thousand km's????

Of course it is not just the cost of the chain... ...the sprockets need changing too...!

**Woodman** · 15th January 2009, 07:22

On the subject of chains:

How do you know when a chain is worn out, say if you have just purchased a used bike and maybe a few links have been removed etc. Do you check how much it bends sideways?
How do you guys tell or do you just replace it when you run out of adjustment.
My one has hardly stretched at all in 7000ks which is surprising considering the massive horsepower I have.

**Snails pace** · 15th January 2009, 07:25

Have a scottoiler on my DL. For me it works a treat, I just fill and forget for 1500km. Have never cleaned the chain in my life. I notice after a gravel section of road, a few k's back on the tar, and the chain is clean once more. I generally use chainsaw chain bar oil in the scott. Looking back on my service record I have averaged 35000km lifespan out of chain and sprockets. But being a DL it is not serious off road. Just gravel and formed dirt roads. Has anyone used a diesil / oil (2:1) mix as a cleaner? A mechanic reckoned it was as good as CRC for rusty bolts. I spray the farm machinery (hay baler) with it, when storing, and it comes out ready to use.

**NordieBoy** · 15th January 2009, 08:32

Originally Posted by Woodman

On the subject of chains:

How do you know when a chain is worn out, say if you have just purchased a used bike and maybe a few links have been removed etc. Do you check how much it bends sideways?
How do you guys tell or do you just replace it when you run out of adjustment.
My one has hardly stretched at all in 7000ks which is surprising considering the massive horsepower I have.

Try pulling it back off the rear sprocket.
If it exposes half the tooth height then it's getting shot.
Also tight links can be a problem.

**Woodman** · 15th January 2009, 09:07

Originally Posted by NordieBoy

Try pulling it back off the rear sprocket.
If it exposes half the tooth height then it's getting shot.
Also tight links can be a problem.

Cheers, just went down to the shed and tried it. Its all good.

**warewolf** · 15th January 2009, 09:47

Originally Posted by Woodman

How do you know when a chain is worn out

There is a specification usually in your bike's manual that says to measure the length of so many links, with a certain weight on the lower run of chain (presumably to remove the slack).

A quick visual check is to try to pull the rear-most links off the rear sprocket. A new chain won't budge, a worn chain will lift off the base of the teeth somewhat. A rooted chain will lift off a lot. (Doh! Nordie beat me to it.)

Useful links can be found on the manufacturers' web sites, eg Regina Use & Maintenance.