Scottoiler opinions wanted

[centaurus]

I have been thinking about a scottoiler system for my busa for a while now but there are some questions the reviews on the net haven't been able to answer. I am looking for opinions from people who OWN or HAVE OWNED a scottoiler for long periods.

One of the main reasons for a system like this is the difficulty of oiling the chain on multi day rides, when I don't have a paddock stand to lift the rear wheel and I don't trust any improvisations on such a heavy bike.

Due to the ammount of ks I put on my bike (500-1000kms every week, not including weekends) a v-system is out of the question (If I go for a long ride I would need to top-up mid-ride).

My riding environments vary greatly: city crawl (sometimes a few days in a row), boring m-way, or aggressive back roads fun. That's why I am worried the vacuum-based kits might not do the job and I might end up with a dry chain half the time and a oil-soaked rear wheel the rest of the time. Does the e-system solve this issue? I would hate to pay such a high amount of money just for the privilege of a temperature and G-force gauge.

Also, I've been reading some reports of oil connectors/hoses coming off or getting jammed/stuck. Are these known/frequent issues, or they are only due to improper installation?

As I said, I'm looking for input from people who have owned/own one of these systems for a decent amount of time, as to how practical and worthwhile are they.

[CookMySock]

I am worried the vacuum-based kits might not do the job and I might end up with a dry chain half the time and a oil-soaked rear wheel the rest of the time.

Overall it doesn't matter. The chain stays somewhere between a soft-sheen oil coating, and a nice shiney wet one, which is a far cry from any chain lubed from a spray can.

Get one. You won't regret it. I'd never be without mine.

Steve

[p.dath]

I have one of the older style units (aka vacuum based rather than electronic) fitted to my bike. I don't use it any more.

The problem I have is if I leave the sitting for 4 hours or so the oil starts dripping onto the ground. To begin with you don't notice it much. But if you keep parking it in the same place (aka your garage) you notice an oily stain/mess forming.

No matter how much I adjusted it I could not prevent it from happening. I believe the issue is because the oil is so thin, and eventually drips off the chain. I guess I would describe the issue as being that the oil doesn't "cling" enough to the chain. This is not an issue with applying too much oil to the chain.

[86GSXR]

I've had them for 3 years now and I don't know how I managed before that tbh. Yep, they do dirty up the chain side of your rim to some extent but that's nothing compared to the hassle they remove. They need the occasional adjustment during temperature changes, that takes about 5 seconds. Never had any connectors come loose and even if they did they won't spill. Haven't got any experience with the new model but give Kerry www.tripleforensics.co.nz an email. He's an agent and had the first of the new ones arrive earlier this year. He should have some good feedback on them by now, just tell him you ride a Triumph and you'll be right lol. Also, get the dual nossle, far superior to the single.

I have one of the older style units (aka vacuum based rather than electronic) fitted to my bike. I don't use it any more.

The problem I have is if I leave the sitting for 4 hours or so the oil starts dripping onto the ground. To begin with you don't notice it much. But if you keep parking it in the same place (aka your garage) you notice an oily stain/mess forming.

No matter how much I adjusted it I could not prevent it from happening. I believe the issue is because the oil is so thin, and eventually drips off the chain. I guess I would describe the issue as being that the oil doesn't "cling" enough to the chain. This is not an issue with applying too much oil to the chain.

Are you sure it isn't just oil buildup in the front sprocket? I've had that and it needs a clean now and then.

[geoffc]

Yeah I've had one for a while now. bit fiddly to refill but without it the VTR1000 would be harsh on the chain. Yes worth having. Cheers

[centaurus]

I have one of the older style units (aka vacuum based rather than electronic) fitted to my bike. I don't use it any more.

The problem I have is if I leave the sitting for 4 hours or so the oil starts dripping onto the ground. To begin with you don't notice it much. But if you keep parking it in the same place (aka your garage) you notice an oily stain/mess forming.

No matter how much I adjusted it I could not prevent it from happening. I believe the issue is because the oil is so thin, and eventually drips off the chain. I guess I would describe the issue as being that the oil doesn't "cling" enough to the chain. This is not an issue with applying too much oil to the chain.

Very interesting. I commute every day on it so this would definitely be an issue. Any comments on this from people that have own scottoilers and commute on their bikes? Is this a common thing?

[Hitcher]

Mrs H has one on her Bandit. Her chain and sprockets have lasted 80,000km but will be replaced at her next tyre change in about 4,000km time.

Compare that with my Shiver with no Scottoiler, just a lad with a stiff brush and a can of Spectro SX when I remember: chain and sprockets will be replaced at next tyre change which will be about 43,000km.

[jonbuoy]

I have one of the older style units (aka vacuum based rather than electronic) fitted to my bike. I don't use it any more.

The problem I have is if I leave the sitting for 4 hours or so the oil starts dripping onto the ground. To begin with you don't notice it much. But if you keep parking it in the same place (aka your garage) you notice an oily stain/mess forming.

No matter how much I adjusted it I could not prevent it from happening. I believe the issue is because the oil is so thin, and eventually drips off the chain. I guess I would describe the issue as being that the oil doesn't "cling" enough to the chain. This is not an issue with applying too much oil to the chain.

I had the same problem with mine from new - the valve isn´t closing properly due to swarf from the factory, they replaced mine under warranty. After that no problems at all, to adjust I would start off at the lowest setting and increase until you are happy, going the otherway is a bit messy and a little dangerous - ignore the factory drip test it was way too high for me. You only need enough so you can see the plates have a slight coating - the surface of the chain isn´t important. My z is my daily commuter when I´m home had the scotoiler since the bike was new- haven´t needed to adjust the chain yet.

[NordieBoy]

Been using them for 10 years or so.
2 Nordwests and the DR650 and I wouldn't have a chain driven bike without one now.

[greenman]

I had one firstly one my GPz900 and then I moved it over to a ZZR1100, they are fiddly to set up and I found that I had a hot day setting and a cold day setting. But they are money well spent, I found that I was no longer adjusting the chain. It just didn't seem to wear.
I also attending a tribology course, and that convinced me as well that continuous oiling is the way to go. The killer is the heat build up, and after I fitted the oiler the chain was cool (relatively) to touch after a ride, whereas before it was definitely hot.

[dogsnbikes]

I have one on the triumph(vacum model) with duel nozzel and I am getting just over a 1000ks before I have too refill the oil,

If you leave the dail in the prime position After filling up the oil,it will drop oil while your parked up,other than that its never dropped oil..

totally recommend it though and like 86 said contact Kerry your be blown away by the amount of K's he has got out of his chain and sprocket set,by using a scottoiler

[Dodgyiti]

They are so accurate I timed the drip at every 40 seconds, then forgot all about it for 20,000kms and then thought
I better check it. 40 seconds and then drip. Amazing.

[crash harry]

I've had them on two of my bikes - ZX9R and R1 - and I'm thoroughly sold. The vacuum operated ones are fine. As some others have said, you can set them a lot leaner than the factory suggest and you'll get about 1000km per refill, which ought to be acceptable.

I've never experienced the dripping that some are talking about, and I've had 2 units. The bike is parked in the same place every day so I would definitely notice. I would suggest that it's a defective unit.

The only downsides are that it makes a little bit of a mess on your rear wheel, but it cleans off easily because it's just oil. (Motomuck shifts it really well!)

There are a couple of competing brands that claim to have their own advantages, but IMHO the simplicity of the vacuum system is elegant and it works well.

[CookMySock]

If readers are on a budget, you can make an oiler out of plastic tubes and cable ties. It's squeeze-and-go instead of fully automatic, but the price is right and it beats the hell outa doing it manually.

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...cratch-for-nix

It's basically a copy of the loobman. http://www.chainoiler.co.uk/
I don't sell them - I just made some for my familys' bikes.

Steve

[Kwaka14]

Very interesting. I commute every day on it so this would definitely be an issue. Any comments on this from people that have own scottoilers and commute on their bikes? Is this a common thing?

I Had one on MY ZX12, commuted every day, did around 500 -1000km per week every week and once I had it set right no issues at all - and the chain and sprockets were mint when I sold the bike at 50,000km. I have a Busa now, and will be fitting one when I replace the next chain and sprockets (bought the bike second hand). Best thing since sliced bread - they also keep the chain clean as well as lubricated - so no mess.