Chains again

**JacksDad** · 17th February 2011, 19:16

Finally got some dust on the Wee-Strom so now i need to to clean it. Is Kerosene Ok for cleaning an O-ring chain?
Also has anyone got a LoobMan chain oiler on their bike?
http://www.chainoiler.co.uk/
Lot cheaper than Scott oiler, and pretty simple concept which appeals.

**Coldrider** · 17th February 2011, 19:39

Kero is ok, is not carciogenic when unburnt, does not de-fat the skin, and has a high flashpoint.

I have heard good things about loobmans, thinking of fitting/ making one myself.

**HQfiend** · 17th February 2011, 19:44

Yip got a loobman, stunningly simple in concept and easy to use, not a metered system like a scottoiler but then again the idea is to clean and lubricate the orings not the chain links which are packed with a lifetime of lube at the factory.

**Coldrider** · 17th February 2011, 19:52

loobman can be easily metered/automated with a 12V DC pneumatic valve.

**Warr** · 17th February 2011, 21:40

Originally Posted by Coldrider

loobman can be easily metered/automated with a 12V DC pneumatic valve.

"12V DC pneumatic valve" Tell us more ... Pictures please ......
I have a Scott oiler .. Tis peeving me off at present .. After I stop It appears to drain whats in the feed pipe leaving a puddle on the ground

**Coldrider** · 17th February 2011, 21:49

Originally Posted by Warr

"12V DC pneumatic valve" Tell us more ... Pictures please ......
I have a Scott oiler .. Tis peeving me off at present .. After I stop It appears to drain whats in the feed pipe leaving a puddle on the ground

haven't got any pics but a 'mac' (brand) valve very small to control pilot air will do the trick, can be pulsed by a mechanical or electrical timer, with a flow control dial as well.
Industrial maintenance engineers are good source of second hand parts, if you bought then new you'd soon end up costing as much as a scottoiler.

**NordieBoy** · 17th February 2011, 22:17

Originally Posted by Warr

"12V DC pneumatic valve" Tell us more ... Pictures please ......
I have a Scott oiler .. Tis peeving me off at present .. After I stop It appears to drain whats in the feed pipe leaving a puddle on the ground

You've got an air leak in the tube.

Single or twin injectors?

**p.dath** · 18th February 2011, 06:58

Originally Posted by Coldrider

Kero is ok, is not carciogenic when unburnt, does not de-fat the skin, and has a high flashpoint.

+1. Kerosene is a cheap and effective chain cleaner.

**oneofsix** · 18th February 2011, 07:00

Originally Posted by p.dath

+1. Kerosene is a cheap and effective chain cleaner.

+2 which reminds me I must get some more. It also doesn't dry the O rings out.

**p.dath** · 18th February 2011, 07:03

Originally Posted by JacksDad

Also has anyone got a LoobMan chain oiler on their bike?
http://www.chainoiler.co.uk/
Lot cheaper than Scott oiler, and pretty simple concept which appeals.

I have to say I'm not much of a fan of automatic chain oiling systems unless you are doing a lot of km's, like touring, a lot.

Using lube from a can is very simple. If you have a centre stand or paddock stand it takes hardly any time. it goes exactly where you put it.

Some of the automatic oilers often leak when the bike is not in use. So you come back to your bike in the garage after a week and find a nice puddle of oil underneath of it.

**Oscar** · 18th February 2011, 09:03

Originally Posted by p.dath

I have to say I'm not much of a fan of automatic chain oiling systems unless you are doing a lot of km's, like touring, a lot.

Using lube from a can is very simple. If you have a centre stand or paddock stand it takes hardly any time. it goes exactly where you put it.

Some of the automatic oilers often leak when the bike is not in use. So you come back to your bike in the garage after a week and find a nice puddle of oil underneath of it.

I agree.
I also worry about the chain beig freshly lubed in dusty conditions.

**cooneyr** · 18th February 2011, 12:46

Had a Scotty on a bike once. It now lives in the shed. My regime is oil when hitting seal for more than a few km otherwise leave dry. Scotty in dusty/muddy conditions generally just meant grinding past or it would block and not work.

**george formby** · 18th February 2011, 13:02

Just cleaned the dust off my chain with a fair drenching of Kerosene, wiped it off with a rag & loobed as normal. Not had any problems to date & the chain is still mint.

I also have a loob man which I only use when touring. The cable ties which sit on the sprocket wear fairly quickly but are easily replaced & the routing of the tube from the reservoir needs to be carefully considered to avoid pinch points & allow an unimpeded flow. The do dacky where the oil comes out needs to be kept clean to stop the oil being wicked away by road crud.

When I use it I just give the bottle an ickle squeeze to avoid over oiling & splashing eveywhere when I stop too put petrol in. A bit of a fine art.

It is a bit of a fiddle compared to a Scott oiler but does the job for a fraction of the price. A god send when doing big miles in the rain & your chain is being stripped.

I learned a long time ago that constant chain maintenance saves a fortune.