Chain Lube/scot-oiler

[ybdf]

I read somewhere recently that your chain should be oiled/lubed every 300km or so. Anyone got suggestions as to where in Phuket i can get good quality chain oil,or even better, a scot-oiler (sp?). Have looked at a number of websites for shops in bangers but don't really read Thai that well (at all), so navigating these sites is tough.

Much appreciated.

[BigBikeBKK]

IMHO any decent quality oil will work. I'm a neat freak so I clean and oil my chain at least once a week. I usually use SONAX or WD-40 and I've found that with regular cleaning and oiling that my O-ring chains have held up very well. (I put about 60,000 miles on the original chain on my CBR 600 using only WD-40)

Here in Bangkok I don't see chain oil being sold at the popular motorcycle shops like Paddock, Red Baron, etc.

What's everyone else use?

Ride on!

[thaicbr]

you can buy chain lube from many smaller shops but beware very expensive. take a look on mocyc there is a guy just advertised today motul chain lube also a guy on cbr150club.com called tops advertised ketten spray which is german for chain lube. on non o-ring you should lube alot but i still go through standard chains like mad.. dont know why..

allan

[ybdf]

Cheers guys, found a small can of SONAX (orange can?) at lotus which should fit quite easily under the seat. I would still like to get a Scottoiler at some stage but from their website i think the closest dealer is in Singapore. Anyone know of a supplier in Bkk?

[higgy88]

Here's an excerpt from the owners manual of my Honda Phantom

Lubrication and cleaning:

Lubricate every 1,000 km (600 miles) or sooner if chain

appears dry.

The O-rings in this chain can be damaged by steam cleaning,

high-pressure washers and certain solvents. Clean the side

surfaces of the chain with a dry cloth. Do not brush the rubber

O-rings. Brushing will damage them. Wipe dry and lubricate

only with SAE 80 or 90 gear oil. Commercial chain lubricants

may contain solvents which could damage the rubber O-rings.

I have followed their advice and have stayed away from using any commercial chain lubes, only using SAE 90 gear lube.

[BSJ]

Hi guys, For on road use if you have an enclosed chain every 1500km or if you have an exposed chain every 1000km remove it and clean in petrol or degreaser. Use a 2inch paint brush and make a good job of it. Let it dry then refit and grease with the MAGIC GOO!

What is the MAGIC GOO I hear you say. Well it's other name is "Outboard Motor Grease"!

Look at it's properties: Sticks like shitzenturders to a blanket, designed to protect in a corrosive environment and works well under high pressure. Isn't that what we want?

And it's not dear if you buy a gallon or 4 litre tub. It is a bit dear if you buy cartridges.

As well don't overtighten the chain.....or run it loose. And keep an eye on your sprockets. Worn sprockets are hel_l on a new chain!

[imaneggspurt]

eBay

[0Mix1up]

i would say all commercial chain lubes would be fine for o ring chains these days

umm how does your goo actually get into the rollers?

i used to use duckhams where you would heat it up and drop the clean chain into the liquified lube

[imaneggspurt]

Oil and lubricants have come a long way, you can now get a chain wax that sprays on wet and semi dries as to not "fling off ",. Motul synthetic is without doubt the best available,.

Edited September 25, 2008 by imaneggspurt

[BSJ]

Hi 0Mix1up, A good "O" ring chain is lubed for life....as long as the "O" rings are not damaged. Your only lubing the outside to reduce friction between the rollers on the chain and the sprockets.

Before "O" ring chains came on the scene we cleaned the chains, dried them and then submerged them in a big old cast iron pot with very hot liquid grease in it. We would tie a piece of wire around the 2 ends then after 30 minutes lift the chain up and hook it until cool. My dads idea! We always had 6 or 7 bikes being serviced at the one time. Don't try it! Liquid grease would leave a horrific burn if you spilled it on anyone.

[Thanh-BKK]

Hi

I'm using "Kemex" chain lube, in a blue spray can. It works (for me) really well, even when driving in the rain it does not wash off. I spray my chain every couple of weeks (600-700 kilometers). The can cost about 90 Baht and lasts for several months.

As opposed to any sort of regular oil, dedicated chain lube actually stays on the chain - while oil flies off and ends up on your rear rim.

Best regards....

Thanh

[Bard]

Use WD40 which works great, spray it on weekly and have no issues at all. Cheap available and stays on very well, tolerates rain and don't end up on the rear rim.

Cheers Bard

[Milo]

Use WD40 which works great, spray it on weekly and have no issues at all. Cheap available and stays on very well, tolerates rain and don't end up on the rear rim.

Cheers Bard

My O-ring chains have always come with a warning never to use any kind of penetrating oil. It penetrates the O-rings and thins the grease held inside them, lose it quicker and your chain won't last as long. So they say. Out on a run one day, wanted some chain lube and the local dealer 'Big Cycle' here in Udorn recommended that Sonax. 70km later the bloody chain was squeaking like a flaming hamster on a wheel, had to replace a 6-month 5,000km old chain due to that excellent advice. Not impressed.

Tried many types of spray lube but damned expensive and still only lasts 300km, some nice dirty old engine oil's just as good, and easier to clean off your rims if you overdo it.

Scottoiler's good but bit pricey, paying for the name, try these guys instead; http://www.chainoiler.co.uk/ Unlike a Scottoiler this needs a daily pump before setting out in the morning, but this is handy because you can't miss how much oil left in the reservoir. Many forget to top up their Scottoiler. And at 17.99 including postage and packing worldwide, about 1/3 of the price?

[Thanh-BKK]

Hi

Hey - that thingy (Loobman) looks good - and they DO ship international AND accept PayPal! So i could actually get one! The "mode of operation" also looks simple enough - that would mean "no more hunting for those Kemex cans" (which are almost always sold out when i need one).

However my bike does NOT have an O-ring chain. Does this work for ordinary chains, too? Does the sprocket need to have a certain thickness? And, judging by the only available picture of the unit itself (instead of the bottle), this kind of "clamps" the sprocket. Does it work if the sprocket is dirty? Or will it require cleaning the sprockets every couple of days? because if that's the case, i rather keep on spray-lubing.

I would appreciate some first-hand info from a user of such device.... many thanks in advance

Kind regards.....

Thanh

[Milo]

Hi

Hey - that thingy (Loobman) looks good - and they DO ship international AND accept PayPal! So i could actually get one! The "mode of operation" also looks simple enough - that would mean "no more hunting for those Kemex cans" (which are almost always sold out when i need one).

However my bike does NOT have an O-ring chain. Does this work for ordinary chains, too? Does the sprocket need to have a certain thickness? And, judging by the only available picture of the unit itself (instead of the bottle), this kind of "clamps" the sprocket. Does it work if the sprocket is dirty? Or will it require cleaning the sprockets every couple of days? because if that's the case, i rather keep on spray-lubing.

I would appreciate some first-hand info from a user of such device.... many thanks in advance

Kind regards.....

Thanh

Works on all types of chain. Correct, clamps the rear sprocket to deliver the oil, which then works it's way out from there, all over the width of the chain. As with Scottoiler takes a little while to set up and get the feed rate just right. Yes, your sprocket needs to stay fairly clean for correct dispersal, but then again should be anyway, saves wear. Also of course, oil a great deal easier to clean off than that sticky spray stuff. Don't wash your own bike when it only costs 30b for a scooter/50b for a full-size bike do you? Bugger that, better things to do, like chugging a beer or two with the carwash owner while watching his lads do the dirty work! Oi, you missed a bit

Off-topic, but why do they INSIST on putting that silicon spray all over the bars/seat/wheels even after telling them not to? After a tour always take the fleet down, can watch the first one or two, but every time your backs turned the silicon's all over the flaming place. When I say I don't want it, that means ALL the bikes! One clown even managed to get it on my front brake disc, that was a fun ride home!! Needless to say never went back to that carwash.

[highonthai]

Auto chain oiler's have been around for many many years. Tried them at one time or another , They are just not efficient.

I remember some old bikes with a tap built into the swingarm, Nifty..

You just cant beat oiling the chain manually during a ride.

[BSJ]

We all luv a labour saving device, that's for sure. But I don't see the sense in using oil.

WD40 would be Ok, except for it penetrating the "O" rings and diluting the lifetime supply of grease.

Maybe its time we took a leaf out of the Harley manual and converted to belt drive? The joining links would be a real bugger, ay!

[imaneggspurt]

Hi

Hey - that thingy (Loobman) looks good - and they DO ship international AND accept PayPal! So i could actually get one! The "mode of operation" also looks simple enough - that would mean "no more hunting for those Kemex cans" (which are almost always sold out when i need one).

However my bike does NOT have an O-ring chain. Does this work for ordinary chains, too? Does the sprocket need to have a certain thickness? And, judging by the only available picture of the unit itself (instead of the bottle), this kind of "clamps" the sprocket. Does it work if the sprocket is dirty? Or will it require cleaning the sprockets every couple of days? because if that's the case, i rather keep on spray-lubing.

I would appreciate some first-hand info from a user of such device.... many thanks in advance

Kind regards.....

Thanh

It works fine, i have actually just bought a quality non o ring 520 for my 400 as i know ill get more power and as long as i keep it adjusted im sure it will be fine,

[thaicbr]

Thanh where do you get your kemex spray from. and is it proper chain lube or like wd40.

thanks Allan

[Thanh-BKK]

Hi

That is proper chain lube, i get it (sometimes!) from a small motorbike parts/accessories shop in soi Udomsuk. I am very happy with that stuff - i'd like to try the Loobman oiler but if it requires to keep the sprocket clean - no way. For that i ride too much, i don't want to clean the stupid thing every other day. I rather keep spraying.

Best regards.....

Thanh

[BSJ]

Hi folks, The chain oiler (Loobman) has been mentioned by other, even though I have never seen one I am sure it would do it's job. What I came across in September Two Weeks magazine is mention of another. It's Aumens Brainy Chain Lube System and it's available from WWW dot BikeMonkey dot com dot au

The CL10 intelligent chain oiler is Au$224.95 and replacement lube cans are $14.95

Just thought you would like to know!