Chain oiler

[rowlf]

Hi all

I am thinking of fitting a chain oiler to my XJ600. Does anybody here use one and can give me any user experience or recommendations?

I am thinking of the Tutoro or the Loobman. If you use one what is it like and what oil do you use in it.

Thank you

Rowlf

[HRHpenfold]

I have a loobman, but I changed the sprocket end to the same as the scottoiler, works pretty well,

I had a tutors on before, but it's to small and you forget to turn it off!

I used normal engine new engine oil!

[neilmud Lord Protector]

I have a Scott Oiler on the Fazer & I have 34K on original chain & sprockets seems worth the money to me if you can put up with all the crud around the back end

Neil

[teejayexc]

Apr 14, 2013 16:55:05 GMT neilmud Lord Protector said:

....... worth the money if you can put up with all the crud around the back end

Neil

Martin charges mates rates

[bobh]

I've fitted Loobmans (Loobmen?) to a couple of bikes. They work fine, but the dispenser at the rear sprocket end is crude (to put it mildly) - it works well when new, so long as it's set up correctly - but wears quite quickly, hence the suggestion of using a Scottoiler nozzle. It's worth doing a few sketches and mock-ups with electrical wire before committing to bending the wire dispenser carrier to its final shape.

Any total-loss oiler will be messy - not just oil around the back end of the bike, but dripping on the floor and running down the sidestand, and you'll get a build-up of oily crud under the front sprocket cover. And if you use DID's preferred oil (SAE80/90 gear oil) the smell of tomcats can be a bit overpowering. In the last one I used chainsaw oil instead, as it supposedly doesn't fling quite as much as engine oil.

[m40man]

I've always preferred Scottoilers ( have used others). Easy to fit, reliable.

[rowlf]

Apr 14, 2013 9:34:29 GMT HRHpenfold said:

I have a loobman, but I changed the sprocket end to the same as the scottoiler,

Ah, is that a Scoobiman?

Thanks for the advice guys. I must say the Tutoro "forgetting to switch it off" problem worries me. I know I will forget and end up with puddle of oil on the driveway. I had a bad experience with a disc lock once, right next to a bus stop

I like the sound of the HRH 'Scoobiman' approach. I see that Tutoro sell replacement twin nozzles for their oiler (about £5) so I might "Mix & Match"

Rowlf

[CD]

The oil feed pipe from a Scotoiler fitted vertical in the fairing will have hardly any further to travel than from under the seat. But the tube will have a direct fall and its much easier to see the oil level. I also believe they work better on the engine sprocket. Oil gets fed onto the unloaded side of the chain so has a little time to spread before the links pull tight under load.

I did this on an MZ 250 because the full cover chain box stopped any lube supply to the back sprocket. The non O-ring chain lasted MUCH longer than normal and there was very little mess.

If I'm wrong its easy to run pipes to the back sprocket so there's nothing to lose by trying the front sprocket.

[rowlf]

Apr 15, 2013 8:49:23 GMT CD said:

The oil feed pipe from a Scotoiler fitted vertical in the fairing will have hardly any further to travel than from under the seat. But the tube will have a direct fall and its much easier to see the oil level. I also believe they work better on the engine sprocket. Oil gets fed onto the unloaded side of the chain so has a little time to spread before the links pull tight under load.

I did this on an MZ 250 because the full cover chain box stopped any lube supply to the back sprocket. The non O-ring chain lasted MUCH longer than normal and there was very little mess.

If I'm wrong its easy to run pipes to the back sprocket so there's nothing to lose by trying the front sprocket.

Do you mean that is a modification you made, if so what did you use and how did you fix it in place? I must admit I have often thought it would be better to feed into the engine sprocket part or through the chainguard and let it drip, out of the wind turbulence. It is just that many say centrifugal force means it is best to feed oil on the "inside" of the chain so it is forced outwards.

Thanks

[charlietbird]

I use a Tutoro, and am quite happy with it. I use engine oil in it, always plenty in stock, and much cheaper than genuine chain lube stuff, and just as good!

Charlie

[rowlf]

Apr 15, 2013 17:11:05 GMT charlietbird said:

I use a Tutoro, and am quite happy with it. I use engine oil in it, always plenty in stock, and much cheaper than genuine chain lube stuff, and just as good!

Charlie

Ah, but do you remember to turn it off?

I have trouble remembering what I had for breakfast and I always eat the same thing. Which is, er

[simmo]

I use Tutoro Automatic no movement no oil use

[rowlf]

Apr 16, 2013 10:09:28 GMT simmo said:

I use Tutoro Automatic no movement no oil use

I did look at that system, seems like quite a good idea. You like it then?

I wondered if it continues to drop much oil after you stop? I thought (but have no experience) that one likely problem with all systems that work when you move (Automatic Tutoro or Scottoiler) is that it fills the pipes, which then continue to flow for a while after you stop, making a puddle of oil?. I suppose the Tutoro manual would have similar problems but you could perhaps (depending on its location) reach down and turn it off a while before you stop. I doubt if I would remember that all the time though.

One obvious advantage with the Loobman is that after a squeeze it will only flow till the pipes empty of oil, so after a bit of experience you could judge how much oil to squeeze in. Trouble is the Loobman "nozzles" seem to be a poor design and unreliable.

I would be very interested to hear of your experiences with the auto Tutoro though.

Thanks

Rowlf

[m40man]

Apr 16, 2013 11:47:04 GMT rowlf said:

.... I thought (but have no experience) that one likely problem with all systems that work when you move (Automatic Tutoro or Scottoiler) is that it fills the pipes, which then continue to flow for a while after you stop, making a puddle of oil?

Because they (Scotoilers, at least) use a vucuum feed from the carbs, when you stop so do they. (The oil in the lines doesn't run out under gravity because of the vacuum.)

Mind you, if your flow is too high, you could still see drips, but that would be from the spockets themselves. So getting the flow right matters.

[HRHpenfold]

Apr 16, 2013 11:47:04 GMT rowlf said:

Apr 16, 2013 10:09:28 GMT simmo said:

I use Tutoro Automatic no movement no oil use

I did look at that system, seems like quite a good idea. You like it then?

I wondered if it continues to drop much oil after you stop? I thought (but have no experience) that one likely problem with all systems that work when you move (Automatic Tutoro or Scottoiler) is that it fills the pipes, which then continue to flow for a while after you stop, making a puddle of oil?. I suppose the Tutoro manual would have similar problems but you could perhaps (depending on its location) reach down and turn it off a while before you stop. I doubt if I would remember that all the time though.

One obvious advantage with the Loobman is that after a squeeze it will only flow till the pipes empty of oil, so after a bit of experience you could judge how much oil to squeeze in. Trouble is the Loobman "nozzles" seem to be a poor design and unreliable.

I would be very interested to hear of your experiences with the auto Tutoro though.

Thanks

Rowlf

Things have changed on the loobman front!

now no need to squeeze

www.loobman.co.uk/index.asp

I prefer it to the automatic ones, because it's cheaper and you don't have to get a vacuum connection, and I only use it first thing in the morning and the chain stays oiled all day,

I have done 7500 miles on my fazer, and am yet to adjust the chain!

[jip]

I used a tuturo on my zzr1100 but didnt like keep messing with the on/off. I took it off and bought a Scottoiler from fleabay unused for about £40 bargain, fitted that and it made a big difference to how the bike felt, a very well lubricated chain just feels great and it seemed to go faster and it was quieter too. Strange.
If i wasnt running a shaft drive now i would fit a Scottoiler tomorrow and theres plenty of help on the website. Pretty easy to fit really google some pictures.
Jip

[simmo]

Tuturo Automatic only dispenses oil when there is forward movement there is no noticeable leak after stopping it needs no Electric no vacuum, no parts to wear, I have tried many types of oiler most do what they say they will do, I am happy with the Tutoro It may need a larger reservoir for long distant touring but should be good for 500 miles or so depending on flow setting ,its cheap about £45, easy to fit. I fitted mine last year I check the oil level before a journey.

[rowlf]

Apr 17, 2013 8:48:59 GMT simmo said:

,its cheap about £45, easy to fit. I fitted mine last year I check the oil level before a journey.

I would prefer a dual injector version. Better not to leave the job half done. £45 seemed OK so I looked on their website.

The dual injection Auto Tutoro (in the deluxe kit) is £69.99 + tax & p&p. Tha tax amount did not appear in the price so I made a query (and got a very fast response!) They don't charge VAT yet but in two months or so when they register for VAT that will mean a total cost of nearly £90 delivered. Yipes !

I checked on Ebay and can get a dual injector "v" system Scottoiler kit for just over £70. My only concern with the Scottoiler is having to buy their expensive dedicated oil, which seems a bit of a rip off. I don't know if anyone has ever tried it with an alternative?

Mind you, talking of Rip offs, Tutoro sell "dedicated" oil in a 100ml bottle on Ebay for £6.50 delivered. £65 a gallon, jeez! cheaper to replace the chain every few thousand miles and have no messy oil.

To be honest I am leaning towards the elegant simplicity of a cuddly squeezy Loobman but equipping it with a dual nozzle as per the Tutoro or Scottoiler.

Thanks for all the replies folks

[CD]

My post seems to have got lost. Try again...

Using the front sprocket allows a shorter feed tube and because there is time for the oil to spread before the chain load up there is no need for the twin injector. I used chain saw oil in the Scotoiler with no problems.

Actually that's a lie. The oiler on my "professionally" fitted D600 was always playing up (dumping everything in 100 miles or not feeding at all), because the vacuum connection was un-reliable. Once that was done properly there was no problem.

The MZ would chew up a chain in 10,000 miles. With the Scotoiler an already part worn chain did 12,000 without needing a single adjustment. Fitting a new chain to an MZ 250 is such a PIA that it was worth the cost for that alone.