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Scottoilers - worth the money? Scottoilers - worth the money?
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Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear? Anything to do with the bikes equipment, saddlebags, etc. Questions on repairs and maintenance of the bike itself belong in the Brand Specific Tech Forums.
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  #1  
Old 17 May 2007
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Scottoilers - worth the money?
Hi,

I was wandering if Scottoilers are worththe money? Do they really get good even coverage on the chain? Or are you better off to take note of your milage and oil periodically? If so, how often do you oil the chain?

Thanks,
Wes
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Old 17 May 2007
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How faithfull are you
I have a scott and it is the best extra I have ever put on a bike. Having said that I am not the most faithfull when it comes to recording mileage or remembering to carry oil and lube my chain.

I find with the tour pack on my oiler I go thousands of Kilometers before refilling is required. It applies ample lube and I am a happy camper.

I am sure that others are going to advise about the evils of oiling a chain in case you pick up sand or grit however for me and my style of riding I couldn't ask for more.

One note is that the bottom of my left hand case is usualy covered in oil so care needs to be taken before tossing it on the wifes clean bed spread to unpack after a trip.

Rick
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Old 19 May 2007
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The dogs mate I have had one on my bikes for the last 2 and the curent one is on 27 000 still the original chain and adjusted it once in that time. left side a bit oily but well worth it.
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Old 20 May 2007
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Yep, me too - doubles the life maybe. On a big trip a Scottoiler will pay for itself pretty quickly.

Simon
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Old 20 May 2007
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It's a you and your bike thing
Lots of 'for and against' points, but as ever it comes down to you and your attitude.

If you want to 'fill and forget,' then I think these devices are excellent.

If you like to check your bike over personally after every days riding, use the best products available for servicing, and more importantly, have the room to carry them all with you, then nothing beats this approach.

As mentioned oil can turn into a grinding paste in some locations, and a dryer ceramic lubrication product will be better here. But it needs applying by hand and will you remember to do it?

I've never been sure though why anyone would pay so much for a simple device that they made complicated. A small plastic drinks bottle, length of tube and an empty bic pen worked just as well on my Yammy XJ550, but then, I never took her across the beach!!!!
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Old 20 May 2007
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For the cheapskates amongst us (that includes me;o) try these LOOBMAN - manual chain lubrication system for all motorcycles with regular, O-Ring and X-Ring chains I have had one fitted to my Triumph for approx 4.5 years, my first chain lasted 30,000 miles, which for a 1200cc rode in all weathers isn't bad, also it is very easy and simple to set up and repair/modify if needed Just give it a squeeze when you feel like it/remember, no such thing as too much oil on a chain.
After a while I modified mine with a small piece of copper brake pipe to drip the oil on the chain, the plastic zip ties did wear out, the copper pipe is more robust

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Old 20 May 2007
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I made my own chainoiler a few years ago (before I'd even heard of Loobman et al) and it has significantly extended the life of the chain on my CCM (600 single). Previously no matter how much spray lube I put on it all seemed to have vanished by the next stop - particularly on wet days

The only problem is that the chain on the CCM is on the opposite side to the stand (ie the chain is on the right, the stand on the left as you sit on it) so that when you park drips from the oiler fall on the tyre. Most other bikes seem to have the chain on the same side as the stand and the drips fall on the ground.

As it's DIY I'll eventually redesign it but even commercial ones would have the same problem.
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Old 14 Jun 2007
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wesleylthirkell View Post
Hi,

I was wandering if Scottoilers are worththe money? Do they really get good even coverage on the chain? Or are you better off to take note of your milage and oil periodically? If so, how often do you oil the chain?

Thanks,
Wes
Chain oilers are one of the most important developments for bikes in decades. I like the Scottoiler and am currently on a 30,000 miles chain and sprockets, as others report too. I use EP 80 gear oil.

I fancy the Loobman for my city bike however as it only does short trips.
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Old 14 Jun 2007
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"I think the oil sold by Scott oil is expensive, so I tend to use gear oil."

It is pricey, although not extraordinarily so.

I believe that chain saw oil makes the best cheap replacement. It is very similar to scott oiler oil, both in weight and its anti-fling capacities. But whatever works for you...

Simon
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Old 14 Jun 2007
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I like the idea but as someone else posted, oiling your chain after a days ride gives you the excuse to check over the bike.

Iv had a scottoiler and I could never get the drip right. Either making a mess or not oiling enough.

They do drasitcally improve your chain life if your lazy on maintenance but not really neccessary.

Riding through dust and sand, an oily chain will ruin the chain.
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Old 18 Sep 2007
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yeah ... full stop
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Old 16 Oct 2007
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You can sometimes pick up used Scotties/Loobmans on the cheap on sites like www. ebay.com. I paid about 15 quid for my Scottoiler, if I remember correctly. I then went on to get the high capacity reservoir on the cheap, but never really needed to install it.
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Old 8 Nov 2007
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Well, this thread has convinced me of the virtues of the Scottoiler! Just bought the Touring kit today, will try to have it fitted this weekend or next week.

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Old 8 Nov 2007
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Good lad you wont regret it, a few points keep the re near the engine where its always WARM (Helps flow when its cold)

Make it so that from the Res it has to run uphill for a few inches, this gives a SMALL airlock when the bikes not moving, that way when you start up in the mornings it doesn't drip out right away mine starts to work at about 1/4 of a mile, by then the tires are warmed up and running and I can open her up.

Don't know if yo uever intend to off road, but when you install the long line, do it in smaller sections, that way if you have an off and puncture the line you only have to replace a small part of it.

Also when you connect it to the Manifold you can put the tube on your tounge with the bike running and it will GENTLY suck the tip, its a very quick way of checking its working (helpful for fault finding).

Just my observations from using it for the last 12,000 miles.
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Old 14 Jun 2007
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What's the viscosity of Scott oil?
I'm using the heavy oil at the moment (for hot places) and it's too thick (cos I'm currently in a cold place). I don't want to go through the hassle and expense of buying the real thing so I thought I'd go the chain oil option. Any idea of the right chainsaw oil I should use? or will it all do?

cheers
Brett
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