Author Topic: Keeping the chain oiled  (Read 3887 times)

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Offline Johnshiro

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Keeping the chain oiled
« on: March 18, 2018, 14:50:38 »
Hello blokes,
I'd like to open a discussion on ways of keeping the chain oiled on my 650. Unfortunately, I do not have a centre stand and previously I've got a friend to oil the chain as I learn the bike using the side stand.
I'd really like to know what you blokes do and would appriciate any comments, best regards, John

Offline chris1200

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Re: Keeping the chain oiled
« Reply #1 on: March 18, 2018, 14:59:44 »
Some of us with too much time on our hands, deep pockets, and short arms make our own. Lubeman is OK and cheap. Hell you may of opened a can of worms here ma mate. Everyone has an opinion on oiling/ not oiling chains.

Offline Rusty Nuts

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Re: Keeping the chain oiled
« Reply #2 on: March 18, 2018, 15:54:34 »
https://www.rydestore.com/ryde-motorcycle-tyre-spinner-black.html


This will make your friend redundant.
Cheaper than many chain oilers, useful for wheel cleaning too. I have a centre stand and chain oiler, always with me ( if I'm out on the bike)
There are many opinions as Chris says on oiling and cleaning of chains.  :eusa-doh:

Offline doboy

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Re: Keeping the chain oiled
« Reply #3 on: March 18, 2018, 16:26:18 »
 why not get a paddock stand & some bobbins for the swing arm ?

Offline Dark-Strom

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Re: Keeping the chain oiled
« Reply #4 on: March 18, 2018, 16:29:09 »
Exactly what I did.
With bike on rear stand, I clean off crud with duck oil and a rag, then rotate wheel slowly and reload with silkolene chain lube/ grease. :shrug:
May your God go with you...
(Dave Allen)

Offline Rich:-)

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Re: Keeping the chain oiled
« Reply #5 on: March 18, 2018, 17:34:37 »
I make up a manual chain oiler and fit to all of my bikes even though I still clean & lube the chain as if I didn't have one.
I make them using a simple and cheap fuel priming bulb.

Here it is on my Wee



and one on my SD



and my Hornet (now sold)


Offline Brockett

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Re: Keeping the chain oiled
« Reply #6 on: March 18, 2018, 17:46:33 »
I use a PD Mini for oiling the chain. It's fairly cheap and simple to set up and adjust. I once googled lubeman and was puzzled by results.
This doesn't last forever, so do it while you can.

Offline Ianmc

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Re: Keeping the chain oiled
« Reply #7 on: March 18, 2018, 17:58:50 »
Lubeman for me,works perfectly,is mega simple to fit and in operation,plus the bonus is that it is so cheap to buy and uses the cheapest engine oil you can find.
Ian Mc.

Offline chris1200

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Re: Keeping the chain oiled
« Reply #8 on: March 18, 2018, 18:09:30 »
Virtually exactly the same as my oiler Rich. I use a brake fluid reservoir with a tiny hole in the top as well.  I also nick all the little shampoo bottles from the hotels I stay in and fill them up with old oil. Stash them under the seat for use while on tour. Those primer bulbs are great for a multitude of tasks!

Offline King Orry

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Re: Keeping the chain oiled
« Reply #9 on: March 18, 2018, 18:16:37 »
Like you, I’ve no centre-stand, at home I sometimes use a paddock stand, otherwise, and when away for any time, I use my ‘bespoke’ home-made chain oiling system and stand..
In other words, I carry a small bottle of engine oil, an old toothbrush, and a piece of wood.
I lean the bike over a little onto the side stand, just enough so the rear wheel can spin, chock the swing arm near the axle on the opposite side with a suitably cut batten of wood (this is admittedly easier with an assistant but is not difficult alone), then dip the toothbrush in the bottle and oil the chain as required.
Works a treat, and importantly, costs bugger all.  :thumb:
Though I think at some point, I’ll knock up a bulb-oiler as described by Rich.

Offline Rich:-)

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Re: Keeping the chain oiled
« Reply #10 on: March 18, 2018, 18:17:22 »
Great minds think alike Chris. :thumb:

I also do the hotel room shampoo bottles for extra oil when travelling. You can fit so much under the seat on a wee. Spare oil, tyre plugs and a compressor under mine.

Offline Rich:-)

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Re: Keeping the chain oiled
« Reply #11 on: March 18, 2018, 18:20:53 »
Though I think at some point, I’ll knock up a bulb-oiler as described by Rich.

This is a schematic of the system, to help build it.


Offline ziggy

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Re: Keeping the chain oiled
« Reply #12 on: March 18, 2018, 18:33:32 »
OK I have centre stand but always brush on Hypoid 90 gear oil. Now on 27,000 miles and still not had to adjust the chain.
Do it today as there may not be a tomorrow.

Live in Rothley, Leicestershire.

Offline King Orry

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Re: Keeping the chain oiled
« Reply #13 on: March 18, 2018, 18:47:50 »
Cheers Rich, that’s excellent.
My brain was conjuring a setup using an old brake reservoir with screw-on lid.
 Thought I’d try to have the feed come out the usual exit for brake fluid, and mount the bulb on the lid itself (hoping the fit would be loose enough to let sufficient air in, without the contents leaking out the same way while riding).
If not then I’d probably seal the bulb into the lid & add a breather vent pipe.


Offline King Orry

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Re: Keeping the chain oiled
« Reply #14 on: March 18, 2018, 18:49:59 »
Sorry, my ‘schematics’ lack the finesse of Rich’s.. ????

Offline Rich:-)

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Re: Keeping the chain oiled
« Reply #15 on: March 18, 2018, 18:54:17 »
Nice artwork though. :)

Offline chris1200

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Re: Keeping the chain oiled
« Reply #16 on: March 18, 2018, 19:18:38 »
King Orry, you don't need a vent pipe ma mate. I just made a tiny ...tiny hole in the top of the lid. Nothing has ever leaked out in all the time I have used it. (Ahh but looking at your drawing again you want the bulb on the top. Just ignore me). It's placed under the seat and is held in place with my "stop and go" puncture repair kit and compressor....and bags and bags of other stuff. You are right though Rich, you can fit a huge amount under the seat. I have actually lost stuff under there. It's like a bloody Tardis!!

Offline Johnshiro

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Re: Keeping the chain oiled
« Reply #17 on: March 19, 2018, 18:14:47 »
Thanks for the very helpful comments and advice.
Cheers,
John

Offline tdo

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Re: Keeping the chain oiled
« Reply #18 on: March 19, 2018, 19:19:39 »
I'm just happy with the Scottoiler V-System that I now have on my 2nd bike, DL650 previously and now the DL1000.

Offline SuzukiSte

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Re: Keeping the chain oiled
« Reply #19 on: March 19, 2018, 19:26:50 »
Rear paddock stand & some bobbins for the swing arm can also clean it very easy. :thumb: