Scottoiler question

[Dogmatick]

Noticed that my chain was looking rather rusty yesterday and figured the Scottoiler musn't be doing its job. So two questions really

Do Scottoilers get gunked up and what should I do

Also should I look to clear up the chain in someway and will the revitalised oiler be enough or should I go buy some Lube ?

As always thanks for the sage advice/abuse

[Lutin]

The nozzle on the Scottoiler can get gunked up, especially if you have been riding in "dirty" weather.

Pull the applicator tube out of the feed tube, clean it up and put it back. I'm assuming that you only have the single feed?

A quick clean up of the chain with paraffin and an old toothbrush would probably not go amiss. Tip - cover the wheel and floor with old newspaper before you start as the crud will get everywhere. Leave the chain to dry and then just dribble some oil (either Scottoiler's own or EP90 or similar) onto the chain whilst turning the rear wheel by hand - assuming you have a centre stand.

Maybe you should have turned the Scottoiler up a bit more to get a higher flow as the cold affects the viscosity (thickness) of the oil. Oh, and turn it down again in the warmer weather to come (Optimists R Us).

[Warthog]

I would say rust on the link end plates is nothing to worry about. Rust on the links themselves is less desirable.

Firstly, I would check the delivery nozzle. Wiggle a needle or piece of wire in the end to remove any gack. If the nozzle feeds onto the rear sprocket, the slanted face of the nozzle should be pointing away from the sprocket surface. Then check your feed line for any air-locks ot bubbles.

Then make sure you have winter viscosity oil in the reservior, and finally check your flow rate. Also check you vaccuum cap is not loose at the engine's injector port.

I would say that, as long as the link surfaces are clean and lubed you would be OK. After all, the end plates do not move. You can also call Scotoiler: they've been very helpful and ull of tips when I have contacted them!

[Dogmatick]

Thanks all, now to convince the missus that this is more important than a trip to John Lewis...

Some hope

[hotbulb]

The sideplates of the chain on teh side away from the Scottoiler nozzle seem rusty on mine too. I suspect the cold weather viscosity point mentioned is the answer. I put up the delivery rate a bit yesterday - we'll see if that does the trick. Although, as said earlier, the chain itself seems to be well lubricated still.

[tramp]

easiest way to check if oiler blocked is :

start bike and turn upto full flow and watch for drip flowing , if okay turn down . But theses do need turning up in winter and down in summer, and a quick spray with the oil can on side links and rollers does no harm in winter.

Nowt`s perfect apart from the WIFE

[StumpyFingers]

I use the chain lube method in the winter and only rely on the scottoiler in the warmer months.

[SKID]

Funny 'cause I was going to ask the same question as my side link plates have also got a bit rusty on the outside too since the very cold weather started.

I'd just turned my Scottoiler up last week and it hasn't made much of a difference yet.

I had been given a tip that when a bike chain needs extra oil or the bike itself is laid up to use WD40 as and additional aid to prevent corrosion and it also cleans the chain at the same time so I've started doing it.

[twistgrip]

MMmmmmm, not so sure about the WD40. I have found that an extra drizzle with scott oil straight from the bottle is the best solution. I'm sure you can also get different scott oils to suit various temperatures. I also use scott oil on bikes without an oiler, a drizzle before you go out is good for a days riding. There is no doubting the scott oil system it prolonged chain life on my XJR1300 no end and will do the same on the Vigor.

[iainnic]

I always "manually" lube the chain over the winter with scot oil as the scotty doesn't flow well as soon as the temp drops. I always give it a good clean every month and re oil - you'll be amazed at the crud that sticks in teh chain curteousy of the council gritters