doing about 100 miles a week on bike just wondering how often it should be cleaned and what with? and what lube any one uses??
ta hushy

Undoubtedly the best investment in chain care is an oiler, ScottOiler is probrbly the best known, and certainly something I've used for a very long time.

On the Tenere, with a scottoiler fitted from pretty much new, I'm on 14,000 miles and still on the original chain and sprocket set. The wheel has been adjusted back just one notch.

Lots of people mention that you get oil everywhere, and I certainly have small 'drips' from the front pinnion area when the bike stops, I think of it more akin to a dog marking it's territory

However, a small investment of time to get the flow right and you will have no problems, but you have to keep an eye on the flow rate and adjust it as the ambient temperature changes. After a whil you get used to where the gauge should be for what timeof year / temp it is.

Anyone who's seen my bike will confirm that the chain is is 1st class condition and the wheels etc are most definatly clear of oil.

If you preffer to clean and lube the chain, then it will be needing lubed every 100 - 200 miles, on the XJR (no scottoiler) I lube it after every ride (I use wax so the best time is when the chain is still warm).

As for cleaning, on the TTR I use straight forward Paraffin, a tub and an old paintbrush. Kinda like 'painting' the chain, I don't go too far into the chain and just remove the crud from the surface - then clean it off with Mukoff and cold water. I run the chain (on the lift/stand) for about 5 minutes to clear the water away then over lube it with a normal oil based chain lube (Hien Gericke is the current flavour), ready for the next ride.

Whatever you do, remember to lube the chain after the ride, the oil/wax flows into the chain better and it'll stop any corrosion from starting if there is some residual salt (yes, even now it's still there).

There are spray cleaners available for yuor chain, but at �5 or more per tin, and it only lasts two or three cleans, Paraffin is a much cheaper option (at about �5 a gallon), even if you buy the horticultural stuff from Homebase.

WD40 will dispel water, and alos the grease from inside the chain - try to avoid using it (also does the same to the grease in the bearings!)

So, it really depends on how mucky the chain is, how quickly it looses it's lube and what sort of riding you are doing, at 5K miles at year a ScottOiler is probably a reasonable investment (you get 500 - 1000 miles per fill depending on the conditions)

Hope this is of some help to you, but remember it's only my opinion, others opinion may differ.

Darren

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Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.

Only ever owned 2 big chain drive bigs, (ZZR250 and the XTR) other bike was a shaftie (deauville 650)

And as soon as got the XT it had to have a Scottoiler. Its a great peace of kit and ive now fitted 3 so far (mine, and both my dads) they are easy to fit and use.

Some people complain above over spraying but the simpliest thing to say is because they dont fiddle enough. They normally leave it on one setting and think the oiler should change its rate to there riding styles, temperature, elevation etc

I prefer to have my chain oily than dry so dont mind the oilly rear rim but it never goes on the tyre so im ok in that sense but does dirty up the front sprocket area, but i can live with that.

Ive only the standard one and the manual says 500-1000miles but i just came back from a 2300mile trip around england and still had about 100miles left before mine ran out from completey filled.

Its up to you though, there are plenty of other oilers on the market but most are either really cheap and dont really work or the same price as the scott oiler but are harder to fit or need fitted by a mechanic (electrical type ones)

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Plough on

Scottoiler for me too its just so easy just check the oil level once a month and clean the back wheel every time I wash the bike.

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ok thanks for replys and advice will get on the case and check out the scott oilers.. take it there fairly easy to fit but take little time to adjust to right setting
ta hushy

On the XT they are easy, you only need to connect to one tube, and all you do is cut it and then place a T connector in and bobs your uncle.

Placing the oiler unit and tubing takes the longest but about 1hr or 1hr 30mins should do it depending on where you put it.

You dont even need to take the tank off which is a god send as i had to take the tank off my dads Triumph tiger 1050 which is a real *****.

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Plough on