Chain oiler - VFR 800

This may be a bone question.

My VFR 800 (2001) has a chain oiler fitted (as standard apparently). I am just curious on what the more knowledgeable members feel about their utility. I have previously had motor-x bikes and the like that don't have them, and you simply clean and oil your chain on a weekly basis as required.

The berk who had the bike before me must have had it on the highest setting possible as there is grease, oil and shit about and inch deep in some places. I have done a whole bottle of degreaser today just to get the swing-arm back to silver and there is still more to go.

So, is it worth having if used correctly or do others share my concern that they are in fact a messy 'non-essential' and therefore best removed?

Tadpole

 

That's funny Tad. Maybe buy a share or two in WD-40 stock then go out and buy enough product to finish the cleaning. Right afterward remove that shit spouting auto-greaser and just do it the old fashioned way. I'm partial to PJ1 chain lube. If you give your chain a quick spray while the chain is still warm and then just wipe off any excess you shouldn't experience any flingng off during your next ride. Nice and clean.
I"m not a 5th gen expert but I don't think that the auto-luber was standard.

 

+1 to Havcar. My 5th Gen definitely doesn't have one, so unless it was standard equipment on European models... (hmm, a European model with a built in chain oiler?)

 

I had a Scottoiler on a 2000 and it worked very well. I had it turned way down so had very little clean up, but the chain was always wet. If yours is an automatic oiler, it can be adjusted, if not, then the guy before you had an itchy finger.

 

Maybe it WAS a European thing. I will have to try and suss out the brand that is fitted to mine. Definitely hear the point about having it turned right down. I will have to get the back end clean I'll be able to tell if it is too messy for my liking. Still not really sure whether bikes really need one though.

 

Auto-oilers are great...if they're adjusted right. 80-90 gear lube does a fine job of lubing the chain without huge amounts of fling off. It is easy to clean the wheel of what little fling there is and you never get build-up on the chain or surrounding environs.

 

Have just checked and mine is a Scottoiler.

 

That's a good unit and worth keeping. Just make sure it's adjusted properly and that the reservoir has adequate lube. Also check that the dispenser is properly placed to deliver lube onto the chain as it climbs up the rear sprocket. There should be more info on the 'net.