Having done 2000 miles since getting my Mutley last month I thought it was high time that I tried cleaning the chain, lubing it and then cleaning the bike. My first go at all of these tasks because it's my first bike. I'm amazed by how effective all the products are and how shiny it is now. The Bike Spray in particular in unbelievable - what a great finish. I didn't have any brushes (apart from a small one for the chain), so i need to get some but i think it came out pretty well with a few micro fibre cloths and an hour or two of work.
Keep that chain lubed! 2000 miles is far too long. Some spray after every ride. I tend to do it every 4 to 500 miles
Was wondering how often lube was required. Those oiler machines worth having to keep the chain permanently lubed?
If your doing 2k in a month then yes a chain oiler might be worth the investment. I lube my chain lightly every 500 miles or so with chain wax. I definitely don't do it after every ride, because this over oils the chain and just creates more 'fling' of oil. If it looks dry, I oil it. In crap weather it needs doing more often. Oiling the chain only helps with sprocket and roller wear anyway on an o or x ring chain. The seals keep the lube in the pin area, and muck out. So this is not such a big deal as it was on non sealed chains.
I'm guessing my mileage will reduce as we go into winter but I'm doing a round the UK trip first week of October, so that will be 1500 miles or so I imagine. If it's good enough to pack a little thing of chain lube and give it a spray every 500 miles or so then avoiding the oiler gives me one less piece of machinery on the bike to buy/maintain/worry about.
On this forum you will get "oiler" advocates and people who are anti. For the record, I hate the bloody things and prefer to use a chain spray developed for the Dakar rally bikes sprayed onto a chain still warm after a ride on a an interval similar to MrAliT or more often if the ride has been wet. Andy
Careful thats how he gets you. First with his promises of a free chain lube, next he will promising a cup of tea and a chat. Before you know it you will be chained to a wall in his basement dressed as the easter bunny.
Putoline off road synthetic but I'm currently evaluating the Wurth chain lube because my local Honda off road bike shop has stopped stocking it. Andy
I'll be staying somewhere in/near the Loch Lomond National Park on Sat 4th. Probs a bit of a waste of money booking a B&B if I'm going to spend the rest of my life chained up in your dungeon but at least it's a money saver.
I would advocate using Profi-dry lube. You have to remove all the grease first (lightly damped petrol rag) before first application. I have run 2 chains to 19-20k miles using it, which isn't really better than other options, but it tends not to fling off as much as some, so the back end stays a bit cleaner?
I always had Scottoilers but didnt bother with the Mutley as I always struggled to get the flow rate right. I use the SDoc100 white chain spray because you can see where it goes and it's available in a smaller 75ml can that is refillable from the larger one. The smaller can just fits nicely under the seat and is great for use when touring.
