24 replies to this topic

[Egg on Leggs]

My bike is on it's original chain and sprockets at 45000 miles, never cleaned it, adjusted 4 times. I use a Scottoiler.

Did your Bike come with OEM Metzler Z4's how long did they last?

Yes, they were *absolutely dreadful, lasted about 4000 miles. I repaced them with Pirelli Corsas which transformed the bike from a barely attached to the road wobbler to the bike it is supposed to be.


*The only thing I have experienced like them were 1st generation cheap Chinese tyres.

[V4 Rosso]

The only reason I think an oiler would extend chain life by itself( compared to what ever your norm is on life), is through vibration and chain action the oil somehow migrates past the o rings.

No. Once the oil can get past the O-rings the chain is toast. The automatic oiler keeps the O-rings clean and lubricated so they last longer.
My oiler is set to put a tiny drop of oil every 6.5mls, at 112 links that makes one drop of oil per link every 700mls. But that's on average, some links may get three drops others nothing. Now how often did you have to lubricate non O-ring chains, every 200mls?

[spud786]

The only reason I think an oiler would extend chain life by itself( compared to what ever your norm is on life), is through vibration and chain action the oil somehow migrates past the o rings.

No. Once the oil can get past the O-rings the chain is toast. The automatic oiler keeps the O-rings clean and lubricated so they last longer.
My oiler is set to put a tiny drop of oil every 6.5mls, at 112 links that makes one drop of oil per link every 700mls. But that's on average, some links may get three drops others nothing. Now how often did you have to lubricate non O-ring chains, every 200mls?

I agree, but once you get enough wear for oil to get past the rings, the oiler would provide benefit as a constant cleaning oil flow, where with out it, you'd get accelerated bushing wear blow red dust ect, just a theory. If you rain ride a Non prestine oring, the rain will get into the chain and wear it out even faster, this is why I think the oilers may benefit, cause if water is gettign in, then that thin oil should be able too. IMO

I guess someone like me should run an oiler, thats known to be very hard on chains

But really, whether someone gets 10,000 mile or 30,000 mile , what is more important, is someone, who has had a certain average and is able to double Life, via what factors? Thats where the real Game in improvement is going to come from


BUt to answer your question, once you yannk an oring, you have to spot lube every couple hundred miles, maybe you dont have to, but if you dont you'll see internal rust blowing out in short order.

It was a trick I used , with chains failing at 7 or 8,000 mile to atleast break 10,000 mile out of them. Id have replaced that DID at 17,000 mile , but Ive squeaked an extra 5,000 mile out of it, which lowers my cose per mile, but yeah there is hassle involved for that gain.

Couple years a go I did a cost analisys, and the VFR was costing .33 cent per mile, just to maintain

Edited by spud786, 19 May 2012 - 01:13 PM.

[choco]

I'm running a DID VMX 530 with 110 links and it has lasted very well. It has substantially outperformed the original chain and the RK chain (don't know which one now) that I replaced the original with. This chain has hardly needed adjustment and I'm on the gas hard a lot. I'm going to replace it and my third set of sprockets this summer. I'm very happy with this chain. I lube it at the end of every long day's riding while the chain is still hot and once a week for my short jaunts around the Puget Sound.

[vanion2]

I am running a DID VM x ring as well and haven't had to adjust it once after installing it and that was a couple of years ago and several mutliday rides through Colorado. I lube it several times a year and have been very impressed with its performance to date.