Scotoiler

[NorthWestern]

Hi,


My bike came fitted with a scotoiler (one of the ones that goes behind the number plate - touring?) The bike was a Cat C write off and I got it roadworthy over a weekend, all good.  The rear wheel and pretty much the entire chain side of the under side rear of the bike (including sprocket and rim) were covered in thick tar like cocktail of grease/oil and dirt.  It really was quite impressive sitting at minimum 2mm + all over.


Anyway, the bike came taxed and MOT'd and I insured it just in case of theft really as I was not planning on using it yet, I used it this week to come to work on due to major problems on the M6.  I took the bike out unwashed etc as I had simply dry fit everything to check I had all fasteners and bits and bobs before stripping it back and starting the cleaning/painting.


Parked up at work and I noticed oil on the chain side of the back tyre again -it reaches about an inch in (where the chicken strip would be).  I assumed it was centrifugal force spinning the grime off the wheel so I cleaned all that off, spick and span.  I noticed this morning that oil was still on the tyre and the rim was, again, filthy.


I have no experience with Scotoilers and don't know anyone who has, I am contemplating removing it completely to avoid the problem.  When correctly adjusted do they give off any "fling"?  I am used to simply oiling chains every now and then and they do have a bit of fling but nothing like this oiler.


I have turned the oiler down to its minimum setting after reading the online manual at work.  It seems to have been set to the max setting in the range - not set to prime) (the adjuster is limited min/max by two pipes - is this correct?)


Cheers,
NW

[NorthWestern]

I noticed that the nozzle had its opening touching the face of the sprocket.  Looking at the instructions it is supposed to be facing away from it.  I have turned it so that it is correct now, I wonder if it was knocked round or something. 


If the opening is dragging on the face maybe it is drawing more out than it should.  I will leave it on min setting for the ride home...

[shrekster]

You will experience a little bit of fling but if the Scotoiler is set properly any excess should be minimal. I have one on both my Fazer and R1 and don't have a problem with either. I don't think the nozzle position will have any effect on the flow, probably just set too high.
I also read some where that Scotoil recommend using the heavier red oil in the older oilers, i started using it and get even less fling off.

Jim.

[NorthWestern]

Cheers for the info. I think this one has the green scotoiler oil in it.  The unit looks fairly new (under the crud), certainly looks like the ones on the website...


I guess not having a chain guard on is adding to the fling, didn't really notice that 'till now.

[unfazed]

The devices flow rate is set to high.
If you look at the round glass piece on the right hand there is a yellow number section on the top which can be turned. It is numbered 1 to 9 with 9 giving the highest flow rate. Turn it anti clockwise to about 6 and see how it goes. With the bike ticking over watch the nozzle near the chain it should have about a drip or 2 a minute.

[BMCfaz]

Had a Snotoiler fitted to mine when I bought it, and I had a similar problem. Set the flow rate to as near zero as you can, and you'll find it works fine. Well impressed with it now.

[NorthWestern]

Yeah it must have been set wrong.  I put it on its lowest setting before riding home from work.  Just checked it this morning and the tyre does have some fling on the left side but this might have been from the mornings commute.

I will wash the tyre clean today and have a ride to glasson dock.  Hopefully it will stay clean with the oiler effectively switched off.

That said the chain is pristine clean! (apart from the sides...) so it does do a good job of that at least.

Looking at some of the fairing pieces it looks like the bike had crash damage before the crash that brought it into my hands, lots of little repair evidence on the old (broke) nose cone etc.  The tyres are mismatched, the rear being a MAXXIS touring one (190 on std rim no less) and the front is a second hand race (judging by the to-the-edge wear) Metzler Racetec.  Judging by the state of the fling/dirt the previous owner presumably just rode it "as is", oil on the tyre and all!

I think it has been ivanised based on it being silky smooth at 4500 and no surging at any point (just below 3000 or any other).  Can't be 100% though and it does have a standard (albeit bashed) dustbin silencer.

[unfazed]

I did not see thet you had it turned down in your post, 
What colour is the oil? It should be blue or red.
If its anything else take it out as it does not wash off or wear off the tyre easily and I for one do not fancy having super slippery oil on my back tyre,

[NorthWestern]

The oil is green and is actually easy to wash off, a simple hosing down and wipe off with a rag was enough to sort the tyre

Well it seems fine now, I set it to drip once every 2 mins.  After a days riding the chain is nice and clean and so is the wheel/tyre.  Quite a few bikes at glasson dock today!

[nickm]

Could you please post some photos  so I see see how it was fitted and the way the tubes are run...thanks

[NorthWestern]

Hey Nick,


Yeah I can put some pics up.


Its a pretty std install from the look of it, everything behind the reg plate (its got the magnum HCR addon), the feed tube runs under the seat, down the lower subframe tube towards the swingarm pivot then back along the underside of the swingarm to the sprocket.


I am going to move that to the front sprocket though, the tie wraps etc on the swingarm are a bit unsightly...


As a mild update:


After fiddling with it in short bursts I found a few things causing flow issues.


Firstly the nozzle slash angle was aimed at the sprocket - Scotoiler say it should be away from it.


Secondly, the dirt on the sprocket touching the nozzle tip was pulling oil from the tube causing it to flow out regadless of setting (unless it was set to completely off) which resulted in a seemingly unadjustable oiler - it was either off or "pissing" out. 


I turned the nozzle to the correct position and cleaned up the sprocket, this solved the problems completely.  The only thing left is a chain guard which my bike lacks...  When it gets warmer I will be getting the old carbon fibre back out!!

[seangee]

Keep an eye on it. The flow rate does change with varying temperatures. I normally only adjust mine twice a year for summer and winter - but if you get a lot of muck turn it down. and if your chain is dry turn it up

[NorthWestern]

Yeah it is fine, still getting used in this weather.


It will be about time for its annual wash soon...