FAQ- Frequently Asked Questions

Universal Installation

FAQ Question: Will the Motobriiz chain oiler work on my bike?

Answer: The Motobriiz chain oiler is self-contained and does not connect or interact with any systems on your bike except for your chain. You really just need to meet 3 requirements; 1) a suitable location to place the reservoir 2) a swing arm chain protector/ slider with an open area to mount the applicator 3) a suitable location near the front of your bike to locate the inlet tube. If you are unsure, it is recommended that you watch the installation videos on the Installation page on this website. Feel free to Email Us at info@motobriiz.com and we will do our best to assist you.

Reservoir Placement

FAQ Question: Can the oil reservoir be put in any location besides under the seat?

Answer: The reservoir can be located other places provided that 1) the discharge line maintains a downward slope to the chain applicator; 2) the general orientation guidelines provided in the installation instructions are followed;  3) and the reservoir is securely fastened to the motorcycle.

Mileage between refills

FAQ Question: How many miles can be expected before refilling the reservoir?

Answer: In our testing, the average mileage has been approximately 1,250 miles (2,000 km) when the reservoir was filled as directed using 30W Bar and Chain Oil (Specific Gravity-0.85). The type of oil can cause the mileage to vary. If you want slower flow you should choose an oil with a higher specific gravity. Some slight variations may also be expected based on installation variances and atmospheric conditions in your area.

Applicator Mileage

FAQ Question: How many miles can be expected before replacing the chain applicator?

Answer: In testing, we replaced the applicator at around 5,000 miles (8,000 km). This can be somewhat of a judgment call, but the best criterion is when the applicator is no longer transferring oil to your chain. This may be indicated by oil saturation of the felt which indicates that the oil is no longer being transferred to the chain. Convenience may also be a factor. If you are replacing your chain or doing a tire change, it may also be a good time to replace it since your chain will be loosened. Some variations may be expected due to factors such as chain tension and riding style.

Applicator Size

FAQ Question: What is the best size (thickness) chain applicator for my bike?

Answer: A quick measurement and the use of our chain applicator size guide will help you determine the best size. If you are unsure, please e-mail us at info@motobriiz.com and we can help you with determining the best fit for your application.

Cleaning

FAQ Question: Will I still need to clean my chain?

Answer: In a word, Yes. Even though the Motobriiz chain oiler will automatically lubricate your chain, your chain can still pick up some dirt. You should have to clean it much less often because the oil will take much of the dirt when it leaves your chain. During our testing we found that around 1,000 miles (1,600 km) the chain could use a quick wipe down.

Type of Oil

FAQ Question: Do I need to use special chain oil with the Motobriiz chain oiler?

Answer: Any oil that is recommended for chains will work fine. The dry chain lubricants are not recommended because they can dry the inside of components and obstruct flow restrictors. Thick oil (high viscosity), such as 90W Gear oil will flow more slowly than the thinner (less viscous) oil, like 0W engine oil or Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) . A good starting point is the thinner oil and you can experiment to see what works best for you and your environmental conditions. Do not use oils from spray cans. These oils contain carriers/propellants that will boil off and cause the reservoir to pressurize even while the bike is parked causing oil to flow when you don't want it to. For a wider range of oils, we offer an adjustable flow reservoir.

Water Trap

FAQ Question: Do I really need the water trap?

Answer: The reason that we offer the water trap as an option is that 90% of the motorcyclists who use a Motobriiz chain oiler will never get a drop of water in their reservoir due to rain and it takes up space. The wind generated when you ride maintains a positive pressure in the reservoir. Other than the initial in-surge of air, air only flows into the reservoir as oil is displaced which is at a very slow rate. If you are a commuter, a long distance motorcyclist, or just want the extra piece of mind, the water trap may be for you.

What about bugs?

FAQ Question: Is there any danger of insects clogging the inlet tube?

Answer: As explained in the above question, the air does not constantly flow into the reservoir. Therefore, insects will not be sucked into the inlet but will more likely be repelled by the pulsating air. Just like any other part of your bike an insect could splat at the inlet, but is very unlikely for a bug to cause a clog inside the tube.

Windy Days

FAQ Question: Will oil flow to my chain on a windy day when my bike is parked?

Answer: Possible, but very unlikely. When you are riding your motorcycle, the intake tube is always pointed directly into the wind. If your bike was parked with the intake tube pointed directly into the wind for a long period of time the reservoir could become pressurized for a short time. Even if this condition were met, the wind speed would have to be 40-50 MPH to pressurize the reservoir enough to begin flowing oil to the chain applicator. The rate of flow is so controlled that any oil that flowed would just be absorbed by the applicator. This should not be a worry... just don’t park your bike in a hurricane.

Siphoning Effect

FAQ Question: Will oil flow continue to flow from a "siphoning effect" after my motorcycle is stopped?

Answer:  The difference between the Motobriiz chain oiler and many others is that the discharge tube does not fill with oil during normal operation. Oil trickles out from the outlet of the reservoir, and flows down the walls of the discharge tube. There is a "vacuum break" hole located near the top of the discharge tube that will prevent a "siphon effect" should a small column of oil form at some point in the discharge tube. The only oil that should flow after your motorcycle has stopped is the residual oil that is in the discharge tube, which is just a very small amount. This amount of oil will easily be absorbed by the felt chain applicator and applied to your chain on your next ride.

Inlet Tube Size

FAQ Question: The inlet tube looks very small is this really enough to power the oiler?

Answer:  The Motobriiz oiler works off of air pressure which is dependent on the density and velocity of the air at the front of your motorcycle. Even with a very small inlet, the oiler begins pressurizing immediately when the bike starts moving forward and the pressure increases as the bike's speed increases. Once at a steady speed, additional air only will flow into the reservoir inlet as oil leaves through the outlet, which averages about 1 drop of oil every 2 miles.  Increasing the size of the inlet tube would only  increase the reservoir pressure if the air could not be replenished as fast as the oil departed. Luckily the chain only needs a small amount of oil and there is an endless supply of wind.

Cold Weather

FAQ Question: Will the oil flow slow down in colder temperatures?

Answer:  Cooler weather will actually have two effects which somewhat balance each other out. While oil tends to flow slower in cooler weather, there is an offsetting effect. The density of air will also be increased in colder weather, which is why you may notice an increase in engine power when the temperatures drop. This increased air density will cause the wind pressure at the oiler inlet to increase, which will make the oil flow faster to offset the thicker oil. We offer an adjustable flow reservoir that will allow you to easily adjust the oil flow to compensate for temperature changes.

Have other questions? Feel free to e-mail us at info@motobriiz.com and we will add to our FAQ.