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    • Chain Oiler vs. Chain Spray – Part 2: Chain Wear & Costs

    Chain maintenance is part of everyday motorcycling – but how big are the real differences in wear, costs and maintenance effort?

    This real-world comparison evaluates classic chain spray versus an automatic chain oiler. The analysis is based on measured data over more than 15,000 km, documented maintenance work and actual lubricant consumption.

    The focus is on verifiable facts: chain elongation, adjustment intervals and costs per 1,000 km.

    For the test setup and objectives, see Part 1: Chain Oiler vs. Chain Spray – Part 1: Test Setup & Objective .

    The Red – Chain lubrication with S100 chain spray

    Chain wear

    KM Date Chain length over 21 pins [mm] Chain elongation [%] Ø rollers [mm] Chain re-tensioned [mm] Visual assessment
    0 25.06.20 318,00 0,00 10,21 - new (factory greased)
    1.422 20.07.20 318,20 10,19 0,63 cleaned with 1/2 can of chain cleaner
    5.481 05.08.20 0,06 0,84
    8.458 18.08.20 318,20 10,15 rubber damper worn
    8.473 12.09.20 -0,42 sprocket replacement, chain loosened
    10.614 21.09.20 318,20 10,12 0,84
    12.698 14.05.21 0,63 chain has surface rust
    13.026 26.08.21 318,20 10,10
    14.005 02.09.21 0,63
    15.836 30.10.21 318,70 10,03 surface rust, rattling, uneven elongation 0,3mm

    Summary

    • Chain lubricated 51 times
    • lubricated on average about every 300 km
    • 1 can of chain spray (400 ml) per 4000 km
    • Cost of chain spray per 1000 km: 4,50 Euro

    Front sprocket

    • Dmin = 60,01 mm
    • Dmax = 77,87 mm
    • Tooth thickness at pitch circle = 4,05 mm
    • Tooth root width = 4,76 mm

    Chain

    • Chain pin_D = 5,26 mm
    • Grease fill = hardened residues
    • Chain roller_D = 10,03 mm
    • Guide_roller_D = 7,23 mm
    • Sag over 20 links, sideways under own weight = 54,1 mm
    • Chain elongation = 0,22 %

    Rear sprocket

    • Dmin = 252,20 mm
    • Dmax = 269,45 mm

    Work & cost effort

    Show details
    KM Date Action Work time [min] Cost [Euro]
    0 26.06.20 2 cans of S100 2.0 chain spray bought (400 ml each) - 35,98
    549 17.07.20 Chain lubricated 4
    810 18.07.20 Chain lubricated 4
    943 18.07.20 Chain lubricated 4
    1.030 19.07.20 Chain lubricated 4
    1.265 19.07.20 Chain lubricated 4
    1.422 20.07.20 Chain cleaned with 1/2 can of chain cleaner 15 2,95
    1.422 20.07.20 Chain lubricated (total so far: 97 g chain spray used) 4
    1.445 20.07.20 Chain tensioned 15
    1.599 01.08.20 Chain lubricated 4
    2.508 02.08.20 Chain lubricated 4
    3.291 03.08.20 Chain lubricated 4
    3.947 03.08.20 Chain lubricated 4
    4.285 04.08.20 Chain lubricated 4
    4.705 04.08.20 Chain lubricated 4
    5.232 05.08.20 Chain lubricated 4
    5.481 05.08.20 Chain tensioned 15
    5.481 05.08.20 Chain lubricated 4
    5.835 06.08.20 Chain lubricated 4
    6.587 07.08.20 Chain lubricated 4
    7.357 08.08.20 Chain lubricated 4
    8.185 08.08.20 Chain lubricated (total so far: 287 g chain spray used) 4
    8.458 18.08.20 Chain cleaned with 1/2 can of chain cleaner 15 2,95
    8.473 12.09.20 Chain loosened after sprocket replacement 15
    8.473 12.09.20 Chain lubricated 4
    8.729 16.09.20 Chain lubricated 4
    9.359 16.09.20 Chain lubricated 4
    9.493 17.09.20 Chain lubricated 4
    9.627 17.09.20 Chain lubricated 4
    9.671 17.09.20 Chain lubricated 4
    9.796 18.09.20 Chain lubricated 4
    9.900 18.09.20 Chain lubricated 4
    10.083 19.09.20 Chain lubricated 4
    10.614 21.09.20 Chain lubricated 4
    10.614 21.09.20 Chain tensioned 15
    10.742 17.10.20 Chain lubricated 4
    11.026 18.10.20 Chain lubricated 4
    11.325 30.10.20 Chain lubricated 4
    11.499 01.12.20 Chain lubricated 4
    11.499 01.12.20 2 cans of S100 2.0 chain spray bought (400 ml each) - 35,98
    11.505 25.01.21 Chain lubricated 4
    11.729 20.04.21 Chain lubricated 4
    11.891 25.04.21 Chain lubricated 4
    11.891 26.04.21 Chain lubricated 4
    12.592 27.04.21 Chain lubricated 4
    12.711 14.05.21 Chain lubricated 4
    12.934 18.05.21 Chain lubricated 4
    13.279 30.08.21 Chain lubricated 4
    13.694 31.08.21 Chain lubricated 4
    13.809 31.08.21 Chain lubricated 4
    13.849 01.09.21 Chain lubricated 4
    14.005 02.09.21 Chain lubricated + tensioned 15
    14.397 03.09.21 Chain lubricated 4
    14.541 03.09.21 Chain lubricated 4
    14.569 03.09.21 Chain lubricated 4
    14.610 04.09.21 Chain lubricated 4
    14.956 05.09.21 Chain lubricated 4
    15.228 05.09.21 Chain lubricated 4
    15.753 30.10.2021 Chain lubricated 4
    Total: 305 77,86

    The Green – Chain lubrication with MOFESSOR chain oiler

    Chain wear

    KM Date Chain length over 21 pins [mm] Chain elongation [%] Ø rollers [mm] Chain re-tensioned [mm] Visual assessment
    0 25.06.20 318 0 10,21 - new (degreased with 1/2 can of Nigrin chain cleaner)
    1.445 20.07.20 318,05 0,02 10,19 0,1 wiped clean with an oil-damp cloth
    5.501 05.08.20 1
    8.671 18.08.20 318,05 10,05 front sprocket loose, causing play/movement at the sprocket, rubber damper heavily worn
    8.758 12.09.20 -0,63 sprocket replacement, chain loosened
    10.650 21.09.20 318,05 10,03 0,42
    12.786 14.05.21 0,63
    13.394 26.08.21 318,05 10
    14.005 02.09.21 0,63
    15.836 30.10.2021 318,5 9,92 uneven elongation 0,3mm

    Summary

    • Chain oil topped up 6 times
    • 204 ml topped up
    • average 12,5 ml chain oil per 1000 km
    • Cost of chain oil per 1000 km: 0,39 Euro

    Front sprocket

    • Dmin = 60.01 mm
    • Dmax = 77.87 mm
    • Tooth thickness (pitch circle) = 3.54 mm
    • Tooth root width = 4.73 mm

    Chain

    • Chain pin_D = 5.28 mm
    • Grease fill = pasty residues
    • Chain roller_D = 9.92 mm
    • Guide_roller_D = 7.29 mm
    • Sag over 20 links, sideways under own weight = 45.1 mm
    • Chain elongation = 0,15 %

    Rear sprocket

    • Dmin = 252,50 mm
    • Dmax = 269,40 mm

    Work & cost effort

    Show details
    KM Date Action Work time [min] Cost [Euro]
    0 26.06.20 Chain cleaned with 1/2 can of chain cleaner 15 2,95
    0 26.06.20 MOFESSOR chain oiler installed 120 139,9
    1.445 20.07.20 26 ml chain oil topped up 4 0,82
    1.445 20.07.20 Chain cleaned with an oil-damp cloth 5
    1.445 20.07.20 Chain tensioned 15
    5.501 05.08.20 Chain tensioned 15
    5.501 05.08.20 45 ml chain oil topped up 4 1,42
    8.671 18.08.20 Chain cleaned with an oil-damp cloth 5
    8.758 12.09.20 28 ml chain oil topped up 4 0,88
    8.758 12.09.20 Chain loosened after sprocket replacement 15
    10.650 21.09.20 Chain tensioned 15
    10.650 21.09.20 30 ml chain oil topped up 4 0,94
    11.913 20.04.21 30 ml chain oil topped up 4 0,94
    12.901 14.05.21 20 ml chain oil topped up 4 0,62
    14.005 02.09.21 Chain tensioned 15
    15.836 30.10.21 25 ml chain oil topped up 4 0,62
    since 250 ml chain oil included with purchase: -6,24
    Total: 248 142,85

    Product link: MOFESSOR chain oiler

    BEROTEC GmbH
    Chain Lubrication & Maintenance
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