Q) Can I connect to an existing Oiler system?

A) Yes. If you presently have a gravity feed oiler with the large reservoir installed, the metering/vacuum bottle can easily be replaced with the HawkeOiler pump and connected directly to the existing feed tubing.

Q) How often do I push the button?

A) I have found pushing the button five or six times after gassing up, and again with about a half full tank. The obvious thing you are looking for is keeping the chain oiled. I recommend periodically inspecting the chain so you get a feel for how much and how frequently to push the button for your riding style and riding conditions. I suggest leaning toward over oiling to start and determine what works best for your riding style.

If you ride in rain, and wash off chain lubricant; or ride at high speeds, requiring more lubricant, you can now quickly re-oil the chain to compensate. Also, you no longer have to fear the oiler losing prime and running the chain dry with a reservoir full of oil. After refilling the reservoir repriming is simply the push of a button.

I have found manually pushing a button a few times during a rally, nor cleaning up a little oil spray off the rear end, to be of little inconvenience to gain the assurance of having the chain lubricated. What was an inconvenience was to find my chain bone dry, squeaking, kinking, and close to failure during the Iron Butt because the oiler I was using stopped working.

On a recent 11,000 mile ride I had a chance to field test the HawkeOiler at length. I found it was easy to control the normal oil over spray you get from an automatic oiler when excess oil is thrown off the chain. To do this I simply oiled the chain only when I would be moving at reduced speeds inside the city speed limit areas. This gave the oil a chance to distribute itself before seeing higher centrifugal forces.

Q) Can I expect any increase in performance?

A) A well maintained chain and sprocket can make a significant difference. Independent testing on a fairly worn drive set compared to a new set has shown a 5% increase in transmitted HP is not out of the ordinary (See www.motorcycle.com, RK 530LFO Chain and Vortex Sprockets).

Also, the HawkeOiler would allow you to convert to a non-oring race chain. If anyone has ever tried to flex a new oring chain, you will appreciate the HP gain possible by being able to use a non oring race chain which you can go to if good lubrication is maintained.

A potential 5 to 10% increase in transmitted HP to the rear wheel is not beyond a realistic realm if you presently have a worn and poorly lubricated chain and sprocket. A real bargain when you consider the cost of other accessories to accomplish the same results.