Easy Motorcycle Maintenance
Motorcycles are the modern equivalent of a romantic black steed.
They suggest freedom, rebellion and, more importantly, less money spent on petrol.
But the effort you put into your bike doesn't stop at saving up for your shiny metal dream; motorbike safety relies on the art of motorcycle maintenance.
If you maintain your bike you'll also cut costs by avoiding major breakdowns.
Follow this essential guide to motorcycle maintenance to see how it's done.
Tires According the AA, most motorcycle breakdowns are caused by tyre blow outs or damage.
So, always keep your tyres fully inflated: it seems simple, but it's also central to bike maintenance.
If tyres are somewhat deflated, they will generate more heat, which can be damaging.
Check your tyres daily and if your tyres need replacing, don't delay.
Oil The process of checking your oil varies according to the bike model, so your first port of call in this respect is your manufacturer's handbook.
You need to maintain a happy medium with your oil levels.
Even overfilling your crankcase can have unfortunate results - causing your air filler to be flooded by oil.
As a ballpark figure, oil should be changed every three months, although it should be inspected more often as heat and heavy traffic can downgrade your oil's quality.
Brakes Brake pads need to be replaced if they are thin or worn.
If you are not sure how much mileage your brake pads still have, ask a professional to run their eyes over them for you.
In motorcycles, there are different brake fluid reservoirs for your front brakes and your back brakes.
Don't forget that brake fluid absorbs moisture, so only use new, sealed bottles to top up your reservoirs.
Batteries Batteries take the dubious second place as the most common cause for breakdowns, and so are an important consideration in motorcycle maintenance and repair.
They are difficult to reach and are often ignored.
Make sure that your local garages top up the batteries with distilled water and not regular tap water.
If you knock your bike, always check for leaking, corrosive battery acid that can be very damaging.
Chains Chains invariably become stretched over time and need to be replaced.
Check your chain on a regular basis; it should never be taut but if you can pull it off the rear sprocket it has become too loose.
Chains need to be lubricated frequently and liberally with chain spray.
If you dirty your chain with off road biking, or riding in bad weather, wait for the dirt to dry then brush it off gently, instead of using a chemical cleaner.
Even if you regularly maintain your bike, remember that it still needs to be taken to a professional motorbike mechanic for a service every 5000 kilometers or three months.
Also, get into the habit of performing regular motorcycle maintenance checks: check your bike quickly every morning, check it more thoroughly once a week, and very thoroughly every month.
They suggest freedom, rebellion and, more importantly, less money spent on petrol.
But the effort you put into your bike doesn't stop at saving up for your shiny metal dream; motorbike safety relies on the art of motorcycle maintenance.
If you maintain your bike you'll also cut costs by avoiding major breakdowns.
Follow this essential guide to motorcycle maintenance to see how it's done.
Tires According the AA, most motorcycle breakdowns are caused by tyre blow outs or damage.
So, always keep your tyres fully inflated: it seems simple, but it's also central to bike maintenance.
If tyres are somewhat deflated, they will generate more heat, which can be damaging.
Check your tyres daily and if your tyres need replacing, don't delay.
Oil The process of checking your oil varies according to the bike model, so your first port of call in this respect is your manufacturer's handbook.
You need to maintain a happy medium with your oil levels.
Even overfilling your crankcase can have unfortunate results - causing your air filler to be flooded by oil.
As a ballpark figure, oil should be changed every three months, although it should be inspected more often as heat and heavy traffic can downgrade your oil's quality.
Brakes Brake pads need to be replaced if they are thin or worn.
If you are not sure how much mileage your brake pads still have, ask a professional to run their eyes over them for you.
In motorcycles, there are different brake fluid reservoirs for your front brakes and your back brakes.
Don't forget that brake fluid absorbs moisture, so only use new, sealed bottles to top up your reservoirs.
Batteries Batteries take the dubious second place as the most common cause for breakdowns, and so are an important consideration in motorcycle maintenance and repair.
They are difficult to reach and are often ignored.
Make sure that your local garages top up the batteries with distilled water and not regular tap water.
If you knock your bike, always check for leaking, corrosive battery acid that can be very damaging.
Chains Chains invariably become stretched over time and need to be replaced.
Check your chain on a regular basis; it should never be taut but if you can pull it off the rear sprocket it has become too loose.
Chains need to be lubricated frequently and liberally with chain spray.
If you dirty your chain with off road biking, or riding in bad weather, wait for the dirt to dry then brush it off gently, instead of using a chemical cleaner.
Even if you regularly maintain your bike, remember that it still needs to be taken to a professional motorbike mechanic for a service every 5000 kilometers or three months.
Also, get into the habit of performing regular motorcycle maintenance checks: check your bike quickly every morning, check it more thoroughly once a week, and very thoroughly every month.
