General Maintenance Tips to keep your motorcycle at peek condition. Check for high performance engine oil details for your Bike inside. Your bike’s maintenance is more than doing maintenance on any other bike because you have to do it now or it is time to do it right away. On going general maintenance will keep your motorcycle in great condition with little or no unpleasant surprises on the road.
Your bike requires less maintenance than they did in the 60’s and 70’s but they still need a lot more maintenance than a car. This higher reliability also means that there are a whole bunch of motorcyclists out there who haven’t a clue how to work on their bikes or what really needs to be done to ensure reliability.The more care and maintenance you give to your bike the longer it will last. Performing general maintenance on your bike will also help you spot problems before they happen.
Things to Check Regularly:The most important things to check on your bike that I noticed or rather I should say I do. Even doing a little can make a big difference. Few things to keep check on are Battery, Oil, Tires, Brakes, Chain, Sprocket(Belt Drive) and Fuel.
Tires: Try to remember to check your tire pressure every time you fill up for petrol. Keep your tires correctly inflated. A tire that is very under-inflated generates a lot of heat, wear out more quickly. The most common motorcycle breakdown is for tire damage. Replace your tires sooner rather than later. If tread depth is 1-2mm it is time to replace your tires.
Brakes: bike’s Disc Brake fluid absorbs moisture over time and becomes less effective. Replace brake fluid every one to two years and your brakes will perform the best they can. most indian bikes have one brake fluid reservoirs which is in the front, usually found on the handlebars. It should be checked regularly. Topping up should only be done from a new, sealed bottle as brake fluid tends to absorb moisture over time. Beware - brake fluid, if spilt on paintwork eats right through to the bare metal.
Also check the thickness of the brake pads. If you allow them to go right down to the metal your brake disc will be damaged resulting in an unnecessary and expensive replacement. Fitting braided steel brake lines will increase the performance of your brakes by roughly 50%
Chain and sprockets, Shaft Drives, Belts: Lube your chain after ride when the chain is warm so the oil can easily soak in and get into all the tight spots of the chain. These items those are essential to the well being of your bike. If not well maintained you will end up spending a lot of money all too often to have them replaced.
Chains: Lubricate them often with a commercial chain spray once in a month at least. STP has a chain spray. Spray liberally on the side of the chain that comes into contact with the sprockets. Ensure that you spray both left and the right hand side of the chain. Position a piece of newspaper so that you do not dirty the rear wheel rim as you spray. Use a second piece on the floor to catch any drips. Wait five or ten minutes before you wipe all excess oil off the chain. This whole process is a lot easier if your motorbike has a centre stand. Spinning the back tire will ensure that the rest of the chain is lubricated when it comes into contact with the sprocket and pinion. This is a task that is best done when you return home from your ride while the chain is still warm.
Bike chains are never taut but must be able to sag between 3/4’’ to 1 1/4’’ at the mid-point between the two sprockets. The sag is used when the bike suspension moves up and down over uneven surfaces.
Fuel: Fuel is quite an often overlooked as a form of preventative maintenance on a motorcycle. Check the fuel filter(if you have one) to make sure it is not clogged and looks clean and clear. Replace fuel filters every 2 years.
Check the fuel lines for weather damage and cracking, replace immediately if any is found. Remember when parking your motorcycle for any length of time to turn the petcock(fuel tap) to the off position. This prevents any fuel potentially leaking out and flooding the carbs or the engine.
Oil: Check your oil level when it is cold before you go on a ride. If it is not at its high or max level top it up before going out. Regular oil and filter changes will keep your bike young and healthy. Motul is an internationally acclaimed motor oil manufacturer. We now have it in India. Ask for Motul 3000 4T 20W/50 for your Dtsi engines(check your manufacturers recommendation).
Make sure you regularly check and keep your oil level at its HIGH or MAX level. It is best to check your oil level on the bikes centre stand or when it is in a level position. An under filled oil level can be disastrous while too much oil over the limit may flood your air cleaner with oil.(It is embarrassing too).You should also know the difference between the ’low’ level and the ’high’ level in ml e.g. if the difference is 300ml you cannot purchase a 500ml tin and pour the whole can in!
Here are some pointers regarding oil which are true for most motorcycles
- The bike should be level as possible. - The oil should be inspected when cold and is therefore best done before you go out on a ride. - Be careful to not allow foreign matter and dirt to fall in during the inspection process - With threaded dipsticks do not screw the dipstick in when taking a reading, just allow it to rest on the lowest thread. - High temperatures, High speed, Heavy traffic, short trips and dust quickly destroy the quality of your oil. If you do ride in these conditions change your oil more frequently. - I suggest changing your oil every 2500-3000km or 3 months, whichever comes first.(I change mine every 1, 500 km because it keeps my bike young always). - bikes can and do use the same oils as cars although special synthetic motorcycle oils are available. Always use the recommended oil weight for your avenger(20w50 as recommended by your bike manufacturer).
Battery: Check the fluid levels on each chamber. If any chamber is low, carefully top it up. Use only distilled or de-ionized water, NOT tap water. Tap water has minerals in it that will not do the battery any good. The humble battery is a very common cause for motorcycle breakdowns! Unfortunately they are awkward to get to and therefore do not get checked as often as they should. A battery only requires a little monthly maintenance to perform perfectly. Keep the battery charged to 100%, recharging when the lights dim, the starter sounds weak, or the battery hasn’t been used in more than two weeks. Other than that, follow this simple check list every month: - Check the electrolyte level - Top up only with distilled or deionized water, wear gloves and protective glasses. Top up in a well ventilated area. - Keep the top free of grime. You can use petroleum jelly for electrolytes. - Check cables, clamps, and case for obvious damage or loose connections - Clean terminals and connectors as necessary - Check inside for excessive sediment, sulfation or mossing - Make sure the exhaust tube is free of kinks and clogs(used for acid discharge from the battery)- Replace caps firmly
- Finish up by testing the battery with either a hydrometer or voltmeter. To extend the service life of your battery, make monthly battery maintenance part of your routine.
Use only distilled or deionized water, NOT tap water. Tap water has minerals in it that will not do the battery any good.
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Well seem to be a long list but trust me this wont take much of time. After all your bike is your pride.
jOe