In the Saddle is an eNewsletter for motorcycle enthusiasts that is produced several times a year.
The art of motorcycle maintenance
Taking proper care of your motorcycle doesn’t have to be a daunting proposition. There are a number of nuts-and-bolts routines you can easily perform. Perhaps best of all, practising regular preventative maintenance will save you time, money and help ensure kilometres of trouble-free riding.
To get you started, service manager for Kahuna Powersports in Toronto, Tony Nardone, offers two important back-to-basics tips.
Spot problems before they happen by making pre-ride checks a habit. “It only takes three or four minutes to walk around your bike to inspect it while it’s warming up. You want to find out if there’s a problem when you’re in the driveway, not on the road,” Mr. Nardone stresses.
Get familiar with your owner’s manual. “When you need answers to maintenance questions for your bike, you’ll find them in there,” he says. “And you’ll learn things about your bike that you never thought of!”
Checklist for watch items
What are the things you should keep your eye on, according to Tony? Here’s a handy checklist.
- Fluids: Fluids are the lifeblood of any motorcycle. Before checking your levels, make sure your bike is upright on a level surface.
- Engine oil: Take a reading only when the engine is cold, and change the oil approximately every 4,000 kilometres or every six months, whichever comes first.
- Coolant: For convenience, use a ready mix coolant. If you mix your own, use a hydrometer to check that it’s a 50/50 blend of coolant and distilled water. In addition, check the condition of radiator hoses.
- Brake + hydraulic clutch fluids: Normally clear in colour, they should be replaced about every two years, or when they start to discolour.
- Differential oil (shaft drive): Change it with every engine oil change.
- Fuel: Look for weather damage or cracks in the fuel lines to ensure your fuel supply is always sufficient. Use fresh, clean unleaded gasoline with an octane rating specified by your owner’s manual. A fuel stabilizer prevents gasoline from deteriorating during storage.
- Filters: Replace the fuel filter every two years. Change your oil filter every other oil change. Air filters are paper or foam. Use compressed air to gently clean a paper element. Foam can be cleaned with solvent before oil, designed for the process, is reapplied.
- Battery: Battery maintenance should be done monthly. If your battery is not sealed, electrolyte levels should be topped up using only distilled water. Check for damage, dirt, or loose connections, and make sure the exhaust hose is not kinked.
- Spark plugs: Correct the spark plug gap using a feeler gauge, and if there is deposit buildup on the electrodes, they should be cleaned or replaced.
- Tires: Check for proper inflation, tread wear, and damage. Inflate tires to the correct pressure (read only when cold) and check pressure frequently; look for worn or uneven tread wear and damage from nails or cracked sidewalls. Buy a tire repair kit and learn how to use it.
- Brakes: Make sure brakes apply fully without reaching their full travel and aren’t spongy, which indicates air in the system. Most brake pads have wear-indicator grooves or a line to indicate the limit of wear.
- Final drives: The correct tension (¾” to 1-1/4” slack at the midpoint) of a drive chain, and proper cleaning and lubrication, will extend the life of chain and sprockets. Belt drives should be adjusted for alignment and tension while shaft drives are virtually maintenance-free.
Detailing details
To keep your motorcycle looking its best, start with these basic tips:
- While soap and water will get the job done, it’s a good idea to experiment with different motorcycle washes to find the one that works best for you. Look for a biodegradable degreaser that’s good on all surfaces and can be sprayed on, then rinsed off using a light mist of water.
- Round out your cleaning tools with a scrub brush for wheels, scouring pad for rust, and toothbrushes to take care of nooks and crannies. Tony’s shop uses an industrial blow dryer to dry the bikes they detail, but soft chamois or microfibre cloths are excellent alternatives.
- Apply chrome polish to the shiny parts and a good quality wax to protect painted surfaces. And make sure you avoid direct sunlight to prevent streaking.
With a little technical knowledge and diligence, you’ll be spending quality time in the saddle this riding season.
Resources
Motorcycle Maintenance
http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/maintenance.htm
http://www.webbikeworld.com/Motorcycle-technical-articles/articles.htm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JSM3MTINTs
Motorcycle Detailing
http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/tech/motorcycle_detailing/index.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HREqf4wIukA
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