HOW TO MAINTAIN A MOTORBIKE

Motorcycle maintenance is often overlooked by many riders. Periodic maintenance is important in keeping your bike in good condition. It will help it to maintain its peak performance. It will also ensure your safety and a hassle-free ride. Most of the basic servicing jobs are easy. You can do them yourself without professional help.

• Check the tire condition

Check if there is a change in the way the bike handles. This is an indicator that you should change the tires. Do not wait until the tread is already worn down to the wear bars. Under-inflated tires are prone to overheat and fail. Over-inflated tires give less than optimal grip. Make sure the tire has proper inflation.

• Check the pressure before and after your journey. A weekly checking routine is great.
• Rapid pressure loss calls for tire replacement.
• Replace when there is about 1.59mm tread left around the tire. Do not wait until it goes bald.
• Change tires in sets. Always. They go through the same stresses and rigors of road riding.
• Check and top up or replace engine oil

Ensure that your gears and engines are well lubricated. There will be engine damage if you do not always change the engine oil. Each bike has different specifications. Check your manual for how frequent you should change the oil.

• Look for oil leakages. A drag in the movement of the engine is usually caused by carbon deposits. This is because it thickens the oil.
• Your bike should not run on dirty oil. The consumption of fuel will increase. It will also reduce engine life.
• Always keep the air filter clean

The air filter is usually clogged up quick by dusty conditions.

• Change the air filter at a set interval. Perform frequent cleaning in dusty conditions.
• Adjust the clutch as needed

The right amount of free play is what you should aim for.

• An over-tightened clutch increases fuel consumption. It may also cause it to slip without you noticing.
• Ensure that you have proper clutch adjustments.
• Service your engine

Tuning it up will keep the engine running well. It will also reduce your fuel consumption.

• Clean the carburetor for every 1500 kilometers you travel. Maintain valve clearances.
• Check the gap and clean the spark plugs for every 750 kilometers if you have an old two-stroke motorbike. If you have a four-stroke bike you can do it every 1500 kilometers. Each bike has a specification on when you should change the spark plugs. Check your manual. You should also change the spark plug if you suspect a problem. Make sure that you use the correct spark plug grade and type.
• Maintain the cleanliness of the choke. Replace it once it gets damaged.
• Maintain the transmission system

Lack of lubrication will damage your bike chain. Excess heat will wear it out. The chain loosens because of this cumulative wear on all the separate links. They will fall off the sprockets and this is dangerous.

• Ensure regular lubrication, cleaning, and changing.
• Wash the chain with paraffin.
• Remove the dirt in the chain with a piece of cloth and a soft brush. Never use water to clean the chains. It will cause the chains to rust.
• Use a clean dry cloth to wipe the chain after you clean the dirt.
• Lubricate the chain links and the chain with your old engine oil.
• Your bike’s chain should have proper tension and free play. Or else, the power of the rear wheel is not smooth.
• Clean the bike

It is better to keep your bike looking nice by keeping it clean of dirt. It will also help with maintenance. You will also notice missing or loose bolts and nuts if there are any.

• Cover the ignition switch unit with plastic sheets. As well as the ignition coil and silencer. Do this before you clean the motorcycle.
• Clean your bike with a microfiber cloth.
• Park your bike in the shade. Do not expose it to direct sunlight.
• Maintain your bike’s battery

Periodic maintenance will ensure that a long and worry-free battery life.

• Use distilled water to top up the battery.
• Check for any battery leakages.
• Keep the battery charged at full. Especially if you have not used it for a long time.
• Maintain your brakes

Having a faulty break will compromise your safety.

• Make sure there is enough space between the brakes holding the tire. Brakes that are too tight or too loose can be dangerous.
• The tightness of brakes depends on your personal preference and need.
• Replace brake pads if there is a screeching sound.
• Replace all the front and rear brake oil. Make sure you use a recommended specification.
• Check the fork and fork oil
• Change the fork oil every 12,000 kilometers.
• Check for rust or damage.
• Adjust according to your personal taste and comfort.
• Check the sprockets

Replace the sprockets when needed.

• Change them every 40,000 kilometers.
• Change the driving and driven sprockets at the same time you change the chain. Do not change only one part.

It is also better if you schedule a maintenance check-up every once in a while. A professional might notice small things that you tend to ignore. Different bikes have different required parts. You can check out for Honda xr250r parts at MX Store.