1. Ultimate Guide to Motorcycle Maintenance - Saker Racing
Link: https://www.sakerracing.com/motorcycles/ultimate-guide-motorcycle-maintenance/
Description: 1. Issues on the road 1. Issues on the road
When you buy your motorcycle, the last thing you want is for it to breakdown on the road. While it’s true that they can breakdown for unforeseeable reasons, many of the issues you will face can be identified before taking your bike for a ride.2. Accidents 2. Accidents
Sometimes having issues on the road, won’t lead to a breakdown on the highway. It can lead to accidents. For example, poorly kept tires can blow out while you’re at top speed causing injury to you and the fellow users on the road.3. Costs 3. Costs
Unless you store your motorcycle inside a glass house, it will naturally encounter wear and tear which will affect it. Catching these issues early on before they cause serious damage can help you reduce your cost of repair. For example, changing the oil in your bike is quite cheap and easy to do, but when you neglect this procedure before leaving the driveway, it can lead to bigger issues which will cause you more regarding damage done to your motorcycle.
Things that need regular check up:4. Chain and sprockets 4. Chain and sprockets
The chain and sprockets in a motorcycle are essential to its well being and could cost you more if not well maintained as you will have to replace them. After each ride, lube your chain when its still warm so the oil can soak into all the spots especially the tight areas. You can use a commercial chain spray for lubricating the chains. This can be done when you fill up the gas tank or after each ride. Be careful how you spray, spray at the side of the chains that come in contact with the sprockets – spray both sides of the chain. Before this is done, position a piece of paper so that the rear wheel rim doesn’t get dirty as you spray. Place another paper on the floor to catch the drips, then wait for 5 to 10 minutes before wiping out excesses from the chain. This process is easier to do if your bike has a center stand. You can also spin the back tire during use to ensure the chain is well lubricated as it comes in contact with the sprocket.
One thing to note about bike chains is that they must be able to sag between 3/4″ to 1 1/4″ at the midpoint of the two sprockets. This sag is needed for the bike suspension as it moves up and down uneven surfaces.
For the shaft drives, they require less maintenance than the chain and sprockets. You can replace the shaft drive oil each time you change the oil on your motorcycle. This will prolong the life of your shaft drive.
The same thing applies to the belt drives as the belt does not require much maintenance. Each time you change the oil in your bike, check the belt tension and adjust where necessary but most importantly, make sure it is clean at all times.5. Fuel 5. Fuel This is an overlooked component in the maintenance of a motorcycle, but we can’t deny its importance to how a bike is maintained. If you have a fuel filter, check it regularly to make sure it isn’t clogged and that it is clean and clear. Fuel filters should be replaced in the incidence of weather damage or crack. Where such cases don’t apply, replace them every two years.6. Brakes 6. Brakes