5 mistakes to avoid when repairing a motorcycle

Taking care of the mechanics of your motorcycle is a good thing! But it's best when done right... Here are five common mistakes you shouldn't make when taking care of your beauty.

1) do without a torque wrench

Tighten spark plugs, covers, casings or brake calipers, in principle, this is done with torque - it should be understood as "observing the tightening torque recommended by the manufacturer." You avoid deforming the part, even loosening screws, which can lead to breakage, especially spark plugs. And for this, you will need a torque wrench that will alert you when the desired torque is reached. Undoubtedly one of the most important tools in the workshop. Who has never done without, throws me the first bolt!

2) Connect accessories directly to the battery.

Connecting a USB charger, wired heated gloves or motorcycle GPS directly to the battery terminals is the easiest and therefore the most enticing process. However, when you install an electrical accessory on your motorcycle, it's best to connect it to the post-ignition positive so that it won't be powered until the ignition is turned on. This will limit load losses that could lead to battery failure. You can, for example, transplant the most after contact with a headlight bulb, a taillight, or better, a license plate light. Add a fuse if not included.

Be careful, the most power-hungry accessories (extra lights, heated grips, etc.) require a relay or even an extra wiring harness.

Not good ! Unless you connect a charger ...

3) Forget about the thread retainer when installing the crown.

Are you replacing a motorcycle chain kit? Remember to add a small drop of threadlocker to the crown screws. The crown, which loosens at full acceleration, looks bad ... And most importantly - dangerous! Come on, really half-drawn wine...

4) abuse the connection of joints

If your enclosure was originally equipped with a paper backing, reassembling it with a paper backing is ideal. If you don't have the correct joint under the elbow and no sealant, keep in mind that there are pieces of paper for the joints to cut out. You just need to trace the outline of the original shim and then use your best cutter to create a new replacement shim. It's always good to have it close at hand!

5) Tighten its oil filter with a wrench.

Strap, collar, self-adjusting, bell ... There are all kinds of filter keys. But all of them should only be used to attenuate the used filters. The oil filter can be tightened by hand, period. If you use a wrench, you will always overtighten it. The trouble you'll pay with your next oil change: It'll wobble a hell of a lot.

Are you thinking of other mistakes? Feel free to point them out in the comments to this article: we will all be happy to reduce the number of balls that can occur when we do motorcycle mechanics!

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Photo by Andrea Piaquadio