Revise Your Motorcycle Yourself: Maintenance Basics

Like a car, a motorcycle requires regular maintenance, not only for durability, but also for safety reasons. Indeed, an unmaintained motorcycle can pose a real danger to the driver and others.

Thus, there is no need to settle for mandatory revisions (1 or 2 times a year) recommended by the manufacturers in the machine's maintenance manual, it is necessary to carry out checks as often as possible. If you cannot afford to visit a professional every time, you will have to do it yourself. This is the reason why it is important for any rider to know the basics of a two-wheeled bike overhaul.

How do I repair my motorcycle myself? These are a few tips to help you succeed in your business.

What items should you check?

Parts of the motorcycle that need to be checked at least once a month include:

• Le machine body : The entire appearance of the motorcycle, whether it is the bodywork or any other part in contact with the external environment, must be maintained in good condition in order to maintain the durability of the device. This will prevent moisture and dirt from getting inside and damage to parts.
• Le engine : its cleanliness, as well as all elements that contribute to its correct functioning, must be checked to avoid overheating and possible problems with breakage during use.
• . candles : The motorcycle will not start without them, so they should be inspected, cleaned and replaced if necessary or in the event of a malfunction.
• . brake pads and discs : it is the first safety barrier separating a motorcycle and its rider from the world. If they do not work, many accidents can occur.
• La battery : It supplies the motorcycle with the current it needs to start and ignite. If it is defective, the machine cannot go very far. It can start out very well, with some difficulty, but it can stop at any moment.
• Le air filter : The engine must be ventilated for normal operation. However, it should not be placed in direct contact with untreated air so that the impurities contained in it do not interfere with its normal functioning. This is the reason why the air filter was placed in front of the air inlet. If this screen does not fulfill its role perfectly, the engine will wear out much faster than usual.
• La chain : It transfers the power of the motorcycle from the front wheel to the rear wheel, if not properly maintained, the rear wheel can jam.

 

What are the main interviews you need to conduct?

Taking care of your two-wheeled vehicle on your own is not easy, but at one point or another you will have to do it. To deal with this, one can either read the motorcycle service manuals or consult a professional mechanic and learn from his experience. However, to make it easier for young bikers, we will explain the basic principles of maintaining a two-wheeled bike as easily as possible.

Body service

Body care consists of cleaning and lustration. The first is done with a specialized shampoo, and the second with a polishing agent. Both are available from supermarkets or from the garage. Before operation, it is recommended to wrap the engine and exhaust pipe in a plastic bag to avoid getting wet. Washing should be gradual (do not spray water on the motorcycle) with a soft sponge to avoid streaks. Before wiping the machine with a clean cloth, make sure all soap has been rinsed off. After that, you can proceed to its lustration and chromium lustration. A little bit of polish is applied to the relevant parts and everything is covered with protective wax so that the device remains as it is until the next cleaning.

Engine service

This step is divided into three parts. First, you need to change the coolant to protect the engine from freezing or corrosion, and to prevent brake seizure. Second, the engine oil needs to be changed and the engine oil level adjusted to fulfill its role as a lubricator. This stage is often accompanied by cleaning or replacing the air filter, the principle of which depends on its nature. If it is made of paper, it should be replaced, and if it is made of foam, clean it with white spirit. Finally, it is necessary to adjust the valve clearance to avoid damaging the controls.

Brake adjustment

The brakes should be monitored closely. Their use requires some care, they should not be overloaded so that they do not wear out quickly. If they start to respond for a long time to pressing, they should be quickly adjusted or replaced if necessary.

Chain maintenance

It must be cleaned and well lubricated so that there is no tension and that the power of the machine is well distributed in its body. In the event of a malfunction, it is better to replace it than to send it for repair.

Candle inspection

For spark plugs, refer to the manufacturer's recommendations in the service manual. It indicates the mileage after which the replacement of spark plugs should be considered.

Battery maintenance

To keep the battery unchanged, charge it from the mains from time to time, protect it from the cold (for example, by covering the machine with a blanket) and regularly top up with distilled water. In winter, the motorcycle is rarely used as it is cold. In this case, it must be stored: do not leave it outside in contact with the air, clean it well, make sure its reservoir is full, remove the chain and disconnect the battery.