Maintenance and overhaul of motorcycles

Regular maintenance

Regular maintenance consists primarily of checking the use (tires, chain, oil and brake fluid levels) and flushing.

Washing and cleaning

Almost everyone agrees to avoid Karcher or (very) long-range use. Pressurized water is not particularly appreciated by the engine, exhaust fumes (always provide plastic to prevent water from entering it) and paint.

Personally, I am happy with a jet of water or even a reservoir with a car shampoo (Auchan brand: about 3 euros) and a sponge. It foams a lot, but is relatively effective on fat. Then I rinse and wipe.

For the final touch, I use two products: fluopolymer body treatment (GS27 - in a 250 ml can for 12 euros) and Rénove-Chrome for chrome (at Holts). These two products protect paints and chrome and, above all, make the next wash much faster and more efficient.

Also at Volkswagen dealers you can find a "hard protective wax" equivalent to a Teflon product, but for less money: 5 euros, a can.

Instead of fluopolymer treatment, the Fée du Logis solution, also used by dealers, is then used. But beware, Logis Fairy contains silicone that will end up in the paint, creating an almost insoluble problem for a bodybuilder or graphic designer looking to make a personal painting. He will simply be forced to sand everything down and remove the existing paint so as not to see the blisters appearing under his painting. Therefore, use only with caution and with this limitation.

For those who do not have room, there is also a solution for motorcycle wash areas, like next to Carol (see Aquarama).

PS: don't forget to grease the chain after washing (and wait a bit so the grease doesn't grease everything: one night is good).

You can also read the cleaning guide section.

Painting

During the interview, the worst is probably the paint chips. Most manufacturers offer refill pens for around 15 euros. It's expensive in absolute terms, but at least we can immediately hide the suffering before it gets worse, and especially in the same color. It used to be pretty random. Here's what to fix the wear and tear of time and turmoil.

Changes

Overhaul is a guarantee of the motorcycle's lifespan. Made by a dealer, they are an easier guarantee of sales afterwards, but there is nothing stopping you from making some of them yourself in order to reduce the final bill. In any case, an unused motorcycle also wears out, and prolonged immobilization can do a lot of damage to the engine. This explains the two numbers used for revision intervals: kilometers and number of months.

The revision, which should not be missed under any circumstances: the first, at the beginning of the race in the first 1000 kilometers. It cost me 40 euros. Also, one morning at 9 am I made an appointment; as a result I waited a little hour and walked away with him in great shape (motorcycle).

Revision prices

After the first revision, which usually revolves around € 45, it takes € 180 for a major overhaul of up to 18 km. Every 000 km the overhaul is a little more important (pressure valve clearances + large synchronous carburetor adjustment + chain kit (for the most careful!) And costs about 24/000 euros. Then we return to the revision, which lasted about 410 euros for 460 km. In fact, the biggest overhaul takes place every 180 km: everything has to be checked: distribution, valve clearances, cyclic control (joints, bearings, etc.) And there the bill will change to 42 euros 🙁

Attention! The above changes do not include the optional tire and brake pad consumables.

Between the two changes, they include:

• chain lubrication every 500 kilometers,
• checking tire pressure,
• circuit voltage,
• check screws all over the place (this is loosening by vibrations; therefore we must warn you).

Attention! It is important that your changes are made by a brand dealer within the warranty period (2 years). Failure to do so will void the motorcycle warranty, and in the event of a failure, the loss of that warranty can be particularly costly. After that, you can always save yourself all these expensive operations ... at the price of € 45 HT per hour! (if you have a slightly mechanical soul).