Mantra for Healty Biking

Be it your new Lord of the Streets or your cute budget bike, they are such loyal buddies taking you to where ever you want.So it should be maintained well to enjoy true biking.A true biker cares his/her bike like he cares himself/herself.

Following are some tips to keep your bike healthy and powerful

1. Tyre Maintenance
   • Regularly check tyre condition and air pressure. Optimum air pressure in the tyres of the bike is important for maximum road grip, stability, riding comfort and longevity of the tyres.
   • While under-inflated tyres wear unevenly, adversely affect handling, and more likely to fail from being overheated, over inflated tyres make the motorcycle ride more harshly, and more prone to damage from surface hazards, and wear unevenly.
   • Check your tyres for cuts and scrapes on your tires, which could cause a blowout. Also check the tyre treads once a week and have the wheels balanced and the alignment checked if the wear is uneven.
   • Check for the amount of tread, a tread depth of 1mm is fine
   • Don’t try to economise by running them too low.
2. Battery Maintenance
   • The motorcycle battery needs periodical maintenance to ensure a long and trouble free life. Check the electrolyte level against the top and bottom markings on the battery shell. Always top up with distilled water whenever required.
   • Check for any leakage from battery. It should be clean and free from any leakages. In case of non-use of motorcycle, battery should be kept fully charged and electrolyte level should be at Top mark.
   • A battery is made up of lead, which is dipped in acid water. Acid water also means electrolyte, this means that the battery acid can actually damage the paint job and cause corrosion to other parts as well, so when handling a battery, make sure you do so with care.
   • Also, one common problem that batteries face is the oxidation or terminals. Each battery has a positive(+) and negative (-) terminal and overtime, the reactions in the battery cause these terminals to oxidize and that in turn reduces the voltage it can deliver.
   • Well in the market there are special sprays available for battery terminals. ‘Battery Coat’ is the best spray and this can be sprayed on the terminals to remove or avoid oxidation. The spray avoids the terminals from direct contact to the air.
   • If the spray is not readily, available then the best and the most conventional way to solve this problem is by using VASELINE petroleum jelly. By applying some amount of petroleum jelly the oxidation will not take place. The main drawback of this jelly is that it has a low melting point and during summer seasons, it might find that we need to do it a little often.
3. Engine Maintenance
   • The Engine oil plays an important role in ensuring smooth operation and maintenance of the bike and maintaining a correct engine oil level is important. .
   • Check engine oil level each day before operating the two–wheeler. Oil level should be between upper and lower marks. Top up engine oil if required. Check for oil leakage.
   • Change engine oil within the proper time (time prescribed by the company) to avoid damage to engine parts.
4. Body Maintenance
   • Clean the two-wheeler body surface regularly to maintain the surface finish. Before cleaning the motorcycle, ensure that the ignition switch unit, H.T. Coil and silencer are covered using plastic sheets.
   • Clean the motorcycle using low-pressure water. All painted surfaces should be washed only with water, as kerosene or detergent will damage the paint.
   • Use authentic cleaning solution that is tailor made for bikes.
   • Inappropriate cleaners will get on saddle, blue the chrome and get on the paint. Thus, use products that will not cause problems as regards to spoiling the finish or discoloring it.
   • Remember cheap cleaning products will only harm your vehicle.
   • Never use a dryer or air compressor to dry the vehicle as it might grit the finish and cause irreparable damage. Use a cloth to dry rather than a blower or a dryer. Clean the leather saddle (if) with the manufacturers recommendations.
5. Periodic Maintenance
   • Clean spark plug regularly. Every 750 km for two-stroke bike and every 1,500 km for four-stroke bike. Clean spark points (electrodes) with emery paper.
   • Keep carburettor clean. Every 1500 km, clean out the carburettor float chamber and other parts. Clean jets by forcing compressed air through them.
   • Keep both brakes properly spaced. Keeping them too tight (too urgent), or too loose (too late) is dangerous. Brakes should be tightened as per the rider’s personal style and requirement.
   • Check cables regularly for kinks, bends and frayed ends. Especially check ends. If one or more strands appear broken, replace immediately.
   • Change the clutch pads within the proper time to ensure smooth gear shifting.
   • Change the suspension oil of the front suspension for every 10000km to enjoy a bumpy free ride.
6. Chain Maintenance
   • The chain is a very important Component of your Bike as the chain is what powers the rear wheel.
   • A Bike’s chain, sprocket and the cam chain tensioner are the main components that transfer power to the road from the engine.
   • The O Ring chains are more prone to wear and tear as they are exposed and need regular maintenance so that your bike’s chain is healthy. Conventional Chains also need regular maintenance.
   • Bike’s chain need regular lubrication, cleaning and adjustment.
   • In case you have a bike which has a conventional chain cover remove it before cleaning .
   1. Cleaning
      • Dip the chain in clean diesel for at least 5-6 hrs. Then use the brush (plastic type bristles) for cleaning the mud out of it, and then re-wash it in clean diesel.
      • If possible, hand it for about 2-3 hours to allow the diesel to drip out of the chain.
      • This process would make the joints and the links on the chain free and smooth, the next step would be to dip the chain in EP90 oil or in 20W40 engine oil. There is no need to buy expensive or branded oils for it.
      • Buy oil which could be affordable, because the ultimate aim is to clean and lubricate the chain links in order to keep it from rusting.
      • After dipping it in the oil keep it that way for 4-5 hrs. And then allow it to hand in order for the oil to drip away, after having done all of the above, simply install the chain back onto the machine.
      • Don’t use Water as it might rust the chain links because if the water has salt or minerals or chlorine and sodium it will damage the chain.
      • This is a more common method used for chain cleaning. Follow the same steps as above until the part where you allow the diesel to drip off from the chain, after that, take about half a kilogram of AP3 grease and heat it up so that it turns into a molten liquid.
      • After its liquid enough, pour the same onto the chain and wait till the grease turns solid. After making sure that the grease is cold, remove the chain from the drive system and remove all the extra grease by wiping with the help of a soft cloth. This would make the chain ready to use again and so you can install it back on to the machine.
   2. Lubrication
      • Lubricate the chain links and the chain with used engine oil. For this you need not buy expensive oils, whenever you get your bike serviced ask the workshop to give you some old engine oil in a bottle.
      • Use this used Engine oil and lubricate all the areas of your bike’s chain by rotating the wheel so that you lubricate all the areas of the chain.
      • Check if the chain has rusted or starting to rust if it is, then put more lubricant on the rusted areas.
      • It is a good idea to touchup with paint in the rusted areas to prevent further rusting, WD 40 Antirust spray is also helpful. Make sure your bike is switched off to prevent any injuries to your hand.
   3. Inspection and Adjustment
      • Check if your bike’s chain has a free play of 2-4 mm in general by moving the chain up and down in a vertical direction with your fingers.
      • Bike’s chain must have the correct tension and free play of the rear wheel. If the tension is more the chain wont power the rear wheel smoothly during motion.
      • If in case the chain is loose, the power delivery from the engine to the rear wheel wont be optimal and there will be loss of power due to slippage.
      • Take the bike to your mechanic or service center and get it adjusted to the manufacturer’s specifications.
      • Inspect the Transmission system every three weeks in general to ensure your bike’s engine and transmission components are in perfect working order. Remember bike must not only look good Cosmetically but also function properly and regular Chain Drive Maintenance will ensure this and the performance of your bikes wont drop through passage of time.
7. Electrical Maintenance
   • Make sure all the lights are functioning, particularly the brake light. Unless you want a truck up your back end.
   • If you only use your motorbike infrequently it is a good idea to put the battery on charge occasionally or you may find you will have to replace it even sooner.
8. Brake Maintenance
   • This process is very simple and can save you a lot more than money.
   • Every vehicle would have its own basic tool kit. Generally all motorcycles, scooters have 13mm nut size for adjusting the rear brakes. A suitable tool for this bolt would be in the tool kit.
   • There needs to be a little caution applied when tightening the brakes as a tight setting can jam the brakes and cause a lot of problems like engine and brake overheating and also low mileage.
   • At the same time a loose brake setting can slow your reaction time down. So adjust it as required.
   • Replace the brake pads at the proper time to ensure proper working of brakes.
9. Grease Maintenance
   • Control levers, brake springs, brake pedals are some of the common points where its advisable to apply grease.
   • Different climates also dictates the use of different types of lubrication.
   • When it rains it would be unadvisable to use oil for lubrication as it would get washed away easily. Grease would be the best for the monsoon.
   • In summer as we know the temperature is high and its usually always dry. Generally air flows with dust particles. So in summer using oil is the best option for some of the spares.
   • Don't use more grease attracts dust very fast and could create resistance in moving parts.so use it adequately.
10. Air filter Maintenance
    • This is of great importance as the engine requires good amount of dust free air for its proper working.
    • Remove the air filter box.
    • Then detach the dusty sponge from the case inside the air filter.
    • Dip it in diesel for about 5-10 minutes.
    • Then squeeze the diesel off from the sponge and pour air filter clean oil into it.
    • If in the case of Power filters,clean it as prescribed by the company.
11. Documents
    • Always ensure that the tax is paid .
    • Insurance cover (Insurance policy) is within validity period.
    • Pollution Certificate is up to date.
    • Keep Tax Receipt and Insurance policy at home and keep xerox copy in bike.
    Proper maintaining of the bike will lessen the money spend by sending it to the workshop. No dealer would keep reminding the rider to service the bike all the time. These are factors which the riders would need to keep track of in order for the machine to be in service flawlessly for a long time
    
    
    Always remember these
    
    
    Respect the machine, The machine respects you.
    
    
    Drive Safely and Responsibly.