To keep your bike in good condition for a long time, there are a few simple things you must do regularly. Proper maintenance of your bike can reward you with a longer vehicle life. Also, these will help you have significantly lesser running costs during your bike ownership.
Here are some useful tips to take care of your bike, ensuring that your motorbike keeps working at its optimal levels and lasts much longer than your expectations.
Important Tips on how to Keep Your Bike in Top Condition for a Longer life
1) Check Engine oil
Engine oil plays a crucial role in the smooth operation and maintenance of your bike. The oil in the engine of the bike can be thought of as the blood of the bike. It keeps the engine well-lubricated as well as has a tremendous cooling effect on the vehicle. Regularly check the engine oil level and always maintain the correct level. Also, check the fuel pump and other fuel systems. Check for any possible oil leakages. However, with time the levels of oil in the engine can decrease. Due to the presence of carbon deposits, impurities build up with time which makes the oil thick creating knocking or even worse your pistons might seize. It is very important to understand that running your bike on dirty oil would just not increase the consumption of fuel but also drastically reduces the engine life. A simple way to avoid any issues would be to check the oil level after every service and get your old oil changed when necessary, along with the oil filter.
Also, keep in mind the following:
- Make sure to check the engine oil quality and level before and after every long ride.
- Replace the oil every 2000 miles.
- Some motorcycles can have longer engine oil replacement schedules, but it adds to engine life to change the oil before the scheduled replacement period.
- Make sure to use the recommended grade of engine oil.
2) Clean The Air Filters Regularly
The air filter is a vital part of your bike and needs to be cleaned regularly. If dust and other materials get stuck in it, the intake of air by your bike will be affected. A clogged filter prevents the formation of the right mixture of fuel and air. This will result in poor combustion of fuel which will ultimately result in severe engine damage. Check your motorbike’s owner’s manual for the frequency of air filter cleaning and replacement. It is important to clean or replace it every time you return from a ride on a dirty or dusty road. You can do it yourself at home or whenever you take your bike for servicing.
3) Maintain the transmission system
The motorcycle chain is the most ignored part of maintaining a motorcycle. Maintaining a motorcycle chain helps in delivering better power from the drive sprocket to the rear sprocket. Your motorcycle’s chain needs regular lubrication as well as cleaning and adjustment. It helps in reducing the squeaks and helps in the smooth operation of the chain on the sprockets. Use a piece of cloth and a soft brush to remove the dirt which has gotten accumulated in the chain. Never use water for cleaning the chains, as that could rust the chain links. Once the dirt has been cleaned completely, wipe the chain with a clean dry cloth. Also, check if your motorcycle’s chain has a free play of around 2 to 4 mm in general. You can test it by moving the chain up and down in a vertical direction with the help of your fingers. The chain being too tight may cause problems on the sprockets and if the chain itself is too loose then the power output to the rear wheel will decrease considerably. Getting the bike to the mechanic or service center and getting the chain adjusted to the manufacturer’s specifications is the wise thing to do. Apart from these, they don’t need any other care as they can go on for 30,000 km without any replacement.
Never try to over-rev your RPM by going at high speeds continuously, as that could damage your bike’s engine. Never attempt to shift your bike from fifth gear to first gear very instantaneously, which could potentially damage the piston rings of your bike.
4) Engine Maintenance
The engine is the heart of your bike. Servicing your bike regularly and tuning it up would keep the engine running smoothly, which will reduce your running costs by giving you better mileage. Do pay special attention, while cleaning the carburetor and maintaining valve clearances. Remember to keep the carburetor always clean. For every 1500 kilometers, you travel, clean out the carburetor float chamber as well as the other parts.
Do not neglect the all-important Spark plug. Make sure that your Spark plug is clean and the gap is set correctly, otherwise replace the Spark plug as it is the most crucial link in proper engine combustion. Regularly clean the spark plug, preferably for every 750 kilometers in the case of a two-stroke motorbike and for every 1,500 kilometers for a four-stroke bike. Most modern bikes these days would require the choke to be used, to work on cold starts. Using a choke helps in meeting the emission norms and also fuel efficiency requirements. Keep the choke clean and have it replaced immediately if it is damaged. All of these small details will have a massive impact on the functioning of your vehicle while taking care of your engine.
5) Clutch Adjustment
Another bike maintenance tip is to adjust the clutch properly. A Clutch is used to change the gears at regular intervals during the ride and is very often used. The clutch should have the right amount of free play. Don’t tighten your clutch too much. An over-tightened clutch would cause it to slip without your notice and also leads to an increase in fuel consumption.
Conclusion:
A properly maintained bike is a rider’s delight as it guarantees a safe, reliable, and comfortable commute. Show your motorcycle how much you love it and it will never disappoint you. We believe the above-mentioned tips will help you keep it functioning smoothly for a long time. A motorcycle says a lot about its rider, so make sure that your bike is putting in a good word for you!