Maintenance of a motorcycle is part and parcel of the riding lifestyle. The act of building mileage on the motorcycle while double-checking tyre pressures, topping up fluids and fine-tuning suspension settings goes a long way toward keeping the machine high performing and lasting for as long as possible.
But more complex repairs and faults usually need help from mechanical professionals. The ANCEL MT700 can give you detailed info for you simply determine the situations to call for experts or DIY.
Get the Right Tools
Aside from smashing into concrete, a prime way to damage your bike is by doing maintenance jobs and other repairs without the correct tools. Sure, back in the day and in more remote parts of the planet, DIY jobs had a lot more going for them – but only if one had the requisite tools. One of the main hand tools they use is a tool that motorcyclists will be familiar with, a torque wrench, used to ensure a bolt and nut on anything is tightened up to the exact figure required, to ensure it can’t move or the bolt stretch, break or other damage. Other handy tools include a multimeter (for checking voltage and continuity), chain-cleaning brushes and chain-lube applicators, which keep a bike in good repair. Solutions to many common problems can be found in repair manuals available either on the web or through your local bike shop. Another excellent repair manual has copious notes about common repair techniques that will lead to smooth sailing in the future.
Plan Your Workspace
Doing a motorbike repair on your own can be really fulfilling, but it takes a lot of preparation: your workshop needs to make you as comfortable as possible. For instance, will there be sufficient light and space to operate in comfort, turning the bike as much as 90 degrees, without knocking into nearby objects? Will the workspace be kept clean and organised: in particular, are you cautious about fluids management? Then, plan to shoot pictures at each step during the disassembly process – this way you can use the pictures as a reference point when reassembles become a need. During the disassembly process, metal parts will generate sparks, so consider using a fume hood to avoid exposure to explosive or combustible vapours, as well as personal protective equipment to fight possible risks of weather events such as wind and rainstorms.
Take Photographs
Call yourself a bike mechanic and it will be an indispensable lesson in how to take useful photographs, capturing your bike from different angles and in different lighting regimes, so you can assess what needs doing, how best to do it, and what it should look like when finished. A clean moto not only makes your bike run better, can save you money by reducing mechanical failures, improve fuel economy and help avoid costly maintenance that otherwise would have been needed, as well as make the moto look better and make riding safer – not to mention possibly saving your life on a very expensive breakdown that could easily kill you! Not to mention more money in your pocket at resale! Now that’s being a responsible biker!
Perform Routine Maintenance Tasks Regularly
Keeping your bike in tiptop working condition will prevent mechanical failure and lower the long-term repair bill, but it will also keep you safe by stopping failure while you ride. Keep your bike in great shape, check it whenever possible, and you will save a considerable amount on repairs. For example, regular checking of tire pressure with a reliable tire pressure gauge can benefit fuel economy, handling and safety, while lubricating and properly tensioning chains can increase rider comfort and ease engine strain. Consulting your owner’s manual defines the appropriate maintenance cycles and repairs for each of your bike’s parts. Due to their complexity, your advanced bike systems are dangerous to tamper with, unless serviced by trained, certified technicians with an intimate knowledge of their machinery and a skilled toolset.
Don’t Forget About Your Chain
Chains are important to the power transmission system. To ensure the lifespan of the chains and to make the power transmission system works efficiently, we should clean and oil the the chains regularly. The cleaning and oiling will not only enhance the performance of the chain but also prolong the lifespan of it. You have to replace the air filter from time to time because if there’s too much dust on the filter, it will inhibit the proper flow of air to the engine, which in turn affects performance; you can do this just by yourself at home. With these tips, newbie motorcyclists will have the know-how to do basic maintenance themselves, spend less money, and enjoy the thrill of riding to the fullest. To read more detailed information, visit ‘The Motorcycle Maintenance Techbook’. It will help you with visual images guiding you through the steps of common repairs and keeping your bike safe for your enjoyment.
