A Few Simple Ways To Help A Motorcyclist Maintain His Machine In Good Driving Condition

Compared to a car, those who ride motorcycles can be said to be lucky. To maintain a motorcycle is much cheaper compared to a car.

Nevertheless, it does cost some money and time. Even though , a few articles have been written specially on the maintenance of motorcycle, I feel writing yet another article on this subject would be a good idea.

The following is 10 easy tips to help a motorcyclist with his machine maintenance.

1) Service the machine periodically.

To service a motorcycle at the petrol station would cost only a few ringgit. Dust, dirt and rust will all be rid of. Eventually, your motorcycle will be in a spick and span condition.

2) Check your foot brakes and hand brakes.

The above 2 brakes are essential items of the machine. Ensure that they perform well. Adjust the foot brakes and hand brake mechanism from time to time.

3) Checking of the throttle cable.

The throttle can get jammed. Spray some W.D. 40 oil on them. Throttle cable has to be smooth, easily manipulated and easily applied. Periodically, the entire cable has to be dismantled and oiled.

4) The inspection of tyres.

There are 2 things regarding tyres that have to be inspected. Pressure and its threads. Check them over periodically and your safety will then be ensured.

A word of advice though. A good and safe tyre should possess a 50% thread pattern.

5) The chains.

Chains can become elongated or sometimes they can be too tight. Adjust them from time to time. A good mechanic should be able to assist you. Tightening them can be rather easy. Learn how to do it yourself.

6) The lights.

Clean your headlamps and rear lights. Ensure that they are not covered with dust and grime. They should also function well.

Signals are important. Ensure that they perform well. Brake lights should also be checked. The horn is yet another important item. Make sure it is working properly.

7) The handle bar mirrors.

Some say the right handle bar mirror is required by law. While the left handle bar mirror is optional. My advice is you have them on both sides.

Adjust the mirrors properly before you ride off. Try to avoid adjusting the handle bar mirrors while riding. This can be dangerous!

8) Check engine oil and petrol.

Unlike previously, where meters did not exist, present day motorcycles have lubrication oil meter and petrol gauges on them. Check that they are up to the required levels.

A shortage of any one of the above will cause much inconvenience to the rider. Avoid using the machine until the reserve level. Unless you are riding to the petrol station.

A lack of engine oil will cause mechanical problems which will bring you lots of problems.

9) The air filter.

Many motorcyclists are unaware that motorcycles, like cars, have air filters too. This has to be changed periodically. It does not cost much. But it can cause a lot of problems to the rider.

10) The petrol filter.

Like cars, some motorcycles have this important item too. Like air filters, their cost is rather low. Ask your mechanic to change them for you and your vehicle will surely run better and smoother.

These are 10 things that are important to the rider of a motorcycle. Have them inspected when and as convenient to you. This would ensure you a trouble free ride wherever you wish to go.

How To Look After One’s Motorcycle To Keep In Tip-Top Condition (Part 4 of 4)

17) One important item of the motorcycle itself which should not be forgotten to be mentioned is the Exhaust Pipe System or The Silencer. This item has to be inspected from time to time.

The interior part of the exhaust pipe can deteriorate thus emitting excessive smoke and loud exhaust sound. Be it be known that the law reiterates that any vehicle which emits a more than 90 decibel sound into the atmosphere has committed an offense. This is known as “sound pollution“.

If you are unaware, the Ministry of Health will act on those responsible for the factories causing both “air” as well as “sound pollution”.

18) Another item in the motorcycle which needs our attention is the “gear changing mechanism” which is situated on the right foot itself. Its function is to facilitate the changing of gears. This item can very well become loose and cause gear changing difficulties. Have this part checked from time to time to prevent potential breakdown.

19) The throttle mechanism which is meant to accelerate a motor forward has a cable which can sometimes get jammed. Oil the mechanism with ideally W.D. 40 to prevent it from getting stucked or jammed.

If this mechanism is jammed, the possibility of not being able to control your motor is extremely high. Accidents can happen.

20) The engine oil of your motorcycle’s engine also requires periodic check-up from time to time. Ensure that the engine do not lack engine oil as this might cause the engine to be jammed up and eventually require your engine to be “overhauled”.

21) Some motorcycles have an item called the fuel filter. The fuel filter function is to filter out the impurities which are contained in our fuel / petrol. Have the filter changed often, which will then result in our motorcycles running smoothly.

There might be some minor items which has escaped my attention and apologies should therefore be rendered.

Finally, in highlighting the items which has to kept in view in order to “maintain the tip-top condition of a motorcycle”, it should be borne in mind that the blog’s intention is not to expect a rider or the owner of a motorcycle to do the repairs of the important items himself, but to be aware and thus bring his vehicle to the nearest motor shop for proper attention.

Hopefully highlighting the 20 or so important items of the motorcycle will eventually help to keep your machine in tip-top condition always. Keep riding!

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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

How To Look After One’s Motorcycle To Keep In Tip-Top Condition (Part 3 of 4)

In the first and second part of this article on “How to look after one’s motorcycle to keep in tip-top condition”, we stopped at the item entitled the “The Headlights“. In reality, the headlights should go hand in hand with the next item which is:
11) The rear or hind lights of the motorcycle – The “hind” or “rear” lights of the motorcycle is equally as important as the frontal lights. Due attention should be placed also upon this important item as well.

Rear lights light up the rear of the motor. Without it, riding a motorcycle becomes “dangerous”. People or motorist cannot spot you.

Rear lights also “light” up when you apply your brakes. Then and only then can motorists behind you realise you’re slowing down. If the brakes lights fail to “light up”, they might knock into you. So brake lights mechanism should be continually inspected to ensure that they are in good working condition.

Again, your “safety” may very well depend on it. Anyway, please remember “brake” lights not functioning is an Offense!

12) Horn – The horn is intended to “warn” people. It’s meant to prevent accidents. Without it, riding motorcycles would be extremely dangerous. Unfortunately in motorcycles especially, horns do get spoilt rather easily. So riders should take steps to see it works perfectly. So kindly do your duty in ensuring the horn of your motorcycle function well.

13) Signals or indicators as some people know them as are important items of a motorcycle. There are the left and right signals. A condenser controls these two items. Bulbs in the signal unit can “burn out”. Replace them periodically.

14) Then there is the locking mechanism underneath the handle bars. Your motorcycle’s safety depends on it. Ensure the “lock” mechanism is not spoilt. Test it out from time to time. Do repair it instantly, if necessary. It can prevent “theft”.

15) Many are not aware than chain covers on a motorcycle is not only an important item of a motorcycle but that it is a compulsory item of a motorcycle too. Therefore, anyone who purposely removes the chain cover of his motorcycle is infact committing an Offense.

Let me explain why. In times of accidents, when one falls and goes “sprawling” onto the ground, it is possible your legs might get “entangled” in the chains of the motorcycle itself. Can you imagine what a gory accident it’s going to be?

Except for motors which “originally” has no chain covers like “Scrambler” models. When they first come out of the factory, any one willfully removing his motorcycle “chain cover” is in fact committing a serous offense.

16) The front absorber of a motorcycle should also be checked by an owner from time to time. It’s capacity to act as a good shock absorber, the handle bar “struts” on the left and right of the wheel has to be maintained well also.

While we mention the frontal absorber, let’s also mention the rear absorber too. Modern bikes nowadays use the “hydraulic” types. Do check out all four absorbers of your bikes.

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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 4