TWO WHEELER MAINTENANCE TIPS

For a trouble-free ride on your favorite two-wheeler, it is imperative that you maintain it properly and inspected it regularly for minor wear and tear. Proper maintenance is important for optimum and trouble-free performance from your vehicle.

 Preventive Maintenance

1. Make sure that you check your tyre treads once a week. Have the wheels balanced and the alignment checked if the wear is uneven.

2. Check your tyres for cuts and scrapes on your tires, which could cause a blowout. Add air pressure as required. Many blowouts are the result of low air pressure.

3. Examine both of your wheels for missing or loose spokes. Check the rims for cracks or dents.

4. Lift the wheel off the ground and spin it. Then watch its motion, listen for noise and move it from side to side to check for looseness.

5. For smooth operations, inspect the controls. Watch for kinks or broken strands in your cables. Also, lubricate the control mechanisms at each end of the cables.

6. Oil the chain and check the sprockets for worn teeth.

7. Does the motorcycle bounce several times after you ride over a bump? Do you hear a big clunk? If the answer to either of this is yes, adjust or replace the shock absorbers.

8. Be on the lookout for loose or missing nuts, bolts or cotter pins. If you keep your bike clean, it’s easier to spot the missing parts.

9. Adjust your brakes so they lock the wheel when fully applied (see your owner’s manual for instructions). If the wheel does not lock, or if you hear a scraping sound when you’re trying to stop have the lining checked.

10. If you suspect that your motorbike can land you into trouble, fix things right away. That is the only way you can avoid an acccident.

Cleaning the Two Wheeler

A clean bike is important for long-term fitness and for value of the vehicle. Maintenance of a clean bike is easier, and it also less expensive to operate.

A few tips that will help keep your vehicle clean:

• Before you clean the vehicle, ensure that the ignition switch unit, H.T. Coil and silencer are covered using plastic sheets.
• Clean the vehicle using low-pressure water.
• All painted surfaces should be washed only with water, as kerosene or detergent will damage the paint
• Take care not to apply water on the electrical parts
• For cleaning the engine externally, brush it with kerosene and wipe it dry with a clean rag.
• Dry the vehicle and lubricate it after you wash it

At times, water may enter on the brake liners during washing, leading to brake slippage. Therefore, make it a point to dry the liners by braking frequently till the brake starts working effectively.

After you’ve cleaned the vehicle :

• Replace or top up engine/ Gear box oil
• Clean the air filter
• Clean the spark plug, and seal the electrode gap
• Overhaul the carburetor
• Adjust the control cable
• Tighten nuts, bolts and fasteners
• Clean and adjust front and rear brakes
• Check and adjust steering column play
• Check for proper functioning of lights, switches and horn
• Check battery electrolyte level and top up with distilled water
• Check and adjust drive chain tension
• Check and adjust spoke tightness / rim runout
• Check and clean inline fuel filter 

Lubricating your Two Wheeler

For a smooth and easy ride, it is important to lubricate your vehicle from time to time. What are the parts that need to be lubricated?

• Rider seat pivot
• Control cables
• Brake lever, pedal and clutch lever
• Front suspension
• Speedo gear / pinion / cable
• Steering races
• Stand pivot
• Front wheel bearing
• Gear shifter assembly
• Brake actuating shaft

Tyres, wheels and windshields

To keep the performance of your motorbike at the maximum and improve its looks, due care of tyres, wheels and windshield is essential. A constant degradation of these parts takes place that may either cause a poor performance level of the vehicle or may even lead you into uninvited trouble.

This degradation caused due to friction or unfavorable driving conditions like uneven roads, road grease, insects, brake dust etc., can be slowed down by taking few simple steps. The following steps may enable your machine to deliver peak performance:

To keep the tyres intact and in perfect condition is very essential for safe driving and high mileage. The manufacturer's instructions should always be followed. The right air pressure assists the machine in giving high output and also protects the tyre from corrosion.

It also gives a smoother ride and excellent (skid free) braking. Do not use any cheap tyre cleaner, but always use a good quality cleaner. Moreover harsh braking is to be avoided for long life of the tyres as this causes depletion of the tyre rubber due to friction.

Windshield looks good and is useful only when it does not have any scratches. Therefore it should be dampened for some time before washing for easier bug removal. Scratch-removing products should also be used to erase the scratches.

Wheels are very important for smooth driving and perfect looks and are easily damaged by the use of harsh chemicals, brake dust and road salts. To avoid such ugly looks wash and wax your wheels weekly and use a corrosion protectant.

During washing, however, take care to avoid excessive wetting of brake shoes and discs as this may affect the braking while driving. Do not wash brake discs with cleaners whose compounds include chlorine or silicon. Chlorine causes rust and silicon makes brake discs slick, diminishing their usefulness and safety.

After the initial 500 miles...

·         Change engine oil.

·         Replace oil filter.

·         Inspect air cleaner and service as required.

·         Inspect brake pad linings and discs for wear.

·         Inspect oil lines and brake system for leaks.

·         Lubricate the front brake hand lever, the throttle control cables and the clutch control cable.

·         Check engine idle speed.

·         Check operation of electrical equipment and switches.

·         Check tightness of all fasteners, except engine head bolts.

·         Check tyre pressure and inspect tread.

·         Check rear drive belt.

·         Change transmission lubricant and clean magnetic drain plug.

·         Inspect fuel valve lines and fittings for leaks.

·         Check rear shock absorbers.

·         Check brake fluid reservoir levels and condition.

·         Check stabilizer links and engine mounts.

·         Check primary chaincase, lubricate and clean magnetic drain plug.

·         Check wheel spoke tightness.

·         Check cruise control/disengage switch.

·         Check rear fork pivot nut.

·         Check air suspension for correct operation and leakage.

·         Check idle speed.

·         Road test.

·         See your dealer.

First aid for your Two Wheeler

      If even after following the above maintenance tips your vehicle continues to give you problems, you should take it to an authorized dealer. However, follow these simple steps before approaching the dealer.

In case of starting trouble

• Check fuel in fuel tank / fuel cock position / fuel tank cap vent hole
• Check fuel pipe for pinched / twisted
• Check and clean air filter element
• Check and clean spark plug and adjust electrode gap
• Check ignition switch / engine kill switch position
• Check fuel in fuel tank / fuel cock position / fuel tank cap vent hole
• Check fuel pipe for pinched / twisted
• Check and clean air filter element
• Check and clean spark plug and adjust electrode gap

In case of high fuel consumption

• Check for fuel leakage from fuel pipe, petrol tank cap, and petrol cock
• Check tyre pressure
• Check and clean air filter element
• Check and clean spark plug and adjust electrode gap
• Check whether brakes are dragging