Maintenance MegaThread

**pyrocam** · 19th April 2005, 17:50

version 1
I am compiling a MegaPost of all the usual maintenance stuff that gets asked alot. I will edit it heaps to get it right but hopefullly I can get enough information in here to make it sticky. Please post/PM my errors until I get it right or if there is anything that needs adding.

*nb. alot of the threads cover several topics. but I am trying to avoid doubling them up.

First up. Basic Maintenance.

Petrol.

Should I use 91 or 96/98 (premium)
I think the majority of people will say to use premium fuels in your bike. They burn better and the lead can be good for your engine.

.Threads.
Best Fuel?
What Octane Spins your Wheels
Odinary 91 or Super 96 Unleaded??
Shitty Petrol??

Oil.

When should I top up my Oil (2 strokes etc)
The normal rule of thumb is once every three petrol fills, I personally check and top it up every couple of days due to my beast sucking it dry on a regular basis.

.Threads.
Engine Oil Level
Things you need to know when you start riding (AWESOME POST)

What Oil should I use in my Bike?

Personally I use MOTUL. its expensive so it must me good? Actually its what was recommended to me and Ive had no problems. but dont trust me. read the threads.

.Threads.
Whats a good oil, In your opinion
The Good Oil?
Newbie, some pointers please

Chain

What? you mean I have to DO stuff to it? well Unfortuantly for me I didnt know

Simply, Lube once a week at least (or 600K's) , and adjust. check for crud buildups or anything dodge.

So... When should I lube my chain again?
how important is it for me to oil my chain?

And what with?
(I use Motul Rode Lube)
Chain Lube

But how?

Basically, -AFTER- a ride not before, Use either a Hoist, Suspending it from something (dodgy!) or getting a mate to lean it onto its stand (not a drunk mate!) then turn the back wheel and point the little nozzle into the chain. some different chains use a different method.
The reason you do so after a ride is because most lubes like hot chains like sun likes the desert. the good stuff stays on the chain and the other stuff evaporates. also means you wont have globs of lube flicking up all over the place.

.Threads.
Lifting the Rear Wheel

Also
Whats with O ring Chains
Silicon Spray on an O ring Chain

What about tightening?
I have to tighten it TOO?
well, its quite simple, yes. once a chain gets too loose, you need to tighten it. basically, the chain will deteriorate over time. some links expand and stretch and you will start getting a 'tightest point' and a 'loosest point' due to the nature of chains and sprockets (a sprocket is the circular piece of metal that your chain runs on)
to find out if you chain is too loose. you will need to elevate the back wheel (see the lubing howto) and spin it a little while feeling the chain. you have to find the 'tightest point' that is the place in the chain that has the least slack. loosen (not remove) the bolts on either side of the wheel. then adjust the nuts on the back (going perpendicular to the axle) which will move the wheel forward or backwards. make sure that the final adjustment makes the wheel aligned properly or the wheel will make it hard to ride and wear the tire significantly. soon I will have a small movie of me and bugjuice doing this.

So, when should I tighten/adjust it?
.Threads.
Chain Tightening

Winter:

Oh noes! WINTER!. This means more maintance and care than ussual.
Extra chain lubing, CRC'ing, care for your cables! if you neglect a cable and it breaks while your on the road. your in for an intresting time

I recommend this thread for a read
New Bikers Beware

\\*work in progres*

### CREDITS ###
So far I owe much gratitude and thanks to Bugjuice and of course the people who have posted in the threads.

**pyrocam** · 19th April 2005, 17:51

bah. Im stuck..
whats next?
stand? helmet? spark plugs? I dunno.
If anyone wants to continue this thread please help me our.

**Jeremy** · 7th May 2005, 21:06

Common really weird mistranslations in manuals :P

My GN250 manual says that I should put engine oil on my handle bars.

(What it means is that I should some grease on the clutch and front brake handles).

**geoffm** · 8th May 2005, 10:56

Originally Posted by pyrocam

bah. Im stuck..
whats next?
stand? helmet? spark plugs? I dunno.
If anyone wants to continue this thread please help me our.

Tyre pressures: cold to hot pressure rise of around 3 PSI is usually about right.
Suspension: have a good article in the archives on setting sag, etc. Will see if I can find it.

**Wolf** · 9th May 2005, 06:39

Good on ya. Great idea - especially if it becomes a sticky so Newbs can see it when they first walk in. Reckon it needs to be higher up the chain or somewhere other than in Sport bike tweaking and tuning as it's not just for sport bikes. Newbs might not find it here as they might figure their GN125 does not qualify. Big ups to you for your work,

**pyrocam** · 29th August 2005, 11:20

chain tightening for noob slackers:

**pyrocam** · 10th May 2006, 10:04

CBR250 Oil Change, Spark Plugs and Battery replacement (for noobs)

**The Stranger:Me** · 10th May 2006, 10:21

Yeah tyre pressures.

This can have a huge impact on the handling and safety of a bike, yet is so often overlooked.

Dealers would appear to be among the worst. Odd because you would think that if they are trying to sell a bike they would want to present it in the best light possible.

**crashe** · 10th May 2006, 10:24

pyrocam - add in the different products on cleaning/washing/polishing bikes.

As so many on here, have had different suggestions
re: off road, sport, cruiser and tourer bikes.

Yes folks bikes do need to be washed every so often...
Mine takes 5 hours to get back into prestine condition.

Lubing all the cables and how to do it.

General walk around the bike before each ride to check for anything loose and what to look out for..................... brake lights working (foot and hand) as many dont think to check brake lights.

Checking brake pads - what to look for and how to change them.

Checking brake disc's - what to look for and how to change them.

Checking sprockets - what to look for and how to change them.

How to position both mirrors so that you can see see both sides of the road from each mirror.

Common mistakes when the bike wont start:
Kill switch, petrol on, side stand up, petrol in the tank, key turned on etc etc etc...................

Basic tools that should be carried on trips - depending on type of bike.
(if bike didnt come with a toolkit)

First Aid Kit - what should be in it.

Spokes - What to do when discovering you have a broken spoke when out riding. Always carry a plastic electic tie thingee (or what ever it is called) and tie the broken one to the good spoke next to it real tight so that the broken spoke doesn't bend out and get caught in a part of the bike and cause a accident. Get it fixed as soon as possible.

BTW well done on what you are doing for the biker community.

**Rosie** · 10th May 2006, 10:41

Originally Posted by Jeremy

Common really weird mistranslations in manuals :P

My GN250 manual says that I should put engine oil on my handle bars.

(What it means is that I should some grease on the clutch and front brake handles).

Like my KRR being liguid cooled? I hope I don't have to drain the radiator, I bet you can't buy new liguid at repco.