General maintenance queries for noobs

[nineboy]

Hi everyone am new to this website so still finding my way around but i am considering getting a bike and im wondering what general maintenance there is for motorbikes. I service my own car but have no knowledge of when to change oil/ tyres/ chain/sprockets etc and other bits and bobs that need replacing to keep you alive on the road. Maybe if i could possibly get someone in the auckland area to show me the ropes for bike maintenance. Your help would be greatly appreciated by me and other new riders

[Flip]

If you can fix acar you can fix a bike

http://www.dansmc.com/mc_repaircourse.htm

[jim.cox]

I service my own car but have no knowledge of when to change oil/ tyres/ chain/sprockets etc and other bits and bobs that need replacing to keep you alive on the road.

Welcome to the KB madhouse

If you can service a cage you will have no problems with a bike

It helps to get the service manual for whatever you ride - that will give you oil, filter etc schedules.

Brake pads and tyres are just like a car.

You might need to learn what a worn chain and sprockets look like.

You get plenty of advice - some of it useful - from the nutters around here

[p.dath]

You list a road bike with a chain drive, so that is what I'm going to assume you have.

You need to lubricate the chain every 250 to 500km/s. I tend to do it each time I fill the bike up as it is easy to remember. The chain needs cleaning every now and then as well (very easy to do).

You need regular oil and oil filter changes. The owners manual usually gives the frequency for the bike. Anywhere from 4,000 to 12,000 km's are common. This is a straight forward task.

Less regularly the chain needs adjustment. I like to replace my brake fluid every 1 to 2 years (mostly because brake fluid is cheap and I like mine looking clear). Brake pads need replacing like on a car, but are usually infrequent.

I'm sure there are lots of other minor things and need doing less frequently as well.

[Asher]

As long as you get yourself a good copy of the bikes service manual you should easily be able to maintain the bike yourself. They contain a big service interval schedule and pictures and descriptions of any maintenance you should need to do