Bike maintenance

[Colapop]

I suppose my questions also apply to a wider audience (other than RF's).
I'm waiting to pick up a manual for my bike (a '98) but I was wanting to know what sort of things I can look for? Anyone know much about these bikes?
Some of the things I think I can check or service at home with my meager toolkit and the small space my wife lets me have in the garage;

Brake fluid - pretty basic to drain and refill?
Brake pads - more technical but I reckon I could do it.
Engine oil - once again pretty straight forward.
Chain - what do I know (nothing) I don't have tools for it either.
Exhaust - I can pull it off and clean it....

That's the basics, anything else anyone can think of? I have enough knowledge to be dangerous I think...

[Wasp]

I think your doing better than me Col.

[merv]

Occasionally you've also got to:

- drain the coolant and replace it with nice fresh 50/50 water glycol mix
- replace your air cleaner if its a paper element or clean it and re-oil it if its foam
- replace your spark plugs
- check your valve clearances
- replace your fork oil

[2QK2C]

Plugs? airfilter? oil filter? lube your lines (i.e; throttle cable)
You can buy cable lube in an aerosol can.

[Colapop]

Fork seals have just been done (pre purchase) I have yet to inspect the forks minutely - maybe the other seals were just old, not pitted forks. They didn't look bad when I inspected the bike pre purchase (and it came from a bike shop).
What about shocks and chain...? Anything alse to look at round the rear end?

[Disco Dan]

anybody know of a good, general 'bike maintanence' book or website???

[The Pastor]

Occasionally you've also got to:

- drain the coolant and replace it with nice fresh 50/50 water glycol mix

Cannot stress how important this is!


Previous owner didnt do any of that shit. Coolant turns to acid if left long enough, which is what happend on my bike, and the water pump got eaten. What a basterd. Its a piece of piss job to do as well. Simply drain it and fill it back up again.

If somone mentions flushing it they mean shove a hose in the top and turn it on (low pressure) don't waste your time with radiator flushes - more hassle than there worth.