Newbie Qs!

**amber88** · 8th April 2009, 15:22

Hi, Im sure you get heaps of nebie questions on here, but Im going to ask some anyway!!

So I have just got my first bike and Im trying to get heaps of info on stuff to do with general maintenance and stuff for my bike.

I want to know how often I should be doing chain oiling, and tightening, and where can I get / how much is chain lube, do you use the same stuff as chainsaws use on the chain?

Ive been told oil and filters should be done every 5000km or so, but what about air filters?

Any way hope Ive pasted this in the right place, And Hi to all!!

**awayatc** · 8th April 2009, 15:41

Hi Amber and welcome to the bike addiction.
Oil an filter as you said about 5000 kms. Some people do up to 7 or 8 k.
Airfilter usulay can be cleaned. Keep it clean, breathing is important.
If you ride in dust/dirt you need to clean it often....very often.
(some foam filters you can wash in mild detergent, some airfilters you can blow through with compressed air....and some need just replacing.
Chain oil is recommended every 500 kms, my chain manufacturer recommends 40 weight oil. ut if you use the search function you will find a lot of info about that here on KB.
Don't forget to check/replace your sparkplug (s)
Enjoy yourself, and be safe

**Blackshear** · 8th April 2009, 15:43

TZR250?!
That's a manly stepping stone

Just do wot the book says.

**Usarka** · 8th April 2009, 15:47

I was at the library the other day and saw a useful looking beginners guide to motorcycling. Can't remember the title, but might be worth having a look in your local. Library, not pub.

**amber88** · 8th April 2009, 15:53

Originally Posted by Usarka

I was at the library the other day and saw a useful looking beginners guide to motorcycling. Can't remember the title, but might be worth having a look in your local. Library, not pub.

Yeah a TZR cos it was pretty, and we got it for a good price (REALLY good price) off a friend who's had it for 3 years. That and I think my boyfriend enjoys thrashing the heck out of it

We will only have it for a while, I went for something cheap cos tim said I was going to drop it anyway if its my first bike (he was right lol) so when Im a bit more confident, I'll buy something newer and nicer, say in 6 months time. if tim doesnt kill it!!

**cave weta** · 8th April 2009, 16:31

Originally Posted by amber88

cos tim said I was going to drop it anyway if its my first bike (he was right lol) so when Im a bit more confident, I'll buy something newer and nicer, say in 6 months time. if tim doesnt kill it!!

Your funny!

there is a very easy to read book called
'Zen and the art of motorcycle maintainance'
it is old- written in the 70s. it covers bike maintainance from a buddhist perspective- it would be a humorous first read before delving into manuals

hey - and welcome to KB!

**Squiggles** · 8th April 2009, 16:34

Originally Posted by amber88

about air filters?

Clean em sure, but when it comes time to replace don't go buying a "performance" one without considering the effect it could have on your highly strung tzr

**YellowDog** · 8th April 2009, 16:59

Hello Amber88 and welcome.

If you have or get the basic handbook for your bike, it will have all you need to know in easy to follow instructions and hopefully with some diagrams. The settings will be specific for your bike and you should follow this.

Before you go out to ride, you should check the tyre pressures and also make sure the water (if you have a rad) and oil levels are sufficient. This will also help you gauge to see if it is loosing/using any.

Regarding the chain, this should keep its tension and only need adjusting every few hundred Ks. You will get to know quite quickly how tight/loose it should be and hence know when it is out. It is worth checking it regularly over the first few weeks to make sure all is OK. Your boyfriend thrashing the bollox off the bike is likely to cause wear and make it need tightening sooner rather than later.

Good luck.

**Str8 Jacket** · 8th April 2009, 17:00

AWESOME! You got a TZR250 as your first bike, niiiice!! Good luck...

Oh yeah, welcome!

**Anarkist** · 8th April 2009, 17:10

If you really want to fit in here, you should post pictures of yourself.

**Str8 Jacket** · 8th April 2009, 17:18

Originally Posted by Anarkist

If you really want to fit in here, you should post pictures of yourself.

Ignore the mere males chick. Just be aware that alot of the men on this sight are easily excitable...

**Anarkist** · 8th April 2009, 17:31

Originally Posted by Str8 Jacket

Ignore the mere males chick. Just be aware that alot of the men on this sight are easily excitable...

I generally save the excitement for after the pics.

**amber88** · 8th April 2009, 22:04

Originally Posted by Anarkist

If you really want to fit in here, you should post pictures of yourself.

Ha!! My boyfriend has pics of me sitting on his bike in his profile, if you can figure out who he is!

Yeah I thought the boy thrashing it will mean I have to look after it more, He said I have to learn to maintain it properly if I get it so, Here I am learning. Maybe he just wants to hammer it and not do the maintenance himself hehehe oh well, I dont mind, hes teaching me to ride and everything anyway