The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

If you ever ask a motorcycle rider what he does during his free time, he will most probably tell you that he is taking care of his bike! While this is certainly an amusing statement, it is not one to take lightly. Maintaining your motorbike, from getting new tyres through online tyre shops to replacing worn out parts, can mean the difference between life and death, and hence is a very important part of owning one of these powerful machines.

Of course, maintaining your bike well is neither easy nor is it cheap. If you check accessory, spares and tyre prices in Sri Lanka, you may wonder whether it is actually worth it having a bike. However, for those love the thrill of the ride, with the wind in their hair and the freedom that riding brings, it certainly is!

So, if you own a motorcycle, here are some important maintenance tips you should follow.

Check oil levels

The bike’s user manual will provide information regarding what you should and should not do regarding oil. You can check the frequency in which you need to change oil, the thickness to use etc, which will keep your vehicle running in good condition. Generally, experts recommend that you change the oil at least one every year, however if you use your vehicle a lot, then you may need to do it more regularly, such as once every 6 months. Before you go out, especially before leaving on a long journey, you should always check your levels.

Tyres

Tyres are an important part of your motorbike, because they are the single most parts that connect it with the road. It is vital that you check your tyres for wear and tear, as well as check air pressure before commencing on a journey. This will ensure that you will not face any unpleasant situation while on the road, such as tyre blowout etc. With the high price of motorcycle tyres for sale in Sri Lanka, it is always good to keep the ones you have in good condition. Of course, that does not mean you shouldn’t replace them when you have to.

Brakes

Before heading out, it is always good to test your brakes to check if they are in good working order and check the brake fluid levels. Brake failure can be dangerous and can cause serious accidents. If your brake pads are worn down and need replacing, get it done immediately.

Drive Chain

This is the part of your motorbike that transfers power from the engine to its rear wheel. In order to keep the drive chain in good condition, experts recommend to lube it with oil after you use the vehicle, while it is still warm, and also check the chain’s tension.

Battery

Battery failure can mean you get stranded in the middle of nowhere or out on a busy road, where it can be a real hassle to move your bike out of the way and get the battery replaced with a new one. Check your battery’s charge regularly. Experts recommend that these types of batteries be kept at 100% charge when not in use in order to prolong their life. If you find that your bike battery’s electrolyte level is low, you may need to add some distilled water to it.

Air Filter

A clean air filter means your bike’s engine will get more power. When you use a dirty air filter, it is a strain on the engine, hence reducing the actually power of the bike. Get the air filter cleaned on a regular basis using an air compressor, and replace it when necessary.

Fuel Filter

If your motorcycle has a fuel filter, then it is essential that you keep this also clean and unclogged at all times. When doing this, you can also check other aspects of the fuel system for damage, like the fuel lines, and replace whatever is needed before it becomes too complicated (and expensive).

Wash and clean your motorcycle

It is very important that you keep your motorcycle washed and clean at all times, and this is not solely for aesthetic purposes. When you keep it clean you can ensure that there is no dirt or debris anywhere that can cause damage to the motorbike which in turn can cause a serious accident.

Service it regularly

While you can check oil etc of your bike yourself, it is recommended that you get the vehicle serviced by a professional at least once every 6 months. During the service the expert mechanics will check the oil, air and fuel filters, tyres and almost everything else, and let you know if anything needs replacing or repair. Certain issues may not be visible to your eye, but an expert mechanic will be able to see it. This is why a regular service is so important when you use a vehicle such is this.

As you can see, if you want to stay safe and accident free while riding your motorcycle, you should give it a lot of “TLC” and ensure that it is always in a well-maintained state. It is important to check things like tyre pressure etc each and every time before you use the bike, because can make a huge difference in the handling of the bike while on the road. If you are new to riding, and you don’t know how to check these things yourself, get a professional to help you, and teach you how to do it. Over time you will no doubt become an expert on it yourself.

Don’t compromise on your safety. Look after your bike, and it will make sure that you are safe while you ride it into the proverbial sunset!