How to Maintain a Motorbike

Maintaining a bike is an easy routine. But for most it can be kind of troublesome and tiring. Taking care of your bike is the key to a bike that will serve you well for years.

 

Steps

1. First of all change your engine oil or gear oil frequently as it lubricates your gears and engines, and also keeps your engine cool. Not changing the engine oil will cause further damage to the engine Which can’t be noticed early. The owner’s manual will specify how frequently the oil should be changed and this schedule should be followed.
2. Next is the spark plugs; it is the item which causes a spark which in turn will ignite the petrol. This should be changed as specified in the owner’s manual (or if a problem is suspected). It is critically important to use the correct spark plug grade and type. If the manual suggests an iridium plug then these can be worth the extra cost, lasting 10,000 miles or more. Considering that it can take several hours to access the spark plugs on many modern bikes this is money well spent.
3. The chain which rotates the rear tire should be kept lubricated. If it’s kept lubricated, it should last for a very long time (30,000 miles is not unusual). If it’s not lubricated, it would be damaged due to excess heat and will wear. This cumulative wear on all the separate links makes the chain loose, and more likely to fall off the sprockets. This can be very dangerous indeed. The chain tightening procedure should be detailed in the owner’s manual, but bear in mind that too tight is a lot worse than too loose.
4. Also washing the bike is part of maintaining. Keeping it clean of dirt (and salt in winter) will not only make it look nice, it has its benefits and it’s the key to a bike which lasts long. It also makes it easier to notice missing or loose bolts and nuts.
5. Checking the tire treads every once a week is a good habit. You should change the tyres when you notice a change in the way the bike handles, as specified by local legislation, or at the very latest when the tread is worn down to the wear bars. Under-inflated tyres will overheat and may fail. Over-inflated tyres will give less than optimal grip.

Tips

• motor oil or gear oil can be used as lubricant for the chain. Used motor or gear oil can be used.

Warnings

• Inspect your motorcycle carefully and fix things right away if you notice potential trouble. Safety first as they always say. That is the only way to spot problems before it causes an accident.

from wikiHow – The How to Manual That You Can Edit

How to Push Start a Motorcycle

Push-starting a motorcycle is a useful trick when you have a dead battery or the engine won’t turn over. It starts the engine quickly without using the battery by using the momentum of the motorcycle.





1.  First, make sure that your bike isn’t starting just because you are out of gas. If you’re out of gas, this will not work.

2.  Make sure the key is in the on position and if your bike has a pepcock, make sure it is on as well.

3.  Put the bike in 1st or 2nd gear (it will vary from bike to bike which works better.)

4.  Hold the clutch in and begin pushing, preferably downhill, but it will work elsewhere as well.

5.  Once you’ve gathered enough momentum, apply a minimal amount of throttle (not too much or the bike will get away from you) and hop on the bike just as you release the clutch.

6.  Rev the engine a bit so your bike doesn’t conk out.

7.  Ride away.

Tips

• Hills work best and require the least amount of work for you. Bikes are heavy!
• If this doesn’t work, and you don’t have extensive motorcycle maintenance knowledge, get it towed to a shop to find out what’s wrong.
• The faster you go and the higher your gear, the easier it will be for you to turn the bike on.
•  

Warnings

• Don’t try this on crowded streets.
• Always wear a helmet.

from wikiHow – The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Here are ten motorcycle safety tips to keep you alive and well this season:

 

1. Make eye contact

Never assume others see you. Always try to make eye contact with drivers who may be about to pull into your path.

2. Read “vehicle language”

Even when drivers, cyclists and pedestrians do see you approaching, they often misjudge your distance and speed. Don’t rely on them.

3. Watch out for left-turning vehicles at intersections

Getting hit by an oncoming vehicle that’s turning left is the most common type of motorcycle crash.

4. Check behind when turning left from a highway

Watch your mirrors and make sure you have plenty of space behind. The drivers behind might not slow down for you.

5. Look out for hazardous road conditions

Wet roads, fluid spills, sand, gravel, highway sealant, railroad tracks, potholes and other road-surface hazards reduce your traction. They cause many falls.

6. Take it easy on the curves

Many crashes happen there. You might overshoot the road or cross the centre line and get hit by oncoming traffic. Watch the road ahead, slow down and choose the correct lane position-before entering a curve.

7. Wear a good helmet

Helmets prevent head injuries in 67 per cent of crashes and deaths in 29 per cent.  Make sure your helmet has a sticker showing that it meets current safety standards. Avoid buying a used helmet. It may have been in a crash, and the damage may not be obvious.

8. Wear protective clothing designed for motorcycle riders

It can provide some protection during a crash, as well as shield you from the weather and flying debris. Keeping warm and dry will help you stay alert and maintain coordination. Wear your riding gear in layers so you can adjust to changing conditions. Jeans give little protection. Never ride in lightweight pants or shorts.

9. Protect your eyes and face

Constant wind can make your eyes water, preventing you from spotting hazards. Flying insects, dust and debris can hurt your eyes and face. The best protection is a full-face helmet with a built-in face shield.

10. Be visible

Wear bright, reflective clothing. Add extra reflective material to it or wear a reflective vest. Likewise, buy a bright-coloured helmet and stick reflective tape to the back and sides. Always keep your headlight on. Ride in the lane position where other drivers can easily see you and you’ve got room to move. Avoid all other vehicles’ blind spots.


Sources [ ICBC ]

How to Buy a Used Motorcycle

from wikiHow – The How to Manual That You Can Edit

There are many considerations in the process of purchasing a used motorcycle. What type of used motorcycle do I want? Where should I look? What should I check or test on a used motorcycle? Here are several to aid you.

Steps

1.  Decide what type of riding you will be doing most often: commuting, sports, touring, or a combination. This is the most important criterion you need to consider. Be honest with yourself on this one. A 1000 cc superbike might make your heart skip a beat, but there is a very good chance that you will hate it on the commute, and that your pillion will be uncomfortable on it. Track-days on a cruiser may also be disappointing.

2.  Buy from a reputable dealership if possible. Private sales may be lower priced, but you will not have any comeback if the bike breaks down or blows up. Most dealerships offer some type of warranty, or at the very least, will work with you should anything go wrong in the first few months of buying. If you must buy from a private party, insist that you be able to take the bike to a reputable dealership to be assessed and inspected. A few dollars spent now could save you heaps of money and trouble in the future. In addition, dealerships can do an ownership history search for you to make sure the bike in question wasn’t stolen and hasn’t been listed as “written off” by an insurance company.

3.  Check the bike out for yourself. Take some simple hand tools with you, including a flashlight and, if possible, a multimeter.

• Check the condition of the drive chain and sprocket. The chain should have around ¾” of play (up and down) and the teeth of the sprocket should not show obvious damage or wear. Try to wiggle the chain side to side on the sprocket. There shouldn’t be much movement on a good set. Have someone sit down on the motorcycle and check to make sure the chain is somewhat snug, with very little movement up and down. Chains wear out over time, but sprockets should last much longer. A severely worn sprocket indicates either an old sprocket or a poor maintenance schedule.
• The tires should have good tread all the way across the surface with no signs of uneven wear or damage. Daily drivers’ tires will often have more wear in the middle on the tread (more highway driving). Others who’ve raced their motorcycle on the track, will have tires that show more wear at the edge of the tread.
• Sit on the bike. Look at the condition of the brake and clutch levers, bar-end weights, straightness of the bars and instrument cluster. These could be signs of an accident or drop. Others could be scratched engine cases, foot pegs or exhaust pipes. Hold the handbrake and bounce the front suspension. It should feel even and firm. Get off the bike and check the fork tubes for signs of rust, pitting and oil. These are signs of worn fork seals, or possible future expensive problems.
• While checking the forks, run a fingernail across the brake rotors, feeling for uneven wear or grooving. Look into the brake caliper to see how much of the pads are left. If the bike has spokes, check the overall condition of the individual spokes. For all types, look for dents or damage to the rim
• Put the bike on its center stand if so equipped; turn the bars side to side. Feel for any ‘notchy-ness’ or roughness in the steering head.
• If possible, check the visible frame; remove the seat to see underneath it also. There should be no dents, kinks or visible damage to the frame. If there is, walk away.
• While the seat is off and you can access the battery, clip the multi-meter across the battery terminals and check the voltage. It should read no less than 12 volts. Start the engine. The meter should read no more than 14 volts or so while running. If it does, that may be a sign of a ‘dodgy’ voltage regulator and it may overcharge a battery and cause it to fail. Check the lights and indicators at this stage also. Pull a fuse or two out and check for corrosion. Do this with the engine off of course. Also, check the battery terminals and overall appearance of the battery. Replace the seat.
• Open the fuel tank and check for obvious signs of rust or corrosion using your flashlight (not a match or lighter).
• Inspect under fairings (if the motorcycle has fairings). Remove the same fairing the owner removes to change spark plugs and do routine maintenance. Check the frame for fatigue at the weld points. Inspect the overall condition of the engine block, plugs, and radiator. Check for leaks around the oil filter and oil pan bolt.
• Look at the brake fluid level. This is usually on top of handlebars, in an enclosure with a clear window. With the engine running, pull hard on the front brakes level and release while watching the fluid level. It should fall and rise. It should rise quickly once the brake is released.

4.  Take a test drive.

• Pick a nice day with dry roads and good visibility if possible. Bring your bike license and proper gear if you have it. Most dealers will have loaner gear available for you to use. If at a dealer, be prepared to sign an insurance waiver; if privately, be ready to leave your license with the seller as security.
• Pick a route that you are familiar with that has light traffic and good road conditions if possible. Start slowly and get used to the way the bike feels and responds.
• Test the brakes. They should not ‘pulse’. That is a sign of warped disks. They should engage smoothly and evenly and not grab violently or feel spongy.
• Accelerate through the gears. The transmission should feel firm and not slip out of gear under acceleration or feel ‘clunky’.
• While on a straight, clean patch of road, weave left and right slightly to see how the bike responds. It should feel stable and easy to correct.
• Listen for any unusual engine noises, suspension creaking or rattling and any undue vibrations. Ask questions about anything you have doubts about.

5.  Inspect the bike again after the ride, looking for any leaks or drips. Check the oil, through either the sight glass or; when the engine cools, the dipstick if so equipped. Most semi or full synthetic oils will darken after only a few miles. That is completely normal.

6.  Request a service history. It is always a good thing to have, but for several reasons, they may not be available. Ask for an owner’s manual and factory toolkit if available.

7.  Be realistic when negotiating on the final price of the bike. For a private seller, this may be his baby and insulting him now will ensure that you will not get a fair price. If at a dealership, realize that the salesperson may have targets to meet and a boss looking over his shoulder. Do some research online; use the retail pricing guides if available, or read the bike classifieds to get a fair market value of the bike. Then, set your buy price accordingly.

Tips

• Insurance is never optional. You will need it eventually.
• If you’re planning on trading in your bike to lower costs:
  • Clean it! Wash it, wax it, clean the wheels. Every hour the dealer has to spend tidying it up will cost you a bunch on trade in price.
  • Have a verifiable service history. Have receipts or dealer history.
  • Know how much your bike is worth. Don’t just say “as much as I can get”.
  • Tighten and lube your chain. Basic maintenance is critical to the trade-in price. A loose, dirty chain is a sure sign of lack of maintenance and will make the dealer wary.
  • Get an ownership history.
  • A fresh Warrant of Fitness will give the dealer confidence about your bike.
  • Never take the first offer. A dealership will offer below what he is willing to pay. Be prepared to barter with price, discounted service or free or discounted accessories.

Warnings

• Do not buy more motorcycle than you can ride. Ride within your limits and experience. If you have any reservations about the road – worthiness of a particular machine .. do NOT ride it.
• Motorcycling involves risk. Be prepared. Do NOT buy the cheapest safety gear.
• Most importantly, take a class on motorcycle riding. This will help make you a defensive driver and will lower your insurance rates.Even if you have driven a motorcycle for years, an advance rider class is a way to tweek your riding skills and make you an even better rider.

Things You’ll Need

• Motorcycle license
• Flashlight
• Multimeter
• Helmet and riding gear

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Buy a Used Motorcycle. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How to Ride a Motorcycle

from wikiHow – The How to Manual That You Can Edit


Do you want to feel the wind in your hair, or are you just in the midst of a mid-life crisis? Follow these instructions to begin riding a motorbike safely.

Steps

1. Take a professionally-operated class. In most European countries, this is a requirement. In the United States the Motorcycle Safety Foundation often offers low cost classes.( not available in India)
2. Start learning with a small or medium displacement motorbike.
3. Control the speed with the throttle or accelerator.
4. Use the clutch to ease the gear shift as well when you apply the brake.
5. Always apply both the brakes simultaneously.
6. Switch on the ignition and start the engine either by ‘kicking’ or pressing the start button. Do this when the engine is in Neutral or ‘gear 0′.
7. Hold the clutch lever to the minimum position (towards the handle bar).
8. Increase the throttle gently and release the clutch lever smoothly. Once the vehicle starts moving, continue the throttle rise and let the clutch lever go outwards from the handlebar.
9. Once the vehicle obtains the required torque, you can apply the step 7 and 8 to get the desired speed.
10. While learning, avoid busy or high speed areas.

Tips

• Attend training at a professional school or with a private instructor.
• Read the manufacturer’s guide for the gear and clutch mechanisms.
• Turning can be counter-intuitive. You must use a technique called counter steering. It’s the same as riding a bike, you lean into the turn and steer away from the turn. Many learners treat it like a car and want to steer into the turn, rather than away from the turn.
• “Where you look is where you go” so if you look down on the ground, a common problem with learners, then you WILL dump the bike. If there’s an obstruction in your path, try not lock your sights onto it, or you are more likely to hit it. Look where you want to go. It’s important to glance all around, to be aware of what’s in every direction, but it’s a dangerous habit to lock sights in a direction you don’t want to go.

Warnings

• Learn under supervision of an experienced adult.

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Ride a Motorcycle. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.