Like we human beings, our motorcycles and scooters also fall ‘ill’. And, when they fall ‘ill’ or stop working, our commuting is affected. So, a general maintenance is required to keep them in a workable state.
Have a look at some of the useful ways through which you can take care of your bike. Here, I want to draw your attention towards some two-wheeler parts that should be properly checked to have a safe ride.
- Wheel Alignment: Make sure the wheel alignment of your vehicle is proper with the back wheel following the trail of the front. Any misaligned or unbalanced wheel can cause several issues, like uneven tyre wear, vibrations, wobbling, etc. To avoid this, ensure that wheels are properly aligned.
- Tyres and air pressure: Tyres should be perfectly inflated as under-inflated tyres emit excessive heat, which also results in a blowout. Also, too much heat means your tyres will wear out quickly, which also leads to tyre damage. So, check your motorcycle tyres on a regular basis. While, some people check tyres on a ride-by-ride basis, others do it on a weekly basis or there are some people who do it when it comes into their mind. I would recommend that you at least check them once a week as you’d be surprised to know how quickly they lose pressure. Also, for the proper grip and longevity, it is necessary to have an optimum air pressure in the tyres.
- Oil level: While, oil is necessary to run a two-wheeler, too much oil reduces the airspace and subsequently raises the engine internal pressure. Similarly, putting too little oil can also cause your bike’s engine to blow up, and therefore, it is necessary to maintain the correct oil level.
- Cables and connectors: As cable length and adjuster differ from one bike to another, it is necessary to ensure that you have the correct set of clutch and brake cables for your vehicle. Moreover, the adjuster is necessary to set the correct amount of tension in the cable. The proper lubrication of the cable helps in the smooth functioning of a vehicle and is also useful in minimising control effort, so don’t forget to lubricate the cable.
- Electrical and loosened wiring: As the fuse box acts as the electrical point for the entire motorcycle, do a careful check of your fuse box to find any blown or loose fuse. It is essential to avoid any mid-ride break down.
- Air filter: Everything that goes into your motorcycle passes through air filters and a dirty air filter may cut down the air flow to the cylinders. Also, dirt, dust or other foreign particles can enter the engine and hamper valves, internal bearings, and cylinders. So, cleaning or replacing air filters on a regular basis is necessary, which becomes more important if someone is riding daily in a dustier surrounding.
- Coolant: As coolant keeps your motorcycle’s engine cool and prevents overheating, it is necessary to keep a regular check on it and refill it as per the need.
- Battery: For a trouble-free ride, the battery of your bike demands periodical maintenance. So, carefully check the electrolyte level against the top and bottom markings on a battery and use distilled water, if required. In case you are not using your bike, take out its battery and charge it in the gap of two or three days. Also, make sure that the electrolyte levels are kept within the upper and lower limit as per the marking of the container of the conventional lead-based battery. It is necessary to charge the battery regularly even during the long period of non-use. In case it is not feasible to take out the battery, start your motorcycle and leave it for some time.
- Bearings: A motorcycle bearings require a careful timely check. So, check steering stem bearings and wheel bearing and replace them if they are not in a proper condition.
- Grip, pedal and brake: Your bike’s throttle can be both your best friend or foe. If you don’t pay attention towards it, then one day it can smack your face and you will regret your decision of underestimating it. So, make sure that the twist grip actions are light without any free play. Turn off the engine, open the throttle wide and let it go. In a normal working condition, it should snap back faster than the blink of an eye. Though, you can adjust the gear shifter as per your riding style, it should be possible to change the gear without changing your body position. It means, the best set up would be when the tip of the gear lever sits just over the tip of your toes.
- Two-wheeler Insurance: Last but not the least, buy a comprehensive two-wheeler insurance policy online to take care of your bike in case of any loss or damage. Though, a third-party insurance policy is mandatory as it covers losses or damages caused by you or your two-wheeler to another vehicle, go with a comprehensive policy to get coverage for your vehicle as well. In case of any accident or mishap, the insurer will make a payment to cover losses or damages happen to your vehicle or the third-party vehicle.
Moreover, there are riders, like roadside assistance, zero depreciation, etc.; which you can add to your main two-wheeler insurance to expand your coverage. You can also go for long-term bike insurance policy and stay covered for 2/3 years in one go.
Also, clean your two-wheeler’s carburetor and its body on a regular basis to maintain the surface finish. However, before cleaning, make sure that the ignition switch unit, H.T. coil, and silencer are properly covered. Further, use low-pressure water to clean your bike and never use detergent or kerosene as they can damage its surface paint. In addition to this, maintain an optimum speed and avoid instant brakes and hasty accelerators.
It is necessary to do a routine maintenance to diagnose any weird noise originating from your bike. Often it is easy to diagnose and rectify noise by own, provided you pay undivided attention to it. Switch on the engine and pay attention to unusual sounds. In case of any bizarre sound, take your two-wheeler to mechanic.
Remember, a quick glance over your bike and your bike will sigh under your touch and unfold all the errors to let you fix them. As now, your two-wheeler feels loved and you are ready for your next bike ride, I wish you happy riding!
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