1. Tyre Air Pressure: Ensure tyre pressures are maintained at manufacturer recommended levels. Different pressures are recommended for single seat and pillion riding, observe them to squeeze out the optimum mileage. Over-inflated tyres do result in better mileage but play havoc with the ride, handling and stability, so don’t get desperate.
2. Brakes: Both the brakes should have the right amount of free play. To check that brakes are not binding, put the bike on the main stand and ensure that both the wheels turn freely.
3. Chain: The chain should be well lubricated and have the right amount of slack. You can read more about Motorcycle Chain Maintenance.
4. Air filter: Keep the air filter clean as dusty conditions in India tend to clog up the filter in no time. Change the air filter at recommended intervals and increase the cleaning frequency in particularly dusty climes. Clutch: Should be properly adjusted and have the right amount of free play. An over tightened clutch will cause it to slip unnoticeably and increase the fuel consumption while also burning it out quickly.
5. Engine: Again regular servicing and tune-ups will keep the engine running like clockwork and reduce your petrol bills. Pay special attention to cleaning the carburettor and maintaining valve clearences. Don’t neglect the spark plug, ensure it is clean, the gap is set correctly or replace it if past its prime as it’s the most crucial link in proper combustion. Most modern bikes require the choke to be used on cold starts as they run lean to meet emission norms as well as fuel efficiency requirements.
6. Engine Oil: Engine oil should be changed religiously. The oil thickens due to carbon deposits creating drag in the movement of engine internals. Running the bike on dirty oil will not only increase fuel consumption but also reduce the life of the engine.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Bike Cleaning and Maintenance Tips
Be it your new Lord of the Streets or your cute budget bike, they are such loyal buddies taking the lazy you to office, to grocer, carrying you and your monthly grocery through the crowded streets to home, after you’ve had enough of the rest-of-the-world experience. Don’t you think we need to pay back our 4-stroke bike at least giving it a once-in-a-while cleaning at house? So said, I would like you to read through the following lines.
You got all those bike accessories as because you liked the way they changed the look of your bike; whether it is the shiny chrome, or the dual tone graphics on it, or even extra beautiful paint. These could set your bike apart in a crowd and give it a special identity like you have in your work place. While you receive all that pampering do you pay back to your bike? In fact let me tell, even a 1lakh bike will be great on road if its dirty and an decade old bike can still be shining and attracting second looks- all in the maintenance.
I am going to give you a few tips in bike cleaning and hopefully with the pampering it receives it will never let you down:
If you have had a long drive the bike needs a cool down time period before you head for a washing episode. It allows the engine to cool down. If not there could be streaking, damage to chrome and spotting and at times even crack of the engine as well. Look for leaks if any and wear of the tyres, any loose bolts and even hoses, and give a thorough look at other areas which sometimes take your attention to otherwise neglected things.
Cleaning Equipment Required: The list of soaps, waxes and cleaning agents is almost endless and if you are a little careful you can do a hell lot with a good brush, clean rags, and some water. But so said, I would suggest that you pick a cleaning solution that is tailor made for bikes. Inappropriate cleaners will get on saddle, blue the chrome and get on the paint. Thus, use products that will not cause problems as regards to spoiling the finish or discoloring it. Remember cheap cleaning products will only harm your vehicle.
Once preparing the cleaning solution as per the mixing direction start cleaning your toy. Give heavy dirt settled on fenders and bugs a presoak treatment and then rinse with jet of water to clean off the loosened dirt. Use a clean sponge or cloth so it doesn’t scratch the chrome or the paint.
Give a thorough rinse to the bike, give a little rubbing, but an extra wash and rinse is any day better than rubbing for the reason that it will dull the shine of the paint or scratch the chrome. But so said, when water is scarce give a gentle rubbing to the heavily soiled areas. Clean the hidden areas as well to ensure it’s absolutely free of dirt. Ensure that the cleaning solution is washed off the bike. Give another rinse job and if there is run off of the water with no signs of beading your bike needs a thorough polishing; however, with the manufacturer recommended polishes.
Clean the wheels with separate rag and rinse the wheels again separately. Wipe the bike off the water with dry and soft cloth. Avoid doing this under direct exposure to sun to prevent any streaking.
Never use a dryer or air compressor to dry the vehicle as it might grit the finish and cause irreparable damage. Use a cloth to dry rather than a blower or a dryer. Clean the leather saddle (if) with the manufacturers recommendations.
Once the bike is clean you can pamper the tyres if you desire. Give some oil treatment to the chain with the recommended oil. With so much bike spa treatment your bike is ready to carry your lazy body again, but now with more shine and beauty.
You got all those bike accessories as because you liked the way they changed the look of your bike; whether it is the shiny chrome, or the dual tone graphics on it, or even extra beautiful paint. These could set your bike apart in a crowd and give it a special identity like you have in your work place. While you receive all that pampering do you pay back to your bike? In fact let me tell, even a 1lakh bike will be great on road if its dirty and an decade old bike can still be shining and attracting second looks- all in the maintenance.
I am going to give you a few tips in bike cleaning and hopefully with the pampering it receives it will never let you down:
If you have had a long drive the bike needs a cool down time period before you head for a washing episode. It allows the engine to cool down. If not there could be streaking, damage to chrome and spotting and at times even crack of the engine as well. Look for leaks if any and wear of the tyres, any loose bolts and even hoses, and give a thorough look at other areas which sometimes take your attention to otherwise neglected things.
Cleaning Equipment Required: The list of soaps, waxes and cleaning agents is almost endless and if you are a little careful you can do a hell lot with a good brush, clean rags, and some water. But so said, I would suggest that you pick a cleaning solution that is tailor made for bikes. Inappropriate cleaners will get on saddle, blue the chrome and get on the paint. Thus, use products that will not cause problems as regards to spoiling the finish or discoloring it. Remember cheap cleaning products will only harm your vehicle.
Once preparing the cleaning solution as per the mixing direction start cleaning your toy. Give heavy dirt settled on fenders and bugs a presoak treatment and then rinse with jet of water to clean off the loosened dirt. Use a clean sponge or cloth so it doesn’t scratch the chrome or the paint.
Give a thorough rinse to the bike, give a little rubbing, but an extra wash and rinse is any day better than rubbing for the reason that it will dull the shine of the paint or scratch the chrome. But so said, when water is scarce give a gentle rubbing to the heavily soiled areas. Clean the hidden areas as well to ensure it’s absolutely free of dirt. Ensure that the cleaning solution is washed off the bike. Give another rinse job and if there is run off of the water with no signs of beading your bike needs a thorough polishing; however, with the manufacturer recommended polishes.
Clean the wheels with separate rag and rinse the wheels again separately. Wipe the bike off the water with dry and soft cloth. Avoid doing this under direct exposure to sun to prevent any streaking.
Never use a dryer or air compressor to dry the vehicle as it might grit the finish and cause irreparable damage. Use a cloth to dry rather than a blower or a dryer. Clean the leather saddle (if) with the manufacturers recommendations.
Once the bike is clean you can pamper the tyres if you desire. Give some oil treatment to the chain with the recommended oil. With so much bike spa treatment your bike is ready to carry your lazy body again, but now with more shine and beauty.
tips to avoid scratches on bike
1. Whenever you are to park your bike in a tight parking lot, make sure you always park it on its main (centre) stand and not on its side stand. This is because, when you park with the side stand, your bike is easily prone to be touched by the neighbouring bike when the person takes his/her bike out thereby getting scratched.
2. Apply a coat of Teflon periodically so as to avoid the minor scratches (atleast).
3. Whenever possible, try avoiding very busy parking areas. When you are not busy, park it in some free area a little far away and walk the mile. (Good for health too..!!)
4. When the number of scratches is more, making the bike look really bad, there is nothing to panic. There are so many spray painters in almost all the cities. Try discussing with them on re-painting on that particular area alone. Out of my personal experience I tell you, it works out really well.
5. You also have spray paint in small cans at very affordable prices (mostly, it doesn’t exceed 300 bucks). If the scratched area is very small, this would prove to be an apt solution. But, be very careful in using them. The problem with these paints is that they don’t get adhered onto the body as you spray it. It usually clots downward, thereby creating a mark all along the body. So, use them on surfaces where clotting would be minimum..
6. There are more chances of your bike getting scratched during service. Might sound odd, but true. Careless handling and lack of space results in getting your bike scratched. So, tell them about this issue and give it for service.
7. In traffic signals, do not try to push yourself into every single gap. This is where most scratches happen. If it’s true that you love your bike a lot, don’t attempt to do it.
8. Riders having a R15, Fazer, Karizma, Pulsar 220 and other such bikes with side fairings need to drive carefully because it is this part that projects outside the body. Especially, when you get down from some other bikes and get on to this. This is when you don’t get the feel of extra projections. Don’t take this light, it’s happened to my pal.
9. Do not wipe your bikes with clothes other than soft ones. These days, you get separate soft cloth to wipe bikes. Hardly, costs you a hundred bucks. Worth the penny.
10. Last but not the least, Clean your bike regularly. Wipe it immediately when you find come bird-droppings. This may lead to scratches if not wiped off.
2. Apply a coat of Teflon periodically so as to avoid the minor scratches (atleast).
3. Whenever possible, try avoiding very busy parking areas. When you are not busy, park it in some free area a little far away and walk the mile. (Good for health too..!!)
4. When the number of scratches is more, making the bike look really bad, there is nothing to panic. There are so many spray painters in almost all the cities. Try discussing with them on re-painting on that particular area alone. Out of my personal experience I tell you, it works out really well.
5. You also have spray paint in small cans at very affordable prices (mostly, it doesn’t exceed 300 bucks). If the scratched area is very small, this would prove to be an apt solution. But, be very careful in using them. The problem with these paints is that they don’t get adhered onto the body as you spray it. It usually clots downward, thereby creating a mark all along the body. So, use them on surfaces where clotting would be minimum..
6. There are more chances of your bike getting scratched during service. Might sound odd, but true. Careless handling and lack of space results in getting your bike scratched. So, tell them about this issue and give it for service.
7. In traffic signals, do not try to push yourself into every single gap. This is where most scratches happen. If it’s true that you love your bike a lot, don’t attempt to do it.
8. Riders having a R15, Fazer, Karizma, Pulsar 220 and other such bikes with side fairings need to drive carefully because it is this part that projects outside the body. Especially, when you get down from some other bikes and get on to this. This is when you don’t get the feel of extra projections. Don’t take this light, it’s happened to my pal.
9. Do not wipe your bikes with clothes other than soft ones. These days, you get separate soft cloth to wipe bikes. Hardly, costs you a hundred bucks. Worth the penny.
10. Last but not the least, Clean your bike regularly. Wipe it immediately when you find come bird-droppings. This may lead to scratches if not wiped off.
10 Most Practical Tips On Protecting Your Bike Against Theft
Original Source: 10 Most Practical Tips On Protecting Your Bike Against Theft from BikeAdvice.in
There are exclusive expert teams all over the world which specialises the act of stealing motorcycles. There are many reasons for bikes to be stolen. “Any stolen vehicle is abandoned, sold or used for crimes later. In seventy five per cent of crimes, bikes are used as getaways by criminals. For example, recently in all the chain snatching incidents and angadia loots, thieves used bikes for the purpose,” said a senior city police official.
Here are a few facts on bike theft:
1. The rate of bike theft is almost twice the rate of car theft.
2. More or less half of the motorists have the habit of not locking their bikes.
3. Out of the total bikes stolen, hardly 26% is recovered.
4. As much as 60% of the bikes are dismantled into parts and are sold.
5. Believe me or not, a professional thief can steal a bike in less than just 15 seconds and it is a fact.
Do not panic. There are solutions to keep our bikes away from the hands of these culprits. Here are a few practical tips.
1. Anti-theft security system: Firstly, install a branded anti-theft security system to your bike. These as most of you know is remote controlled, which deducts vibrations on your bike when the ignition is turned off and starts producing noise to shoo away the thieves; it alerts you as well. You can get one such installed in the showroom itself. Almost all showrooms these days does it Cost varies between 800 to 1500 bucks. Xenos is a trustable brand when it comes to bike security systems.
2. Fork lock: Add a fork lock to the front wheel of your bike. It prevents your bike from moving along either direction. When parking, lock it and go. It doesn’t look odd too and adds up to the security as well.
3. Lock your bikes first: Check out the second fact that is mentioned above. More or less half of the motorists have the habit of not locking their bikes. You have to inculcate the habit of locking your bike when going elsewhere. There exist no alternative to this primary solution. Consider it your duty and execute them.
4. Install original locks: When a situation arises wherein you need to remove your lock assembly and go for a new one, have no second thought; Proceed straight to the showroom to get an original one installed.
5. Chain your bikes: Stock locks are the easiest to break and take away your bike. This is because, they are damn used to it that they can do it just like that. Keep this in mind. So, chain your bikes to some pillar or post nearby. Though might sound to be a cheap and on outdated idea, you still have to.
6. Demand a jobcard: When giving your bikes for customization or repairs wherein you will have to handover your bike to them do not forget for God’s sake to demand a jobcard or a receipt bearing your bike’s number and model. There are those small shops in every city which professionally steal your bike in this way. Beware!
7. Be within the visual reach of your bike: You will find particular areas in almost every big city which deals only with automobile spares and jobs. When you ought to park your bike in such areas, be within the visual reach of your bike. Else, within minutes it’ll be dismantled and taken away.
8. Park properly: Avoid parking your bikes on streets near your home. Try parking in a garage.
9. Avoid bike stands: Avoid leaving your bike in bike stands for a long instance. Pretty risky. If you frequently do it, develop a personal touch with the guy out there. The best thing you can do is this.
10. Insurance: Last but not least, have your bike insured up to date. Anything might happen anytime. It’s better that we stay on the safe side.
There are exclusive expert teams all over the world which specialises the act of stealing motorcycles. There are many reasons for bikes to be stolen. “Any stolen vehicle is abandoned, sold or used for crimes later. In seventy five per cent of crimes, bikes are used as getaways by criminals. For example, recently in all the chain snatching incidents and angadia loots, thieves used bikes for the purpose,” said a senior city police official.
Here are a few facts on bike theft:
1. The rate of bike theft is almost twice the rate of car theft.
2. More or less half of the motorists have the habit of not locking their bikes.
3. Out of the total bikes stolen, hardly 26% is recovered.
4. As much as 60% of the bikes are dismantled into parts and are sold.
5. Believe me or not, a professional thief can steal a bike in less than just 15 seconds and it is a fact.
Do not panic. There are solutions to keep our bikes away from the hands of these culprits. Here are a few practical tips.
1. Anti-theft security system: Firstly, install a branded anti-theft security system to your bike. These as most of you know is remote controlled, which deducts vibrations on your bike when the ignition is turned off and starts producing noise to shoo away the thieves; it alerts you as well. You can get one such installed in the showroom itself. Almost all showrooms these days does it Cost varies between 800 to 1500 bucks. Xenos is a trustable brand when it comes to bike security systems.
2. Fork lock: Add a fork lock to the front wheel of your bike. It prevents your bike from moving along either direction. When parking, lock it and go. It doesn’t look odd too and adds up to the security as well.
3. Lock your bikes first: Check out the second fact that is mentioned above. More or less half of the motorists have the habit of not locking their bikes. You have to inculcate the habit of locking your bike when going elsewhere. There exist no alternative to this primary solution. Consider it your duty and execute them.
4. Install original locks: When a situation arises wherein you need to remove your lock assembly and go for a new one, have no second thought; Proceed straight to the showroom to get an original one installed.
5. Chain your bikes: Stock locks are the easiest to break and take away your bike. This is because, they are damn used to it that they can do it just like that. Keep this in mind. So, chain your bikes to some pillar or post nearby. Though might sound to be a cheap and on outdated idea, you still have to.
6. Demand a jobcard: When giving your bikes for customization or repairs wherein you will have to handover your bike to them do not forget for God’s sake to demand a jobcard or a receipt bearing your bike’s number and model. There are those small shops in every city which professionally steal your bike in this way. Beware!
7. Be within the visual reach of your bike: You will find particular areas in almost every big city which deals only with automobile spares and jobs. When you ought to park your bike in such areas, be within the visual reach of your bike. Else, within minutes it’ll be dismantled and taken away.
8. Park properly: Avoid parking your bikes on streets near your home. Try parking in a garage.
9. Avoid bike stands: Avoid leaving your bike in bike stands for a long instance. Pretty risky. If you frequently do it, develop a personal touch with the guy out there. The best thing you can do is this.
10. Insurance: Last but not least, have your bike insured up to date. Anything might happen anytime. It’s better that we stay on the safe side.
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