A dozen dirt-cheap ways to maximize the performance and reliability of your motorcycle:
- Check and maintain the air pressure in your tires. Consult your owner's manual for the proper air pressure values to suit your specific bike. Proper air pressure is critical for tire safety, maximizing traction, and imroving longevity. Keep a tire pressure gage handy (they are very inexpensive) and use it freqnently. If one or both of your tires is low on air, inflate them to the proper pressure as soon as possible.
- Keep tabs on your battery. A failing battery can cause all manners of headaches ranging from hard starting to poor engine performance--and might even leave you stranded somewhere. You should periodically check your battery to make sure it is in top condition. If you have a liquid-cell battery, make sure that the electrolyte levels are correct. If they are low, slowly add distilled water to bring them back up to spec. You can also purchase a battery tester at any auto parts store for a few dollars that can tell you the condition of your lead-acid battery in seconds. If you have a volt meter, you can check your battery to be sure that it is maintaining the proper voltage: around 13-15 volts.
- Maintain your chain. A poorly adjusted or dirty chain can cost you power and will wear out more quickly. You should clean your chain every 500 miles or so. Remove the chain from your bike and soak it in kerosene to remove the old grime. If it is very dirty, you can use an old toothbrush to scrub out the old gunk. Once it is clean, re-apply your lubricant of choice. Many quality chain lubes are available from your local motorcycle shop. Wax-type lubes are nice because they don't collect as much dirt as standard chain oil, and they also don't sling off the chain onto your bike as easily. Refer to your owner's manual for information on chain tension. On many bikes there will be a "chain tension" decal somewhere near the swingarm with tension and adjustment information. Make sure you properly adjust your chain to maximize the longevity of your chain and sprockets--as well as performance.
- Keep your oil clean. You should religiously follow the oil changing schedule set forth by the manufacturor of your bike. Oil is the lifeblood of your bike's engine: it keeps your engine cool, lubricates critical elements, and protects against corrosion. Old or dirty oil cannot perform these tasks properly. Fresh oil keeps your engine cleaner and running in top condition. We recommend that you use a quality oil intended for use in motorcycles. Motorcycle oil is different from car oil--it is specially designed for the demands of a motorcycle engine.
- Keep an eye on spark plugs. Inspecting your spark plugs can tell you a lot about the condition of your engine. The electrodes in your spark plugs should have sharp, clearly defined edges. If your plugs are dirty they can usually be cleaned with carb cleaner and a stiff (wire) brush. If your plugs are very old, excessivley dirty, or other wise damaged, you should replace them. Most spark plugs are very inexpensive. Replacing them is cheap insurance. Be careful not to over-tighten your spark plugs as it can be easy to damage the threads. A small dab of anti-seize compound applied to the plug's threads makes changing them much easier.
- Keep your carburetors or fuel injectors clean. Dirty intake and fuel-handling components such as these will definatley harm the performance of your bike. An old, gummy carb will make your bike hard to start and can severely impact performance. Clogged fuel injectors will result in poor power and rough running--and can make your engine run dangerously lean. If your bike has carburetors, we recommend a thourough cleaning with a commercial carb cleaning spray. You can buy this at any auto part store--simply follow the directions on the can. If you have a fuel-injected or carbureted bike, running a little fuel injector cleaner through it will clean grime out of injectors (or carb jets). Buy your choice of cleaner at any auto parts store. Remember, fuel injector cleaner bottles are sized for car gas tanks (usually 15 gallons or more), and the whole bottle will be too much for your bike. Add about 1/4 of the bottle to your gas tank next time you fill up, and clean your fuel system from the inside. If your bike has a removeable fuel filter, make sure it is clean.
- Keep your air intake clean. Your air intake system is critical to the performance of your motorcycle. We recommend that you attend to it every 500 miles. Start by removing the air filter(s) as described in your owner's manual. As you do this, make sure any filter guards, air intake passages, screens, etc. are free from debris. Many bikes tend to build up bits of leaves and grass or other trash in front of the air filter. Remove all this junk. Check the filter(s) too. Use a soft brush to remove any loose dust and dirt from the filter. Make sure the filter is in good condition. If it is suspect, replace it--filters are cheap, and there's no reason to have mileage and performance suffer for just a few dollars.
- Check your ignition system. Make sure your spark plug wires are in good shape and plugged in firmly to the coil(s) and plugs. There should be no loose connections, and spark plug wires should connect with an audiable "click". The rubber boots and the wire insulation itself should be clean, and pliable. If there are cracks, hard spots, or worn areas in the spark plug wires, it's time to replace them. We recommend replacing your wires if you have more than 8,000 miles on them. Wires are not terribly expensive, and most OEM-type wires degrade quickly. Check and make sure that your coils are securely mounted and that the wires going to them are firmly connected and free from corrosion and dirt. If you have a bike with points ignition, take the time to clean and adjust the points assembly.
- Maintain your electrical system. Inspect the wiring in your bike. Make sure that there aren't any broken wires or wires with worn-out insulation. Check connectors to make sure they are not corroded, rusty, or dirty. Pay special attention to your electric starter, starter solenoid, main battery terminals, and your ignition system. IF you discover a suspect connection, use a toothbrush and commercially avaialble electrical contact cleaner spray to clean it. Worn our wires should be replaced or repaired with new wire. Exposed wiring can be protected with electrical tape or heat-shrink tubing. If your main batter terminals are corroded, a solution of baking soda can be used to remove the corrosion. Clean the terminals and re-tighten them to maintain a good connection. Most bikes have a ground wire--a thick wire that connects the negative battery terminal to the frame or engine. Find this wire and make especially sure that it is secure and has good contact on both ends--a poor ground connection will have the same effect as a failing battery.
- Keep your cooling system working at it's best. If your bike is water-cooled, make sure it has the proper amount of coolant in the engine. Top it up with clean water if nessissary. If your bike is air cooled or oil cooled, then make especially sure that your engine oil is full and clean. Clean your radiator or oil cooler--dead bugs, dirt, and other buildup can severely impair their ability to cool down your engine. An overheating engine can easily become damaged. Even if your engine is only running a little hot, performance and reliabilty will both suffer.
- Adjust your suspension settings. You don't need to do this often, but it is crucial to set up your bike's supension for your body, riding style, and riding locale. Suspension settings differ from bike to bike. However, your owner's manual will contain information regarding your bike's specific settings and adjustment methods. Proper suspension settings are key to proper handling and safety. Remember that if you have a bike you ride on the street and on the track, your suspension settings will likely need to change between the two applications. This is also a good time to make sure that the suspension hardware--spring adjusting lockrings, fork clamps, swingarm pivot bolts, etc. are securely tightened.
- Double-check the hoses and cables on your bike. This includes fuel lines, carburetor vent hoses, brake lines, etc. You should ensure that hoses are in good condition and securely fastened. If you find any with bulges, splits, or cracking then replace them. Hoses and cables should be routed away from hot parts, such as exhaust pipes. Check that your cables are properly lubricated (cable lubricant is available at any bike shop) --which is required for longevity as well as proper function of your controls. Check that cables do not bind up when your handlebars turn, and that cable adjusters are fastened securely.
