Archive for Motorcycle Repair

Regular Maintenance of Your Bike With Motorcycle Tools Is Essential for a Smooth Ride
by admin

When planning any motorcycle road trip, it is always good to plan and take along a set of motorcycle tools that can come real handy. Take time to research different motorcycle repair shops that may come along your route. But it is even better if you research online and get hold of a list of basic motorcycle tools and an appropriate tool storage bag that can be carried along in your motorbike. Take as many tools that you might need for any minor repairs since most of the times it does happen that your vehicle shows technical failures when there are no repair shops for miles. A Phillips and standard screwdriver, a pair of needle nose pliers, some cable ties, a couple of combination wrenches that fit majority of the sizes on your motorcycle, and a repair manual should all be included in your tool kit.

Apart from carrying such repairing tools along with you while traveling; keeping a handy set of tools at your home garage is also feasible. A vehicle owner is mainly responsible for the wear and tear of their vehicles and similar is the case with bikes. It is one of the most essential and priced possessions that you have probably purchased with your hard earned money. With regular usage, some parts of your vehicle might become partially inefficient and that again might lead to affecting its overall functionality. Therefore, it is important to ensure regular maintenance of your motorbike. By possessing a set of motorcycle tools, you can regularly maintain your bike and perform small repairs from time to time to experience a comfortable and smooth journey.

Many of us are skeptical about the services of automotive shops that are widespread over the market. People are mostly worried about their authenticity and credibility and at times it does happen that for very small repair jobs an automobile repair company usually charges a hefty amount. But yes, for big repairs you will obviously need to go to a reliable and professional automotive repair shop. Without timely maintenance, any vehicle will become completely useless and cause numerous problems for the owner. Therefore it is always better to have tool storage kits with the necessary motorcycle tools.

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February 10th

6:18
Motorcycle Repair

Motorcycle Repair – Restoring Your Bike
by admin

Soaring fuel prices have made gas-guzzling cars very unpopular. Welcome to the resurgence of the motorcycle. Why? Because properly maintained motorcycles and motorcycle engines can get between 40 and 60 miles a gallon. Smaller scooters get upwards of 90 miles a gallon, pretty good for an economy with $4-per-gallon gasoline.

Because of this, bike sales have soared. Motorcycle repair, too, can come in handy. Do you have a bike in storage that you haven’t dusted off for awhile? There’s a good chance you can be among those restoring motorcycles so that you can ride your old road hog again.

Restoring your older motorcycle to working condition starts with some basic steps:

Check Fuel
If you didn’t use a fuel stabilizer before you put the bike into storage, drain your old fuel (including tank, fuel lines and carburetor as applicable) before you run the engine, and put new in. Lubricate spark plug ports with a little oil, too, before you start things up.

Check Oil
Change the oil and filter if you didn’t do so before you started. If you did, top levels off.

How Is Your Battery?
Make sure leads are not corroded and that the battery will fully charge and then hold a charge. If it doesn’t, replace the battery.

Inspect The Chain
Because your chain transfers power from the engine to the rear wheel, it is very important that it be in excellent shape. Look the chain over for the following:

– Is the chain the proper tension? You should be able to grasp it in the center and move it about one inch in either direction, up or down.

– Are front and wheel sprocket teeth in good condition? If the teeth have grooves or “waves” in them or they show other signs of wear, you probably need new sprockets (chain will probably show similar wear and need replacement).

– Check every single section of the chain for signs of wear and for proper tension. It should move about an inch when you pull on it. Tighten the chain if it’s loose, and loosen it if it’s tight. If the links themselves are too tight, you might need to replace the whole chain.

– Clean dirt off the chain with a clean towel or rag before you apply lubricant. Make sure you thoroughly lubricate all sprocket teeth and links.

– Lubricate the chain well. Remember that some solvents should not be used with rubber if your chain has rubber parts to it. Use a proper solvent and wipe off any excess lubricant with a clean rag.

– Set chain tension properly by moving your rear wheel and axle forward or backward. Both sides of the axle should be aligned properly before you tighten things up or the chain and sprockets might wear out quickly. Tighten the axle nuts and replace the cotter pin with a new one if needed.

Fluid Levels
Brake, clutch and coolant levels should be checked as necessary. Make sure you replace missing brake fluid with a new container of the same brand you used last time. Let your bike idle for a few minutes before you take off so that all fluids circulate properly.

Tires and Suspension
Inspect everything thoroughly before you take your first ride. If you kept your bike stored upright on a kickstand, make sure your tires aren’t cracked, marked, or flat. In addition, check to make sure tire wear and air levels are good.

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February 10th

6:17
Motorcycle Repair

Motorcycle Repair Manual
by admin

Many people think it is difficult to repair their own motorcycle. I can prove you the inverse. It is not hard to do if you have a motorcycle repair manual. A useful step-by-step, detailed instruction.

Let me make a few examples to encourage you. Let’s say you want to reshape your saddlebag. There is no need to pay for a mechanic to get the job done. Neither to buy extra tools. So let me start. Soak the bag in hot water for a minute. Then stuff it with newspaper, at least a weekend edition. When still wet, put the top back into shape. Just leave to dry for at least one day. Then take out the newspaper. That’s it. Quite simple. If you wish to have the shape longer, you can put stiffeners in.

For an other example I will tell you how to change your motorcycle’s disc brakes. You may know, if you have disc brakes, you need to change the pads once in a while. When you have the new pads ready to built in, get your bike on a stand, so the wheels hang freely. Then loosen off the calliper assembly intact. After remove the used pads. Put the new ones on. Don’t forget to change the brake fluids. Finally replace the calliper assembly.

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February 10th

6:16
Motorcycle Repair

Motorcycle Repair
by admin

When setting out to repair any part of your motorcycle there are several key factors you need to consider.

1. Am I qualified?

2. Is it cost effective?

3. Where can I find the parts?

4. Is the cost worth the work?

When thinking about number 1 you should consider how many years of training you have, how many times you have completed projects on your own, your ability to read mechanical drawings, do you have the right tools or have access to the right tools. You have to remember motorcycle maintenance is different than car maintenance as far as safety is concerned. A simple task such as tightening your chain may seem arbitrary but if one side of the back tire is not matched to the other side by the given manufacturers marks, your chain can fly off. Think about going 70 miles an hour on the interstate and your chain gives way, knocks out your oil pan causing your bike to stop then wraps around your leg. You must remember working on motorcycle may be fun and challenging but if you are new to it get help from an experienced mechanic.

With number 2 it will usually be cost effective unless you find a shop that is struggling through the winter and they will do the work at cost. This takes away from the experience of repairing your own motorcycle but still gives you a working bike.

When looking for motorcycle parts, 3, you will always want to go OEM. This means Original Equipment Manufacturer which means the part was designed for your bike by the manufacturer of that bike. Your safety is worth it and with the online stores we have now such as Indy OEM you will get the right product delivered fast and hassle free.

When considering number 4 this is a personal decision. Do the pro’s, outweigh the con’s. If you are spending family time working on a bike then it is probably worth. If you are spending time working on your bike to hide from the wife during a fight, it is probably worth it. If you could be riding your motorcycle down the road instead of wrenching on it, it is probably not worth it. It is always a good idea to get a second opinion even if you are confident in your work. After replacing any part I take mine to the local mechanic who will do a quick inspection at no cost. If something needs tweaked a bit they will do it for a small fee.

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February 10th

6:16
Motorcycle Repair

Why You Should Get Professional Motorcycle Repair
by admin

If you are a motorcycle guru, chances are you might already have knowledge regarding motorcycle repair. Yet, this does not necessarily mean you should forego getting help from a professional.

Why? Well, motorcycle repair professionals: use specialized equipment, possess advanced training and have the ability to get your motorcycle fixed in a reasonable amount of time.

One of the best reasons you should go to a motorcycle repair professional is because they use specialized equipment. Sure, you may think ordinary tools will do the job, but sometimes they could do damage to your vehicle. But in the case of motorcycle repair professionals, any tools they use are designed just for motorcycles. And in some cases, these tools might be too expensive to get as an ordinary person. So, don’t think that you’ll be able to get a hold of them yourself at least not at a decent price.

Another reason why you need to consider motorcycle repair professionals is because they have been trained for the job. Since most reputable repair shops require some type of certification, you can be assured that the person working on your bike knows what they are doing. You, on the other hand, may only have a street knowledge of motorcycle repair. And while that may work fine for minor issues, major repairs will require additional skills, skills that take more time to learn.

Finally, motorcycle repair professionals can get your bike fixed relatively quickly. Since they already know what to do, they won’t have to spend hours or even days pondering their next move. But if you do it, you may have to get books and other resources explaining the repair process. And, going through all of this information takes time. Plus, there’s no guarantee you’ll understand what to do even after doing your research. And, if this happens, you might spend even more time either looking for more research materials or trying to fix the motorcycle with your current understanding. But if you do the latter, you could put your bike at risk.

In conclusion, unless you happen to be a motorcycle repair professional yourself, you’re better off taking your bike to a shop the next time it breaks down. Yes, you will have to pay some money, but the reward is much greater than getting your biked fixed without any further hassles. And that in itself is very valuable. Maybe even more valuable than the money you would’ve saved originally.

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February 10th

6:15
Motorcycle Repair