The winter is slowly but surely coming to an end. With the first halfway warm days, the anticipation of the upcoming motorcycle season rises in all of us.
Now is the perfect time to check your bike in peace and make it ready for the road. How to do that? - read it in this tutorial.
Accuracy and care for the 125 season
It is absolutely necessary to check the oil, because an too low oil level can very easily cause engine damage. An oil and filter change is probably also due. Also check the coolant level and top up if necessary. Carefully check the bearings of the steering head, wheels and swingarm, as well as the function of the fork and suspension struts. Pay attention, due to the long standing in the winter months the air pressure in the tires may have decreased. Check it and at the same time also the tire profile. If you can see cracks or that the tread is below 1.6 millimeters, new tires are an obligation for safety alone! An important note: With worn or bad tires, your insurance would not accept liability in the event of damage. Did you remove the battery in the fall and charge it in the winter? If not, due to the long rest period, it shows that the battery needs a recharge and topping up of the liquid. The battery should definitely be charged before the first start.
Checking the brakes
It is particularly important to check the brakes, the brake lines and the brake fluid level before the first drive. This is because your vehicle has been stationary for a long time and dirt and dust may have accumulated on the brake discs and pads. Therefore, it is necessary to carefully clean the pads and the discs on both sides with a special brake cleaner. Additionally check the function of the brakes. The pressure point on the lever as well as the step on the pedal should work exactly and be felt precisely. Make sure that the brake opens again and especially check that the pistons are not tight. If there are any defects, then your bike must go and see a doctor.
The importance of the chain
Checking the drive chain is a very important work and it is necessary to do it one or two days before the motorcycle season start. This is because a special chain grease should be applied to the chain, which must be left to work well for at least 24 hours. But before that, you should check if the chain can be lifted from the sprocket and if you can already discover "shark teeth" on the sprocket and chain edges. If this is the case, then the chain must be replaced. It´s best to check the chain slack in pairs: One person should sit on the saddle and slightly bounce the bike. The other person should check that the lower chain tower is not too taut and that it has enough slack. The reason for this is so that the transmission output shaft and sprockets are not too stressed. If a chain is too tight, it will be stretched too much and also the suspension will be affected. A chain stretches continuously, justified by the constant wear on the friction surfaces of the pins. Therefore, the tension should be checked not only in the spring, but at regular intervals. The chain sag, also called chain tension, is usually in the range of 20 to 40 mm or 30 to 50 mm. Check your owner's manual to see which specification is required for your motorcycle. You may also have a sticker with the data on one of the swingarm spars. Mostly colored wear markings (green and red area) show you in which condition the chain is. From the red area on, the chain should be replaced. If you need to tighten the chain, jack up your bike so that you can turn the rear wheel freely. Then loosen the rear axle nut by at least two turns so that you can easily move the wheel backwards. If there is a locking cotter pin in the axle nut, you must remove it first with pliers. Before tightening the axle nut, loosen the chain a little, but never too tight. After the work is done, check the chain slack again, if the chain is still too loose, then repeat the process carefully. Always use a special chain cleaner for cleaning.
Replacement of parts is often urgent
With the engine running, take a close look at all the lights and electronic systems, such as switches for the clutch and side stand. Check the horn to make sure it is loud enough. If you have a carbureted engine, it is necessary to drain the float chambers of the carburetors. For this purpose it is necessary to open the fuel tap and then fill a fresh fuel into the carburetor, so the highly inflammable components of the fuel get into the combustion chamber. If the proper functioning of the carburetor is not ensured, take the vehicle to a service center. You should also check whether the exhaust system needs to be replaced or whether you need other spare parts such as gaskets or bulbs. Sometimes the purchase of a good panoramic rear view mirror or a new side stand, which offers more safety, is not a luxury. For a motorcycle season start to succeed optimally, you should also check your protective clothing, helmet and gloves. A professional and well-maintained motorcycle clothing can improve the riding experience enormously and additionally protect you from health problems. Maybe you need to grease your protective clothing? Check carefully if your kidney belt is big enough and if your undergarments protect you sufficiently from the cold. Check your helmet to see if the visor opening works and if the lining needs cleaning. You should also check your gloves, if they no longer fit well, then you may need new ones.
Ready for motorcycle season
It is certain that the start of the season can be a pure pleasure, so it is important to follow all the tips for the start of the season. You will certainly find special instructions in the manual of your motorcycle, which are adapted to the brand of your vehicle. An inspection with care will guarantee you great safety and you will always be ready for the motorcycle season! If the TÜV has to be renewed, you are well prepared. But be careful! Start your first ride into spring slowly and carefully. Please consider above all the danger of black ice, as it often lurks in the spring, for example in shady curves. And you know how dangerous the gravel left on the roads from winter gritting can be. In addition, there are usually countless frost heaves on the roads, which have left holes and sometimes pieces of asphalt. The optimal feeling of great freedom and speed you may only slowly allow again, get used again kilometer by kilometer to the weight of your motorcycle, to the steering and to the special peculiarities, before you can enjoy the 125cc season to the fullest.
