Are you looking for strategies to save money on bike maintenance? Is the cost of repairing and replacing your bike depleting your savings? If so, you’ve come to the right place for assistance. We’ve compiled a list of the top seven bike maintenance suggestions.
1. Check The Tyres
The bike’s tyres are the most important component. You should inspect your tyres regularly and replace them if you realise that riding your bike is getting harder. Check to see if your tyres’ treads are worn out. You should also consider whether the tyres are underinflated. Remember that an underinflated tyre makes it difficult for your bike’s wheels to rotate, resulting in an unpleasant riding experience. Similarly, overinflated tyres have poor traction and are always at risk of exploding.
Important tyre-related considerations:
- If your tyres lose pressure quickly and the problem persists, it is best to replace them.
- If you detect threads coming out of your tyre, don’t wait until it’s entirely bald. Keep in mind that riding a bike with worn-out tyres is a regular cause of an accident.
- Your bike’s tyres are subjected to the same level of wear and strain. As a result, instead of changing one at a time, try to replace both.
2. Engine oil levels
Engine oil ensures the smooth functioning of your bike. It lubricates your bike’s engine and gears. If you have a habit of riding your bike with the same oil you used the previous year, you run the risk of harming your bike’s internal components. When you purchase a bike on a two-wheeler loan, you must have received an instruction manual. The little manual contains information on which sort of engine oil to use on your bike and how frequently it should be replaced.
Important engine oil-related considerations:
- Check for any leakages in your bike’s engine.
- Remember that the carbon deposits available in the oil thicken it. It ultimately results in backward dragging of the engine’s movement.
- Running your bike on unclean fuel leads to increased oil consumption and will shorten the life of your bike’s engine.
3. Check the air filters
Air filters usually have a shorter life when compared to other components. If you are using a bike for daily commuting, the air filter can last up to 10,000 to 15,000 km. However, keep in mind that other elements influence the health of your bike’s filters, such as driving patterns, driving conditions, bike age, and so on. If you live in a dusty environment, the odds of your air filter becoming blocked and rendered useless before completing the above kilometers are significant.
Key things to consider:
- Replace your air filters at the intervals specified in the user manual.
- If you live in a dusty environment, increase your washing frequency.
4. Regular servicing of the engine
Make sure you have your bike’s engine regularly serviced to improve its health. Regular servicing ensures that your bike runs smoothly and consumes less fuel.
Key things to consider:
- Make sure you clean out the carburetor every 900 miles.
- Keep an eye out for the choke. If it is clogged, clean it immediately. In the event of damage, have it repaired or replaced at a nearby garage.
- Always use the appropriate spark plug. If you discover a problem with the plug, replace it per the user manual.
5. Check your bike’s transmission system
If you don’t lube your bike’s chain regularly, the extreme heat will cause it to wear out. Further, excessive pressure on them will result in link separation, causing your chain to break and sprockets to fall.
Key things to consider:
- Always make use of paraffin to clean your bike’s chain.
- If the chain is clogged with dirt, use a soft brush to clean it. Using water for chain cleansing is never recommended as it will lead to rusting.
6. Check your clutch
Never ignore clutch adjustments. It should be sufficient to allow for free play. Overtightening the clutch has several undesirable consequences. One of these is a rise in fuel consumption. Thus, if you have problems with the clutch while riding a bike, take it to a local mechanic and have it adjusted for best use.
7. Check your battery’s condition
Another important component of a two-wheeler is the battery. It has a direct impact on the self-start, headlamp brightness, and so forth. To keep your bike in good working order, get your battery conditions checked at regular intervals. When your bike’s battery water level becomes low, top it up with distilled water as soon as possible. Examine the battery for any leaks. Such leaks can also destroy other parts of your bike.
Aside from that, if you have had your bike in the garage for a long time and it’s been unused for a while, attempt to charge your battery before hitting the road.
In Closing
Bikes require frequent maintenance if you want to extend their life. If you borrowed money to buy a bike and are paying the bike loan interest rate, you don’t want the expense of maintenance or repairs to leave a dent in your wallet. As a result, it is recommended to follow the above guidelines to keep your bike in good condition.
