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What Does a Motorcycle Tune-Up Include?
- Author :
- TATA AIG Team
- ●
- Last Updated On :
- 28/07/2022
A 'tune-up' is the most commonly used expression when discussing bike or motorcycle maintenance - or, for that matter, automobile maintenance in general. However, for the sake of this post, we will concentrate on motorcycle tune-ups and what it includes.
A motorcycle tune-up is just a service session or comprehensive maintenance. It is a complete inspection of a motorcycle to detect if any fluids or parts require replacement or cleaning. It is performed every six months or 5,000 kilometres.
Like oil changes in a four-wheeler, motorcycle owners may perform tune-ups at home without the need for a bike mechanic - provided that they have the necessary knowledge and materials. Assuming you can carry out each one correctly, performing bike tune-ups on your own will save you quite a bit of cash in the long run since these are necessary to be carried out regularly, and the associated expenses will rapidly build up.
If you have the necessary skills and tools and wish to give it a try, you just need to list all the items you must inspect when tuning up your motorcycle.
But before moving to the next step, let us inform you that it is vital to maintain your bike; it is equally important to have full insurance for a 2-wheeler since it ensures that your motorcycle is safe when you hit the roads. Also, when you purchase a bike insurance policy in hand, it'll keep your bank account from getting dried in the event of paying traffic fines or hefty repairing bills.
At Tata AIG, we offer some of the most excellent insurance for 2-wheelers. Whether you choose comprehensive or third-party coverage, you may obtain unrivalled policy advantages for your motorcycle. You may also use our online premium calculator to compare two-wheeler insurance policies from your home or workplace as per convenience and then choose the best one that suits your needs.
Coming to the central part, how to tune up the motorcycle, we will offer you a brief breakdown of the motorcycle tune-up checklist and the mentioned parts here and include everything you need to examine and replace to get started on your DIY bike maintenance objectives. Continue reading to learn more.
What Does a Motorcycle Tune-Up Consist?
Give your motorcycle a tune-up regularly to keep your bike in good shape. Your bike may survive longer than you think with proper maintenance. So, which areas of your bike should you give special attention to? Here are some essential things to do while tuning your bike.
- Examine your fluids
The four critical fluids in your bike must be regularly checked. Let us begin with engine oil. The objective of bike motor oil is to keep the engine's components lubricated. Suppose you do not replace your motor oil regularly. So,
how to tune up a motorcycle engine?
The subsequent fluid you should inspect is your motorcycle's brake fluid. It is used to improve the operation of the clutch and hydraulic brake. We suggest replacing the brake fluid once per year or every two years.
After that, you should review the coolant level. It is essential for controlling the temperature of your motorcycle's engine. We suggest you replace the coolant in a two-year gap.
Lastly, there's the fork oil. It dampens the vibration sent to your handlebars by an uneven surface. Consider replacing the oil in your forks every year or two.
- Charge your bike's battery
Your bike's battery is exceptionally crucial. If your bike's battery dries out, it will be difficult for you to find a jump to get back on the street. Charging the bike's battery ensures that your motorcycle is ready for the next lost road trip.
Before embarking on a big road trip, make sure your bike's battery is fully charged to guarantee that it can withstand the journey. The steps of charging your bike's battery are as follows:
- First, make sure that your bike's battery can absorb the charge.
- Then, establish the construction type of the battery and obtain the appropriate charger. You can now remove the battery and get ready to charge it.
- Lastly, reinstall your bike's battery and examine the electrical output to confirm that everything is operational.
You should always look for a warning signal that your bike's battery will fail. For example, if you see that the lights are dull, it might be a warning that the battery is nearing the end of its life. In addition, you should check whether your motorcycle has a slow crank or not. If your bike experiences these symptoms, you should get your bike's battery replaced or charged straight away. Therefore, this is another important answer to the question: how to tune up a motorcycle engine?
- Spark the plugs
Then, you should spark up your motorcycle's spark plugs. They help in igniting the air-fuel combination within your motorcycle's cylinders. The spark plugs are essentially what keeps your bike going on the streets. These plugs typically last 10,000 to 20,000 kilometres.
A visual inspection may determine whether the spark plugs are in excellent functioning. You should begin by removing your bike's spark plugs and inspecting them for burned-away electrodes or excessive deposits. If the spark plugs seem damaged, we suggest changing them before going on the road. Thus, this is an important step in motorcycle tune-up.
- Tyre and chains check
Lastly, you should inspect the tyres and chains of your bike. Start by reviewing the chain. You should hold the bike chain halfway between the rear and front sprockets with a tape measure. You should pull the chain down and up now. The chair must be able to move up and down about 1 inch.
After that, examine the bike's sprockets to determine whether the chain teeth are okay. Check that your bike chain may readily grab the teeth of the sprocket. After inspecting your bike's chain, it's a great idea to get it cleaned and greased. Lastly, use a cloth to remove any residual filth.
It's now time to inspect your motorcycle's tyres. One of the most prevalent types of bike breakdowns is blowouts and leaks. As a result, it is good to examine the tires before setting off visually. When your tires are fresh, they will have roughly 5 to 6 millimetres of tread depth. In addition, there are several grooves on the tyre itself.
There are little bumps within the tracks that act as wear indicators. They protrude around one millimetre above the tread. As a result, noticing these small bumps implies your tyres have roughly 1 millimetre of tread remaining and need to be replaced. However, you don't want to bring your tire to the "danger point" in the first place.
Therefore, you must replace your tyres with roughly 2 millimetres of tread remaining. Thus, this is an essential step in motorcycle tune-up.
Conclusion
Now that you have the answer to how to tune up the motorcycle, we hope you have gained enough knowledge regarding what bike tune-up means and consists of. Keep your motorcycle tune-up checklist updated and all the tasks ticked off at all times. It is critical to keep your bike in good working order. Also, we advise you to contact Tata AIG to get the best two-wheeler insurance plans tailored for your needs. Happy Riding!
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