Welcome to Motorcycles Guide
Ducatti Motorcycles Article
. For a permanent link to this article, or to bookmark it for further reading, click here.
Motorcycle Maintenance - A Basic Guide
from: By: James HunabanHere we have a few things you should check on your motorcycle on a regular basis. I assume you have a handbook with the specs for your bike, if not, go get one. You may be able to find some data for your particular motorcycle on the net. You can also pick up workshop manuals for various models on eBay in PDF or CD form for little money.
Whereas with a four wheeled vehicle you may get away with being lax with things like tire pressures etc, this is not the case with a motorcycle. You should not risk compromising the safety and stability of your motorcycle, for the sake of a bit of routine maintenance.
Pre-ride check
* Tires - check condition and for foreign objects in the tread.
* Tire pressures - it is vitally important to keep your motorcycles tire pressures either on spec or very close to it.
* Oil level - always check with the bike on level ground.
* Coolant level - only if your bike's liquid cooled, obviously.
* Chain - check the tension and make sure it's well lubed.
* Brakes - check they work and that they feel good.
* Lights - check all your lights, especially the brake light, you
don't want to get rear ended, do you?
* Visual inspection - self explanatory.
* All ok - hit the road.
Periodical checks
* Check battery - see that the connections are tight; I dropped a bike once because of a loose battery connection, strange but true. Also check the electrolyte level on some batteries, a lot of newer batteries are gel filled, sealed for life types, so no need with these.
*Carb balance - if your bike is multi carbed get yourself a Morgan carbtune or similar. It can be a little tricky the first time you balance them, but when you've done it once, the second time will be easy.
*Ignition timing - only necessary on some bikes, most newer models have electronic ignition which does not need touching, normally.
*Valve clearances - unless you're a good home mechanic, take it to a dealer.
*Wheel bearings - grab each wheel with it off the ground and see if there is any sideways play. There should be none or maybe a trace at most.
*Steering head bearings - with the front end off the ground, grab the forks and push and pull. There should be no play.
*Swinging arm bearings - with the back wheel off the ground, check for any sideways movement in the swingarm, there should be none.
*Brakes - check fluid levels, brake hoses for deterioration, and pads/shoes for thickness.
*Cables and levers - should operate smoothly. Get some grease on lever/pedal pivot points, and get some lube down the cables, if you can. A cable oiler is a handy tool.
*Nut and bolts - go all round the motorcycle with your spanners and check that all nuts/ bolts/screws are nice and tight.
Well, that's about it for some basic maintenance, obviously, unless you're a good home mechanic, any bigger jobs will have to go to a dealer. The problem can be finding a good one with skilled mechanics you can trust. I manage to keep my Yamaha Fazer 1000 running sweet just using the steps listed above. It does help that this model only needs the valve clearances checking every 26,000 miles.
About the author: James Hunaban is the owner of www.motorcycling-news.com/ a site full of Motorcycle information.
For more motorcycle articles visit: http://www.motorcycle-articles.com
Ducatti Motorcycles News
Ducati unleashes 1199 Panigale on PH streets - ABS CBN News
Ducati unleashes 1199 Panigale on PH streets ABS CBN News by Dennis Gasgonia, ABS-CBNnews.com MANILA, Philippines – At last, the lightest and most powerful of all Ducati motorcycles has arrived in the Philippines. Ducati Philippines has unveiled the 1199 Panigale in front of eager and excited Filipino sports ... |
Ducati GPs the Stars at Monaco Auction - Ultimate MotorCycling | News and Reviews
 Ultimate MotorCycling | News and Reviews | Ducati GPs the Stars at Monaco Auction Ultimate MotorCycling | News and Reviews RM Auctions hosted its first full-day motorcycle sale on May 11 in Monaco, celebrating the Ducati brand and featuring bikes offered by the factory, alongside the world-famous Carlo Saltarelli Collection. Forming the first day of RM's two-day Monaco ... RM ACHIEVES WORLD RECORD PRICES AT ITS MONACO DUCATI SALE |
Vendors Announced for World Ducati Weekend 2012 - Web Exclusive - European Car Magazine
Vendors Announced for World Ducati Weekend 2012 - Web Exclusive European Car Magazine As Ducati makes final preparations for World Ducati Week 2012, the Italian motorcycle manufacturer has revealed the companies that will partner at the Misano Adriatico circuit on June 21-24. The Main Partners will be Effenbert beer, Pirelli and Tudor ... |
Effenbert, Pirelli and Tudor Partner Ducati for Massive WDW2012 - Superbike News (blog)
 Superbike News (blog) | Effenbert, Pirelli and Tudor Partner Ducati for Massive WDW2012 Superbike News (blog) As Ducati make the final preparations for a potentially record-breaking World Ducati Week 2012, the famous Italian motorcycle manufacturer reveals the brands that will proudly partner their highly anticipated event at the Misano Adriatico circuit 21-24 ... |
Ducati Release WDW2012 Event Details - Stay On The Black
 Stay On The Black | Ducati Release WDW2012 Event Details Stay On The Black WDW will offer all visitors from around the world, the opportunity to meet-up and enjoy their passion for Ducati motorcycles, with an International Village providing hospitality for both home Italian and international Ducatisti. |
Pod Rods - a new Chevrolet SS is approved; a motorcycle racer tames the beast ... - Florida Times-Union
Pod Rods - a new Chevrolet SS is approved; a motorcycle racer tames the beast ... Florida Times-Union The two-day auction presented more than 90 automobiles, 100 Ducati motorcycles and three boats, with several all-time records for some of the sales with 87 percent of all lots sold. Bidders from 33 countries took part. One of two 1957 Ferrari 625 TRC ... |
WDW2012 Details Announced - P&H Motorcycles
 P&H Motorcycles | WDW2012 Details Announced P&H Motorcycles WDW will offer all visitors from around the world, the opportunity to meet-up and enjoy their passion for Ducati motorcycles, with an International Village providing hospitality for both home Italian and international Ducatisti. |