Top Motorcycle Tips
Top Security Tip
Hide a spare charged mobile phone battery
under your seat, if your bike ever gets nicked,
go to
www.followus.co.uk and you can trace the
SIM card by satellite.
Battery Tips
A solution of bicarbonate of soda and water
will wash away furry acid deposits around
battery terminals.
Cleaning Tips
Don't risk scraping your knuckles when cleaning
hard-to-reach nooks and crannies. Put your
hand in an old sock and your new rag will
get everywhere your fingers can.
Don't be fooled by the early spring sun,
there could still be salt on the roads so
make sure you thoroughly clean your bike down
after a ride, or risk a salt-caked bike.
Police Avoidence
Bank holiday runs are good, as police forces
generally run at minimum levels to reduce
costs.
If there is a large sports event on in your
area, police will be at full stretch covering
this. A good chance to go out for a blast
- somewhere else in the county of course...
Early morning rides at the weekend are a
good idea, most shifts change at 07:00 on
Saturday (and the rarely go out before breakfast).
The night shift will be completing a mountain
of paperwork and winding down.
Suspension Tips
MOST sport bikes are happiest with 20mm sag
at the rear shock, but Ducatis like 5-10mm
more, otherwise the ride can feel loose and
harsh.
Chain Tips
If your chain has a tight spot, set the chain
tension at that point and mark a chain link
sideplate with paint at that point so you
can easily find it next time you need to adjust
the chain.
Always lubricate your chain after you have
been out for a good run, while the chain's
still hot. The lubricant will penetrate the
links and stay there for longer.
Cable Tips
If you find yourself needing to lubricate
a cable, it's a sure sign that it's on the
way out. Today's cables are nylon-lined and
when that starts to break down it will only
get worse. Instead, invest in a new one.
Brake Tips
Free Caliper Pistons;
If your brake caliper pistons are jammed
try sliding in a socket that i almost the
same size as the piston's internal diameter,
attach a T-bar to it ans some gentle wiggling
should be enough to prise it free.
Use a cable tie to hold the front brake lever
on overnight. The pressure will cause air
bubbles to form. In the morning tap the lines
to make them rise to the reservoir for better
pressure.
Bleeding Calipers;
Radial calipers can be a pig to bleed that
last bit of air out. If you persistently have
a soft brake lever, try loosening off the
bleed niple then push the brake pads as far
as they'll go before tightening again.
Clean Your Pistons;
When changing brake pads, remember that caliper
pistons exposed to road muck are going to
be pushed back in past the seals, risking
damage. Clean them first by unbolting the
calipers and getting in there with a toothrbush.
Tailgating;
Don't tailgate mates on a fast ride out,
back off ten yards. If you are too close then
you'll find that you focus on the rear wheel
of the bike in front instead of the road.
Roadside Repairs;
Always carry a bag of cable ties, they are
very handy foor securing loose cables etc
if you have an off.
