Table of contents
- Guide to cleaning your motorcycle properly A safe diagnostic system
- To wash & to brush
- Brakes
- battery
- chain
- Oil change
- Air pressure
- polish
jkuenstle.de
23 pictures
Bilski
1/23
Beauty caress: When everything else is in good condition and you really don’t have to paw around with dirty paws on the paintwork, you can caress the outfit with hard wax.
Bilski
2/23
I don’t like chain cleaners. I prefer to clean the chain segment by segment with a rag soaked in spray oil. That protects the O-rings.
Bilski
3/23
The red lacquered chain lock makes it easier to see what is literally the weakest link in the whole chain.
Bilski
4/23
Oil change: First let it warm up, then I unscrew the oil drain plug with a long extension so that the hot liquid does not run over my hands.
Bilski
5/23
What got stuck in the oil filter, I no longer want to have in the engine. That’s why I replace the filter every time the oil is changed.
Bilski
6/23
If the oil pan has drained thoroughly, the oil drain plug and the new oil filter are screwed in.
Bilski
7/23
No driving pleasure without the right pressure: So please check the tire pressure. You can’t do that often enough.
Bilski
8/23
Motorcycle care is one of the safest diagnostic systems. Discovered while cleaning: the valve on the rear tire was brittle and cracked.
Bilski
9/23
Tips for the start of the season.
Bilski
10/23
Polish: Spraying with universal oil dissolves dirt and rust film, allegedly a burned-in thin layer of oil even protects against corrosion. But it doesn’t last long, so spray more often.
Bilski
11/23
Chain: Overcome disgust, scrape off dirt and clean with spray oil and a rag.
Bilski
12/23
Only after the pole screws have been tightened can the connection parts be protected from corrosion with a small grease pack.
Bilski
13/23
When dismantling, the negative pole of the battery is disconnected first, and last when installing.
Bilski
14/23
In spring at the latest, the machine calls for preparation.
Bilski
15/23
Water march: I fight dry dirt – even before I apply the motorcycle cleaner.
Bilski
16/23
Brushed off: At least two brushes belong in the arsenal: One soft, large-area and one thin for angled areas.
Bilski
17/23
Rinsing and drying: As thoroughly as the cleaner was applied, it also has to be rinsed off again.
Bilski
18/23
Hatschelkind brake: while the motorcycle is dripping off, the brake calipers are given their wellness treatment.
Bilski
19/23
Now things get tricky: I carefully pump out the brake pistons a little without pushing them completely out of their guides.
Bilski
20/23
According to the workshop manual, new screws should be used each time the brake calipers are removed – because of the screw locking device.
Bilski
21/23
Very important: Once the brake calipers are tight again, pump the brake lever until the pads are in contact with the discs.
Bilski
22/23
The battery stays in hibernation: the charged battery belongs in a cool, but frost-proof room. Either with the complete motorcycle or in the dismantled condition.
Bilski
23/23
Complications as an opportunity: Because of the defective valve, the rear wheel had to be removed and the tire pulled off.
counselor
workshop
Motorcycle care guide
Guide to cleaning your motorcycle properly
A safe diagnostic system
Content of
Anyone who is ready in less than 20 minutes has according to Swabian standards “net clean”. PS reveals what is important when it comes to motorcycle care and how to clean your motorcycle properly.
Ralf Schneider
03/10/2015
Cleaning a motorcycle is not just about aesthetics. Motorcycle care is one of the safest diagnostic systems. When cleaning, you take a particularly close look and discover many impending defects, loosened screws and cracked holders before they cause serious problems.
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A safe diagnostic system
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That is why Ralf Schneider explains in PS what is important when cleaning and caring for a motorcycle, what you should pay particular attention to and which means, rags and tools are helpful. On the following article pages you will find the tips and tricks for motorcycle care clearly divided into the categories:
- To wash & to brush
- Brakes
- battery
- chain
- Oil change
- Air pressure
- polish
To wash & to brush
Water march
I give dry dirt a water fight – even before applying the motorcycle cleaner (please do not exceed the maximum exposure time) it is worth taking a thorough shower to dissolve the dirt. Whether with water or detergent, I treat corners and inaccessible areas with special care. Don’t forget the undersides and inside of the parts.
Brushed off
At least two brushes belong in the arsenal: a soft, large-area and a thin one for angled areas. The most important tools for getting the cleaner anywhere and loosening stubborn dirt are physical effort, care and patience. Anyone who is finished in less than 20 minutes has “never got it clean” by Swabian standards. If you use a cleaner with a short exposure time, you should spray, brush and rinse off your machine segment by segment.
Rinsing and drying
As thoroughly as the cleaner was applied, it also has to be rinsed off again. Ideally with a soft spray of water and be particularly careful with wheel, swing arm and steering head bearings as well as plug connections. The classic leather for the lacquered surfaces, compressed air, heat and time help with drying.
Brakes
Bilski
While the motorcycle is still dripping off, the brake calipers are getting their wellness treatment.
Hatschelkind brake
While the motorcycle is still draining, the brake calipers are getting their wellness treatment. I want to dry and clean them before anything else. The toothbrush helps in the fight against the brake dust / dirt crust in the corners.
Now it’s getting tricky
I carefully pump out the brake pistons a little without pushing them completely out of their guides. So I can use a fine rag to wipe the thin edges of dirt that have formed in front of the dust seal. Then I push the brake pistons back to make it easier to install the pads that have been cleaned with brake cleaner.
Torque and screw locking
According to the workshop manual, new screws should be used every time the brake calipers are removed – because of the applied screw locking device. However, it can also come from the tube. Adhering to the prescribed torque prevents torn threads in the fork foot or screws that suddenly become longer and longer. Before they break.
Very important: put the pads back on
When the brake calipers are tight again, pump the brake lever until the pads are in contact with the discs. I change brake fluid according to the seepage method: Open the reservoir, attach the plastic hose and can to the bleeder valve, open it, let the old fluid run out. Before air gets into the system, top up with fresh liquid. Until fresh comes out below.
battery
Bilski
The contact surfaces of battery poles and connections must be clean and free of grease.
Tips for the annual battery hibernation
The charged battery belongs in a cool but frost-proof room. Either with the complete motorcycle or in a dismantled state. Occasional reloading makes it easier to start the season. At the very latest, the battery should be attached to the charger the evening before spring cleaning. Then there is still time to get a new one, in case the old one has been abandoned to death through neglect.
Not misplaced or wrongly polarized
When dismantling, the negative pole of the battery is disconnected first, and last when installing. This offers a certain protection against short circuits that can occur when tools come into contact with ground-connected parts. The contact surfaces of battery poles and connections must be clean and free of grease. And although the construction of batteries and connections makes mix-ups almost impossible today, it doesn’t hurt to make sure: is the earth cable connected to the negative pole and the red marked permanent positive cable to the positive pole? Then that’s fine.
Fat? later.
Only after the pole screws have been tightened can the connection parts be protected from corrosion with a small grease pack. Tightly secure the rubber cap protecting the positive pole. If it has become brittle, please replace it. For better protection against electrical disasters.
chain
Bilski
The red lacquered chain lock makes it easier to see what is literally the weakest link in the whole chain.
Into the dirt
Because of the strong angular acceleration of the chain on the sprocket, a lot of grease is thrown off under its cover, and the sticky stuff binds a lot of dirt. So, overcome disgust, scrape off dirt and clean with spray oil and a rag. Pay attention to the rag hierarchy: You don’t use clean towels for a job like this.
Chain plaster with dedication
I don’t like chain cleaners. I prefer to clean the chain segment by segment with a rag soaked in spray oil. That protects the O-rings. When I drive to the racetrack right after cleaning, I even do without chain spray, just pull the chain through an oil rag every now and then. As a smooth-running fetishist, I like clean, smooth-running drive trains. For everyday use, however, treatment with chain spray as protection against moisture and corrosion is indispensable, no question about it.
Before, afterwards
Please don’t let anyone believe that I cleaned my chain particularly thoroughly for the photo. In my private life I clean much more carefully, but I wouldn’t ask that of any sensible person. The red lacquered chain lock makes it easier to see what is literally the weakest link in the whole chain. Tip for sports drivers: Older super athletes often wear oversized 530 chains. Weight can be saved with 525 chains and aluminum blades.
Oil change
Bilski
If you don’t have a special tool to loosen it, you can use the brutal method: ram a Phillips screwdriver through the middle of the sheet metal jacket and use it to loosen the filter.
First let it warm up
Then I unscrew the oil drain plug with a long extension so that the hot broth does not run over my hands. A quick look at the sealing ring: If it is grooved and / or pressed wide, a new one is due.
Change the oil filter
What got stuck in the oil filter, I no longer want to have in the engine. That’s why I replace the filter every time the oil is changed. If you don’t have a special tool to loosen it, you can use the brutal method: ram a Phillips screwdriver through the middle of the sheet metal jacket and use it to loosen the filter. While the oil pan and filter housing are leaking, you can feast on the dirt that has been collected from the engine, which, despite all the care taken with the washing, has not been washed, no, caught.
Seal up
If the oil pan has drained thoroughly, the oil drain plug and the new oil filter are screwed in. When tightening the drain plug, never exceed the prescribed torque – hardly anything is more annoying than a torn thread at this point. Rub the sealing ring of the filter with a thin film of oil and screw the filter tight. A suitable tool will help; however, the required torque can also be applied by strong hands in rubber gloves.
Air pressure
Bilski
Discovered while cleaning: The valve on the rear tire was brittle and cracked.
No driving pleasure without the right pressure
Every tire loses air pressure. Always. That spoils the driving characteristics and is dangerous. That is why this spring cleaning story cannot do without the old saying: please check the tire pressure. You can’t do that often enough.
What’s going on there?
Motorcycle care is one of the safest diagnostic systems. When cleaning, you take a particularly close look and discover many impending defects, loosened screws and cracked holders before they cause serious problems. So here too: The valve on the rear tire was brittle and torn.
polish
Bilski
Hard wax is not only used for beauty, it also proves its worth in removing all kinds of dirt such as chain grease or sticker residue.
Rust magnet exhaust
The muffler of the Fireblade is made of heavy, black-coated iron, many older motorcycles even have entire exhaust systems made of the rust-prone material. Spraying with universal oil dissolves dirt and rust film, allegedly a burned-in thin layer of oil even protects against corrosion. But it doesn’t last long, so spray more often.
Complications as an opportunity
Because of the defective valve, the rear wheel had to be removed and the tire pulled off. This left the furthest corners of the swing arm and lever system exposed and I just had to clean them. Not that I was particularly happy, but afterwards I had a good feeling between my ears. And a lot of trust in my motorcycle.
Beauty caress When everything else is in good condition and you really don’t have to paw around with dirty paws on the paintwork, you can rub the outfit with hard wax. After a short drying time, polish over with a clean, soft cloth – isn’t it nice? Hard wax has also proven itself when removing all kinds of dirt such as chain grease or sticker residue.
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