How to Extend the Life of Your Motorcycle Parts
Regular maintenance and repairs are important for the life expectancy of your motorcycle parts. Regular maintenance includes cleaning and checking for any leaks. You should also replace the OEM drain plug with a magnetic one. You can also prolong the life of your bike with aftermarket exhaust. To make sure that your motorcycle runs smoothly, consult experts and the manufacturer’s instructions before installing any aftermarket exhaust components. Common sense also includes not pushing the bike too hard, and fixing any problems as they occur.
Regular maintenance
The motorcycle’s functioning is dependent on the components of the bike, including its brakes. A motorcycle’s brakes can be either drum or disc. However, the disc brakes are more reliable on slippery roads. Two reservoirs can hold brake fluid, which must be topped up regularly. Regular inspections of brake pads and brake calipers should be done to ensure they are not too worn. This can cause damage to the brake disc.
Checking for leaks
A motorcycle mechanic can check for leaks in various motorcycle parts, including the air intake and exhaust valves. Leaks in the head gasket can be diagnosed by listening to the crankcase breather hose and crankshaft end. If there are bubbles in your coolant, it could indicate a faulty gasket. A stethoscope can be used to listen to the engine’s air intake and exhaust to detect any leaks. The formula in the next paragraphs will help you determine the percent of leakage.
Cleaning
If you’ve owned a motorcycle for any length of time, you probably already know how important it is to clean it frequently. Dirt can cause corrosion to almost everything so it’s easy for dirt to cause damage to your motorcycle’s parts. Dirt can slow down the motorcycle’s depreciation by getting inside its engine and other internal components. You can keep your motorcycle looking great and reduce the need for replacement parts.
Swapping the OEM drain plug for a magnet replacement
When your engine isn’t receiving sufficient oil flow, a magnetic drain plug is an excellent way to extend the life of your motorcycle’s parts. Heavy metals can settle to the bottom and collect in the drain plug. These contaminants can cause greater wear and tear on your engine and the other parts of the motorcycle. Magnetic drain plugs can trap metal particles and keep them out your motorcycle’s lubrication system.
Avoiding rain
You may have heard rain reduces the life of motorcycle components. It is true. Most motorcycles can withstand the occasional downpour. However, prolonged exposure to rain will eventually ruin your motorcycle. Although leaving your motorcycle in the rain for a few hours will not hurt it, leaving it in the same conditions for days can seriously damage your motorcycle. Instead of relying on your motorcycle’s rainproofing system, invest in a microfiber cloth and dry it off after a rainstorm.
Change oil
Changing motorcycle oil is very important to ensure that the engine is working at peak performance. Oil protects the engine from moisture and other combustion byproducts and lubricates its moving parts. Most motorcycles also use oil as a cooling liquid, instead of an automatic transmission fluid. But, as with any other liquid, oil can break down over time, so you must change it regularly. It is important to choose the right oil for your motorcycle.