Maintenance - Check Points, Pressure Points

[MrMaestro]

Hi all,



Please help this newb bike enthusiast with a few tips please.

• What are the items and/or parts you do regular checks on yourself?
  
• How regular are these necessary (weekly, monthly, etc)?
• What actions do you take on each item and/or part?
• What are your costs for these “self maintenance” jobbies?

Thanks for all your advise.

[johan700x]

Check tyre pressure every time you get on or fill up! It tends to slip by and with a puncture it can catch you out and you could have a tumble.
Check chain slack every service - more often if using chain wax.
Check water level every few weeks - more often if it starts dropping.
Check oil level between services (I only do it if it starts dropping).
Check brake fluid levels every service.
Check disk pad wear every service and more often closer to replacement.
Check tyre wear every service and more often closer to replacement.
Check battery level every service if it is not a sealed unit.
Check headlight every time you park the bike - if it has something to shine on.
Most lights (like indicators and brake light) you can easily check when riding at night.
At every service check the whole bike front to back - you never know what you might pick up. In fact every so often, just walk around it and observe. Something might have vibrated loose and if you notice it before it causes damage then you'll thank yourself. A good time to check everything front to back is when you wash the bike.

As you can see, most of the stuff happens at service. If you don't service yourself, your service centre should check it for you. But if it is a regular (Honda) dealership I would doublecheck! This is from experience.

Can't think of anythig else. Maybe someone can add to the list. For me, the tyres are the main thing. That and water level because I've been caught out. On a newish bike I don't worry too much about oil. Without a centre stand it is difficult to check anyway.

Costs nothing to check but it can be costly not to.

[goingslowly]

Besides normal service, everything else pretty easy to check by just looking the bike - tyres, chain, brakes, brake fluid.
I never really do an inspection on the bike. I wash it quite often and am sure I'll notice if something is loose \ wrong. Chain also needs regular cleaning & oil especially after riding gravel roads. Riding and listening to the bike will also tell you is something is wrong.

Cost all depends on what needs to be done. And your choice of cleaning products. And that is one of the advantages of a bike, low maintenance. But you have to keep your hand on it.

[Cronos]

For me the 3 most important things on a bike are:

1. Chain lubing and tension - Your chain should be re-lubed every 1000 km or after riding in the rain.  If you do dirt roads, then this should be done every 500 km.  For me I re-lube my chain every 1000 km.  Chain and Sprocket ware can also be checked while lubing.  The tension only becomes needed when you can see the chain hanging or you will hear a funny metal grinding kind of noise while riding.

2. Tyre Pressure - This goes a long way in helping you not fly through tyres and as you know they rather expensive, so the more mileage you can get out of a set the better.  On the NC you run 2.9 Rear and 2.6 Front.  Because the back tire has power on it, it does tend to go faster than the front, so keep a closer eye on it.  

3. Brake pads - Safety item, so take the time to inspect them a bit more often and just making sure they never run out.  

Overall, stick to your service intervals, keep an eye on your fluid levels, except the Brake fluid, which gives only an indication of pad wear and if it should drain quickly, you probably have a leak.  The brake system should be bled every 2 years anyway, so no need to top up.

[jagter]

My 2c (nothing earth shattering)

-Tire pressure when filling up.
-Chain lube and tension check when washing the bike.
-Anti corrosion spray on all exposed metal after washing. (not near brake pads)
-A overall look at the bike to make sure nothing is falling off (when washing) But generally these NCs are well built. So far nothing came loose on mine.

Some brake pads make a high pitched noise when wearing out. Not squealing ,but a constant high pitched hum to indicate that you need to change them. Almost sounds like a cicada.

[Deleted]

Everything is the same as a car. I check oil and fluids once a month. Tyre pressure every refill.

And for me chain lube every 500km if it rains the 1st day I get to clean the chain. Amazing how much dirt gets onto the chain after a good rain.

Brake pads I check every now and then.

Meh after I fitted the mitchies I never check wear they last forever.

Also check your shock for leaks mine got a leak was replaced under warranty.