Air filter: Can you breathe freely if your lungs are clogged? Metaphorically, think about air filters as the lungs of your motorcycle. A mucky and a moisture laden filter will cause impediment on a two-wheeler’s performance as well as mileage. Air filters, as a thumb rule, always need to be dry and dust free. The same applies if your two-wheeler uses a carburettor.
Battery and Fuse: Run a check on the battery’s distilled water level and top-up if required. Ensure the terminals are white-greased and firmly connected to the wires. In all likelihood, your motorcycle would be running on a maintenance-easy, dry battery. A common reason for a breakdown is also a faulty fuse. Carry a spare fuse in your tool kit.
Brakes: Needless to state, it is imperative to have functionally effective brakes especially in the rains. One generally notices a squeaky noise emitting from the brakes when they are activated, obviously on account of water seeping in. The sound is not just intrusive but also reduces the responsiveness of the brake. One needs to check on the (drum brake) liners and replace them, if worn out. Also ensure the drum links are adequately lubricated. For a disc brake set up, check on how worn out the brake pad is, and importantly, also check the brake fluid level. Ensure that you leave twice the braking distance during rains between you and the vehicle in front.
Cables: Check on the clutch, accelerator and brake cables for signs of creakiness and wear. If you have a doubt, replace. Better to do so than get caught in a downpour on a perfectly functioning motorcycle, with a broken cable.
Chain: One of the most easily soiled parts during the rains, slush, grime and dirt get easy access to the chain, more likely in motorcycles without the full chain cover. This causes the vehicle to lose performance as it creates a drag on the sprocket. It’s best to keep the chain clean and oiled. Alternatively, one may coat it with graphite spray too. Also check for any chain slack, if more than the regular threshold.
Oils and Fluids: It’s preferable, prior to the onslaught of monsoon, to run a check on the engine/gear oil levels. Replace or top-up as necessary. If you’re still (luckily) running a two stroke then refill the 2T oil tank. Coolant (for liquid cooled engines) as well as the brake fluid levels requires to be checked upon too. Often missed are the fork oils and a check for any weeping fork oil seal.
Spark plugs: Try and install a spark plug cap which has a rubber sealing ring on both the plug as well as the coil side. Makes sense to carry a spare too.
Tyres: Chances of skidding are max during the rains. Scrutiny of tyres for cracks, uneven tread wear and a tread life of at least 3mm is a given. Some prefer to under-inflate the tyres by around 2psi. Whilst we discuss the dangers of skidding, there is also a fear of aquaplaning. Aquaplaning or hydroplaning, occurs when the water between your tyres and the road surface cannot be removed quickly enough. A tyre travelling through water pushes a wave ahead of it. When the tyre tread hits the water at the front of the contact patch, it increases the water pressure. If it becomes greater than the average pressure of the tyre on the road surface, then the tyre will not be able to disperse the water, and it will lift off the road surface. This loss of traction causes the wheels to slip and prevents the vehicle from responding to steering, braking or accelerating. As a result, your vehicle can go out of control, start to spin or skid.
What more?
Well you could choose to…
- Teflon coat the painted areas.
- Apply anti-rust or a coating of white grease on the chrome parts. Caution: the grease could spread on to the tyre from the rim and cause the two wheeler to skid.
- Buy a riding cover for your motorcycle as well as a cover for the fuel cap.
- Fix an additional reflector or a reflector tape (red) at the rear of the vehicle.
- And most of all, try and keep it clean!
Ride Safe!
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