Maint on a new (to you) bike ?

[kballowe]

When ya get a used bike, are you inclined to do maintenance on it right away?

Give it the "once over", or maybe more ?


For me, it's pull both wheels, seat, tank, etc.  Check brake shoes, bearings, stuff.
Change fluids (including brakes).

The most recent purchase is a 1998 California EV with 15,xxx miles showing.   It's been a bit disappointing......  Every time I take something apart, it appears that someone else has already been in there and serviced it.

The latest is this air filter, which is typically one of the more neglected maintenance items, especially when the tank must first be removed.









The splines on hub and on the pumpkin shaft were well greased.  The swing arm was happy.  The valve adjustments were right on the money.  Plenty of meat on the brake shoes.  blah blah blah.

I DID get to replace two perfectly good teenage tires and touch up a couple little paint chips.     

So - how old is too old for tires ?   We picked up a 2000 Jackal with five year-old tires.  Tread life looks new, and no weather cracks.

[Don G]

Avon recommends not to ride on tyres that are over 5 years old, likely something to do with the compounds getting hard and not giving the best traction. DonG

[Stevex]

I'd like to think I'd wear tyres out well within 5 years, but I prefer performance over longevity.

[LowRyter]

I like to do a once over. Certainly when I get a bike and usually after I ride it.  I'll clean the bike and while I'm at it, check the chain, oil level, fluids, tires, brakes and controls.

I'm not big on air filters.  Most are PIA to get to and are seldom dirty when you ride on paved roads. I'm not one to change fork oil unless the seals need replacing. 

I've been known to do more damage trying to repair or adjust something instead of leaving it alone. 

[Huzo]

When ya get a used bike, are you inclined to do maintenance on it right away?

Give it the "once over", or maybe more ?


For me, it's pull both wheels, seat, tank, etc.  Check brake shoes, bearings, stuff.
Change fluids (including brakes).

The most recent purchase is a 1998 California EV with 15,xxx miles showing.   It's been a bit disappointing......  Every time I take something apart, it appears that someone else has already been in there and serviced it.

The latest is this air filter, which is typically one of the more neglected maintenance items, especially when the tank must first be removed.









The splines on hub and on the pumpkin shaft were well greased.  The swing arm was happy.  The valve adjustments were right on the money.  Plenty of meat on the brake shoes.  blah blah blah.

I DID get to replace two perfectly good teenage tires and touch up a couple little paint chips.     

So - how old is too old for tires ?   We picked up a 2000 Jackal with five year-old tires.  Tread life looks new, and no weather cracks.

I’m a huge fan of a full blood and guts service on a recently acquired bike.
Change all fluids..
If it’s dry, lubricate it..
Adjust everything..
It it rubs, grease it.
Stare at everything.
Then ride it and fix what you missed..
There are some appallingly bad bikes on the road that are screaming out for just this stuff.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Since most of mine arrive here looking like this, yes! 




Even the (2250 mile) V7 Stone I owned briefly needed some TLC.

[kballowe]

[kballowe]

Since most of mine arrive here looking like this, yes! 




Even the (2250 mile) V7 Stone I owned briefly needed some TLC.

Meh.   That'll rinse right off.

 

[s1120]

I picked up a 8k miles 02 cali stone a few years ago. It was in real nice shape!  That being said, I went through the maintenance chart and started digging in. Most was good, but doing that gave me a chance to tighten some nuts/bolts, replace some dry rotted hoses, lube a few points, and clean some connecters. All in all it was a great way to learn the bike also. I did need to replace a few things.. but nothing major. Every off season the list gets a little shorter, and I have more piece of mind. So really you can never go wrong getting in there and doing all that maintance, and getting a new baseline for the future...  That being said, I really need to replace my fuel filter.... thats the last "old" maintenance idem left on my list.

[larrys]

I always go through a used machine of any kind after purchasing. When you find things that have been taken care of properly, that's a good sign. If you find neglect, well that's a story, too. Everything, from buildings to machines will tell you its life story when you take it apart. I like to know the history of the things that I buy.
Larry

[kingoffleece]

yep.  Jim Hamlin and I went thru my 40,000 new to me Jackal a few years ago.  Great to be at a place where everything needed was in one spot with all the correct tools.  Great fun in a great shop with top notch guys to assist.

I feel 100% confident to ride that old(er) gal anywhere.

[Perazzimx14]

That looks just like what I ripped off an EV I bought once. Like yours, the factory wiring was undamaged. There were four small relays inside the headlight bucket that were showing evidence of getting too hot.

Boy, that brings back memories.

John Henry

There are a lot of folks armed with a spool of red/black wire, a $8.78 HF combo stripper/crimper and mics scrimp connector kit are very dangerous.

[larrys]

You should see what I've pulled out of old boats. An electrical fire at sea is not desirable...
Larry

[Chuck in Indiana]

You should see what I've pulled out of old boats. An electrical fire at sea is not desirable...
Larry

Ditto airplanes.  That is why I do an "annual inspection" on motorcycles as well as airplanes. The *first* one is very comprehensive. Some would say anal. <shrug>

[ohiorider]

Keeping a simple spreadsheet on my bikes makes it easy for me to keep track of when maintenance was done and when it is due.  Especially when riding multiple bikes.  Here's a section from the one I kept for my Triumph T100.  A record like this has also made it easier to sell my higher mileage bikes.  Easy to highlight columns, and to accumulate how many times a particular maintenance item has been performed (Excel Count A instruction.)

Bob

[Chuck in Indiana]

^^^^ Yeah, I keep a log book of every "machine" I have. On the computer, of course.. I'm not that much a follower of Ludd. 

[Perazzimx14]

With mutiple rotating bikes I have settled on doing maintenance at 5,000 mile intervals. Second maintnenace might be short say I bought  a bike a 27,632 miles I'll service it now and then again as 30,000 miles to get it on track. Then all I have to do is watch the odometer. 35, 40 , 45, 50K.....

[ohiorider]

^^^^ Yeah, I keep a log book of every "machine" I have. On the computer, of course.. I'm not that much a follower of Ludd. 

Bob

[s1120]

Keeping a simple spreadsheet on my bikes makes it easy for me to keep track of when maintenance was done and when it is due.  Especially when riding multiple bikes.  Here's a section from the one I kept for my Triumph T100.  A record like this has also made it easier to sell my higher mileage bikes.  Easy to highlight columns, and to accumulate how many times a particular maintenance item has been performed (Excel Count A instruction.)

Bob

I started a log book when I got mine a few years ago. Frankly as I get older I dont remember as much from year to year. Nothing fancy, just list miles, and date and a small paragraph of what I did, replaced, and adjusted at that time. Also listing parts I changed and when. I just use a old notebook. When I notice something that I need to keep a eye on, or know I will need to change next service, I mark and highlite it on the next page so I dont forget it.

[LowRyter]

Just saw this from K Cameron 

https://www.cycleworld.com/story/blogs/ask-kevin/importance-of-working-on-your-motorcycle/