Tag Archives: motorcycle care

Tip for motorcycle scratch and paint protection

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If you are determined to maintain the glow and shine on your motorcycle, then you must be prepared to do all it takes. There are a number of motorcycle paint protection products that are manufactured specifically to help you achieve this purpose. If you use the right paint protection products, you will realize that keeping your motorcycle as good as new wont be that difficult. The following are tips that will help you to keep your motorcycle free from scratches and also to ensure that the paint is in the best condition always.

Prevention is better than cure

Just as the saying goes, you should do everything within your capacity to ensure that your motorbike does not get scratches or paint damage for example through corrosion and oxidation. This means that you should begin taking good care of your motorbike from the moment you drive it from the showroom. It is important to understand that if you manage to take care of your motorbike, it will remain as good as new for a very long time. However, if you had neglected your motorbike and it now has scratches and the paint has been damaged, you should understand that all is not lost as you can fix the scratches and still make look just like a new one. The products used to maintain your motorbike and its paint may vary from waxes, paint conditioners, sealers and cleaners.

Waxing will ensure that the pain is shinning and does not fade, paint cleaners and conditioners will remove all those stubborn stains to ensure that the paint is clear and free from external coloring. Also ensure that birds droppings and tree sap are cleaned from the motorbike’s surface as soon as possible before they can cause any damage to the paint.

 

Use quality wax or paint protectants

When choosing the paint protectant or wax for your motorbike, make sure you choose a product of high quality that will not only make the paint shine but will also ensure that the paint on your motorbike is long lasting. A quality paint protectant may come at quite a higher price than ordinary paint protectants.

Paint sealer protectant and wax that contains Teflon as one of the ingredients will come with added benefits in that they will not only ensure that the motorbike’s paint is shinning, but they will also create a barrier between your motorbike’s paint job and other contaminants that may cause damage to the paint. You can look for reviews online to ensure that the product you purchase is of renowned quality.

Stay away from multifunctional cleaning products

There are many products in the market today that are listed multifunctional meaning that they do all the cleaning and waxing jobs simultaneously. There are also some manufacturers who will tell you that when you use their multifunctional product, you will not need to wax your motorbike again. you should understand that most of these products will not only give you a low quality paint on your motorbike, but will also not offer much protection the paint job. The best way to ensure that your motorbike is protected from scratches and paint damage is to wash your motorbike in the traditional way and then apply a high quality paint sealer or wax.

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photo credit: filtran via photopin cc

Article written by Kerry Blake from Immaculate Reflections – Melbourne car detailng service, Australia.

Motorcycle batteries: how to choose and maintain the right battery for your bike

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Battery failures are one of the main causes of bike problems so it’s important to choose the right battery – or risk paying the price later. It’s also important to look after your battery properly. As mums across the land have been telling us for years: prevention is better than a cure!

Before you buy…

Have your current battery tested before you fork out on a new one in case it’s the charging system at fault. You can do this yourself with a multimeter.

Choosing the right battery for your bike

Your owner’s manual should help you figure out which battery is best for your bike. You may still wish to upgrade to a different variety, depending on your requirements. Check that any battery you buy is a match with your bike’s performance in cold conditions – zero degrees fahrenheit is when batteries perform at their worst, you can use an amp (CCA) requirement test to see how it will fare in cold weather.

Types of battery

Lead acid

Good old-fashioned lead acid, or ‘wet’ batteries: if you have an older bike, or a tight budget, one of these might be your only option. If so, you’ll need to carry out maintenance on a regular basis to keep things ticking over -  these batteries need to be topped up with distilled water and checked periodically to keep electrolytes balanced.

Lead acid batteries are also subject to vibration and heat damage. It’s important that they are kept upright on your bike in order to avoid leaks, and care must be taken when charging and discharging – they emit hydrogen gas, which is highly toxic and explosive

if you have a lead acid battery it will probably bear a serial number beginning with the letters CB, YB, GB, Y, C or G.

Maintenance free battery

There are several varieties of maintenance free battery. AGM (absorbed glass matt) batteries can withstand vibration and heat damage, and come in a sealed case – no topping up with water or acid needed. Other kinds are supplied with battery acid separately, to be added after purchase. Once the acid has been added, there is no more maintenance required and hermetically sealed – so there’s no need to reopen or check the levels.

If you have a maintenance free / sealed battery it will probably bear a serial number beginning with  YTX, CTX or GTX. They usually come in a black case.

Gel batteries

If you’re riding a newer bike, chances are you’ll already be aware that size does matter! Sports bikes in particular have limited space for batteries – making a gel battery one of your best options. Gel batteries are smaller, lighter and more powerful than their lead acid counterparts so if you race this is a no brainer.

Here’s the science bit: gel batteries get their name from the consistency of the battery acid – which, coincidentally enough, comes in gel form. This means it doesn’t slosh around or leak like liquid acid in lead batteries – the gel can coat the lead plates inside the battery without any problem. This means that unlike other types of battery they can be used at an angle or lying on one side.

Gel batteries don’t need to be filled with battery acid before use, which is often preferable for dealers and consumers. However a downside as a result of them being pre-filled from the factory is that the process of degradation begins sooner, which can lead to problems later on.

If you have a gel battery, the serial number probably begins with YT, CT, GT YTZ, CTZ or GTZ.

When you have figured out which kind of battery you’ll need, it’s also important to check that it hasn’t been hanging around at the dealer’s for too long – check the shipping date and make sure it is under six months old.

Maintaining your battery

Lead acid battery

You’ll need to regularly check for fluid level, sediment, corrosion, sulfation and mossing within the chambers. If you’re only using your bike for short journeys, the alternator may not have sufficient time to fully recharge your battery, which will shorten its life. You can use a ‘float’ or ‘trickle’ charger to counter this.

Maintenance free

As the name suggests, there’s really not much you have to do here, although we definitely advise checking hat terminals and connections for damage and making sure the battery is clean.

So, lead, gel or maintenance free? We hope we’ve helped you make the right choice – if you’ve got any maintenance tips for extending battery life, tell us in the comments!

Written by Amy Maslin on behalf of Puredrive Batteries – industry leading stockists of motorcycle batteries. 

Safely Store Your Cruiser for the Winter

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Unless you live in Florida or Southern California, chances are that the temperature drops and the rain and snow moves in during the winter. Fighting the biting cold or slipping on snow isn’t much fun, so many motorcycle cruiser owners choose to put their bike away for the winter season. A cruiser is a significant investment of time and money, so it’s worth protecting – it needs to be kept clean and safe while the weather is damp and cold.

First, fill the tank up and add your manufacturer’s suggested amount of fuel stabilizer. Fuel stabilizer will keep the fuel from breaking down during storage – fuel breakdown will produce a dark brown residue that can coat and damage your carburetor. Gas is flammable, of course; so don’t store a cruise with a full tank of gas anywhere where there are open flames, running motors, or pilot lights. Second, give it a good cleaning. Once you’ve washed and waxed your motorcycle, cover it with a cloth cover that will breathe. This will keep dirt, dust, and any other airborne debris from your garage or storage area from landing on your bike and possibly damaging the paint or finish.

cruiser winter

Next, change the oil – used oil sitting in your engine all winter can become corrosive and damage the crucial innards of your cruiser. Then, check the coolant. Motorcycles aren’t used in below-freezing temperatures, so many riders won’t think of using coolant; use a floating ball device to check if you coolant level will prevent freezing.

Also, take a minute to charge your battery. You can remove it and store it somewhere above freezing temperature and trickle charge it once a month. If you’re storing your cruiser where you’re able to run your bike once a month, leave the battery in and disconnect the negative cable terminal.

Finally, don’t forget the tires. You’ll want to store your bike off of the ground if possible. If you’re not able to do so, make sure the tires are fully inflated to the recommended levels, set the bike on its center stand, and rotate the tires once a month to avoid flat spots.

Once the long winter is over, make sure you take care of your cruiser before you take it out for the first ride of spring. It’s a good idea to have it serviced before taking it out; however, since you’ve already changed the oil and trickle charged the battery, just double check these items and have the service check your tires and coolant checked (if your bike is liquid cooled). Just in case of any tire problems on the road, you’ll want to carry tools to repair a flat.

motorcycle ties

Always make sure you ride wit ha tire repair kit and are familiar with how to plug a damaged area and inflate a tire using CO2 cartridges or a pump. If you can do this, you can likely make it to a service station to have the tire replaced. If you need to, practice on an old tire. If you’re planning longer trips, it’s advisable to carry spare headlight bulbs, fuel filters (if your bike has them), a spare electrical relay, and any other items that might easily malfunction. Make sure you’ve got a cell phone for emergencies as well.

Properly preparing your cruiser for storage, and for the first ride of spring, can save you time, money, and frustration in the long run.

Matt Gonglach is the owner of LaserJammer.net, a site dedicated to laser jammer information and resources.