Any kind of bike requires adequate maintenance for it to function optimally and efficiently. This is more so for the dirt bikes that are manufactured for the real hardships on roads and rough terrains. Before we discuss the best tips to maintain a dirt bike, it would be important for us to define what kind of bike it is. Well, a dirt bike is a motorcycle that is designed and manufactured for rough grounds and often used for racing purposes. There are many types of dirt bikes that one can buy for their daily use. These bikes are good for events carried out on off-road surfaces. Some of these surfaces are sometimes created naturally such as snow, gravel, sand, mud, rivers, and so on. Therefore, for your dirt bike to function optimally, you have to maintain it and keep it functional all the time.
You can visit tokyomods.com to learn more about where to buy these bikes and the best ways to maintain them. In this article, I shall explain some tips that can help you keep your dirt bike in the best working condition for better service.
Here are 4 tips to help you maintain your dirt bike:
1. Check the Spokes
Your dirt bike performs better when the wheel is properly balanced, has the right amount of pressure and the spokes are working. Ensure that your dirt bike spokes are checked all the time and that any broken spokes are removed and replaced at the right time. You do not want the loose spokes to puncture the tube and make it out of the true or even worse. A torque or a spoke wrench should be used to set the spokes to the recommended specifications of the manufacturer. For the best spoke repair, you can buy the 6-in-1 Wrench that fits various sizes. Your dirt bike spokes should be tightened for better riding. While tightening the spokes, use a sequence whereby you tighten every third spoke so that your wheel is not tweaked out of true. Repeat the sequence until all the spokes are tightened. Make a quarter turn at a time, even though this will be time-consuming. This helps you not to overtighten the spokes.
2. Inspect bolts
Another part of the maintenance of your dirt bike is the inspection of the bolts. The dirt bike suffers a lot of abuse due to the vibration, movements, bumps, and jumps; and all these always loosens the bolts. Check all the visible bolts and tighten them as often as possible. This is the best way to ensure your bike will continue to serve you efficiently. Check the axle nuts, clamp pitch bolts, side plate bolts, and all other visible bolts that should be checked, tightened, and replaced if necessary. Quick torque the bolts all the time to ensure your bike is stable and safe. Before you go ride the bike on the trails, take time to go round the bike, check all bolts, tighten and torque these just to be sure. Some of the bolts you should be particularly concerned about are the seat bolts, the plastic bolts, subframe bolts, and exhaust mounting bolts.
3. Adjust the chain
This is another routine maintenance activity that you should carry out all the time. You should frequently lube your chain and also ensure you check it for the right tension. The chain could break too easily if it is too tight. It could also cause the sprocket to wear out prematurely. A loose chain is also known to whip your dirt bike’s sprocket. The best way to adjust your chain is by following the owner’s manual that came with the dirt bike. You may also have these routine chain adjustments done for you at the nearest bike repair shops.
4. Grease the bearings
Your dirt bike has several bearings that need to be cleaned, checked, and replaced if need be. You may be taking time to clean the grime, the dirt, and other debris off your bike but forgetting the bearings. These bearings can easily be damaged by water and nasty particles and this can be difficult for the bike. Always give proper attention to the bearings such as lube to avoid your bearings rusting or getting seized up. All your moving parts should be greased for better performance. These are areas such as wheel bearings, steering head bearings, linkage bearings, and swingarm bearings. This way, you can keep these moving parts well lubricated and always ready for the hard ridges and bumps.