Get maximum out of ur bike. Review on Maintaining a Bike

THIS ARTICLE IS NOT FOR SPEED MERCHANTS;

Many of us always want the best of both worlds.I have seen questions about increasing mileage even though they may have power tuned bike like RX-100, etc., But power and mileage are inversley proportional to each other.If mileage is required 4 stroke is better and for power 2 stroke.Even in 4 stroke mileage can be achieved only if some rules are followed. Here is an example from my personel experience.

My bike is k4-100 .I was using for station and house with true stop and go city traffic. It gave 70-75 km/lt. Then I used for my office(25 kms with 10 km city and 15 km highway which has 5, 6 bridges) it gave 85. If I ride around 35 km/hr speed( which is not it easy in highways)gives more than 100 . So it is upto the driver to take the maximum out of it(mileagewise). I have the following habits(applicable for any bike):

1. Drive in top gear and speed minimum comfortable(engine should not stall or give Kat, Kat sound) around 30-35 km/hr(for 4 geared bikes).correct position for each gear is when Engine  gives a dup, dup 4 stroke beat at particular band of engine rpms at pariticular gear.For that gear below that rpm band it will give kat, kat sound and above that it will sound like 2 stroke as the throttle is increased.

   
   




2. Mark the throttle positions in the cover(0, 1/4, 1/2, etc., ) and see it never crosses ¼ or so. With this marking u can findout u r driving habits. Carburetor tuning will change according to the throttle position u drive most time.

   
   




3. Idling is set in such a way it idles only after driving for a minute or 2(as engine warms). In winter it can be set little bit richer so starting should not be a problem.

   
   




4. Air fuel mixture screw is set to one turn away from the full.maximum 1&1/2 turns.

   
   

Right side of carb u will see 2 screws; one big and adjustable by hand( idling speed screw, which turns clockwise to increase speed); other small to be done by a screw driver( air fuel mixture screw which turns clockwise to reduce low speed upto ¼ throttle, should not go below one turn from full tight)some bikes have air screw( near air intake pipe) which acts in opposite way to fuel mixture screw( which is near outpur pipe goes to engine).

1. While climbing reduce the gear so that bike moves up with minimum throttle by reducing gears;

(Here people make mistake. If u have a speed of 40 at the ground level, for same speed while climbing u have to increase the throttle for which position u will go at 60-65 at the ground. So while climbing speed is not important; pulling power is but dont not revolve the engine unnecessarily;if found high revs, change to higher gear or reduce the throttle.(when the engine is giving a sound like 2 stroke it is revolved more than necessary)

6.During the oil change clean the chain in diesel/kerosene and apply gear oil or grease. Actually it should be dipped in melting grease and dried. But it requires the chain be removed.

7.Stop the engine if u r getting red signal while approaching in 4 road crossing.(use engine kill switch)

8.Always reduce the gear  before applying brakes.reduce the throttle first. Reduce the use of clutch unnecessary( don't use clutch as brake)

9.Also change the oil blindly every 2500-3000 kms.(good for the engine)

( If possible run the engine(in central stand) with diesel(best)/petrol/kerosene to clean before putting new oil, but dont drive without engine oil).For oils 20W40(winter) and 20W50( summer) is ok.Grade can be anything above SC or SE.More the grade means drain interval will increase.For correct grade see ur manual.

1. Same time sparkplug and airfilter can be cleaned. If possible clean air filter with some solvent( diesel/kerosene) compleptely dry and wash with warm soap water again dry then apply oil mentioned  in ur manual( coating only; plastic bag can be used). sparkplug gives the idea how ur carb. is tuned.oily means rich.white means lean.darker means rich.sparkplug is not costly so try to change every year.If cleaning is done by ur mechanic see ur self what exactly he is doing.Afterall it is ur bike and for him one of many.

11.Warming the engine for a minute after starting keeps engine healthy.But many feel it is fuel waste.If the engine is cold( not used for more than 6 hrs) warming may be essential.Otherwise drive slowly in lower gears to give enough time for warmup.

IF u follow the above points any bike will give maximum mileage.(may not be like k4-100 but the maximum for that model)see the throttle never moves more than 1/4( definitely not more than 1/2)position.Because u can increase speed by going to top gear within 1/4 throttle position. remaing 3/4 position is purely direct petrol intake; especially 3/4 - 1 position.Remember most of the people tend to use the rear brake maximum( idealy both the brakes must be used)which gives slipping while braking.So beyond a particular speed( say 40) if only rear brake is applied more chances are for falling down.And rememebr always wear helmet( dont wait for the govt to make it compulsory) even if it is not comfortable. it might prove to be the difference between life and death.

other useful LINKS:

1.Bike/Scooter maintenance for beginners Part I(https://mouthshut.com/review/General_Advice_on_Motorcycles-72175-1.html)

2.Bike/Scooter maintenance for beginners Part II

https://mouthshut.com/review/Advice_on_a_Dream_Bike-92692-1.html