Andi
06-13-2004, 05:37 PM
Coolant - (If you own a water cooled bike). Check your coolant level. Do not simply add water but a mixture of antifreeze and water - usually mixed 50/50. The name antifreeze is misleading. Suffice to say that the anti-corrosion agents in antifreeze are the stuff you are interested in. Water cooled motorcycles can be a problem if taken through thick mud. The mud can be thrown up against the radiator where it dries thus preventing proper air flow.
Fuel - Do not park your pride and joy in the pouring rain. One reason for this is that the rain water may infiltrate your fuel tank via your fuel cap and contaminate your fuel. If you suspect that some water may have infiltrated the tank rather be cautious. Open the petcock to the reserve position. Disconnect the rubber fuel pipe below the tank. This will cause the fuel to drain onto the ground. Very gently rock the bike to and fro and watch the color of the fuel as it runs out. If after 500 ml it is clear the fuel is probably OK. If it is opaque then there is water in it. Continue to drain until it becomes clear again or find a bucket and drain the whole tank. Remember when parking your motorcycle for any length of time to turn the petcock (fuel tap) to the off position. This can prevent you coming out to a bike in a pool of petrol.
The fuel that is drawn in when you change your petcock (fuel tap) setting from "Normal" to "Reserve" comes from a different part of the tank, usually the very bottom. This is the exact place that foreign matter and water collects. This could mean that the very first time you need your reserve fuel your motorcycle just stops dead - choked by all the crap that has been drawn into the system. Solution - Ride on the reserve setting (with a full tank of fuel) on occasion. The ratio of muck to good fuel will be so small as not to be a problem. This will also mean that the day you need your reserve - it will work!!
Wiring - It is a fact that the electrical systems on motorcycles are more prone to giving problems than any other single sub system. Therefore make it a routine when giving your bike a through cleaning to check for loose and frayed wires that can cause intermittent problems or short circuits.
Fuel - Do not park your pride and joy in the pouring rain. One reason for this is that the rain water may infiltrate your fuel tank via your fuel cap and contaminate your fuel. If you suspect that some water may have infiltrated the tank rather be cautious. Open the petcock to the reserve position. Disconnect the rubber fuel pipe below the tank. This will cause the fuel to drain onto the ground. Very gently rock the bike to and fro and watch the color of the fuel as it runs out. If after 500 ml it is clear the fuel is probably OK. If it is opaque then there is water in it. Continue to drain until it becomes clear again or find a bucket and drain the whole tank. Remember when parking your motorcycle for any length of time to turn the petcock (fuel tap) to the off position. This can prevent you coming out to a bike in a pool of petrol.
The fuel that is drawn in when you change your petcock (fuel tap) setting from "Normal" to "Reserve" comes from a different part of the tank, usually the very bottom. This is the exact place that foreign matter and water collects. This could mean that the very first time you need your reserve fuel your motorcycle just stops dead - choked by all the crap that has been drawn into the system. Solution - Ride on the reserve setting (with a full tank of fuel) on occasion. The ratio of muck to good fuel will be so small as not to be a problem. This will also mean that the day you need your reserve - it will work!!
Wiring - It is a fact that the electrical systems on motorcycles are more prone to giving problems than any other single sub system. Therefore make it a routine when giving your bike a through cleaning to check for loose and frayed wires that can cause intermittent problems or short circuits.