Taking Care of Your Bike in Monsoons !
Posted on June 18th 2010Welcome back!

Polishing your bike with Teflon coating can be done at any servicing centre or an auto accessory shop. If you are can manage polishing at home then with the use of a soft buffer it can be done in less time. You need to wash the bike properly and keep it for drying and then apply the polish which can bring a new shine and showroom look to your bike.Have periodical servicing according to the schedule. If there is any servicing which is due make sure it is done before the rains arrive. Changing engine and brake oil is necessary when you give your bike for servicing. As rains are approaching top up of oil chambers is not advised. Replace the old oil with new and fresh one which is box packed. Try synthetic oil in rains as it protects the engine from water intrusion. It keeps the engine lubricated at high RPM. There are times when the road is waterlogged and you need accelerate the bike to high RPM.
In such conditions keeping the bike intact with synthetic oil will help a lot. It will ensure smooth running and avoid bending of metal parts due to immense pressure. Since rains are approaching you can expect chilly mornings which are a part of rainy season. In such conditions synthetic oil will help the engine to start early. Synthetic oil has a feature that helps the engine to start at freezing temperatures too. Keep the air filter of the bike cleaned in all situations. Mud and water can intrude the air filter box with ease when it’s raining heavy.
Use of paper filter can help in acceleration and having clean burn process. Having a free flow filter will help the engine to breath clean and pure air. It also increases the overall power of the bike as the intake of air is more.
Ensure those rubber shoes have enough grip to withstand the bike weight. Bike tires are slippery and lot of grip is not expected. The gap between two treads should not be more than 3mm. If the gap is more then changing to a new tire is advised. Grip on road should be present in all conditions which can avoid accidents. Slipping and puncture problems can be avoided when a new tire is present.
Always carry a tool kit which can be handy when there is a breakdown. The tool kit should contain all those pliers which can perform minor repairs. Installing a tubeless tire will ensure less puncture problems. Brake fluid should be present which can control the bike while braking. Use of ABS can be done to avoid skidding and slipping on wet roads. ABS or Anti Braking System stops the bike from skidding.
Pressure on the brakes is reduced where the tire does not lock when sudden brakes are applied. Pressure on the brakes is segregated in different angles through out the disc. Always wear protective clothing when driving in rains. Helmet is a must through out the bike ride but wearing protective clothing like gloves and jackets will not bruise the body if any accident takes place. Protective clothing also has reflective lining which makes you visible to others.
If your bike has an open chain make sure you oil it weekly to ward off unwanted dirt. Dirt and mud can contribute in rusting of the chain. It can also damage the rear wheel sprocket where the chain rests. Spraying the chain with oil spray can be effective. It does last long for 100 odd kilometers in wet conditions.
Grease those rear drum brake liners properly so that they are sealed with lubrication. Rusting can be avoided if the liners are greased properly. If there is a need to change the brake liners because of rusting make sure you do it quickly. Rusting of brake liners can cause the entire slot to rip off when brakes are applied. Even brake shoes must be in top condition. You need to check the width left for the brake shoe to work. If the width is small then replacing them with genuine brake shoes is a must.
Always park your bike on an open road or in a basement. Never park your bike under a tree or near a street light. There are chances that blowing winds can cause the tree to fall over the bike. Always wipe the bike before using it for the day. Make sure all brake cables are working properly and there is no squeaking between operating brakes.
Check the air pressure too which can avoid slipping on concrete roads. Braking should be done with two fingers instead of four fingers. This will set minimal pressure on the braking system which can avoid sudden stops. If you are wearing a helmet make sure the visor is wiped after it’s foggy. Clean the visor daily to improve visibility on roads. If the visor is having too many scratches it is advised to replace it with a new one.
By editor in Auto Articles, Auto India News, Auto Industry News, Car and Bike Care