No-Use Policy
All thanks to a virus, the entire country, along with the rest of the world, has been shut down in order to contain its spread. The government-sanctioned lockdown ensures that our bikes won’t be in action for a while and here is how you can make sure that your bike is fighting fit and ready to hit the roads whenever this pandemic is over and the good times return.
- Fill the fuel tank completely. This prevents wastage of fuel due to evaporation and prevents moisture from accumulating in the tank.
- Make sure that your bike is parked on firm ground. If fitted, the motorcycle must be parked on its main stand. Preferably, park the bike in shade and away from sunlight. Always keep the bike covered to prevent bird droppings and dust from harming the paint.
- The chain, and other lubrication points as mentioned by the motorcycle manufacturer, must be adequately lubricated.
- Start the bike once every week and let it idle for five minutes. Do not rev the engine when it is cold. While the engine is idling, gently pump the front and rear brakes, and engage/disengage the clutch a few times. This keeps everything moving and prevents the clutch plates from sticking to each other. Switch the lights on and off, and press the horn once. This prevents the internals of the switches from sticking.
- Once the engine comes up to temperature, on a carburetted bike fitted with a fuel tap, switch off the fuel and let the bike idle till it dies. Then, switch off the ignition. This is done to burn the fuel contained within the carburettor float bowls to prevent it from sitting in there and gumming up.
- After the bike has cooled down enough to touch the silencers, cover the bike up and return home. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before you touch anything at home which your family members may come in contact with.
Smells Like Teen Spirit
Kapil Arora writes:
Hi,
I own a Hero Maestro and I have been extremely happy with it. The other day, I found a strong smell of fuel emanating from the scooter. I noticed that the smell is observed only when the scooter is started, but does not appear to be there when the scooter has been parked for some time, despite having a full tank of fuel. What could be the source of the leak?
Hi Kapil,
With the Maestro, and several other twist-and-go scooters, a pipe runs from the inlet manifold to the fuel tank where it is connected to the fuel cock, the outlet of which is connected by another pipe to the carburettor. The fuel cock is regulated by a diaphragm that opens by the vacuum at the intake manifold when the engine is cranked. Please check the ends of the second pipe that connects the carburettor to the fuel cock. As it ages, the pipe hardens and cracks at the end which is fitted onto the carburettor. If there’s enough length, cut off the hardened/cracked portion and fit the pipe back. If not, you need a new pipe.
You can shoot your queries by sliding into Kyle’s Instagram DMs or drop an email at kylohere@gmail.com
[The article originally appeared in the April 2020 issue of Motoring World]
