safaricycle
Riding the open road on your motorcycle can be a freeing experience, no matter how many miles the bike has seen. Having your motorcycle break down during your ride, not so much fun. Here we take a look at some of the top tips for fixing up your old motorcycle so you don’t have to worry about hitching a ride home.
Let’s start at the most basic level: What motorcycle are you planning to fix up? The bike’s initial quality is, of course, the biggest determinant of how much money and time you’re going to need to put into it.
As motorcycle blogger skunkbait writes: “First of all, any free bike is a good bike, even if you just use it for parts.” However, when it comes to deciding whether or not to purchase something, he writes, “You need to check a few things before you lay your money down.”
If the bike is already running, that’s a major plus. If not, you’ll need to ask questions like: Is the motorcycle missing any parts? What is the quality of the engine? Does the transmission (gear shifting) work?
Skunkbait adds: “Consider buying a semi-classic, as these machines are easiest to deal with when searching for replacement parts.”
On the Simple Finance Technology Corp’s blog, writers Phil and Ben explain: “The first thing you need to rebuild a bike, besides the bike itself, is a proper service manual.”
An important note here: A service manual is not the same as an owner’s manual. “The owner’s manual that comes from the factory with your bike will get you through some basic maintenance, but a service manual will guide you through everything from changing your oil to completely rebuilding your engine.”
You can purchase service manuals online or from the manufacturer, and they can help both you and any mechanics you consult to make all fixes properly.
Speaking of those replacement parts, finding good prices on used motorcycle parts is one of the most surefire ways of saving money on a motorcycle fixer-upper. Look for a motorcycle part dealer with a large inventory and an easy-to-use online catalogue. The best dealers even employ specialists who can help you find the parts you need fast.
While it’s great to save money, your safety as a motorcyclist always comes first. If you haven’t done so already, consider asking a professional mechanic to take a look at your bike and confirm that it’s safe to drive before taking it out on any long trips.
