Posts
6
Joined
6/7/2016
Location
GB
Hi all,
First post here so you will have to bear with me!
I'm fairly new to motocross. Despite having watched my cousin race most weekends, my parents didn't have enough money to buy me a bike growing up. This year (aged 29) I decided to take the plunge and brought myself a Ktm 250sx 2004. I've had 3 practice weekends, and 3 race meetings so far, and despite being terrible, I'm having tons of fun! I'm finding myself constantly counting down the days to the weekend, like I'm sure a lot of you do.
Anyway as I'm not really mechanically savvy, I'm struggling to find out the key maintainance I should be doing on the bike. Can someone please give me a run down on the things I should be doing after every ride/ every month/ every year. I dont want to be the guy who buys a nice bike, then trashes it because he hasn't looked after it.
Any help appreciated.
Thanks
First post here so you will have to bear with me!
I'm fairly new to motocross. Despite having watched my cousin race most weekends, my parents didn't have enough money to buy me a bike growing up. This year (aged 29) I decided to take the plunge and brought myself a Ktm 250sx 2004. I've had 3 practice weekends, and 3 race meetings so far, and despite being terrible, I'm having tons of fun! I'm finding myself constantly counting down the days to the weekend, like I'm sure a lot of you do.
Anyway as I'm not really mechanically savvy, I'm struggling to find out the key maintainance I should be doing on the bike. Can someone please give me a run down on the things I should be doing after every ride/ every month/ every year. I dont want to be the guy who buys a nice bike, then trashes it because he hasn't looked after it.
Any help appreciated.
Thanks
If you don't know, it doesn't hurt to replace it now. Inspect the cylinder to be sure there's no scratches, or gouges. Just the cross hatching. Good idea to repack the silencer now too.
Change the transmission oil every couple rides (I go 4 to 6) clean the air filter every ride, grease all the bearings a couple times a year, replace top end every 60ish hours on the bike. Check the crankshaft when doing a top end. Replace spark plug as needed.
No idea on when the last rebuild was done, it might be something I get done in a few weeks.
I noticed a small weep of oil on my forks, so I have brought a little seal doctor tool and got all the muck from under my oil seal, seems to have done the trick. Il make sure I change the transmission oil the weekend before I ride as I don't know how long that stuffs been in there.
Thanks for your help, seems like fairly easy maintainece on a weekly basis, with the big stuff needing doing 1-2 times a season.
However OP I strongly suggest you give a mechanic $20 to spend a few minutes teaching you the sound to listen for. There is such a thing as over tightening, which can lead to broken spokes/wheels just the same as not tightening the spokes. I'd ask around at the track for suggestions on which mechanic to talk to, and possibly use for work. There's some real smart guys out there... and there's some dummies. Make sure you're not taking advice from the dummies.
Generally when I see oil seaping out, I say it's time for new bushings,seals and oil. The oil in the forks and shock need to be replaced occasionally, the shock needs to be recharged as well.
The Shop
Before you wash the bike, cover the exhaust opening. When the bike is clean, that is a good time to look the frame over for any cracks.
For me, oil changes are very regular, around every 4-6 rides as mentioned above, and an air filter clean after every day of riding. Sometimes it's a good idea to have a spare air filter around so that you don't have to rush it if you're beat and want to ride the next day.
Always check your coolant and your sprocket screws before you ride.
This book is really awesome and available online... I would suggest you get it and read it! It's an easy read with lots of tips for people like you and I who weren't brought up riding bikes.
https://www.amazon.com/Motocross-Off-Road-Motorcycle-Motorbooks-Worksho…
I've built and maintained numerous wheels and there are 2 keys (to keep it safe) : Even disbursment and 1/8 turns.
Start at the rim lock and go all the way around, each spoke 1/8, bike on stand is easiest.
It may feel weird if some are loose and others may be tighter, but keep going - those are likely spots the wheel is untrue but straightening isn't your objective in the tension/maintenance stage.
Others may suggest different but this is what I've always stuck to and have had really good luck with my wheels, given the amount of casing I do
Btw, I am a late starter too, lived vicariously through my mountain bike before. Have fun man, you will soon (if you haven't already) fall in love with riding.
I took the bike out the over the weekend in pretty torrid conditions, and have spent 2 days getting it properly clean!
I have been ensuring the air filter is always clean and lubed, chain is lubed. I have changed the transmission oil today, and will be checking the spokes and sprockets tomorrow. Also need to check tightness on all the bolts. I should have checked all this before i rode it, but i just couldnt contain my excitement. This led to me losing 2 bolts out of the side panel, and 1 radiator popping off the mounts as they werent secured.
Thanks for all the advice. As someone who has never even so much as changed a plug, im enjoying taking things apart and understanding how they all work
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