post race maintenance

TKF Racing
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TKF Racing
Edited Date/Time 1/26/2012 3:14pm
My son is really starting to get into the mechanics of the bike and after each race/practice he wants to take both wheels off, clean the brakes, chain, etc., all the plastic comes off and so on.

Is this good for the bike? I am really happy that he wants to take good care of it and learn what goes where, but I wonder if removing the axle and bolts every Monday is going to do any damage (stripping, getting out of line).

Thanks for any suggestions
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xnationalwrench 9/3/2010 7:24pm
9/3/2010 7:24pm
What you are asking is the way real racers are maintained. If he follows instruction in the owners/service manual he can't go wrong. He will need the proper wrenches and a torque wrench besides the typical expendables (grease, oil, & cleaners). Actually it is cheaper in the long run to prep your racer this way than wait for it to fail and then fix it.
TKF Racing
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TKF Racing 9/3/2010 7:46pm
9/3/2010 7:46pm
Thanks wrench...

Any suggestions as to what he should be doing?

Right now he takes off the front wheel, checks the spokes, blasts the brake pads with brake cleaner, blows them out with the air gun, cleans everything (rim, disc, etc) and puts the when back on.

For the back, he takes the wheel off cleans these brakes the same way he does the front, checks the spokes, makes sure the chain adjusters are clean and then puts the wheel back on, sets and lubes the chain.

Lastly, the number plates come off, get cleaned and the muffler is wiped off.

Anything else he can do that is considered general pre/post race maintenance on a regular basis?

Thanks again

xnationalwrench 9/4/2010 7:50am
9/4/2010 7:50am
What you describe sounds good. Depending on time ridden he would need to check and lube the linkage and bearings on the steering stem (follow the recomendation of the owners manual). You didn't mention air filter and air filter box making sure everything is clean and lubed properly.
TKF Racing
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TKF Racing 9/4/2010 5:23pm
9/4/2010 5:23pm
Wrench,

We will read up on the steering stem bearings...thanks for that

He has been doing the air filter and air box since the first day he got the bike. That was easy to do and pretty understandable. It is the more complicated stuff that we are learning together that I need guidance with.

Thanks again

The Shop

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xnationalwrench 9/4/2010 5:40pm
9/4/2010 5:40pm
I didn't get into engine or suspension servicing because you didn't say what bike you have and I didn't know how much you wanted to get into. But the simple prep work will make sure that you don't have any DNF's because of the bike. Also spending time with your son in the shop is a good thing and can help both learn about the bikes.
TKF Racing
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TKF Racing 9/5/2010 6:16pm
9/5/2010 6:16pm
he has an 07 honda cr85....

any suggestions you have we can at least read up on, then if we think they are too complicated we can just by pass them for now.

You are right about time in the shop with him. I enjoy that as much as I do watching him race.
xnationalwrench 9/6/2010 9:41am
9/6/2010 9:41am
While I'm not much on the mini's. Change gearbox (clutch) oil regularly, depending on time on the engine keep an eye on the power valve (if that model has one) ring the engine once a month (again depends on how much he rides) most of the owners/manuals have the time frame on checking these parts.
fun rider
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fun rider 9/25/2010 8:52pm
9/25/2010 8:52pm
I own a KTM 85 2007 and I just clean the brakes, change the air filter every week gearbox oil every month a wash every now and again, but the more you take it apart the more chance of over tighting a bolt or get some thing wrong. But not much mantiance is needed 4 little bikes.
bd
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bd 9/25/2010 9:12pm
9/25/2010 9:12pm
fun rider wrote:
I own a KTM 85 2007 and I just clean the brakes, change the air filter every week gearbox oil every month a wash every now...
I own a KTM 85 2007 and I just clean the brakes, change the air filter every week gearbox oil every month a wash every now and again, but the more you take it apart the more chance of over tighting a bolt or get some thing wrong. But not much mantiance is needed 4 little bikes.
Small bores need top end jobs often.
FIREfish148
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FIREfish148 9/25/2010 10:25pm
9/25/2010 10:25pm
Im O.C.D. to the max about taking stuff apart and putting it back together. have been since I was 8. The worst thing thing that has happened to me so far was actually this year when I forgot to tighen my top subfame to frame bolts and they popped out when I was trail riding. O and Ive stripped a few bolts and when I was 10 I overtightened the clutch perch on my xr 100 and cracked it in half.
I would recomend having him look at ALL of the torque specs on the bike and using a torque wrench when putting stuff back together to get a feel for the torque needed. I was surprised first time i torqued the bolts on my platics; Its not much at all.
Taking time to not cross thread bolts, and remembering to use loc tite will save headaches too.
xnationalwrench 9/26/2010 6:37am
9/26/2010 6:37am
FIREfish148 wrote:
Im O.C.D. to the max about taking stuff apart and putting it back together. have been since I was 8. The worst thing thing that has...
Im O.C.D. to the max about taking stuff apart and putting it back together. have been since I was 8. The worst thing thing that has happened to me so far was actually this year when I forgot to tighen my top subfame to frame bolts and they popped out when I was trail riding. O and Ive stripped a few bolts and when I was 10 I overtightened the clutch perch on my xr 100 and cracked it in half.
I would recomend having him look at ALL of the torque specs on the bike and using a torque wrench when putting stuff back together to get a feel for the torque needed. I was surprised first time i torqued the bolts on my platics; Its not much at all.
Taking time to not cross thread bolts, and remembering to use loc tite will save headaches too.
Since you realize your problems maybe make a check list as a reminder of things to check before you go riding. If you are worried about over tightening buy a inexpensive torque wrench and follow the torque settings in your Owners Manual. Take your time and don't rush.
sesker15
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sesker15 10/3/2010 10:59am
10/3/2010 10:59am
I do all that stuff to my bike also. I think i am a factory mechanic lol. After i ride my bike i wash it real good. Change the air filter. Sometimes i clean out air box. Take plastics off also and clean them. When i put them pack all on i put windex on the plastis. Start my bike up!! Let it warm up and then store for next ride. Oh yea i ride yz125 and yz250.
RACEGUY
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RACEGUY 10/3/2010 2:30pm
10/3/2010 2:30pm
Don't forget the all-important suspension pivots and links - especially after really wet rides. The muddy juice gets in, stays, and dries, creating a lovely substitute for grinding compound. Bearings and bushings also get washed out and need cleaned and regreased. This is not a weekly chore, but should be part of the regular long-term program.

You and the youngster sound like you are doing all the right things.

Keep the really high pressure water from your pressure washer down to a mist around the rear suspension, hubs, and fork seals, as you should around the electricals and carb.

Finally, fall in love with that torque wrench. It will pay you back in spades.
TKF Racing
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TKF Racing 10/3/2010 6:30pm
10/3/2010 6:30pm
Thanks guys...

It sounds like we are doing pretty well and so far we have had no major problems.

We did have to replace one fork seal and we we found out how easy it actually was, we replaced the other one just to be safe.

We did put a new top end last year, with the help of friend (he did it we watched). This year will be the opposite, we will do it and have watch just to make sure.

I really enjoy spending time and learning with him and the wife has actually snuck around to the window a couple times and snapped some really nice pictures of us together.
kx100getter
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kx100getter 10/4/2010 6:51pm
10/4/2010 6:51pm
Yeah, I have a kx100 2-stroke and I too enjoy working on the bike, making it clean and making sure it is in top working order. after you wash it, make sure to take it for a short spin around the neighborhood to evaporate the moisture on the brakes and warm up the engine to evaporate all of the moisture around the motor.

I don't take off the wheels but I make sure the chain is lubed and the airfilter clean ect.

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