Poll: Most Dreaded Maintenance Items on 4-stroke MX Bikes

Rider 5280
Posts
2006
Joined
11/9/2011
Location
Denver Metro, CO US
10/22/2021 10:44pm
As I was reading through some posts tonight, I laughed out loud about how we all have dreaded maintenance tasks on bikes, yet one person's dreaded task can be another person's therapy.

So, I figured I'd create my 1st VitalMX poll to see what we collectively dread the most, on average.

So ...
What's YOUR most dreaded 4-stroke MX bike maintenance task? Vote below!

Note that I tried to stick to common maintenance tasks. And I am sure I missed some stuff. Some dreaded stuff.
Poll

Most Dreaded Maintenance Items on 4-stroke MX Bikes

Choices
1
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murph783
Posts
1361
Joined
3/2/2011
Location
CT US
10/23/2021 3:44am
Ohhh wow a few good ones to pick from here. Went for bottom end rebuild but it could have easily been hell-coils or air filters. Fuck them things Grinning
3
PNWRider
Posts
476
Joined
1/31/2021
Location
Stanwood, WA US
10/23/2021 8:59am
Lots of choices but I’m going with one that is not four-stroke specific…air filters. Hate em. Always have, always will.

I truly believe that if we made prisoners do our air filters as punishment, recidivism would drop to zero…
6
Sandusky26
Posts
2630
Joined
7/28/2021
Location
Eastern, NC US
10/23/2021 2:21pm
For me it just the grind of riding twice a week and trying to keep your bike fresh.
3
stone881
Posts
866
Joined
12/26/2014
Location
Fruita, CO US
10/23/2021 6:05pm
PNWRider wrote:
Lots of choices but I’m going with one that is not four-stroke specific…air filters. Hate em. Always have, always will. I truly believe that if we...
Lots of choices but I’m going with one that is not four-stroke specific…air filters. Hate em. Always have, always will.

I truly believe that if we made prisoners do our air filters as punishment, recidivism would drop to zero…
Try switching to Wesson oil and then clean with standard dish soap. I have been doing that for 2 years now, after picking up the tip here on Vital and I no longer despise changing air filters.
1

The Shop

Titanium
Posts
378
Joined
12/5/2018
Location
WI US
10/23/2021 6:39pm
I need more options to choose from LOL
1
murph783
Posts
1361
Joined
3/2/2011
Location
CT US
10/24/2021 5:01am
Who is this maniac choosing top end? You’d rather do a crank!? Grinning
4
Rider 5280
Posts
2006
Joined
11/9/2011
Location
Denver Metro, CO US
10/24/2021 9:18am Edited Date/Time 10/24/2021 1:12pm
Titanium wrote:
I need more options to choose from LOL
Do tell? :-)

I can (try to) add them you maintenance-dreading nut!

I definitely missed the following:
(1) Repair/rebuild cylinder head (machine valve seats, replace valves, springs, keepers, buckets, etc.)
(2) Replace the flywheel weight
(3) Repair a leaking gas tank
(4) Repair exhaust header and silencer dents
(5) Replace a shift lever with stripped splines
(6) Change spark plug
Bruce372
Posts
6342
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
US
10/24/2021 11:26am
Mine is having to wash my bike at rhe track and also not having enough work space
1
watson90
Posts
156
Joined
10/12/2021
Location
CA
10/24/2021 11:45am
Aside from doing a full rebuilt of course, theres nothing I hate more then cleaning, oiling and changing air filters
1
10/24/2021 12:25pm
Changing a spark plug! It's such a simple thing that turns into a huge ordeal on most new four strokes.
3
TheGetFresh
Posts
1633
Joined
8/12/2015
Location
COOL GY
Fantasy
2520th
10/24/2021 10:06pm
Forks for me. The work itself isn’t too bad, but dirty fork oil is the nastiest, stinkiest stuff to deal with. I don’t want anything in my garage getting tainted with foul fork oil. I’ll do most jobs myself, but forks come off the bike and got to the service shop or get sent to a suspension shop. I hope to never crack another fork tube open in my shop for the rest of my life.
2
10/25/2021 3:42pm
I voted for replacing chain & sprockets because my most hated job on a bike is tightening the chain. I’m always trying to get it “absolutely perfect” and then it’s too tight. Then it’s too loose. Now rebuilding an engine or greasing linkage is therapy for me
2
jordand20
Posts
60
Joined
4/28/2021
Location
Medford, OR US
10/25/2021 9:04pm
I've got OCD about suspension service. I feel like my bike isn't running right, if the fork oil hasn't been changed every 50hrs or the shock every 80. It's a messy and tedious job because I clean everything thoroughly outside before disassembly. I hate it but can't ride without it.
1
jridout12
Posts
373
Joined
4/23/2018
Location
IA US
11/2/2021 8:32pm
I absolutely hate installing graphics, I'm a perfectionist and I always seem to get air bubbles or don't have the graphic lined up perfectly. Luckily I only have to do it once every new bike I get
2
motomx58
Posts
8
Joined
8/20/2021
Location
Colorado Springs, CO US
11/5/2021 12:43pm
Hands down, changing tires and tubes. I even have the stand, spoons, and baja no-pinch. I hate it changing them. lol
1

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