Attention must also be paid to the brake fluid level. A quick look at the sight glass in the reservoir shows whether there is still enough of this vital fluid available. If you notice an irregularity or are unsure, the next step is to go to a specialist workshop. Because: Hands off, work on the brake system may be carried out only there! It is obligatory to have the brake fluid renewed by a specialist once a year.
The situation is different for minor maintenance and care work. Here you can save between the inspections prescribed by the manufacturer with few handles not only small money, but also do something for the operational safety and on top of that get to know your bike better. The easiest way is to check the oil. Some four-stroke engines consume more, others less. However, if the consumption is significantly higher than one liter per 1000 km, you should visit a specialist workshop as soon as possible. The rule of thumb for checking the oil is every second refueling stop or every 500 kilometers. To do this, the motorcycle must be exactly vertical. Standing with both wheels on level asphalt. Once the engine is at operating temperature and about two minutes have elapsed, look into the sight glass or read the dipstick to determine the oil level. Too little or too much lubricant can lead to engine damage. The radiator can boil, and not only in a car, Many motorcycle engines are now also liquid-cooled. The coolant level can be read from the expansion tank. If something is missing, it is topped up. You don't have to worry about the battery on modern motorcycles. They are all equipped with maintenance-free batteries. So you do not need care. Only in the case of older models does the acid level reduce in the course of the operating time. If the level falls below the minimum mark, distilled water must be topped up, which is available at any service station, motor retailer or supermarket. Motorcycles with drive chains, even if it is an O-ring chain, require care and maintenance. If it is to last a long time, no biker can avoid this work. Drive chains are wearing parts. Must be lubricated at regular intervals with chain spray. It is best to spray the linkage from the inside to the outside immediately after the trip. By the next morning, the solvent has evaporated and the lubricant adheres well to the links. From time to time, however, the chain must also be tensioned. Because depending on care, riding style and operating time, the chain becomes longer and longer. If it sags, place the motorcycle on the main stand or a quick stand. The rear wheel must be free standing in any case. Before you tighten the chain, you first have to turn the rear wheel and look for the tightest part of the chain, because it could stretch unevenly. Once the tightest spot has been found, the motorcycle is jacked up in this position and loaded with a person. Only now is the chain tensioned. In the middle between the rear axle and the gear pinion it should be about "two fingers high", that is 15 to 20 millimeters, have play. An unlubricated, too tightly tensioned or sagging chain, on the other hand, is subject to high wear and tear and harbors a variety of dangers. It can crack, smashing the engine block or even causing an accident. Rides in pairs or vacation trips with luggage require special precautions. The air pressure in the tires is increased by 0.2 bar above the standard value. Suspension elements that offer adjustment possibilities must be adjusted differently accordingly. If the vehicle is packed and sunk deep into the springs, the spring preload is increased with the on-board tools. After that, the bike is back to its dynamic riding base, the suspension elements don't sag as quickly, and freedom from lean angles is once again ensured.