Checking the bike over (how often and what?)

[Lupine Lacuna]

Following on from the thread about tyres, what should I or anyone else be doing on a regular basis (in between services) to ensure the safety of the bike?

Thanks

[Alpha-9]

Remove your brakes
This should stop any accidental braking incidents

No thanks needed

[DrDonnyBrago]

I'd agree with most of this:

https://www.motorcycle.co.uk/Articles/Maintenance/Easy-scheduled-maintenance.aspx

Some of it is bullshit though. You don't need to check your spark plug gaps monthly on a modern 4 stroke. Checking for leaks and holes in your tyres is enough, I do it when taking locks etc off - quick look for for fluid leaks, nails, obviously flat tyre, bolts hanging out, chain hanging off etc.

Lights I check weekly along with fluid levels, tyre pressure, chain tension and lube, chafing of cables etc.

[Mikey3]

I'd agree with this too ^
In reality a lot of us don't check EVERYTHING but lights (both checking they're all working AND ALIGNMENT ALSO- but not every day ofc) is important.

The Chain - I bet over half of motorcyclists don't look after this how they should! Tension should be checked daily - and adjusted if necessary, and lubed on the absolute least; once a week, but twice/3 times would be preferable.
Oil level should also get regular checks, every other day would probably be substantial.
and of course the rest of the list in the link.....
Mike
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[Minty]

Tyres look inflated and chain not too loose when I kick it. Maybe look at the oil level inspection glass when I am washing it.
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[arry]

I shamefully neglected my CBR for a bit and when I finally got round to checking it over, I found the chain was mega loose, the tyres were 10psi+ down on what they should be and the front brake light microswitch wasn't operating properly

I'm only really a weekend rider, so I check mine over at least once a month for condition.

[weasley]

Before every ride I will do a quick visual on the lights.
Tyres get pumped up as and when it feels about time to.
Chain gets a toe under it every so often.
Engine oil never goes down, but I check every so often.

Anything more involved gets checked as and when I have the bike on a paddock stand for any maintenance or a deep clean wash; sadly not not often.

That said, after 10 years (in my ownership) the Thundercat is still as bright as a button and running on many original parts (clutch, cables, swingarm bearings, wheel bearings etc and I'm pretty sure the brake pads too, although these need changing).
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[P.addy]

When something breaks usually..

[DrDonnyBrago]

[P.addy]

[Tenko]

Worth checking for mice.

[T.C]

Two simple acronyms which I used to teach learners and even now still teach at advanced level, BOLTS & POWDER

B - Brakes
O - Oil
L - Lights
T - Tyres
S - Suspension

This is usually a pre ride check before your first ride of every day, bearing in mind that bulbs can blow and tyres can pick up nails and cause a problem the following day, and usually only takes a couple of minutes when you are into the routine.

The more detailed check is POWDER -

P - Petrol, do you have sufficient fuel for your journey
O- Oil and lubricants including checking brake fluid levels
W - Water, on watercooled bikes obviously
D - Damage, are there any bits hanging off the bike or broken?
E - Electrics, covers the whole system including emergency stop.
R - Rubber, which not only includes tyres, but bar grips and footrest rubbers.

This check takes a little longer and I tend to do it once a week

Two simple words to remember, and it does work.
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[stonesie]

It gets a general look over and lights check every time I take it out, tyre pressures every couple of weeks and oil/water levels once a month, nither have moved since ive had the bike though.

[jimbothe]

I always check that the bike is not on it's side and I'm not on the floor. If it is then I have crashed.


Visuals - tyres, chain, fuel and lights - particularly brake light as mine seems to vibrate to the point it loses connection.

Oh and fork seals because I is fat.

Once a week - Engine oil, mainly because it's an old smoker which probably, litre for litre uses more oil than petrol

Monthly - suspension and brake pads.

Thats just me though.
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[Lupine Lacuna]

Thanks everyone, much appreciated