Newbie maintenance questions

[esullivan]

I'm a bit paranoid about maintenance -- mostly because I'm brand new with motorcycles and also because I'm a mechanical ignoramus....

I bought the haynes manual for my new bike (CBF125). The bike I have is basically new (only a few miles on the clock before I got it), so I'm starting with a fresh slate and need to have it fairly regularly serviced by professionals anyway (for the warranty book).

However, there are lots of things I guess I'm supposed to do weekly or so that I'm aprehensive about. Some questions off the top of my head:

* The chain seems to use a wax (not the oil described in the haynes manual), correct? The guy in the local shop sold me chain wax spray and a chain cleaning spray. I also got a chain brush. How often should I clean this, really, assuming an average London-area commute of 100-150 miles a week in London weather (which is like Costa del Sol lately)? Do I clean the existing wax off (with the brush?) before I apply a new coat, or do I just use the brush/cleaner when the chain is especially dirty and just spray on some more otherwise? How often do people adjust their chain, roundabout? (I've done only about 400 miles, but the chain slack looks unchanged to me.) How paranoid do I need to be about getting the back wheel alignment exactly right if the chain needs adjusting?

* Tyre pressure. It seems harder to check motorcycle tyres than car ones, because of the size and angles, but I have found a guage that seems to fit (barely). How often do should I be checking the pressure? Has anyone used tyre pressure guards (the caps that turn green, yellow and red with pressure) and do they work?

* Cable lubing. The idea of taking something like the clutch cable *off* the bike, lubing it and putting it back on again makes my palms sweat... Really, how often will I have to go through such a scary exercise, roundabout, or can that wait for the usual service intervals? What kind of lube is used?

[Ayrton]

I cant help much because im new. But i check my tire pressure at least once a fortnight, or every couple of rides. You will probably notice when its low by riding it anyway.

[swampy]

[neil.]

Don't worry we all had to start somewhere! Have a good look at the first couple of sections in the Haynes to get a good idea of what's involved with regular servicing. It really isn't as difficult as you think.

You won't void the warranty by servicing the bike yourself and not getting dealer stamps, so long as you use original Honda parts and do the work properly (stick to the schedule and do things by the book). I keep a good record of what I do at each service and staple receipts in as well. You won't be able to make a warranty claim on anything you bugger up. Have a good look through the warranty booklet they give you. It doesn't say you have to get it serviced by a Honda dealer...

Chain - the recommended stuff to lube it with is 80 or 90w gear oil. Slop it on with a paint brush, after cleaning the chain with paraffin and a brush (look for 'gunge brush' - a 3 sided thing designed for this). Wipe off any excess with a rag and don't be tempted to clean/lube your chain with the bike in gear! Much cheaper than anything in a spray can. Adjustment and wheel alignment aren't something you'll need to do that often, maybe every 1'500 miles or so, if you keep the chain well maintained. That's what I've found.
____________________
CBT February 2008 | A2 June 2008 | Yamaha YBR125 (written off) | Honda CBF125 (current)

[recman]

[Rogerborg]

[Sako]

[Rogerborg]

[esullivan]

[Sako]

[esullivan]

[Ayrton]

[Sako]