Top Tips for Getting a Motocross Bike Race Ready Part Two. Is your Bike ready for the Big Day?
Welcome to part two on my hints and tips to getting a Motocross bike race ready. In this part I will dig a little deeper into the more specific maintenance tasks. You should be doing these on a regular basis and by that I mean between every race. After all when you ride a Motocross bike in a race you are pitting man and machine against each other and a Motocross bike is half of the team. Would you race without being ready and putting your gear on? I assume you wouldn’t so you need to care for your bike as well.
· Check and change the spark plug. If you are ensure then just change it. This is the one item in the engine that really takes a battering. Make sure you use the manufacturers recommended plugs.
· Check your tyres and adjust according to the terrain. If you are lucky enough to afford different sets, then of course change them for the right ones. But at a minimum check you have plenty of tread and set the tyre pressures for the terrain.
· Check the chain. Oil and adjust as needed. Use proper chain oil, not some old engine oil you have lying around. Check the chain link. The open end should be facing away from the direction of travel. In my time I have seen half a dozen chains fall off just while the bike was being wheeled to the start!
· Manufacturers very often save money by putting on standard nuts. If you can, start to replace them all with locking nuts, they are less likely to come loose during a race.
· Clean your air filter and make sure to get it well oiled. If you don’t feel you can do the job properly, you can buy ready oiled filters. This is how your bike breathes, so make sure you get it right.
· Most modern bikes don’t have spokes, but if yours does then gently tap a screwdriver on them all. If you get some odd notes, chances are you have a loose one, so get it tightened. Be careful with tightening spokes. It can be very easy to pull the wheel out so it doesn’t run right. So if you are not sure get a professional to do it.
I hope you have enjoyed the second part on getting a Motocross bike ready for your racing. I hope you keep coming back as I will be covering some more hints and tips in further articles.