Keep ‘Em Flyin’

A bike for a lifetime?

It’s not uncommon to start with the wrong bike. Whether it’s because you planned it this way, starting small until you’re comfortable riding on roadways, then moving up to a bigger bike later, or choosing the wrong bike in the first place. Maybe it had great style, but it wasn’t very comfortable to ride. Maybe it was too big to start with and you wised up getting a smaller bike.

And then one day, after owning the same bike for a few years, you realize – this is the one. The one to hang on to, perhaps the rest of your riding life.

And if so, the key to owning a bike for decades is keeping up with the service schedule, keeping it clean and taking care of any odds and ends that come along during your guardianship.

There are plenty of motorcycles built at the beginning of the 21^st century that continue to provide practical transportation. Taking care of regular service intervals will do wonders toward keeping your bike going for a long time. Your owner’s manual calls out the standard service intervals and you can read your odometer and follow up as needed.

Level one (basic) services can usually be done by any rider handy with basic tools. Often, you’re just changing the oil and inspecting things that may need minor cleaning, lubrication, or adjustment. If the bike came with a tool kit, it’s a good bet all the tools you need for a level one service are in the kit. Don’t want to deal with it? Take it to the shop.

Most level two services (intermediate) usually involve a few trickier tasks and tools such as changing spark plugs or cleaning the air filter. Easy for many of us, but the shop is happy to do it for you if it’s not your cup of tea.

Level three services (the big one) often involve valve and timing adjustments. I personally take the bike to the shop for these since often specialty tools and readers are involved along with multiple replacement parts. I will book an appointment in advance and be clear with the service writer that I want to be sure all the needed parts will be on hand when I bring the bike in.

There are plenty of things not suggested in these service intervals that will deteriorate over time. Does that mean it’s time to sell the bike and get a new one? Not necessarily. There are many social media groups specific to makes and models that can really help you out. Sign in to one or two and troll the postings seeing what else may be hiding from you that may need care later. Wheel bearings come to mind. Replacing them now and then really smooths out your ride. Ditto for steering bearings. Overhauling the suspension, rebuilding the rear wheel hub… Every model of motorcycle has its own nuances and it’s only a matter of time before they start to become apparent.

Once you start sorting out the bike for the long run, you may start to realize you could be spending quite a lot at the shop the next few times you come in. If you love the bike, it may be worth it to you to spend that big money. It’s usually less than buying a new bike.

Keep in mind, if you start doing serious mechanical modifications the bike was never designed for, hot cams, changing wheel sizes – the list is long, you may not get as much life out of the bike. The more you keep it stock and care for it, the longer it’s going to last.

Keeping it clean and caring for the surface coatings is also critical to making it last. An annual waxing of the paint does wonders for saving that paintwork for years to come. Keeping the chain clean and lubricated lengthens how long it will last you before needing to replace it and the sprockets. You can also lengthen the life of a battery by using a conditioner/charger a few times over the cooler months if you’re not riding it.

In 2003 I found the bike I love. This year it turns 21 years old. I like it – I think I’ll keep it!

PT/May 24