Keeping Your Kawasaki Motorcycle Maintenance Costs Down in 5 Easy Steps
By
Ikiro Grudoski
Submitted On October 31, 2007
One of the most important things that you can do to keep you Kawasaki
motorcycle running at optimum performance is to perform regular
maintenance. There are a number of ways to do this. Some owners take
their bikes into a repair shop every six months or so for a check-up.
Others save money by doing the work at home themselves. Doing it
yourself can help keep the maintenance costs of your Kawasaki
motorcycle down. Here are five steps you can do right now to insure
that your Kawasaki Motorcycle runs as well as the first day you got it.
Lets start with the brakes. Step number 1 is to replace the brake pads.
It might sound like a hard place to start, but it only takes 45 minutes
and tools that you already own. If your brakes feel a little soft, or
are making a squealing noise, replacing the brake pads might fix the
problem. Kawasaki motorcycles use EBC/HH brake pads, and any reputable
dealer can find the correct model numbers for your bike. A better
choice when replacing the brake pads is to go with Kawasaki's
own brand, the OEM pads. Kawasaki's website has a listing of
brake pads for each model of motorcycle.
Step number 2, check the levels of brake fluid on your Kawasaki
motorcycle. Kawasaki includes a level window with a marker near the
master cylinder. There should be a maximum, and minimum level noted on
the window, to show you when the fluids are high and low. If the levels
are too low, you will need to add more fluid. You may discover that the
brake fluids are too high, in which case you'll need to
siphon out some of the fluid. Too much fluid can overflow from the
tanks, even when sitting in place.
Since you're already working on the brakes, you can work on
step number 3, which is to bleed the brakes. Most motorcycle owners
have their own way of bleeding the brakes, and Kawasaki owners are no
exception. There are dozens of ways to bleed brakes, but only one that
the Kawasaki manufacturer recommends.
Start by filling a pump oil can with new brake fluid, and attaching it
to
the brake bleeder valve via a hose. Pump the oil can slowly, to get the
fluid moving through the bike. It will slowly push out the old fluid,
and let the new fluid flow through your motorcycle. Be careful not to
get any fluid on the exterior of the bike, as it can strip the paint.
Then slowly pump the brakes until you get the air out. It may take a
few minutes of pumping the brakes for the air to squeeze out, so be
patient.
Step number 4 is to check the oil filter. The oil filter is used to
catch any dirt or debris from entering into the engine. Many riders,
and even some shops stop short of checking the filter, which
isn't necessarily a good thing. Certain items can poke holes
in the filter, allowing larger items to slip inside. Clean out the
debris, and if there's any damage, replace the filter
immediately. A Filter can befound at any store specializing in aftermarket
kawasaki motorcycle parts.
Step number 5 is to check the U-joint. You might notice a vibration in
your Kawasaki motorcycle, that starts out light but gets progressively
worse. This can be the result of damage to the U-joint, or a lack of
lubrication. Try using a small amount of lubrication on the joint, and
taking the bike out for a small drive. If the problem persists, its
time for a new U-joint. Kawasaki dealers carry the part in stock, or
can order it for your bike for around $60-70.
If you are looking at keeping your Kawasaki motorcycle costs down,
start with these five easy steps you can do right now. Most take only a
small amount of money now, but can save you expensive repairs in the
future.
motorcycle running at optimum performance is to perform regular
maintenance. There are a number of ways to do this. Some owners take
their bikes into a repair shop every six months or so for a check-up.
Others save money by doing the work at home themselves. Doing it
yourself can help keep the maintenance costs of your Kawasaki
motorcycle down. Here are five steps you can do right now to insure
that your Kawasaki Motorcycle runs as well as the first day you got it.
Lets start with the brakes. Step number 1 is to replace the brake pads.
It might sound like a hard place to start, but it only takes 45 minutes
and tools that you already own. If your brakes feel a little soft, or
are making a squealing noise, replacing the brake pads might fix the
problem. Kawasaki motorcycles use EBC/HH brake pads, and any reputable
dealer can find the correct model numbers for your bike. A better
choice when replacing the brake pads is to go with Kawasaki's
own brand, the OEM pads. Kawasaki's website has a listing of
brake pads for each model of motorcycle.
Step number 2, check the levels of brake fluid on your Kawasaki
motorcycle. Kawasaki includes a level window with a marker near the
master cylinder. There should be a maximum, and minimum level noted on
the window, to show you when the fluids are high and low. If the levels
are too low, you will need to add more fluid. You may discover that the
brake fluids are too high, in which case you'll need to
siphon out some of the fluid. Too much fluid can overflow from the
tanks, even when sitting in place.
Since you're already working on the brakes, you can work on
step number 3, which is to bleed the brakes. Most motorcycle owners
have their own way of bleeding the brakes, and Kawasaki owners are no
exception. There are dozens of ways to bleed brakes, but only one that
the Kawasaki manufacturer recommends.
Start by filling a pump oil can with new brake fluid, and attaching it
to
the brake bleeder valve via a hose. Pump the oil can slowly, to get the
fluid moving through the bike. It will slowly push out the old fluid,
and let the new fluid flow through your motorcycle. Be careful not to
get any fluid on the exterior of the bike, as it can strip the paint.
Then slowly pump the brakes until you get the air out. It may take a
few minutes of pumping the brakes for the air to squeeze out, so be
patient.
Step number 4 is to check the oil filter. The oil filter is used to
catch any dirt or debris from entering into the engine. Many riders,
and even some shops stop short of checking the filter, which
isn't necessarily a good thing. Certain items can poke holes
in the filter, allowing larger items to slip inside. Clean out the
debris, and if there's any damage, replace the filter
immediately. A Filter can befound at any store specializing in aftermarket
kawasaki motorcycle parts.
Step number 5 is to check the U-joint. You might notice a vibration in
your Kawasaki motorcycle, that starts out light but gets progressively
worse. This can be the result of damage to the U-joint, or a lack of
lubrication. Try using a small amount of lubrication on the joint, and
taking the bike out for a small drive. If the problem persists, its
time for a new U-joint. Kawasaki dealers carry the part in stock, or
can order it for your bike for around $60-70.
If you are looking at keeping your Kawasaki motorcycle costs down,
start with these five easy steps you can do right now. Most take only a
small amount of money now, but can save you expensive repairs in the
future.
Ikiro Grudoski loves riding Kawasaki Motorbikes round the clock
-- Vist him online and check out his favorite customized aftermarket
parts and leather motorcycle accessories
[http://motorcyclepartsandapparel.com/index.html]
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Ikiro_Grudoski/138787
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