Dirt Bike Racing, Basic Maintenance

Any biker will realize the importance of a well-maintained bike. This becomes even more essential when involved in racing. Negligence in keeping the bike parts in perfect working order can be fatal.

Here are some tips for basic maintenance of your dirt bike:

Keep Your Bike Well Oiled

Spray light oil on those parts that can turn rusty with light oil. Greasing has to be done regularly for smooth movement. Once in a while, it is a good idea to remove all the plastic covering and get a good look under it. This helps get the bike really clean and also to check cracks in the frame, the pipe, or other parts.

Check the Electric Connections

While the electrical connections on most dirt bikes are not that complicated, ensure that the wire and connections are pulled apart and cleaned. A little dielectric grease on them makes all the difference.

Make sure that all the pins and springs in the foot pegs and mounts are in place, as they can get bent on every impact.

Air Box and Air Filter

The next main thing is cleaning the air box and air filter. Wipe the inside of the air box clean and ensure the clamps in the air boot are fine. Dirt has no place inside of an engine. In dusty races, some experts use a foam sock around the outside of the air filter, so that when it gets clogged it can be pulled off easily.

Make sure the chain guide is not bent, broken or worn. Races have been lost by simply not having paid enough attention to this.

Replace Tires And Brake Pads

Inspect the foot controls, silencer and its gaskets. It is almost mandatory to replace the bike's tires and brake pads after every race.

Check that the wheel bearings are in good shape with the all the spokes tight enough. The brake rotors must be flat and tight because they get grooved after muddy races. The axle must be well greased because if you get a flat tire during the race, you definitely don't want to struggle with a dry axle.

Watch out for oil seepage in the fork. Brake fluid can wear off, especially at the rear. Ensure the cables and throttles are lubricated. The fuel tank and fuel system must be flushed to make sure that there is no dirt at the bottom of the tank.

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