How much time do you spend on maintenance of your bike?

[Front Royalty]

How much time would you say your bike requires in maintenance per 25 hours of riding?

Am I the only one who has put as many hours into working on my bike as I have riding it?

[bowhunter007]

Originally Posted by Front Royalty

How much time would you say your bike requires in maintenance per 25 hours of riding?

Am I the only one who has put as many hours into working on my bike as I have riding it?

The nicer the bike, the more time I spend on it. My KX gets no love, other than basic maintenance. I do clean the chain thoroughly, after each ride. Doesn't amount to much...an hour here & there. I did pull apart the rear suspension assembly upon purchase, to grease & inspect. I've never been OCD on the overall cleanliness of a bike. I have cut back to only cleaning the air filter...to when it actually needs it

[Jakobi]

Yeah I've never been able to make an old bike look new again. It takes hours to get it close and only seconds to restore it back to its filthy status so for me I only do maintenance as required, and clean it to get it to an acceptable state (clean, but not immaculate). Its not uncommon to lose a whole day in the shed tinkering though. It seems like almost every other week theres something to clean, lube, replace, realign, or service so even though I don't think I'm over the top I still spend a fair bit of time in the shed. The catch being the more time you spend riding, the more time you have to spend servicing - these combined make it feel like you spend all your time on the bike.

[desertgasser300]

My answer, not enough!
The wifes, to much!

[Front Royalty]

Just trying to get a feel for what everyone else has had to do. Ive had to repair/replace quite a few things that should not nearly have to be replaced this soon. I prefer not to go into details but the list is half maintenance, half premature failure. I think i may have purchased a tempremental little bugger.

Originally Posted by desertgasser300

http://www.gasgasrider.org/forum/showthread.php?t=14285

He might still have it?

My next bike is going to be a Victory Highball

[Jakobi]

Go into detail! We're all up for the good and the bad.

You also need to specify are we talking 25 race hours, or 25 trail hours. I average 30km/hr as I tend to only cruise on the transport sections and the rest is 2nd/3rd gear singles. That means in 25hrs I'd cover around 750kms. Say around 7 decent trail days, or about 2 months time. In that I'd be dropping the trans oil at least once. Changing a real wheel at least once. Probably doing around 7 airfilters. Have both wheels off at least once to repack the grease under the seals and make sure the axles slide in and out easily. Realistically suspension should be serviced around the 25hr mark aswell and definitely would be if you were racing. Trail riders tend to stretch this out. Brake pads maybe depending on conditions and brand of pads.

Then you get into wear and tear damage. Broken levers, tweaked pipes, busted pipe mounts, torn seat covers, smashed bark busters, etc.

Thats on a bike thats already truly dialled in too. For a new bike you start adding in time for tunining suspension, getting to know the bike, ironing out any Gas Gas related quirks, and jetting and it can seriously feel like you're pushing shit uphill. The light at the end of the tunnel is that once you've got one of these bikes dialled you'll see many hours of trouble free riding following the maintenance schedule above.

[Front Royalty]

But how will I sell this beautiful bike once it puts me over the edge if I share with the public my trials and tribulations?

[GMP]

If you have never seen Rick's bike, it's absolutely mint for a '99!

My system starts when the bike comes home from the dealer. In addition to the basic and obvious stuff, I do a lot of evaluation and custom stuff to make my life(and the bike's) easier and speed basic maintenance. Electricals and waterproofing get particular attention. The steeing head gets a steel collar and extra oring for a positive seal. Forks get a seal grease packed cord fitted under the wiper to trap anything that gets past the wiper. I make hardened sleeve wheel spacers, use Ironman sprockets, and in general do things that increase durability. I rarely have problems. With a tight bike, I wash with a hose, Simple Green, and a few different brushes and rags. Compressor blow dry, start and run around the hood to dry brakes, and a carefull spray down with WD40. Bike Spirits on the plastic. I'll also put a fan on the floor blowing air over the bike in cooler of damp weather to help it dry faster. Takes me an hour. Filter, oil, fastener check, damage assessment the next night. Fix or improve anything I can before next weekend.


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[waycrazy]

I do airfilters oil changes chain lube most of the normal stuff. Not terribly anal about cleaning. As of late I have been riding 2 times a week . So complete cleaning isn't really worth it. Spray off the mud make sure there isnt any new leaks or broke or near broke parts. Gas it up for the next day.

[ACR Tom]

I wash it with a pressure washer low pressure i use acid / caustic 2step system I have at my shop . I sell pressure washers so i have an advantage in cleaning knowledge , then oil as needed and have my one mechanic go over it as needed . It is at that time I like having employees !