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Bike prep,maintenance, tools and spares
There are plenty of challenges when it comes to adventure riding, which is part of the attraction. But mechanical failures and crash damage can bring your ride to an early end. Miles Davis has a few tips to keeping the problems to a minimum.
If your bike isn’t maintained properly your dream ride might turn out to be less than ideal.
Obviously each brand has its own servicing recommendations and it’s a good idea to follow these. On top of scheduled servicing it’s a great idea to have a pre-ride checklist to make sure all the key items are up to scratch.
Watch when others are doing repairs and build your knowledge.
Some are obvious, but others possibly not, so let’s have a look at few:
• Oil leaks and oil level. Know the process for checking the oil level on your bike (hot/cold? Left for 10 minutes after running? Dip stick screwed in or dipped? Things like that)
• Tyre condition, Check the side walls, tread depth and pressures
• Check brake pads, discs and calliper bolts
• Air filter. If you’ve been riding in dusty conditions, check your filter – and pre-filter if there’s one fitted – regularly.
• dusted engine is a wrecked engine, and an expensive repair
• Wheel bearings. Shake the wheel side-to-side to see if there’s any excess play. It makes a lot of sense to pack some grease around the bearings before fitting spacers every time you have the wheels off
• Chain and sprockets. Hooked teeth are a dead giveaway, or pull the chain where it wraps around the rear sprocket. The chain should only pull away by between one and two millimetres. Any more than that and it’s showing signs of wear
• Steering-head bearings. Apply the front brake and rock the bike back and forth, try to have sight of the steering head or use a finger on the junction of the triple clamp and steering head to feel for excess play. Then raise the front wheel off the ground with a centrestand or bike lift and ensure the steering moves freely lock-to-lock with no notches
• Suspension. Check for leaks. Look for a smooth action with no freeplay in any linkages
• Cables. Check for smooth operation and visible signs of wear. Use a cable-lube tool if the action is getting stiff. Put brake cleaner through the cable first before using a graphite or Teflon lube
• Headlight. Check for high and low beam, cracks or other visible damage
• Battery. It’s ideal to keep your bike on a trickle charger, especially if you don’t ride frequently. With older batteries get them checked and replaced if in doubt
• General look over. Have a conscious look at panels, nuts, bolts and all the visible parts of the bike.
Split some of your tools and spares between the gang so you don’t have multiples of everything.
Mr/Mrs Fix-it
Regardless of your preparation there’ll be times where you need to look at roadside repair. It’s best to have some key items with you so you can keep the journey on track. You need to think carefully about what to carry, as overloading with things you are unlikely to need will cause its own issues.
If you’re in a group, split some of your tools and spares between the gang so you don’t have multiples of everything. Not everyone has the gift of fixing mechanical things, but if you have the tools and spares to suit your bike you’re likely to find someone who can help get the fix done. But if you haven’t fixed a flat or changed your oil before, you should probably learn the basics so you know what you’re doing the first time you need to on the side of the road. Like everything, practice makes perfect.
The first time you try you might as well be in the comfort of your own shed, preferably with a friend who has more experience to guide you.
Watch Youtube, watch when others are doing repairs and build your knowledge.
A tool roll can help keep things compact and handy.
Tools to consider
There are some great model-specific toolkits that are worth looking into, but if you’re looking at building a kit for yourself, here’s a few things to consider…
• Spanners to suit assorted fittings plus front/rear wheel axle nuts and spark plug
• Allen keys and/or Torx drivers
• Tyre levers (I prefer ones with a small, pointy tip)
• Valve key
• A bead breaker
• Pliers
• Spoke key
• Pump, CO2 bottles or compressor
• Rope, in case you need to do a tow. A great technique is for the bike being towed to wrap the rope a few times around a footpeg, then simply press your foot on it. If things get a bit out of control you can lift your foot and the rope will come loose. You don’t want to drag a bike down the road on its side.
Spanners to suit assorted fittings plus front/rear wheel axle nuts and spark plug.
Spares to consider
• Tubeless repair and/or tubes, spare valve and valve cap
• Clutch/front-brake lever
• Brake pads
• Cable ties, safety wire/duct- and electrical-tape
• Metal putty
• Hose clamp
• Assorted nuts and bolts to suit your bike
• A spare chain link
• Air filter/filter sock (if foam, pre-oiled in ziplock bag)
• Chain lube
• Spare bungy straps
Assorted nuts and bolts to suit your bike.
Ready for adventure
Adventure riding gets us to all kinds of wonderful and sometimes remote places. So it’s great peace of mind knowing you have a well-sorted bike as well as the right tools, spares and knowledge to do some of the common roadside repairs. During multi-day rides, keep a close eye on your bike to try to find issues before they turn into ride-ending problems.
And don’t ever forget: if you’re in doubt about some facet of your bike’s mechanical condition and you aren’t totally confident about assessing and dealing with it yourself, get the help of a professional. Ask your local dealer or mechanic for help.
Happy trails.
Tubeless repair and/or tubes, spare valve and valve cap, a bead breaker, pump, CO2 bottles or compressor.
Cable ties, safety wire/duct- and electrical-tape.
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