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22. Cleaning & storage
Before extended periods of storage, observe the following precautions:
Clean and dry motorcycle thoroughly.
Completely drain fuel tank and carburetor.
Spray a little oil into spark plug hole and kick engine over a few times.
Change transmission oil.
Make sure coolant is fresh and at least a 50/50 antifreeze mixture.
Lubricate the chain well.
Inflate tires to proper pressure, store with tires off ground if possible.
Seal exhaust outlet with a silencer plug tool or plastic bag.
Make sure air filter is clean and well oiled.
23. Pre, post & between race maintenance
Pre-race maintenance
- Proper maintenance is crucial for proper operation of motorcycle. Before each race, make sure to review
the maintenance & lubrication schedule chart, section III-2. Take nothing for granted. Parts crack, break and corrode. Piston rings get
tired. Gaskets leak. Give your rider the best possible chance of finishing the race by cleaning and inspecting the bike in plenty of
time to service it and fix any damage prior to race day. Look for any leaking fluids and broken or damaged parts. Regular inspection
can help prevent failures and injury.
Clean and oil spare air filters, and store them in ziploc® bags for ready use. Maintain stocks of transmission and premix oil so you
don’t run out on race day. Make sure you have spare spark plugs on hand. A selection of jets and common wear parts will come in
very handy. Save old parts that might still work in an emergency, such as a worn set of clutch shoes. Buy extra gaskets, clips and
other inexpensive but critical parts.
Try to develop a regular routine so you don’t forget anything, and can do the various tasks as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Check and adjust suspension sag periodically. Make sure you have gas and premix oil on hand, it can be hard to find on weekends or
in an unfamiliar town. Mix enough fuel and oil the night before the race to get through the day. Take a few moments to check all
bolts and nuts for proper tightness. Remove kickstand if required by rules. Make a checklist to make sure you have everything you
need when you get to the races! In addition to normal maintenance, try and inspect and maintain the larger tasks each week in rota-
tion. In other words, clean the brake calipers one week, adjust the steering play the next, and so on.
Between moto maintenance
- Clean the bike as best you can between motos. Inspect the bike for damage and repair it the best you
can in the time you have. In the event of more than minor damage, determine if the bike can be made safe in time for the next race.
If not, try to arrange a backup bike or seek help to repair the damage in time. Do not risk your child’s safety in the heat of the
moment!
Clean off accumulations of mud and dirt. They can weight the bike down considerably which will affect handling, cooling and
acceleration. Replace air filter with a clean one. Lubricate the chain and adjust as needed. Check tires, wheel and spokes for damage,
also check and adjust tire pressure.
Remove the alternator cover and wipe out any moisture.
If race is muddy, inspect calipers for proper operation and clean frequently inside and out.
Quiz your rider about the bikes handling and change the suspension adjustments and tire pressures to suit riding conditions.
If there are problems with the jetting, use the choke and spark plug reading test to help determine if it is running rich or lean and
rejet one jet size at a time.
Regear as needed for better starts or top end speed in long straights.
Make notes of any changes or problems to work on. Keep a log for future reference.
Post race maintenance
- Make a list of any problems or parts needed while the race day is still fresh in you mind. If there were any
jetting or handling problems, allow time to sort them out before the next race. Also make notes on how the rider performed, and
what could be done to improve performance. Keep track of the best starting positions, lines and other information that will help you
ride the track quicker the next time.
Clean and lubricate the bike thoroughly, inspecting for damage as you do. Remove alternator cover and wipe out moisture after
washing bike or at end of day. Use care not to damage seals, bearings and linkages with pressure washer!
Order any new parts right away before you forget or there is not enough time to get them, especially if they are not in stock at
your local dealer. Make any needed repairs well before the next race in case you run into problems. Close inspection will save you a
lot of trouble, its better to know about any problems as soon as possible, rather than find out when it’s too late!
Depending on the level of competition, you may wish to keep an inventory of parts. Keep track of parts to re-order as they are
used. Make note of cost in case other racers need spares.
