Motorbikes and scooter Brake systems require periodic maintenance. Motorbike Pads and discs need periodic renewing, and the brake fluid and brake lines need replacement on a regular schedule. Rubber brake hoses gradually soften, resulting in a spongy feel at the lever. Systems such as ABS often use special hoses that require more frequent replacement for proper functioning.

Motorbike Brake fluid also becomes contaminated over time, and the contamination attacks internal parts such as caliper pistons and seals. Alcohol-based brake fluids absorb water from the air. The water sinks to the bottom of the system, corroding the brake components. Rubber bellows in the master Motorcycle cylinders help reduce water absorption, but the only way to avoid costly brake system corrosion is to flush and refill the system every year or two. Note that each manufacturer chooses rubber compounds to be compatible with a particular brake fluid.

When flushing and refilling a Motorcycle or scooter hydraulic brake system, it is important to use only the type of f1uid specified by the manufacturer.

At UnoMotortcycles we are artists in Motorbike and scooter maintenance and repairs, and we can give you good advise on how to maintain your precious Motorbike or scooter. We are skilled Motorbike and scooter mechanics in West London, Shepherd Bush W6. Please Contact us and we will assist you to the best of our knowledge.

Motorbike and Scooter Tyres

Wider, lower-profile Motorcycle and scooter tyres generally put more rubber on the road. But whatever the tire profile, the big factors in traction are rubber compound, temperature, and pressure. All rubber compounds change their traction behavior as the temperature changes. In general terms, a warm tire has much more traction than a cold tire has.

Motorcycle and Scooter tyres heat up from flexing, so it may take a few miles of a twisty road to get the tyres up to normal traction. 1'm not talking so much the air or pavement temperature but the temperature of rubber in the tire. A soft racing compound can have much greater traction than a long-distance touring tire but only after it's heated up to racing temperatures. Racing rubber also cures, and once the tyres cool down, they lose much of their sticky quality. And that affects braking as well as cornering.

It's also important to maintain tire pressure. Pressure that's too high results in lower traction. Inadequate pressure results in excessive temperatures and premature tire failure. With tube-type tyres, underinflation can allow the tire to slip on the rim during a quick stop, tearing the valve stem or inner tube.

At uno motorcycle London W6 Shop, our motorbike and scooter repair and maintenance team can check your tyres and adjust it properly to achieve the best results to the desired terrain or racing event.

Motorbike and Scooter Chasis

At highway speeds, it's important for the wheels to track true. Weaves, wobbles, or vagueness in steering are symptoms of problems, from misadjusted or notched bearings to broken parts.

If the rear wheel is not in line with the ti-ont wheel; you can expect strange steering. With chain-drive bikes, check wheel and sprocket alignment carefully. The marks stamped on the chain adjusters are seldom accurate, so don't be bashful about getting down on the ground and sighting between front and rear tires. And for bikes with the engine/swing-arm rubber mounted in the frame, it is important to align the rear wheel with the front wheel. With shaft drive machines, it may be possible to adjust the swing-arm pivots to better center the wheel or to improve balance.

Steering head bearings are often overlooked because they are hidden from sight. But ball or roller bearings that are adjusted too loosely will pound tiny dimples (notches) into the races from repeated road shocks. And because the steering head bearings rotate only a few degrees, the dimples form in the same radial locations. The notching makes accurate steering difficult because the bearings don't turn smoothly.

To feel for loose or notched steering head bearings, support the front wheel off the ground. Grasp the front wheel facing back at the bike and try to jerk the front forks back and forth in the steering head. A clunking sound from the bearings or looseness in the bearings means it's time for adjustment and possibly replacement.

With the front wheel off the suJi'ace, it takes only a moment to check the wheel bearings. Spin the wheel and listen for any clicking, rattling, or grinding. Then face the wheel from the side, grasp the top and bottom of the tire, and yank alternately on the top and bottom to check that the bearings do not have any free play.

After you've checked the front end, jack up the rear wheel and check the swing arm and wheel bearings. If your wheel, steering head, or swing-arm bearings are not exactly right, it will be difficult to diagnose steering feedback or suspension setup.