| Motorcycles and Twowheelers: Bike maintenance - "Install a rev counter on your motorcycle" Tuesday, 6 January, 2009 | Home | Suggest a Link |
Motorcyclists, Safety and Bus Lanes
The tachometer or the rev counter tells the speed of the engine of the motorcycle in revolutions per minute (RPM). Common nowadays are electronic rev counters that can be installed by the dealers you get them from. But for used motorcycle parts, rev counters usually come in just any wrapping without instructions or diagrams. In cases like these, you may install your rev counter with the following instructions to help you.
The very first step is to move the headlight away. This is a great help later on in avoiding some mistakes and will definitely help you finish faster. If you feel a little hesitant in removing your headlight, you might prefer to just let it dangle by the wire. Just make sure that wire can handle your headlight's weight.
Then take the side pin out of the speedometer. Remove the two allen screws from the back of the speedometer and keep all the parts. I kept mine in a coffee mug and was able to account for all of them when I was putting everything back. Slide the speedo canister down the speedo cable with a good pair of pliers to loosen the cable.
Notice the two wires on the back of the speedo. Remove the speedo. To easily remove, lubricate the speedo then twist it out of the rubber grommet that holds it in the mounting plate.
At the front of the mounting plate you will see three allens. Remove the allens and hold the horizontal black plastic light pod on. Then remove the two allens that hold the mounting plate on the chassis.
At the back of the speedo, there are two screws that will allow you to twist the fitting where the cable screws are on. Loosen them just enough to allow you to twist the fitting as little as possible and with some resistance.
Then there are two "light housings" that contain three indicator lights each. Jot down the wire color combinations. This information will become handy later on. After which, you have to remove the indicator lights from the housing. Then take out all the used motorcycle parts of the rev counter.
Run the indicator lights in the new black plastic T-shaped Light Housing. Lubricate the little rubber receptacles and twist them a little. This should form a T when you look at it from the front.
Then install next either the light cluster or the speedo. If you decide to install the light cluster first, then it’s the rear chrome cover second, then the black plastic T housing, then the plastic indicator plate, then the foam rubber gasket, and finally the front chrome cover.
Next, install the tachometer. Get the rubber grommet in the hole on the right which you can easily see as you look at the front of the face plate. Lube the housing, rotate and wiggle it into the grommet. Then install the wires. The yellow wire, for light, goes in the hole at the back that the bulb pushes into. Black wire, for ground goes to the terminal marked (-), while the red/black goes to the (+). The yellow/black goes to the terminal between the ground and +12 volt terminals. Another black wire which has a covered end is the ring connector. Put it on one of the studs at the back of the rev counter. This is for the light in your tachometer.
Just a few screws to tighten and knots to bolt and you're done. Easy isn't it?
There is much to learn about motorcycle spark plugs. Actually, there is more than meets the eyes.
First, let us distinguish the important difference in spark plugs' threaded ends. They come in four diameters and lengths. They come in nominal 14, 10, 12 and 18 millimeters diameters. previously, there was a slight difference in thread configuration especially in different countries. However, the international standardization of the thread forms made it uniform. These new dimensions are now being followed by motorcycle parts manufacturers.
There can be lots of error in selecting the best motorcycle
parts, especially in the case of spark plugs. The very usual
error is using ¾-inch plugs in ½-inch
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I strongly believe that knowledge is power. Especially when it comes to motorcycle maintenance. Why go to the stress and expense of having your local motorcycle shop perform your maintenance and upgrades when you can learn to do it yourself? And you know that if you do your own maintenance, that you will give the extra attention required to do a competent job. I doubt you can say the same for the underpaid and over-worked motorcycle service mechanic.
The other benefit of doing your own
motorcycle maintenance is that you learn more about your bike.
This has many benefits. You will be able to tell when
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The amp/hour (AH) capacity is the basis for rating motorcycle batteries. For example, a 12AH battery can produce one amp of current flow for 12 hours, or two amps for six hours. In order to calculate the amount of time needed to use up a fully charged motorcycle battery by turning the lights on, we have to take power in watts, and divide it by voltage, which gives us the current draw in Amps. Therefore, a 72 watts beam and tail together, divided by 12 volts equals a 6-amp draw. So in 2 hours, the 12AH
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The most common types of bearings are wheel bearings. Motorcycle wheels have them, so do skateboards. The bearings help give you a smooth ride.
It was no less than Renaissance man himself, Leonardo Da Vinci who described a type of wheel bearing in his studies in the beginning of the 16th century. The invention of the wheel bearing, alongside the other inventions of the rebirth, is one of the most significant heirlooms of the era that have changed little over time. Leonardo da Vinci is said to have described a type of wheel bearing around the year 1500.
If you're wondering what
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Do just about anything to your motorcycle, but forget the most basic and fundamental additive - Oil - and your wallet could be hanging loose for a long time.
How often you change the oil, the level you fill it up to and the kind of oil you use all make the difference between a bike that lasts and a bike that doesn't!
These are a few of the most basic tips when it comes to oil and motorcycles...
Over time and with prolonged use the integrity of the oil breaks down. Varies forces at work within
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