Maintaining your KMC custom bike 5
Copyright 2002, Kodiak Motorcycle Company – www.kodiakmc.com
- Check the front forks for proper bearing adjustment after the first 500 miles,
and then after every next 5,000 miles. Bearings should be repacked at 10,000
mile intervals.
Checking Ride Height: With the bike unloaded, on the side stand, and the
shock fully extended, measure from the center point of the rear axle to a point
on the fender or body work directly above it. With the bike off the stand and the
rider in the sear, bounce on the suspension and let the bike settle. Measure from
the same two points. Subtract the second measurement from the first. The
difference should be between 1 and 1.5 inches. The amount of settle is a
function of wheel travel and should be between ¼ and 1/3 of total wheel travel.
If the difference is less than the maximum, reduce the spring preload (back the
nut off, turn it counter-clockwise). If the ride height is too low, the shock will
bottom out frequently, resulting in a bumpier ride. If the ride height is set too
high, the shock will “top out” more frequently and from smaller bumps, resulting
in a bumpier ride.
WHEELS AND TIRES
Wheel Inspection: Check wheels periodically for tightness of spokes, billet
wheels should be checked periodically for cracks or dents.
Tire Inspection: Check your tire pressure at least every week. If your tire is
under-inflated, you may experience bad handling, additionaly the tire may slip
off the rim, causing serious personal injury. If your tires are changed, the
replacements must be of the same type as those currently on the bike. IF the tire
strikes an object, such as a curb, at speed, internal damage may result, when
this happens, it’s a good idea to inspect the tire internally for damage.
CAUTION: Never put previously used, damaged, punctured or repaired tires
on your bike, once a tire has been damaged, it isn’t safe to use.
THE ENGINE
Hydraulic Liftes: Hydraulic lifters automatically adjust for engine expansion
and valve mechanism wear. For the first few minutes of starting an engine, the
valve mechanism will be noisier than usual until the hydraulic units refill with
oil. If the valves do not quiet down a few minutes after then engine has started,
valve mechanism becomes abnormally noisy, it’s an indication that one or more
of the hydraulic units may not be functioning properly. If a hydraulic unit
appears to have failed, verify that the oil tank is properly filled, and that the