Everyday scooter maintenance

Everyday scooter maintenance

For many owners, one of the best things about owning a scooter or moped is that much of the workings are less than complicated, meaning routine maintenance and repair is fairly simple for the technically minded. As with any mechanical vehicle, good maintenance is crucial in maintaining reliability and condition, and there are some things to keep an eye on. Consult your owners’ manual for details on specific tasks, but in general:

Oil. A scooter engine works hard, and it is important to keep an eye on oil levels, make sure it is topped up and changed regular to keep performance tip top.

Like any car or bike, scooter tyre pressure plays a large part in performance, safety, and comfort levels. With only 2 tyres, these are even more important, so check the pressures weekly and don’t be tempted to over or under inflate. Check for uneven wear, any cracks or bumps or other irregularities, all of which can have a serious effect on safety and performance.

Air filters: the air filter is designed to remove impurities from the air before dirt can enter the intake. Try to clean them every 500m, and replace at around 3000.

Bolts: on a small vehicle like a scooter or moped, many major fastenings are easy to reach and check, so every couple of months should be no great hardship.

Brakes: check the pads for over wear, and keep brake fluid topped up regularly.
Coolant: Make sure coolant is topped up all year round

Lights: Any two wheeled vehicle is harder to spot on the roads, and smaller bikes such as mopeds and scooters hardest of all. Visibility is the most important aspect of safe riding, and ensuring your bulbs are working and positioned carefully should be a regular part of your maintenance.

Fork seals: ensure any leaks are dealt with to avoid loss of oil which results in poor suspension.

Chains and sprockets: cold weather and damp can cause chains to seize, and become week, so a regular check to ensure all links are looks and sprockets have plenty of wear left is advisable.

Spark plug: Your spark plug needs to be clean and unworn, so check it regularly, clean off any carbon deposits, and keep a spare handy.