With the help of Francine Grimley, Parts Data Manager at Arnold Clark – and a motorcycle fanatic for as long as she can remember – Arnold Clark Autoparts has put together a guide on looking after the essential parts of your motorcycle, and then some.
Looking after your bike – where should you start?
Francine says: ‘The first thing I would do before going out on a ride is check the tyre pressure on the bike. A rider can easily cover 300 miles in a day so it’s important to know that your tyre pressure is at the right level, especially when turning corners at high speed with your tyres at an angle.
The Michelin Tyre Inflator arrives with digital gauge, and 50cm high pressure air hose, with a screw-on valve connector and deflation feature for quick inflation – five minutes for a standard 175 x R13 tyre size. As well as this, the LCD screen gives accurate readings of +/- 1, and up to 50 PSI, but readings in BAR and kPa are available too.
What’s more, it’s available in Arnold Clark Autoparts’ Products section. Find it here.
What’s most important to a motorcyclist?
‘As much as the love of bikes, it’s the social side of things.
‘I founded a women’s motorcycle group, Glasgow Ladies Who Ride, in summer 2020, and it has more than 170 members. I couldn’t believe how much interest it got, it really shows the popularity of bike-riding there is amongst women.
‘I’ve loved motorbikes since the age of two or three, seeing my neighbour take his bike out from the window, and hearing it roar down the street. From then I was hooked. And for the past two years I’ve had my full licence, going on trips to Skye and all over Scotland.
‘And just like for cyclists, coffee and cake midway through a long ride is a thing for us as well!’
Caring for your motorbike on a long journey
Francine says: ‘Check your lights, your indicators, and especially before faster driving like on motorways, check your tyres have at least 1.0mm tread, and aren’t shiny on the curves, as this means they are worn. Tyre safety is so important because your bike needs to grip the road and find its centre of gravity when you corner.’
Motorcycle aftercare
It’s not just making sure your bike is ready to cover 300 miles in a day that’s important, but making sure it’s in perfect condition for going out again the next time you need it. That’s where a thorough aftercare process comes in.
Francine explains: ‘There are a few steps I take when cleaning down the bike (a 2019 Kawasaki Ninja, in orange) after a long run. First, I hose down the bike with a pressure washer. Arnold Clark Autoparts has its own range of pressure washers that are perfect for the job of hosing away dirt and dust from the bike.
‘Then, I’ll apply a bike wash such as Muc-Off’s Nano Technology bike cleaner that leaves the bike really clean when hosed down again.
‘There’s the chain too, which has to be cleaned with a hard brush and the use of a lubricant gel. It’s a dirty job but it’s important your chain is clean and isn’t stretched.
‘It’s a painstaking process but it leaves your bike in the best condition.’
And for giving your bike an extra gleam, Muc-Off’s silicone shine provides an insulating film that protects metal, rubber and plastics.
Elsewhere, a biker’s helmet can suffer from the worst of extreme weather on the road, so it’s important to protect it.
Francine adds: ‘Muc-Off’s kit is again really good for keeping your visor clear of condensation which can impair your view. You need to avoid using your hands and arms so a good visor protector is key to that.’
Clear your view of the road ahead with Muc-Off’s helmet, visor and goggle cleaning kit.
For a fantastic range of motorcycle tools, parts and accessories visit Arnold Clark Autoparts’ today!
