Maintenance Tips For Your Pocket Bike

Perform the following tasks on your pocket bikewear and tear, a loose chain could come off and
regularly to ensure long life and safe riding.cause an accident. To check the tightness of the
Inspect the Spark Plugchain hold it midway between the rear and front
You should remove and visually inspect your sparksprockets and move it in an up/down motion. If
plug regularly. You will find it at the top of yourthere is more than 20mm of movement the chain is
engine beneath a protective boot. It should not betoo loose. Less than 20mm of movement indicates a
black or white but a golden brown or light browntoo tight chain. tighten or loosen the chain until the
color. A white spark plug would indicate that yourmovement is correct.
engine temperature is too high. Your fuel mixtureInspect and Adjust the Brakes
may be too lean and may need adjusting.or you mayA few bikes have hydraulic brakes but most are
need to adjust your fuel/oil mixture. Too rich a fuelfitted with disc brakes which are easy to maintain.
mixture will cover your spark plug in unburned fueltake apart the brake assembly on a regular schedule
which will look black. A black color also occurs fromand visually inspect for wear and scratches. Change
carbon or oil and is an indication that the plug needsthe pads before they become too thin. Check the
changing. Cleaning the plug will keep you goingcable and the cable housing the levers and
temporarily but ensure you change it as soon asadjustment barrels too and replace any worn parts.
possible. Ideally always keep spare plugs in your toolYou can adjust the brakes if necessary by loosening
kit so that they can be changed when needed.the locking nut and tightening or loosening the locking
Clean the Air Filternut. Leave some play in the cable as too tight cable
The air filter collects dust and other materials andwill result in friction and excessive wear. make sure
prevents them from entering the engine where theythat the wheels lock properly after you have finished
can cause damage to the piston and bore. It must beyour adjustment then re-tighten the locking nut.
regularly cleaned and a small amount of oil added toLubricate
trap the debris. A dirty filter will adversely affectWe cannot emphasize enough that regular lubrication
performance shorten your bikes life. Remove thewith a good quality oil is essential to keep your bike
filter, check for any damage and clean with anin tip-top shape. Your manual should show you the
approved cleaning solution. In an emergency soapylubrication point. Over lubricating is not likely to be a
water can be used instead but be very careful toproblem but under lubricating will cause all types of
thoroughly rinse of all the soap. Add a few drops ofdamage to your bike which will, of course affect the
filter oil. Do not overdue the oil, if it drips from theperformance and life.
filter you have added too much!Check the Tires
Idling Adjustment Screwnext to the choke is a smallCheck your tires regularly for damage, bulging and
screw that adjusts the idling speed. To increase idlingwear and replace before they cause a problem while
speed turn clockwise, to decrease turn anti-clockwiseriding.
until the speed is adjusted correctly. Be careful not toA good pocket bike should give you years of fun
set it too high as that could be dangerous and willand and be easy to maintain if you stick to a regular
only burn up more fuel.schedule of maintenance. Never ride your bike unless
Oil the Chainyou are sure you have carried out all the above
Regularly oil the chain, both outside and inside with anoften enough and your bike is in the best condition
approved chain oil. Oil at least every time you rideyou can make it. Skipping essential maintenance leads
your bike. Check that the chain is not too tight orto unnecessary accidents and damage to your bike.
too loose. a too tight chain will lead to excessive