WEEKLY AND MONTHLY CHECKS
As daily checks plus:
1) Brakes
Auto scooters
Front and rear brake: Check sight glass on master cylinders, (situated on handlebars). On some scooters you have to turn handlebars to get fluid level in sight glass. On the sight glass there will be a ‘minimum’ indication line; when the fluid gets down to that level the brake pads will probably be ready for replacing. You can visually check your brake pads on front and rear calipers. Check your brake hose lines for any damage.
Geared scooters
Front hydraulic: As auto scooter Rear: Apply foot pedal until you feel resistance. Check the amount of travel before the brake applies pressure to the brake shoes.
Drum brakes can be adjusted by the cable adjuster, check your scooter’s specific manual for proper adjustment technique.
2) Tyres
General: Check the tyre wall for damage or cracking. Check tyre pressure and inflate if required, your owner’s manual will list the correct tyre pressure.
Check tyre pressures: Visually check tyre tread, the minimum tread depth for motorcycles over 50cc is 1mm across ¾ of the width of the tread pattern and with visible tread on the remaining ¼. For motorcycles up to 50cc the law requires that all the grooves of the original tread pattern must be clearly visible. On the side of the tyre you will have a TWI (tread wear indicator marker). Follow triangle point over tread of tyre and you will see ‘bars’ in the tread; when these are level with the tyre surface 70% of the tyre depth has been used and the tyre needs replacing.
3) Oil
Check your oil level. This should be done with a cold engine on a level surface with the scooter on its main stand.
Autos: Remove the dipstick, wipe, insert but do not tighten, pull out and check the level.
This wants to be halfway up the diamond or hatched area on dipstick or between ‘lower’ and ‘upper’ marks. Note! Check your owner’s manual in case dipstick has to be screwed down for checking level.
Geared scooters: There’s no real alternative than to undo the filler screw and top up with a little of the correct grade oil. Once the surplus has stopped flowing the level’s correct.
4) Suspension
Front: Take scooter off stand, wheel forward and apply front brake, you will feel scooter front end compress and return. Carry out visual check of front forks, check for any oil leakage. If leaking renew.
Rear: Press down on rear of seat to compress suspension, then relax pressure and the scooter will return to its original position. Visually check the spring for any leakage. If leaking renew.