Planning for a long drive on your two-wheeler during the monsoon season? You and your two-wheeler can create magic on the open road in the pleasant weather. But monsoon is also a time when breakdowns and accidents are common because of water damage to the roads and vehicles. You can avoid mishaps by regularly servicing and protecting your two-wheeler. Here are some tips that can help you maintain your two-wheeler in the monsoon season:
Anti-rust protection
Rain and the moisture in the atmosphere can rust and damage parts of your two-wheeler. Most two-wheelers have rust-resistant fiber bodies, but their main metal frames are prone to rust. As a precaution against the damp, coat the metal frame with a layer of anti-rust protection.
Covered parking spots
Are you parking your two-wheeler in the open, during monsoon? Avoid doing that. Rainwater can collect inside the vehicle and wear away major electrical parts, leading to long-term problems. Make sure you always park under a shade to shelter your vehicle from rain. Never park under a tree, however; heavy showers can cause a branch to fall and damage your two-wheeler.
Essential tests
Rain cover
It can be hard to find a covered parking while traveling. To protect your two-wheeler from the rain, you can carry a fitted rain-proof cover and use it when the proper shade is unavailable.
Oil chains, hinges and levers
Water can rust the chains, hinges and levers, restricting the proper movement of your two-wheeler. Oiling these parts will allow their free movement and help keep your two-wheeler in a good working order. You can also coat the battery terminals with grease to prevent moisture from getting at them.
Service brakes
Water can cause damages to the brakes. Brakes become less responsive when the brake pads get slippery, rusty or jammed. Be sure to check the condition of the brake pads while servicing your two-wheeler. Also, never brake too hard in the rainy season as it can cause the two-wheeler to skid on the wet roads. Two-wheelers have either drum brakes or disc brakes. Clean the insides if your two-wheeler has drum brakes, and ensure the discs’ alignment plus the correct amount of brake oil in the case of disc brakes.
Check tyres, headlights
To avoid skidding, the tyres of your two-wheeler should be able to maintain a good grip in standing water or on a wet surface. Consider changing the tyres if they are balding or the treads are less than two to three millimeters deep. Tyre pressure also affects the grip. In the rainy season, keep the PSI level a little lower than the recommended level for dry conditions. Similarly, visibility is usually low during a shower. Good lighting helps it, however. Thus, each time before you hit the road, check that the headlights work as well as they should. Also, put reflective stickers on your two-wheeler so that other drivers on the road can see you well.
Clean up air-filter
Moisture can cause the tearing up and blockage of the air-filter. This can limit the clean air passing through and lead to your two-wheeler to stall or jerk on pulling the accelerator. Clean up the air-filter routinely in the rainy season to avoid these issues.
Wash and wax
Routine washes will prevent the build-up of dirt and muck that can be damaging to your two-wheeler. In addition, waxing after each wash will prevent rusting and keep the vehicle looking good and functioning well.
Wear protective gear
Your safety is much more important than your two-wheeler’s safety. Only when you are healthy, can you protect your two-wheeler. So, don’t forget to wear a helmet to protect yourself from a fall, and a raincoat to avoid getting a cold.
