Scooter Maintenance
Some basic and important maintenance rules for your scooter. Remembering that maintenance helps to prevent damage and more important, increases your bike's intrinsic safety level.
Text by Andrea Di Marcantonio

You may or may not be aware of all the mileage that you cover on your scooter in a year.
It is obvious that eating up the miles, causes wear to the "technical zones" of your bike, such as the engine and the bike components.
But let us go in order and start with the engine.
Almost all scooters of between 125 and 650 cc are now equipped by a 4T unit. This translates into a number of extra parts as compared to the 2T version, the technical aspect is therefore simpler but more demanding in terms of fuel consumption.
The 4T engine requires a more delicate and frequent treatment than the 2T and it is for this reason that the servicing requirements are at 1000 km intervals.

RULE 1 THE ENGINE OIL

The oil level in the engine oil sump needs to be regularly checked (every 2500 km on average). This can be done by using the graduated rod inside the upper part of the engine casing (on the left or right of the engine) indicating the MIN and MAX levels. The level must never fall below the MIN level; insufficient oil in the engine causes the engine to "suffer" and causing the temperatures to rise to dangerous levels. Low oil levels jeopardize the engine, remember it!
Use high quality lubricants of standard corresponding to the specifications provided in the "user and maintenance" booklet of your scooter.

RULE 2 ENGINE TUNING

The more mileage you do and the more the moving parts loosen causing play. Check the play on the 4T valves, at least every 5/8000 km; this will prevent the risk of irregular wear and over-heating. Excessive tightening of the tappets and the valve, will lead to a gradual decrease in performance levels due to the wear of the valve itself.

RULE 3 CLUTCH AND VARIATOR

If you notice that the clutch tends to "jerk" on starting, have the entire "transmission unit" including the variator and club hammer, checked by an authorized workshop.

RULE 4 THE AIR FILTER

An engine breathes, just as we do, and the air filter has a vital part to play in this process; as it acts to retain the micro-particles and impurities "captured" in the air. Checking the filter will extend the engine life. This is an operation that you can do yourselves as follows:: loosen the screws, which incorporate the filter case and the cover and gently remove the filtering element. Purchase specific filter liquid from your motorbike dealer and wash it as indicated. Allow the air filter to dry and only then return it to its slot, checking to ensure the perfect airtight seal of the coupled parts. This check should be undertaken with double the frequency if you regularly travel on particularly dusty roads.

RULE 5 THE EXHAUST

In the event of excessive noise coming from the exhaust or should a drop in performance levels be noted (especially on the 2T), the cause will partially be the exhaust. Never hesitate to replace it should any damage be noted, because apart from the noise, it will jeopardize performance levels and increase fuel consumption levels.

RULE 6 VARIOUS

Replace the spark plug every 10,000 km. The spark plugs on the 4T type usually last three times longer than those of the 2T. The reason being that on the 2T there is a high proportion of oil mixed with the fuel for the lubrication of the moving parts. Carburetion and ignition tend to give less problems. Any carburetion problems may be resolved by specialized personnel, while in the event of ignition problems the bike will simply break down. Usually ignition problems generate specific signals such as lowered performance levels, sputtering and irregular engine running.

RULE 7 SCOOTER COMPONENTS

Regularly check the wear and conditions of the brake pads (brake shoes being the exact term) and of the rear brake shoes if present. The tyres, shock absorbers and fork should also be regularly checked to ensure your safety. Tyre pressure and brake play are two simple checks which should be carried out every 2-3 weeks, especially if "you ride hard".

That's it…… ! a few basic rules to ensure that you have your scooter's maintenance under control. Remember prevention is always better than cure.