Hi, I am a newbie to motorcycling in terms of bike maintenance, in UAE, if I take the bike to a dealer for maintenance, it will cost me a bomb!, I wanted to know if regular checks like changing of both brake oil (rear and front), coolant, lubricating the chain can easily be done by myself? I have 2006 CBR F, I think its easy to check on these and replace them.

I know the below questions would sound very basic , but please note I am a beginner and i really want to learn how to do these minor things just so that I can go to the next step. I would really really appreciate if someone can take out some time and answer the below questions. Thanks in advance.

1.rear brake oil: if I buy a Honda dot 4 brake oil or any third party, should I just turn the **** and open the compartment to fill in the new brake oil to the upper level? Is it that easy? Shall I drain the old oil first? How do I drain the old brake oil?
2.lubricating the chain: what sort of gear oil shall I use? Can I do it myself?
3.front brake oil? Can I just unscrew the compartment on the handle bar and fill in the brake oil directly.?
4.coolant: can I just pull the black cap off the coolant compartment and add the new coolant?
5.Both the brake oil is same as Honda dot 4? Or different brake oils are required?

Awaiting your reply at the earliest. Thanks.!
Ameer.

 

yes mang...it's all about doing your own work! before you go wrenching, download the manual from www.stephygee.com she's a member here and oh so valuable! thanks steph!

1.rear brake oil: if I buy a Honda dot 4 brake oil or any third party, should I just turn the **** and open the compartment to fill in the new brake oil to the upper level? Is it that easy? Shall I drain the old oil first? How do I drain the old brake oil?

any Dot 4 will work. what you want to do is bleed the brakes, so basically, let the fluid out the bleeder screw while adding more in at the same time...until what comes out looks the same as what goes in...be careful not to let any bubbles enter the system. how do you bleed?
pump lever a few times, hold lever, then unscrew the bleeder bolt, the lever will depress...causing fliud to come out...do not depress lever or it will suck air back in...then tighten bolt...pump for pressure and repeat procedure. same goes from front and back...as far as process and fluid. front you just have to bleed both calipers.

got it? you don't drain the oil, use the new to force out the old...ok...good.

2.lubricating the chain: what sort of gear oil shall I use? Can I do it myself?

yes do yourself, clean it first with chain cleaner or kerosene. as far as lube, i use bel ray chain lube...less fling...how do clean chain? after riding, get a rag, dip in kerosene and procede to wipe the crap out of the chain...let the dry out then lube it or if you're ****, ride around until chain is hot then lube it.

3.front brake oil? Can I just unscrew the compartment on the handle bar and fill in the brake oil directly.?

you unscrew the cover (2 philip screws) be careful, totally easy to strip. use the driver from your bike's tool kit. remove the lid and the rubber gasket. pump for pressure, hold lever, unscrew the bleeder at the caliper, let fluid out, tighten, then let go of lever and pump for more pressure. keep pouring new fluid into the resevoir when the old starts to drain down.

4.coolant: can I just pull the black cap off the coolant compartment and add the new coolant?
you top it off from that little black cap, this is only your reserve...for now just make sure you have enough in there. bleeding will come later with more miles.

5.Both the brake oil is same as Honda dot 4? Or different brake oils are required?

yes, both DOT 4...any DOT 4 will work.

 

Dear Tahoe!, i am totally out of words of how to thank you! seriously.. thanks for the procedues..i will carefully try out these and am sure be certain that the bike is in good condition. thanks so much.!

 

Dear Tahoe!,
just wanted to ask..
all the things mentioned above like the changing of oil and lubricating the chain, how often is it needed...i mean after how many kms approximately should these things be done.
thanks. awaiting reply.
ameer.