The friendly "dumb" bike questions thread
Discussion
Kiribati268 said:
This is probably very much a dumb question!
Do all back protectors fit all jackets?
I'm not yet riding but want to sort things for before I do. I have an IXS textile jacket that has a zip at the bottom with a standard crappy foam protector velcro'd in. I've looked at getting a 'proper' one but there's nothing that says what protector fits what jacket.
When i unzip the jacket the area the protector slides into is massive, so it needs to attach somehow or it will slide around and fall diagonally. Looking around it seems most just slide in. Or will it velcro to the strap in the jacket? All the videos/write ups don't actually say how they fit.
If you can find your correct jacket on SportsBikeShop.co.uk you can click on 'ask a question' and they'll reply sharpish with the correct model and size. Do all back protectors fit all jackets?
I'm not yet riding but want to sort things for before I do. I have an IXS textile jacket that has a zip at the bottom with a standard crappy foam protector velcro'd in. I've looked at getting a 'proper' one but there's nothing that says what protector fits what jacket.
When i unzip the jacket the area the protector slides into is massive, so it needs to attach somehow or it will slide around and fall diagonally. Looking around it seems most just slide in. Or will it velcro to the strap in the jacket? All the videos/write ups don't actually say how they fit.
Most aren't universal so you want to make sure you get the right one!
Lukas239 said:
Does anyone know what defines a 'garage' for bike insurance purposes? Because I don't and apparently neither does Google
Most often has to be a brick built secure building i.e. lockable door.About 8 years ago was going to move my bike into my workshop, which is a timber stable, with secure doors, concrete floor etc, but a few insurance companies would not cover it as a garage as it was timber. May have changed now, but certainly check with your insurer.
Biker 1 said:
What sort of difference in price of insurance are we talking: bike in garage overnight or sat on driveway with approved lock/chain & a cover?
quite significant for me, hence the above question. I keep mine in the back garden but insurers technically call that a 'driveway' so garage is a better option.Excellent just the thread I need.....
My bike should finally be arriving this week, MT 125 to use while all the tests are still cancelled and learn to ride until I can get the DAS done, I've sorted pretty much all the riding gear, there's a couple of jobs to do on the bike when it arrives but nothing major and shouldn't cause any issues, I have a Haynes manual as well. I do however have a few maintenance questions;
Chain cleaner and lube, what one? I've looked at motul and tru tension kits as they have both and a brush, opinions on what to use seem very subjective.
Brake cleaner, similar to the above.
I have loads of cleaning stuff for the car (snow foam, shampoo, various removers for tar and brake dust, wax etc) but bikes seem to be quite different, although naked most of it is plastic, I would expect frame, fasteners etc would benefit from some sealing?
It will be living outside so I have a chain, will install a ground anchor, get a cover and probably a disc lock alarm. I'm in a decent spot with mixed use fire and police station round the corner but it seems sensible.
I think I'll get a health check st a local mechanic for some piece of mind, will see how I feel about the tyres once I've done a few miles and replace if necessary.
Anything else worth getting? I have a Halfords trade card and there is one 10 minutes away so probably where I'll be going.
My bike should finally be arriving this week, MT 125 to use while all the tests are still cancelled and learn to ride until I can get the DAS done, I've sorted pretty much all the riding gear, there's a couple of jobs to do on the bike when it arrives but nothing major and shouldn't cause any issues, I have a Haynes manual as well. I do however have a few maintenance questions;
Chain cleaner and lube, what one? I've looked at motul and tru tension kits as they have both and a brush, opinions on what to use seem very subjective.
Brake cleaner, similar to the above.
I have loads of cleaning stuff for the car (snow foam, shampoo, various removers for tar and brake dust, wax etc) but bikes seem to be quite different, although naked most of it is plastic, I would expect frame, fasteners etc would benefit from some sealing?
It will be living outside so I have a chain, will install a ground anchor, get a cover and probably a disc lock alarm. I'm in a decent spot with mixed use fire and police station round the corner but it seems sensible.
I think I'll get a health check st a local mechanic for some piece of mind, will see how I feel about the tyres once I've done a few miles and replace if necessary.
Anything else worth getting? I have a Halfords trade card and there is one 10 minutes away so probably where I'll be going.
Pete-mojsh said:
Excellent just the thread I need.....
My bike should finally be arriving this week, MT 125 to use while all the tests are still cancelled and learn to ride until I can get the DAS done, I've sorted pretty much all the riding gear, there's a couple of jobs to do on the bike when it arrives but nothing major and shouldn't cause any issues, I have a Haynes manual as well. I do however have a few maintenance questions;
Chain cleaner and lube, what one? I've looked at motul and tru tension kits as they have both and a brush, opinions on what to use seem very subjective.
Brake cleaner, similar to the above.
I have loads of cleaning stuff for the car (snow foam, shampoo, various removers for tar and brake dust, wax etc) but bikes seem to be quite different, although naked most of it is plastic, I would expect frame, fasteners etc would benefit from some sealing?
It will be living outside so I have a chain, will install a ground anchor, get a cover and probably a disc lock alarm. I'm in a decent spot with mixed use fire and police station round the corner but it seems sensible.
I think I'll get a health check st a local mechanic for some piece of mind, will see how I feel about the tyres once I've done a few miles and replace if necessary.
Anything else worth getting? I have a Halfords trade card and there is one 10 minutes away so probably where I'll be going.
Any chain cleaner is fine, I use a 3 sided brush like this https://www.demon-tweeks.com/warrior-chain-cleanin...My bike should finally be arriving this week, MT 125 to use while all the tests are still cancelled and learn to ride until I can get the DAS done, I've sorted pretty much all the riding gear, there's a couple of jobs to do on the bike when it arrives but nothing major and shouldn't cause any issues, I have a Haynes manual as well. I do however have a few maintenance questions;
Chain cleaner and lube, what one? I've looked at motul and tru tension kits as they have both and a brush, opinions on what to use seem very subjective.
Brake cleaner, similar to the above.
I have loads of cleaning stuff for the car (snow foam, shampoo, various removers for tar and brake dust, wax etc) but bikes seem to be quite different, although naked most of it is plastic, I would expect frame, fasteners etc would benefit from some sealing?
It will be living outside so I have a chain, will install a ground anchor, get a cover and probably a disc lock alarm. I'm in a decent spot with mixed use fire and police station round the corner but it seems sensible.
I think I'll get a health check st a local mechanic for some piece of mind, will see how I feel about the tyres once I've done a few miles and replace if necessary.
Anything else worth getting? I have a Halfords trade card and there is one 10 minutes away so probably where I'll be going.
to scrub off the worst crap.
For chain lube I generally use Wurth dry lube, I find the waxes tend to fling off.
Brake cleaner, but whatever is handy. They’re all just a solvent cleaner.
Cleaning I use Muck off bike cleaner or Autoglym motorcycle cleaner on the engine/frame etc and car stuff on the painted parts.
If it’s living outside a light coating of ACF50 on the metal parts is worth it, doesn’t need to be professionally applied as it’s just a spray can, I find a spray then spread out with a brush works well.
Best to anchor the bike, not sure if I’d bother with a disc loc alarm but more stuff is usually better than less stuff.
While you’re at the mechanic ask them to show you how to adjust the chain and do any other checks they would do regularly.
Also remember to check the oil regularly, smaller engines can use more than you would expect so it should be something you do out of habit.
Edited by Speed addicted on Monday 22 June 08:47
Speed addicted said:
If it’s living outside a light coating of ACF50 on the metal parts is worth it, doesn’t need to be professionally applied as it’s just a spray can, I find a spray then spread out with a brush works well.
Just to add to the above.Edited by Speed addicted on Monday 22 June 08:47
If you do use ACF50, make sure you keep it off the brake calipers, discs, tyres and hand & foot controls.
airsafari87 said:
WinstonR said:
For chain lube use gear oil; everything else is just a gimmick.
Not true.Although I use gear oil myself it would be wrong to say that all these other chain lubes are just a gimmick.
What they are is an alternative.
The actual lubrication is sealed into the links in the first place.
Wurth dry lube is good as it protective and doesn’t fling like chain wax or gear oil.
airsafari87 said:
Speed addicted said:
If it’s living outside a light coating of ACF50 on the metal parts is worth it, doesn’t need to be professionally applied as it’s just a spray can, I find a spray then spread out with a brush works well.
Just to add to the above.Edited by Speed addicted on Monday 22 June 08:47
If you do use ACF50, make sure you keep it off the brake calipers, discs, tyres and hand & foot controls.
When it comes to chain lube I'm a bit of a heathen and use either silicone spray or clean engine oil.
Speed addicted said:
I’d agree with the alternative, as long as you remember that chain lubes main job is to stop your chain rusting then you’re all good.
The actual lubrication is sealed into the links in the first place.
Wurth dry lube is good as it protective and doesn’t fling like chain wax or gear oil.
“Lubrication into links”? What do you mean?The actual lubrication is sealed into the links in the first place.
Wurth dry lube is good as it protective and doesn’t fling like chain wax or gear oil.
O/X-rings have a tiny splash of grease when they’re new, only on their inner edge. That lasts as long as you expect I.e. it doesn’t.
The priority isn’t “rust prevention”, it’s keeping the chain moving freely, surely?
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