NAVIGATION ICONS AND WHAT THEY MEAN!

READ ME <----

Each section includes a zip file with detailed pictures

showing what to look at or how to repair or replace the

specific item in question. To keep the website running

smoother, adding archives with images helps us both.

1. The Chain

The chain is very important with regards to motorcycles.

If your chain is in bad shape this can lead to all types of

technical problems, so proper care is required. Before you

set out for the day do a visual inspection of the chain

Look for pits, burrs, breaks and missing c-clips. And

remember that if you replace your rear or front sprocket

you should replace the chain along with it.

Remember, your chain should never run dry so if you happen

to have some real chain lube around, spray just a little on it.

Your bike will run that much smoother. But if you don’t have

chain lube, then you can also use a little WD-40, which also

keep it from rusting.

Chain Maintenance Pictures , FILE FORMAT: .ZIP, FILE SIZE: 153KB

2. The Rear Shock

The rear shock always takes a good beating and should

be overhauled to keep it functioning. Removing the

rear shock is pretty easy. Remove the 2 screws on the

top mount bar and the lower hex nut on the swing arm,

then just push the steel bar out with anything that will

fit in the hole.

Disassembling the shock is pretty straight forward. I’m

sure the shock oil is black! Buy some stock 40 weight

shock oil, which works just fine. With the piston at the

bottom fill the shock tower with oil. Then slowly move

the shock upwards to allow any air bubbles to escape.

fill the tower up about 3 quarters of the way, but don’t

over fill it or the shock will not function properly. You

will know if the shock if functioning if you can push it

all the way down and it should slowly extend all the

way out.

Shock Maintenance Pictures , FILE FORMAT: .ZIP, FILE SIZE: 382KB

It will probably take you a few tries to get the feel you

require, but don’t rush! Re-install the shock and now

you’ll see how much better the bike handles.

3. Check your Screws!

Other things that is often overlooked is the nuts and bolts on the bikes.

The bikes have a tendency to loosen the screws while they are screaming

around the track and if not checked, well accidents happen. Frame bolts,

swing arm screws, gas tanks, throttles, brakes all have tiny screws that

need to be checked every now and again. Lock tight should be used when

appropriate. I’ve included a few pictures in this archive of screws that

should be checked on a regular basis. People often over look the little things

and a loose screw can mean the difference between winning and loosing.

Screws Maintenance Pictures , FILE FORMAT: .ZIP, FILE SIZE: 482KB

4. Check The Gear Mesh

Gear Mesh is very important on both electric and nitro bikes. Improper

mesh can destroy your main drive gear and the clutch bell housing as

I’ve seen this done. Because of the wide range of bikes I’m not able to

give you exact details for setting the proper mesh on your bike.

However, I just wanted to make you aware that it should spin free all the

way around. The proper mesh would be a small gap between the gears

and if you can fit the tip of toothpick between the gears then its perfect.

Normally, if the gears grab while rotating the tire, then it probably needs

to be re-adjusted.. For nitro bikes the 4 engine mount screws control the

mesh, but optional motor mounts are available.

IMPORTANT NOTE: NF BIKES

The SF501 bikes often make a loud whining sound when first run,

this is because the gears are so new and no wear pattern has

been established yet. After a few tanks of fuel or charged batteries

this noise will slowly diminish.

5. Swingarm Spacer & Bearings (gone bad)

The rear swing arm normally has a single aluminum spacer that is

positioned between the swingarm and wheel bearing, this allows the

rear sprocket to be aligned with the front sprocket. Normal driving

will eventually wear this spacer out and require it to be replaced. I

just wanted to make you aware of this, so just keep an eye out for it.

When you remove the rear wheel for what ever reason just take a peek

at the spacer and check its condition.

Bearings gone wild is just like girls gone wild, but doesn’t require a

credit card to be charged monthly. No, I have never purchased the CD’s!

Anyways, bearings wear out on a regular basis and usually they make a

loud whining sound, when they do. There’s a bunch of bearings on the

market and I honestly don’t know which one is better then the other.

You’ll be replacing bearings if you enjoy running your bike on the

weekends. I have found that the rear bearings on the swingarm and rear

Rim bearings are notorious for going out. If you happen to find a bearing

that doesn’t go out, then please let me know.. I’d love to buy stock in them.

Any questions that you need answered, ask away! Lorenzo