Total Motorcycle Community Forums

I had bought my rebel (pic below) a week or so ago. It had 3,004 miles on it at the time. I have since put almost 500 miles on the bike since purchase. I'll be in possesssion of the service manual in a few days.

I was told that the oil had been recently changed. My dad suggested that I put some fuel injector cleaner in it as there may be varnish build up. I also need to lube up my chain. I know of a certain product but I can't remember it's name. You ran the bike so the chain would get hot then you'd use a spray can of this material. I think it had wax in the name? If that's not it, anyone have any personal recommendations with what they use that comes in a spray can?

If you bought a bike with such low mileage that has obviously been sitting around a lot (It's a 2001), what maintainence would you perform?

Thanks in advance,

The toughest thing on bikes is moisture and inactivity. On the Rebel add one level of concern with cast iron cylinder walls. During extended storage, if someone was to leave this bike outdoors without fogging the cylinders and without covering the air-box and exhuast pipe, there is a decent chance of cylinder wall rust. Which could translate into ring seal problems. Hard to detect if that is the case since it is inside the engine. See if the bike consumes oil or smokes. These are signs of internal issues.

Regarding the chain, any chain lube will do, and if you do a search on this forum for WD-40, I think you'll find guys testing that as a chain oil. I use regular BelRay Chain Lube. It is a spray on product and the key is to lubricate between the links at the ends of the rollers of the chain. I do inside the chain once around and outside the chain once around on both the bike side of the chain and the out facing side of the chain. A full even coat of lube and some will spray off during riding possibly, unless you use the wax style like you mentioned earlier. I have to clean mine after a fresh chain lube, but I'm generous with the oil. I do it about 600 to 1000 miles and I'm still on my original chain with close to 20000 miles.

If the bike is running and running somewhat well, just make sure to give it premium gas since it has clearners in it. That may help clear out any varnish. I'd be careful with additives like FI cleaner. If it has really problems idling, or accelerating, you might need to consider a carberator rebuild. Give it some time on good gas though, and a couple tanks worth.

If you are using standard motorcycle approved oil you should be able to go every 2 or 3000 between oil changes. I think that covers the basics.