KTM 144 SX Motorcycle User Manual


 
ENGLISH
36
CLEANING »
CONSERVATION FOR WINTER OPERATION »
STORAGE »
Clean your motorcycle regularly in order to maintain the beauty of its plastic surfaces.
The best manner would be to use warm water that has been mixed with a normal brand-name washing detergent and a sponge.
The hard dirt can be removed before washing with the help of a soft water jet.
If using a power washer, do not point the water jet at the electric components, plugs, cables, bearings, carburetor, etc. The high pres-
sure will cause water to penetrate into the components and can cause them to malfunction or lead to premature wear.
Before cleaning with water, plug the exhaust pipe to prevent water ingress.
You should use normal brand-name detergents to clean the motorcycle. Especially dirty parts should also be cleaned with the help
of a paint brush.
After the motorcycle has been rinsed with a soft water jet, it should be dried by air pressure and a cloth. Then take a short drive
until the engine has reached the working temperature and also use the brakes. By warming these components, the residual water
can evaporate from inaccessable parts of the engine and the brakes.
Slide back the protective covers on the handlebar-mounted instruments so that any water that may have seeped into this part of
the motorcycle is allowed to evaporate.
After the motorcycle has cooled down, oil and grease all the gliding bearing parts. Treat the chain with a chain spray.
To prevent failures in the electric system, you should treat the ignition lock, the emergency OFF switch, the short circuit button,
the light switch and the socket connectors with contact spray.
In the event that the motorcycle is also used in winter and on roads where one has to expect salt spraying, you will have to take pre-
cautions against the aggressive road salt.
clean the motorcycle thoroughly and let it dry after each ride
treat the engine, carburetor, swing arm, and all other bare or galvanized parts (except for brake discs) with a wax-based anti-corro-
sion agent.
Keep the anti-corrosion agent from getting into contact with the brake discs, otherwise this will significantly reduce the braking power.
After rides on salted roads, clean motorcycle thoroughly with cold water and let it dry well.
Should you wish to make a pause over a longer space of time, please observe the following instructions:
Clean motorcycle thoroughly (see chapter: CLEANING)
Change engine oil (old engine oil contains aggressive contaminants).
Check antifreeze and amount of cooling liquid.
Let the engine warm up again, close fuel cock and wait until the engine dies off by itself. In this way the carburetor jets are pre-
vented from becoming resin- clogged by the old fuel.
Remove spark plug and fill in approx. 5 ccm of engine oil into the cylinder through the opening. Actuate kick-starter 10 times in
order to distribute the oil onto the cylinder walls and mount the spark plug.
Let fuel flow out of tank into an appropriate container.
Correct tire pressure.
Lubricate bearing points of the control levers, footrests, etc. as well as the chain.
The storage place should be dry and not be subjected to too big temperature fluctuations.
Cover the motorcycle with an air permeated tarp or blanket. Do not use non airtight materials as a possible humidity might not be
able to escape and thereby cause corrosion.
It would be very bad to let the engine run for a short time during the storage period. The engine would not get warmed up enough and
the thus developed steam would condense during the combustion process and cause the valves and exhaust to rust.
USE AFTER A PERIOD OF STORAGE
Fill up the tank with fresh fuel.
Check the motorcycle as before each start (see driving instructions)
Take a short, careful test ride first.
NOTE: Before you put your motorcycle away for the winter, you should check all parts for their function and wear. Should any service
jobs, repairs, or any refitting be necessary, you should have them carried out during the off-season (lower workload at mechanics' shops).
This way, you can avoid the long waiting times at your shop at the beginning of the next biking season.