Ask Pete
I am a new rider, passed in July and plan to ride my Fazer 600 all year. Is there anything I should do to the bike for winter riding?
Jon, via email.
Modern bikes like the Fazer are so well built and low maintenance that very little is required for winter riding, especially here in the south east where the weather is usually mild. An oil and filter change in accordance with your manual will help with cold starting and better engine protection. Check your tyres; the legal minimum is 1mm of tread but this won’t be much use in wet, muddy conditions so a fresh set of tyres will have better grip, therefore greater safety. Also check for correct tyre pressures. Chains take a lot of abuse in the winter months, so clean, lubricate and adjust your chain regularly. The frame and bodywork will benefit from a good clean and a coat of corrosion inhibitor, like ACF50 or Scotoiler FS365. These work by forming a barrier against dirt and road salt but need applying regularly to work. Keep a spare set of bulbs and a basic tool kit on the bike as you’ll be relying even more on your lights during the long nights.
I bought a 1995 Fireblade recently and the battery keeps going flat. I charge it up and it’s okay for a few days but goes flat again. Any advice?
Malc, Chichester.
Not a lot to go on Malc, but a couple of simple checks might help. With the engine idling, do the lights get brighter when you increase the revs? If not, the rectifier may not be doing its job and you’re only running on battery power. If they do, a charge is going through the battery but either it’s not enough or the battery is no longer holding a charge. Rectifiers control the amount of charge from the alternator to keep the battery in peak condition. They are known to fail on earlier Hondas, but they are easy to replace and relatively cheap. If in doubt, call into your local bike workshop and they will test the battery and charging system.