WE''RE ALL GOING ON A … SUMMER HEALTH CHECK!
10 March 2005 - Bikesure

Leading bike insurance company Bikesure has issued a checklist for bikers when they start spring and summer biking, in a bid to reduce accidents and excess costs from poorly maintained bikes.

The list gives a dozen of the most common causes of insurance claims for bikers, all of which ''spike'' disproportionately in the spring and early summer. And all can be reduced by careful point-by-point attention to the list.

After a winter under the tarpaulin (or worse, outside in the frost and rain) a bike''s never in greater need of TLC than at this time of year.

''A much greater proportion of the claims we get in the spring are related to maintenance issues'', says Robert Balls of Bikesure. ''Whether from breakdown insurance, or accidents related to maintenance issues, the winter takes its toll on your bike, and too few people check the points.

''Bikers stand to benefit if the level of claims go down, because the fewer claims you have, the lower your insurance will be next year.''

The onset of warm weather is the peak time for claims, he points out. Not only do bikers drive faster, pushing their luck (and rusty skills) after the winter slow-down, but many don''t prepare properly for the first spring outing after the winter layup. ''It''s vital to give your bike a thorough going-over if you''ve stored it during the brass monkey weather'', Robert Balls says.

Here is Bikesure''s dozen-point checklist for when you bring your bike out of cold storage.

1. Review any notes you made when you put your bike into winter storage. It''s easy to forget little things like that small part you removed to get a matching replacement and never got around to replacing.
2. If you removed the battery for winter storage, check and clean the battery terminals before refitting. A bicarbonate of soda solution works well to clean the terminals. 3. Charge and refit the battery. Positive lead first!
4. Change the oil and filter, and check the grease and other lubricants. 5. Check all cables and lubricate with the specified lubricants.
6. Drain the fuel tank, clean and refill with fresh. This especially applies if you left it nearly empty during the winter. An empty tank will have air inside, and that air will have moisture, which will condense out in the cold as water.
7. Check the tyre pressure and wear of tread. If you had a special winter pressure, remember to change it for summer. Don''t use a tyre cleaner on bike tyres - it will make them hard and slippery.
8. Check all lights. Don''t forget the flashing ones!
9. Check brake fluid level and ensure brake pads and shoes aren''t worn.
10. Clean the inside of your helmet with a mild soapy solution and ensure it is dry. Examine it for hairline cracks.
11. If you put away your winter cover during the summer, air it properly, then store it somewhere warm and dry. Don''t let yourself suddenly discover it damp or mildewy next winter when you suddenly need it again.
12. Start a new log book for the year and write down your starting mileage - and all the actions you took to get out on the open road again. Promise yourself that you will keep it up to date this year!

www.bikesure.co.uk

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