Our 4 km road test, and what we listen for
Why every bike goes round the same loop past the Kallai bridge before handover, and what our mechanics notice on the way.
The September check-up after the monsoon
Rust, damp wiring and worn brakes: what three months of Kozhikode rain leaves behind, and what we look at once it ends.
Most riders think about their bikes before the monsoon. Fewer think about them after it. Yet the three months of rain from June to August leave a lot behind, and by September the effects start to show. We call our post-monsoon service the September check-up, and here is what it covers.
Water finds its way into electrical connections. After a wet season, we often find corroded terminals on the battery, damp switch housings on the handlebar and green deposits inside connectors near the headlight. We clean them, dry them and apply a dielectric grease to keep moisture out. Flickering lights or a slow self-start in September usually come from here.
Brakes take a beating in the rain. Wet grit acts like sandpaper on pads and discs, and drum brakes fill with mud. We check pad thickness, clean the calipers and drums, and look at disc surfaces for scoring. Many bikes need new pads after a heavy monsoon even if they were fine in June.
The chain and sprockets suffer too, especially if the bike was ridden through flooded roads near the coast, where the water is salty. We clean the chain thoroughly, check for stiff links and rust, and lubricate it properly. Underneath, we look for rust on the exhaust, the stand and the frame, and touch it up before it spreads. The September check-up costs ₹599, takes about two hours and includes a wash. Any parts needed are quoted with photos before we fit them. It is also a good time to plan your Onam and Pooja holiday rides.
