How To Maintain A 2-stroke Bike

Taking care of motorcycles is a dying art, mostly because modern machines, with their abundance of sensors, need a trained technician and a bunch of highly specialised tools to rectify their issues. Not so with the bikes of the past, and especially those that let out puffs of smoke as they rode by with their characteristic buzzy exhaust notes. So here’s how you can keep your two-stroke bike ring-a-dinging away, hassle-free.

(Disclaimer - Some of these tips work just as well on older four-stroke bikes too)

Check your fuel mix

The first point, and indeed the salient one with regards to two-stroke bikes, is maintaining the ratio of oil and petrol (usually 930ml petrol and 60ml 2T oil, per litre) every time you refuel. The mixture helps in both proper combustion and engine lubrication. Too much petrol can lead to the engine overheating (from lack of lubrication) while too much oil can lead to an ineffective spark, which means your bike won’t start up at all.

Frequent spark plug interventions 

The second point is connected to the first. The oil that gets mixed in the petrol leaves residue over time, leading to spark plug fouling. Better to check the condition of the spark plug after every 500km or so, and adjust your fuel/oil mixture accordingly. Adjust the carburetor’s fuel/air settings if the problem persists. 

Keep the air filter clean

The ‘intake system’ (basically an opening on the side of the cylinder) on a two-stroke engine is a lot less sophisticated than on a four-stroke machine. This, in turn, makes it a lot more susceptible to damage from debris. Moreover, while modern bikes have complex air filters with layers of porous paper, most two-stroke bikes essentially had a block of porous foam. 

So with multiple chances for things to go wrong, keeping your air filter free from dust and soot will need to be done on a war footing.

Checking your engine oil levels 

Two-stroke engines are peculiar, as they have two separate avenues for lubrication: one from the 2T oil (for the cylinder), the other from the lubricating oil (for the rest of the engine and gearbox components). And just as you maintain the fuel/oil mixture, so should you check whether the level of engine oil is adequate. 

Moreover, the grade of oil matters too. Too light, and it might end up seeping into the combustion cylinder. Too heavy, and it might impede the free movement of the components. So for best results in our tropical climate, stick to an easily available, and relatively inexpensive 20W50 mineral oil.  

Keeping a keen eye

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. But for your long-term health, take off those rose-coloured glasses and inspect the bike closely whenever you can. 

Do the forks show a film of oil just above the seals? Are the tyres’ sidewalls cracked? 

Get on the bike. Any unfamiliar creaks? Is the handlebar turning easily from side to side? Does the suspension feel saggy? 

Turn the key. Does it stay in the slot with the bike switched on? Are the lights, indicators and horn working? 

Kick-start your bike. Does it need extra effort? Does the engine cough initially? 

Set off. Does the throttle pull cleanly? Do you find yourself thudding through bumps?

Yes, all of this may seem like mental gymnastics. But keep in mind that motorcycles age in dog years. So the more you baby it, the longer it’ll return the love.

Summing up, the art of motorcycling has been hijacked by influencers who care more about the destination – the scenery from the mountain top – rather than the journey there. But you don’t always need a glamorous photo in 4K to ‘quantify’ your ride. A weekend jaunt to your nearest tea-stall with like-minded pals can be just as exciting if you're confident that you and your bike are up to it. But to make that dreamy weekend ride a reality, you need to keep your pride and joy ship-shape.