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Bike Anatomy 101: What you should know about bike parts for a hassle-free ride

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Published on June 16, 2021. EST READ TIME: 3 minutes

Buying a new bike can already be an experience for the novice; understanding the machine is a different ballgame altogether. Unfortunately, even at the time of purchase, the salesperson at the dealership almost seems to be speaking a different language – often explaining the bike functions and parts in technical jargon! Thus, to ensure that you are on the same page with dealership personnel, we break down the language barrier and provide a glossary for a better understanding of your bike and its maintenance.

Scroll down to read about various crucial bike parts, along with a bonus point that will ensure that you are always on the right side of the law!

1. Side mirrors: Many people remove the side mirrors from their bikes because they think it improves their looks. While looks can be subjective, it decreases your situational awareness, especially when changing lanes. Therefore, it is best always to have your side mirrors where they should be. Preferably, you should also have tools to fix the mirrors when they get loose.

2. Clutch wire: The clutch wire of your bike is a super important component. It allows you to operate the clutch plate, allowing you to shift between neutral and the different gears. As you ride your bike around, the clutch wire gets worn out. This needs to be fixed when you notice any trouble, or else it can hurt the clutch plate or even damage the whole transmission system.

3. Brake cables: Brake cables run from the brake handle or pedal to the braking system mounted on the wheels. They engage the brakes when you press the brake handle. The importance of these cables is evident because they allow you to stop when necessary. It is best to keep a spare brake cable with you all the time. You can buy it from any shop that sells bike parts and accessories.

4. Battery: A bike’s battery is needed for its self-starter system to work and for the horns and headlamps to perform at the optimal level. If the battery is not working properly, you will have to kick start it all the time. The horn will sound very weak, and the lamps will light up poorly. Batteries wear off with usage, and so, they must be checked regularly and replaced when needed.

5. Puncture kit: Punctures are an unavoidable reality when you ride your bike on Indian roads. The good part is that most manufacturers provide vehicles with tubeless tyres. It is very easy to fix the punctures on these tyres. You should procure and keep a small tyre puncture repair kit with you always. It will allow you to fix the punctures yourself when you get one.

6. Chain spray: Your bike’s rear wheel is connected to the engine and transmission through a chain. As you keep using your bike, its chain gathers a lot of gunk and dirt. Hence, it will need regular maintenance and cleaning. While this can be done by hand and with a lot of elbow grease, getting a chain spray is much simpler and effective. The spray can clean up the chain and lubricate it at the same time.

7. Spare bike chain: As mentioned earlier, the bike chain is the main artery that carries power from its engine to the wheels. It is also one of those parts that wear out easily. If the bike chain wears and breaks off, it can leave you stranded. So, keep a spare bike chain with you once you have had your bike for a few years.

8. Engine oil and brake fluid: Engine oil and brake fluid are the two most important liquid consumables that your bike has. While you are supposed to replace these during scheduled servicing, it is best to keep small quantities in labelled bottles with you all the time. This way, you will be ready for every eventuality, and you can top it off when you feel the need.

9. Headlamp and turn indicator bulbs: The headlamp and turn indicator bulbs of your bike are vital, too, from the safety perspective. Imagine having to drive on the road without any headlamps. It can be risky! Just like many other parts of your bike, bulbs can wear off and fail. Moreover, many bike companies still use halogen bulbs that have much shorter lives than modern LED bulbs. So, change bulbs whenever they get dim or malfunction.

Bonus Tip: Carry all your bike-related documents, especially bike insurance policy:

While not a truly mechanical part, bike insurance policy is a must-have for every owner. It provides protection against the expenses that arise in case of accidental damage or bike theft. You can look for online insurance for bike nowadays after comparing different providers and offers. Try to get COMPREHENSIVE BIKE INSURANCE POLICY and choose add-ons that help extend the protection.

Key Takeaway:

All in all, your bike is a sophisticated piece of technology, and all the parts listed above are extremely important. So, keep this list handy and make sure you carry what you should and fix or replace what you are meant to.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

This blog has been written by:

Mukesh Kumar | Motor Insurance Expert | 36+ years of experience in insurance industry

A veteran in the insurance industry, Mukesh Kumar has the expertise of handling various functions like Business Development, Underwriting, Claims, Human Resources, Quality Management and Marketing. With rich knowledge of the industry, he loves to share his views on topics of insurance sector and takes special interest in educating people on advantages of having insurance

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Few Other Articles:

• Don’t want a bumpy ride? Maintain your bike with these tips

• Hacks to make your bike smart and sustainable

• Bike maintenance hacks every owner should know

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