Lubrication

[WdavisUI]

I was reading the owners manual about my 2004 GZ and came across a section on the points on the bike that should be lubed with oil or grease. I regularly lube my chain and change the oil and filter from time to time and also check the tire pressure. Besides doing these things i dont do any other maintenance. How important is it to lube all these points and if it is important which are the most important. Also i was wondering what PSI is best to fill the tires to for someone who rides mainly city some 50-60 MPH and with no passengers. Also when my bike is idleing when its warming up sometimes i hear a small raddleing sound, any suggestions? Thanks.

[Easy Rider]

Also i was wondering what PSI is best to fill the tires to for someone who rides mainly city some 50-60 MPH and with no passengers. Also when my bike is idleing when its warming up sometimes i hear a small raddleing sound, any suggestions? Thanks.

Is there some reason that you doubt the wisdom of the tire pressures in the manual.......and on the sticker on the side of the bike??

I suspect you are hearing the valve trane noises. It is normal to be slightly more noisy when cold. Mine is more noisy for a minute or two after being started.......cold or hot.

[9mmPreacher]

check to make sure your license plate isn't the cause of the rattling.

[Easy Rider]

check to make sure your license plate isn't the cause of the rattling.

Good one. If it is THAT kind of rattle, then it could be the heat shield on the exhaust pipe, a loose seat (latch) or probably several other things too.

[Water Warrior 2]

Might be a good time to get out some tools and go over the bike to check for loose nuts, bolts, latches and all the little things that might cause rattles. Rear plate as mentioned, chain guard and even the rear pegs might vibrate and make noise. I looked for a rattle on the VStrom for 2 years before I found it. Nothing major but annoying as heck.

[Tonckawa]

I would like to ask what type of lube to use?

[Easy Rider]

I would like to ask what type of lube to use?

What the manual says.
If it says "oil", either regular engine oil or 3-in-1.
If it says grease, then any kind except wheel bearing type.
You can get a mini-grease gun for about $5.

Don't get hung up on details that don't really matter.
If a specific type is required, the manual would say so.

[5th_bike]

If it says grease, then any kind except wheel bearing type.

Why, I put wheel bearing grease a the hinge of the side stand, and at the rear brake pedal - it doesn't seem to hurt it.
Is white lithium grease OK then, that's the only other grease I have handy ?

[Easy Rider]

[quote="Easy Rider":16jlpq24]If it says grease, then any kind except wheel bearing type.

Why, I put wheel bearing grease a the hinge of the side stand, and at the rear brake pedal - it doesn't seem to hurt it.
Is white lithium grease OK then, that's the only other grease I have handy ?[/quote:16jlpq24]

It won't "hurt" anything but it won't do a very good job either. Notice how thick and STIFF it is?

Do they actually recommend grease for those points?
I'd be inclined to use the same 90W that I put on the chain.
Maybe I should read my manual sometime ?? :roll:

Yes, white lithium would be good. I think it is more waterproof than "plain" grease.

[5th_bike]

It won't "hurt" anything but it won't do a very good job either. Notice how thick and STIFF it is?.
Well in the Maryland near 100° (37 °C) summers the bearing grease drips out of my grease gun, no problems with stiff bearing grease here.

Do they actually recommend grease for those points?
Yes they do recommend grease for the brake pedal pivot, and for the side stand pivot as well as for the side stand springs' ends.

[Easy Rider]

Well in the Maryland near 100° (37 °C) summers the bearing grease drips out of my grease gun, no problems with stiff bearing grease here.


Two different things. Wheel bearing grease has a consistency somewhat like CLAY. It has fibers in it and, AFAIK, doesn't come in tubes for "guns".

[5th_bike]

[quote="5th_bike":sg721ssv]Well in the Maryland near 100° (37 °C) summers the bearing grease drips out of my grease gun, no problems with stiff bearing grease here.


Two different things. Wheel bearing grease has a consistency somewhat like CLAY. It has fibers in it and, AFAIK, doesn't come in tubes for "guns".[/quote:sg721ssv]

:oops: Well sorry I really was under the (apparantly wrong) impression that the grease in the cartridge in the the "grease gun" that one connects to the nipples at the wheel bearings of my lawn mower, and when you squeeze the grease gun handle, it injects grease in the wheel bearing nipples, is wheel bearing grease. :??: It is not stiff but has some solidity to it, its viscosity must be way low down on the Richter scale, around where the butter is.

I must have meant "wheel bearing nipple grease", then, all along. My apologies.
So, I do use "wheel bearing nipple grease" for the side stand and brake pedal pivot. :2tup:

[Sarris]

Deleted by Sarris.

[Easy Rider]

Easyrider;

Stop with the nasty remarks.

Totally uncalled for. Care to quote something I posted in this thread that is "nasty" ??

[Easy Rider]

So, I do use "wheel bearing nipple grease" for the side stand and brake pedal pivot. :2tup:

Yes.

"Wheel bearing grease" is a specific product made for cars and trucks that have ball or roller bearings for the axle spindles.

What you have in your grease gun (and mine) is just multi-purpose grease. It probably says that on the side of the cartridge. :tup:

[Sarris]

Deleted By Sarris.

[5th_bike]

[quote="5th_bike":1lawf3t7]So, I do use "wheel bearing nipple grease" for the side stand and brake pedal pivot. :2tup:

Yes.

"Wheel bearing grease" is a specific product made for cars and trucks that have ball or roller bearings for the axle spindles.

What you have in your grease gun (and mine) is just multi-purpose grease. It probably says that on the side of the cartridge. :tup:[/quote:1lawf3t7]

Oh, sorry for the misunderstanding, and thank you for the explanation.
In my youth, working on my bicycles and mopeds I always used general purpose grease for the ball bearings, then. I wasn't aware of the existence of a special wheel bearing grease.

Do stick around, it's just that some people don't want to be educated.

[jonathan180iq]

"Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name..."

[Sarris]

Deleted by Sarris.

[jonathan180iq]

"She works hard for the money..."