The mechanic's systems and tools: drivetrain, brakes and battery
The systems you work with and the equipment that belongs to them
To service a two-wheeled vehicle you must understand its systems. A two-wheeled vehicle is simple compared to a car but precisely because of that each system is all the more important — there is not much room for error and the parts work closely together.
§The driveline
The driveline transfers power to the rear wheel. On the bike it is pedals, crankset, chain and gears; on the motorcycle and moped it is engine, clutch, gears and a chain, belt or shaft. The driveline must be clean, lubricated and properly adjusted — a dry or too loose chain wears quickly, and poorly adjusted gears won't shift smoothly.
§Brakes
The brakes are the most important safety system. On bikes you see rim, drum and disc brakes; on motorcycles typically disc brakes, often hydraulic. Brakes must grip precisely and reliably, linings must have sufficient thickness and hydraulic systems must be free of air. Brakes are never a place where you compromise.
§Wheels and tires
The wheels should run straight and be properly centered, and the tires should have tread and correct pressure. On the bike the wheel is trued (centered) by adjusting the spoke tension so the wheel is round and straight. Tires and tubes are among the most replaced parts, and correct tire pressure is important for both riding, wear and safety.
- 01Common hand tools, wrenches, and torque wrench
- 02Specialty tools for chain, crankshaft, gears, and bearings
- 03Centring stand and wooden spokes for wheel truing
- 04Multimeter and diagnostic equipment for electrical and electronics
- 05Tire and tube tools.
§Motor and fuel (motorized vehicles)
On motorcycles and mopeds, the engine comes in: oil, ignition, fuel system, and air filter. You must understand how the engine gets fuel, air, spark, and compression so you can service and troubleshoot it. The torque wrench is important here — many parts must be tightened to a specific torque, neither more nor less.
§Battery and electronics
E-bikes and modern motorcycles have batteries and electronics. Batteries contain a lot of energy and must be handled carefully: they must not be damaged, shorted or subjected to incorrect charging. Diagnostic equipment is used to read errors in the control electronics. This is a growing area and knowledge of electricity and batteries is becoming increasingly important.
§Protective equipment
Work involves contact with oil, grease, cleaning agents and — on electric vehicles — batteries. Use gloves against chemicals and dirt, eye protection when working that can splash or spray, and ensure good ventilation when working with fuel and solvents. Spilled oil and used parts are handled as the waste they are.