Like the vehicles themselves, the saying "good lubrication is good driving" is a true classic. And it still hits the mark: only conscientious maintenance and care makes historic vehicles reliable and safe. After the well-deserved winter break, it is now time to winterize the mobile cultural asset and get it ready for the new season. Some work can be carried out by yourself - or even better, by a professional workshop.
Mild rays of sunshine, mild temperatures and salt-free roads tempt you out for your first ride. Now is the time to reward those who have carefully stored and winterized their collector's vehicle. The following checklist shows you step by step the way to turning the ignition key.
At the same time, it can be seen which products from the Motorex Classic Line will help the undertaking to succeed. In most cases, vehicle owners know the needs of their vehicles well from years of experience.
Better more often than rarely and (too) much
Depending on the era from which the vehicle originates, the bearings and components, which are now lubricated for life as if by magic, are literally exposed to wind and weather. Wherever water, road dirt and other, often abrasive, influences act on moving parts, the rule for lubrication service is "more often with moderation than rarely and a lot".
For this reason, many operating instructions contain a lubrication schedule and the on-board tool kit even includes a compact grease gun. The following, often neglected lubrication points will thank you for the grease-rich attention with low-wear and low-noise operation:
- Ball studs/front axle/suspension
- Universal joints Cardan shaft
- Sliding seats
- Water pump
The Motorex "Technical greases" range includes the perfect grease for all applications.
Lubricating leaf springs
Leaf springs perform reliable spring functions millions of times in a vehicle's lifetime. During assembly, they are pre-lubricated and often "packed" with splash water protection. They are then forgotten for years. At the latest when the springs start to make unpleasant noises, they require a minimum of attention. The grease and dirt-dissolving brake cleaner "Brake Clean" is suitable for cleaning.
This has a high spray pressure and dries quickly. Dirt and residues are dissolved and can be easily wiped off with a cloth or, even better, blown off with compressed air. Rust and flaky paint can be removed with a wire brush. We then recommend lubricating the relieved spring with "Grease Spray". With the practical spray tube extension, the waterproof and extremely adhesive grease can be easily applied between the individual spring leaves.
Maintaining spoke wheels
Spoked wheels are like a diamond on a ring on many classic bikes. But when was the last time you dismantled them? Most of the time, you only bother changing a wheel when you have a flat tire. That's why it's worth doing the following work yourself or having your trusted mechanic do it for you: Remove the wheels. Check the tires (tread, age, sidewalls - including the inside), clean and lubricate the wheel hubs (splines and cone seats). If necessary, have the wheels balanced. Fit with the correct tightening torque.
Incidentally, professionals no longer use grease for lubrication, but "Copper Spray" or "Copper Paste". The copper particles it contains have excellent lubricating properties and, unlike conventional grease, do not flow onto the polished rim base at high temperatures and centrifugal force.
All-rounder for spraying
The lubrication and care of keys and the associated ignition, door and, where present, tank locks is often forgotten. With little effort and the handy 200 ml "Intact MX 50" spray, amazing "before and after" results can be achieved: For example, it is also worth taking a look under the fuse holder cover. Fuses can oxidize at the contact points due to the high humidity over the winter. Cleaning and spraying the fuses and the holder with "Intact MX 50" eliminates contact problems in no time at all.
The battery and ignition system are among the main sources of faults. Always keep the battery clean and as dry as possible. Battery terminals and clamps should always be treated with an acid-free protective spray such as "Accu Protect" during installation. Fogging the ignition distributor with the dielectric (electrically isolating) spray "Joker 440" protects against leakage currents and ignition failures.
Don't do too much of a good thing
When checking the level, the focus is usually on filling levels that are too low. For example, the engine oil level should always be checked on a flat surface with a lint-free cloth when the engine is warm. Ideally, the level should be between the MIN (minimum) and MAX (maximum) markings. Both marks should never be exceeded or fallen short of. The latter can be caused, for example, by dangerous fuel dilution of the engine oil.
This can be caused by short-distance driving, modern fuels and excessive wear or faulty crankcase ventilation. In this case, you should contact a specialist workshop. This is also your contact for Motorex lubricants and care products developed and manufactured in Switzerland for your beloved classic car.
Further information is of course available on the Motorex website.
