ELF advises and reminds

Pre-season bike maintenence

11 kwietnia 2023

The scope of the spring inspection depends on how the motorcycle has been prepared for the winter. ELF reminds motorcyclists about the most important operational activities, who for various reasons did not perform full service after last year's season or those who bought a motorcycle in winter and this will be their first contact with this equipment.

We always start with by assessing the general condition of the motorcycle. Inspect it for oil leaks and check fluid levels. Defects in the braking or cooling system (in motorcycles with a liquid-cooled engine) indicate serious defects that should be repaired as soon as possible by a specialist. A low oil level, on the other hand, is an important warning sign. After changing the oil, observe the motorcycle during operation and determine the reason for this (leaks, engine wear). After such initial inspection, you can clean the motorcycle and proceed to the following maintenance activities.

Oil change

Motorcyclists who ride occasionally, usually underestimate the topic of changing the oil, explaining the low annual mileage. This assumption is wrong, because the oil also ages over time. ELF therefore recommends changing the oil at least once a year. This means that in the case of high mileage, there may be even several such changes per season (according to the motorcycle manual), but if the motorcycle will be used only occasionally, we change the oil once a year.

ELF recommends changing the oil after the season, because overused oil has a negative impact on on the engine. It's about, among others, the resulting pollution settling in sensitive places. Of course - if the new season finds the motorcycle with old oil, it should be replaced as soon as possible without waiting for the next autumn or winter.

Warm up the engine before changing the oil. As the temperature increases, the viscosity of the oil decreases, and this will result in better flushing of the oil channels and faster draining after unscrewing the drain plug. Of course, the oil is changed along with the filter.

Piotr Karkocha, Dział techniczny, TotalEnergies Marketing Polska

Oil selection

ELF recommends the selection of oils according to the recommendations of the motorcycle manufacturer. The wide range of ELF products allows you to do it very precisely. You can use one of two ways. First, use the ELF oil configurator. Just go to the website
https://elf.com.pl/dobierz-olej-0,
and then select the brand, year and model of the motorcycle. The system will usually suggest several suggestions - the best one and the cheaper, alternative ones.

The second way to select the oil is to read the parameters recommended by the manufacturer and select the product from the ELF range on this basis.

For many years, the key parameter determining the oil was its viscosity (e.g. 10W-40). Currently, in addition to this parameter, the so-called manufacturer's approvals, i.e. special codes confirming the compliance of a given oil with the requirements of the motorcycle producer. These codes are found in the motorcycle manual as well as on oil packaging. Before making a choice, check their compatibility.

Piotr Karkocha, Technical Department, TotalEnergies Marketing Polska

While the mistaken selection of oil dedicated to a four-stroke engine without the manufacturer's approval or with the wrong viscosity will be „only harmful” for this type of engine, the use of gear oil or oil dedicated to a two-stroke engine can lead to serious failures of the drive unit in a relatively short time.

The additional JASO oil specification (especially useful for Japanese bikes) helps with some general issues. For example - JASO MB is a no-additive oil for wet clutches. JASO JASO MA1 and MA2 are oils approved for use in engines with common gearbox lubrication and wet clutch

Coolant change

In liquid-cooled motorcycles, of course, the most important thing is that the mentioned coolant does not freeze in winter. This is ensured by the appropriate proportion of glycol and water in the coolant solution. A good liquid, however, has other tasks - m.in. protects the entire cooling system against deposits, corrosion, and cavitation. Therefore, if there is an old coolant or liquid of unknown composition or origin in the system, it is worth replacing it and using a product of better-known quality.

ELF offers MOTO COOLANT ORGANIC liquid with a freezing point equal to -26oC. Its basic ingredient is ethylene glycol, and the additives are mainly active organic corrosion inhibitors (OAT). Active inhibitors are much more effective than traditional passive mineral inhibitors.

MOTO COOLANT ORGANIC is a fluid with a very versatile application, it has excellent anti-corrosion and anti-cavitation properties, it also prevents the formation of deposits..

What about the gearbox?

In motorcycles, the gearbox may be lubricated with the same oil as the engine or independently. On models with an independent gearbox lubrication, the oil change procedures are specified by the manufacturer. Often, such gear oils are unreplaceable for most of their service life.

For two-stroke motorcycles, where the gearbox is always lubricated by a separate oil circuit, ELF offers MOTO GEAR OIL 10W-40. It is a special, semi-synthetic gear oil designed for gearboxes of motorcycles with two-stroke engines. It guarantees great protection of the entire drive unit and smooth gear changes.

ELF recommends ELF MOTO GEAR OIL 80W-90 for gearboxes of four-stroke motorcycles. It is a mineral gear oil specially developed for gearboxes of four-stroke motorcycle engines. Keeps the gearbox safe and protected during operation.

Do not forget about the chain!

The transfer of torque from the gearbox output shaft to the rear wheel hub can be solved in various ways, but the roller chain remains the most popular. If it works without a full cover (and this is the case most of the time), you should take care of its proper tensioning and lubrication. In principle, there is no specific chain maintenance interval - it is assumed that the more often it is done, the better. Enthusiasts maintain the chain even after every long ride on sandy ground or in the rain. Regular tension control, cleaning and lubrication extend the life of the entire drive system and reduce the risk of breakdowns on the road.

Good lubricants for motorcycle chains are characterized by good adhesion and resistance to water rinsing. ELF proposes ELF Moto Chain Lube in this case. This modern lubricant meets both of the above-mentioned assumptions, it is intended for all types of motorcycle, moped and ATV chains. The formula of the product has been developed for the needs of the most demanding operating conditions and has been successfully tested in Grand Prix series. It has anti-corrosion properties, extends the durability of the drive set and makes its operation quieter. Interestingly - the appropriate chemical composition facilitates the application of lubricant to the chain.

Motorcyclists are usually enthusiasts who do not need to be reminded about the basic operational activities related to a two-wheeler. The above material is dedicated mainly to beginners who are just starting their adventure with a two-wheeler and want to take proper care of it.

Piotr Karkocha, Technical Department, TotalEnergies Marketing Polska

The exclusive distributor of ELF products for motorcycles is Inter Cars S.A., the owner of Inter Motors - the largest network of motorcycle shops. Motorcycle oils/fluids/lubricants - Inter Motors.

About TotalEnergies Marketing Polska
TotalEnergies Marketing Poland has been operating in Poland since 1992 and has an established position in the motor oil market. It offers products from two well-known brands TotalEnergies and Elf. Since 2008, TotalEnergies also offers bitumen products and has a presence in the industrial specialty fluids market. In December 2014, TotalEnergies launched its first gas stations in Poland, thus entering the retail market. In 2021, TotalEnergies opened its first car washes and launched a project to establish an electric vehicle charging network.

About Marketing & Services TotalEnergies department
The business segment TotalEnergies Marketing & Services offers to its professional and private customers a wide range of energy products and services - petroleum products, bio-fuels, charging electric vehicles and related services, gas for transport by road and sea - to support mobility thereof and to help them reduce the carbon footprint. Every day more than 8 million customers visit our 16 000 fuel stations all over the world. As number four in the world in the field of lubricants, we design and sell high-efficiency products for motorisation, industrial and maritime sectors. So as to respond to the needs of our B2B customers best, we implement our sales forces, our international logistics network and our diverse offer. We operate in 107 countries where 31 000 employees of ours are close to all our clients.

About TotalEnergies company
TotalEnergies is a multi-energy company that manufactures and sells energy in the global scale: crude oil and bio-fuels, natural gas and green gas, renewable energy sources and electric energy. 105 000 our staff members are involved in generation of the increasingly cheap, pure, reliable and available to the greatest possible number of people energy. Being active in more than 130 countries, TotalEnergies focuses its activities on sustainable development in all dimensions thereof, in particular in the area of its business projects and operations that shall contribute to increased quality of life of people all over the world.

Contact TotalEnergies
Bartosz Cyran | bartosz.cyran@proautomotive.pl | +48 662 454 679

TotalEnergies Legal note
The following terms “TotalEnergies”, “TotalEnergies Company” or “Company” herein are used for determination of TotalEnergies SE and consolidated entities that are directly or indirectly controlled by TotalEnergies SE. Similarly, the following words “we”, “us” and “our” may be used with reference to such entities or staff members thereof. The entities in which TotalEnergies SE directly or indirectly holds shares are separate legal entities. TotalEnergies SE shall not bear responsibility & liability for actions or omissions of such entities. This document may contain information and statements pertaining to the future, which are based on a number of economic data and assumptions adopted in the particular economic, competitive and regulatory environment. In the future, they may turn out to be inaccurate, as a result of being subjected to many risk factors. Neither TotalEnergies SE nor any subsidiary thereof shall undertake to publicly update any information or declarations concerning the future, objectives or trends contained herein, both as a result of new information, future events or in another manner whatsoever. Information pertaining to the risk factors which may have an influence on financial results or activities of TotalEnergies is available in the latest Registration Document the French version of which has been submitted by TotalEnergies SE in the French securities regulator Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF) and 20-F form has been submitted in the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).