A service schedule lists what to inspect, clean, adjust, lubricate or replace, and when. Following it keeps the bike reliable and finds wear before it causes a breakdown. The table below is the K-Light 125 schedule as an example of a real factory schedule. Use the schedule in your bike's manual: other bikes have different items and intervals.
How to read the schedule
- I inspect (and clean, adjust or replace if needed), C clean, A adjust, R replace, L lubricate. Items marked * affect exhaust emissions.
- The K-Light schedule assumes about 1000 km a month. Do each job at the distance or the time, whichever comes first. A commercial rider (boda boda, delivery) reaches the distances long before the months: follow the distance.
- The manual says to service more often in dusty, wet, polluted or gravel conditions (especially the air filter), and for high-speed or high-mileage use.
- The last column is labelled "every 15000 km (15 months)" in the manual and sits oddly after 12000 km. Treat it with care and ask the dealer if unsure.
- Work in a sensible order: clearances and adjustments first, then air filter and idle, then fluids last with a warm engine, as the MAVCC tune-up sequence teaches.
K-Light 125 periodic maintenance schedule
| Item | 300 km (first) | 1000 km (1 month) | Every 3000 km | Every 6000 km | Every 12000 km | Every 15000 km | Job |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| *Air filter | I | C | C | R | C | Air filter | |
| *Fuel filter | I | I | R | Fuel filter | |||
| *Oil filter screen | C | C | C | Oil and strainer | |||
| Engine oil | R | then replace every 3000 km | Oil and strainer | ||||
| Tyre pressure | I | I | I | I | I | I | Tyre pressure |
| Battery | I | I | I | I | I | I | Battery test |
| Control free play | I | I | I | I | I | I | Throttle, clutch |
| Handlebar looseness | I | I | I | Fasteners, steering | |||
| Shock absorber action | I | I | I | Forks, rear shocks | |||
| Bolt tightness, all parts | I | I | I | I | I | I | Fasteners |
| Gearbox oil leaks | I | I | I | I | I | I | Oil leaks |
| *Spark plug | I | I | R | R | I | Spark plug | |
| Chassis lubrication | L | L | Cables, levers, pedals | ||||
| Muffler | I | I | I | I | I | I | Exhaust mounts |
| *Ignition timing | I | I | I | I | I | I | Timing check |
| *Throttle valve (idle) | A | I | A | A | A | A | Throttle body |
| *Idle exhaust gas (CO/HC) | A | I | A | A | A | A | Workshop gas analyser |
| *Throttle operation | I | I | I | I | I | Throttle free play | |
| Fuel line | I | I | I | I | I | Fuel lines | |
| Lights and instruments | I | I | I | I | I | I | Lighting circuit |
| Side stand, main stand, footpegs | I | I | I | Side stand, centre stand, pegs | |||
| Shock absorbers | I | I | I | I | Rear shocks | ||
| *Engine bolt torque | I | I | I | I | I | Engine mounts | |
| Front and rear brakes | I | I | I | I | Pads, fluid | ||
| Drive chain | I | I | I | I | A | Chain slack, chain lube | |
| Clutch | I | I | I | I | Clutch free play | ||
| *Valve clearance | I | I | I | I | I | Valve clearance |
Source: K-Light 125 manual, PDF p. 51 (table read from the page image).
Notes on the K-Light schedule
- "As needed" jobs listed under the table: check the ignition system if the engine misfires or runs on; remove carbon from the head, piston and exhaust if power drops; replace the cylinder and piston if worn (Assess the top end).
- Fuel filter: the EFI chapter gives two different intervals (7000 to 10000 km on PDF p. 274, 7000 to 18000 km on PDF p. 275). Follow the table above and ask the dealer.
- Throttle body: the EFI chapter says clean it every 10000 km or 1 year (PDF p. 274).
- Chain: the table only says inspect and adjust. Clean and lubricate it far more often, as your chain maker says, especially in rain and dust.
- Not in the table: brake fluid replacement, tyre replacement and wheel bearings. Check them at every service; brake fluid absorbs water over time, so follow the interval on your reservoir cap or manual (Replace brake fluid and bleed the brakes).
Adapting the schedule to other bikes
Use your manual's values. These are the extra items other types of bike need:
- Carburettor bikes: idle speed and mixture (Adjust carburettor idle), choke (Adjust the choke cable), fuel tap filter (Fuel tap and lines).
- Two-strokes: two-stroke oil tank and pump (Check the two-stroke oil pump), exhaust carbon (Decarbonise a two-stroke exhaust).
- Scooters with CVT: drive belt and rollers (Belt, rollers), final drive oil (Scooter gear oil).
- Liquid-cooled: coolant level and replacement (Coolant check, coolant replace).
- Drum brakes: shoe wear and adjustment (Adjust a drum brake, Service a drum brake).
- Spoked wheels: spoke tension (Check and tighten spokes).
- Electric bikes: no oil, plug, air filter or valve jobs. Instead: battery state and health (Check battery state and health), charger and port (Charger and cable, port), error codes (Read error codes), hub motor bearings (Hub motor check), 12 V system (12 V check), plus all tyre, brake, chain or belt and chassis items above.
Keep a record
Write the date, distance and what was done after every service. A record shows what is due next and helps when you sell the bike or claim warranty.