Your Guide to Motorcycle Greasing & Copper Grease

Riding a motorcycle offers unparalleled freedom and exhilaration. However, to truly enjoy the open road and ensure your machine remains a reliable companion for years to come, diligent maintenance is non-negotiable. Among the myriad tasks involved, greasing often falls by the wayside, yet its importance cannot be overstated. A well-lubricated motorcycle isn't just about a smoother ride; it's about extending component lifespan, enhancing safety, and preserving the bike's resale value. In the unpredictable climate of the UK, where moisture and road salt are constant threats, meticulous lubrication becomes even more critical.

This comprehensive guide will delve into the vital role of greasing, focusing particularly on the versatile applications of copper grease. We'll explore which parts demand attention, what types of lubricants to use, and provide step-by-step instructions to ensure your motorcycle remains in peak condition, saving you both hassle and hard-earned cash in the long run.

Why Lubricate Your Motorcycle? The Core Benefits

Neglecting lubrication is akin to inviting premature wear and tear. Every moving part on your motorcycle generates friction, and without adequate lubrication, this friction leads to heat, abrasion, and ultimately, component failure. Regular, thorough greasing offers a multitude of benefits that directly impact your riding experience and your wallet:

• Enhanced Safety: Properly lubricated components, such as brake levers and gear change mechanisms, operate smoothly and predictably, giving you precise control when you need it most. Sticking parts can be dangerous, especially in emergency situations.
• Extended Component Lifespan: By reducing friction and preventing corrosion, lubricants drastically extend the life of bearings, cables, pivots, and fasteners. This means fewer costly replacements and more time enjoying your bike.
• Improved Performance: A well-greased motorcycle feels 'fresh' and responsive. Smoothly operating cables, levers, and suspension components contribute to a more enjoyable and less fatiguing ride.
• Preserved Resale Value: A bike free from rust and seized parts commands a higher price when it's time to sell. Potential buyers will appreciate a machine that has clearly been cared for, reflecting responsible maintenance.
• Protection Against the Elements: The UK's damp weather, combined with road salt during winter months, can wreak havoc on exposed metal parts. Grease creates a protective barrier, preventing moisture and contaminants from causing damage.

Key Areas for Lubrication

While it might seem daunting, targeting the right parts for lubrication is straightforward. Focus on components that experience constant movement or are exposed to the elements:

• Operating Cables: Your throttle, clutch, and sometimes brake cables are constantly moving. Lubricating them ensures smooth operation, better control, and optimises cable longevity.
• Clutch Mechanism: A well-lubricated clutch assembly provides a smoother engagement and disengagement, reducing wear on the clutch plates themselves.
• Gear Change Assemblies: The linkage and pivot points for your gear shifter benefit immensely from lubrication, ensuring crisp, effortless gear changes.
• Brake Lever Pins: These small but crucial pivot points need attention to ensure your brake lever operates freely and consistently.
• Exposed Fasteners and Threads: Bolts, nuts, and adjusters can seize due to corrosion, making future disassembly a nightmare.

Dealer Services: Do They Cover Everything?

It's a common misconception that a scheduled dealer service covers every single lubrication point on your motorcycle. While many essential tasks are indeed part of service schedules, some are not explicitly listed or might only fall under a general 'inspect' category. Others, particularly less accessible points, might be overlooked entirely. Relying solely on dealer services without supplementing with your own regular greasing can lead to neglected areas and eventual issues. Think of your own lubrication efforts as a critical top-up and preventative measure between professional services.

Understanding Motorcycle Lubricants: A Comparative Guide

Choosing the right lubricant for the right application is crucial. Using the wrong type can be ineffective or even detrimental. Here's a breakdown of common motorcycle grease types and their ideal uses:

The Versatility of Copper Grease

As highlighted, copper grease is a true workhorse in motorcycle maintenance. Its unique properties make it indispensable for certain applications. It's a high-temperature, anti-seize compound that contains fine copper particles suspended in a grease base. This composition allows it to prevent metal-to-metal contact, reduce friction, and, crucially, stop components from seizing together, even under extreme heat or corrosive conditions. It's particularly effective on threaded components that need to be removed periodically, like exhaust bolts or brake calliper fasteners, as it ensures they come apart easily years down the line.

Let's Get Lubricating: A Detailed Guide

Now that we understand the 'why' and 'what', let's dive into the 'how' for specific motorcycle components:

Brake Calipers

Brake calipers are critical safety components. Road salt and grime can easily ingress, leading to corrosion and potential seizing of pins and pistons. This compromises braking performance and can lead to damage to pads and discs. It's a job for copper grease.

• Application: Carefully dismantle the caliper (if you're comfortable doing so). Apply a thin, even coat of copper grease to the caliper pins, the outer faces of the piston bodies (avoiding the piston seals and braking surfaces), and the backing plates of the brake pads.
• Important Note: Be absolutely meticulous. Any excess grease on the disc or pad friction material will severely impair braking. Wipe off any surplus immediately. This lubrication will not only prevent corrosion but also make future pad changes and maintenance significantly easier.

Fasteners

Many fasteners, especially those with exposed threads or securing lock nuts, are prone to corrosion. When threads corrode, removing the nuts can become an arduous, if not impossible, task, often resulting in stripped threads or broken bolts.

• Application: Use a small paintbrush to apply a thin, even coat of copper grease to the threads of all exposed fasteners. Pay particular attention to exhaust studs, engine mounting bolts, and any other bolts subject to heat or environmental exposure. The grease will evenly distribute itself around the entire fastener as it's screwed in. This acts as a protective barrier and an anti-seize agent, ensuring smooth future removal.

Folding Pegs

Folding pegs, both rider and pillion, need to hinge freely. If they seize, they can become a hazard or be easily damaged in a minor tip-over.

• Application: Work the pegs up and down repeatedly as you apply a suitable softer grease or spray grease to the hinge mechanism. Ensure the lubricant penetrates well into the pivot points. Don't forget the pillion pegs, as they are often overlooked.

Keyholes

Ignition, fuel cap, seat-catch, and pannier keyholes can become stiff or seize due to dirt and moisture ingress.

• Application: Squirt a light oil spray (like a penetrating oil or a light engine oil) directly into each lock. Work the key in and out a few times to distribute the lubricant and free up the internal mechanisms. This simple step prevents frustrating moments when you can't access your fuel or seat.

Drive Chain

The drive chain is arguably the most critical and frequently lubricated component, but effective lubrication starts with thorough cleaning. A dirty chain will wear rapidly, regardless of how much lube you apply.

• Cleaning: Regularly (at least monthly, or more frequently if you ride in challenging conditions) remove dirt and grime using paraffin and a paintbrush. Clean both sides of the chain, ensuring all grit is dislodged.
• Lubrication: Once clean and dry, reapply a dedicated chain lube. Ensure even coverage, rotating the wheel to reach all links. This prolongs chain and sprocket life, reduces noise, and maintains efficient power transfer.

Suspension - Front and Rear

Suspension components are constantly exposed to surface water and rain, making them prime targets for corrosion, especially on adjusters.

• Application: For rebound adjusters on forks, turn them slightly while adding a few drops of light engine oil. Work the adjusters to ensure the oil penetrates. For other exposed pivot points or linkages on the suspension, a spray grease or softer grease can be applied.
• Important: Always return suspension adjusters to their original settings after lubrication, unless you are intentionally making adjustments.

Clutch and Brake Lever Pivot Points

These pivot points are essential for the smooth operation of your controls. Neglecting them can lead to stiff levers and accelerated wear.

• Application: A squirt of spray grease or even chain lube can work wonders here. If using regular softer grease, it's best to remove the lever first to ensure thorough application to the pivot bolt and bush. This prevents pivot wear and ensures your controls feel consistently smooth.

Clutch Cable

A sticky clutch cable makes gear changes tougher and less precise, leading to rider fatigue and potential clutch wear.

• Application: Remove the clutch cable from both ends (lever and engine). Tie it upright and create a small funnel from tape around the inner cable at the highest point. Pour penetrating oil into the funnel, allowing it to slowly drain through the entire length of the cable overnight. This process flushes out old grime and lubricates the inner wire, restoring smooth operation.

Switch Clusters

Moisture can get into switch clusters, leading to intermittent electrical issues or sticky buttons.

• Application: Carefully split open the switch clusters (if designed to be opened) and spray the internal mechanisms with a water displacer like WD40. Similarly, open the throttle housing and apply light oil to the bottom part. Work the throttle back and forth to ensure the oil penetrates and lubricates the internal surfaces, preventing sticking.

Single Shock Rear Suspension Linkage

This is a more involved task, often requiring complete disassembly to access the bearings and bushes.

• Application: Once stripped, thoroughly clean all bearings and bushes. Coat them generously with a light grease. Also apply the motorcycle lubricant to securing bolts, including the undersides of nuts and bolt heads, to prevent seizing and corrosion. Reassemble carefully, ensuring all components are correctly aligned and torqued.

Wheel Spindles

Often overlooked, wheel spindles are crucial and benefit greatly from lubrication, especially when tyres are changed or wheels are removed for any reason.

• Application: Before reinserting the wheel spindle, apply a thin, even layer of copper grease along its entire length. This prevents the spindle from seizing within the wheel hub and bearings, making future wheel removals significantly easier and preventing damage.

The Unsung Hero: Copper Grease

As you've seen, copper grease plays a critical role in preventing seizing and corrosion on high-stress or exposed metallic components. Its ability to withstand high temperatures makes it ideal for exhaust components, while its anti-seize properties are invaluable for fasteners that need to be removed periodically. Without it, you risk breaking bolts, stripping threads, and facing much more complex and expensive repairs down the line. Always keep a tub of quality copper grease in your workshop; it's an investment that pays dividends.

Tips for Effective Greasing

• Clean First: Always clean the area thoroughly before applying new grease. Applying new grease over old, dirty grease is ineffective and can trap abrasive particles.
• Don't Over-Grease: While grease is good, too much can attract dirt and grime, creating an abrasive paste. Apply a thin, even coat.
• Safety First: Wear appropriate gloves and eye protection. Work in a well-ventilated area.
• Check Your Manual: Always refer to your motorcycle's owner's manual or service manual for specific lubrication points, types of lubricants recommended, and service intervals.
• Regularity is Key: Little and often is better than a massive overhaul once a year. Incorporate quick checks into your routine rides.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Using the Wrong Type of Grease: As discussed, different greases have different properties. Don't use copper grease where a lighter oil is needed (e.g., keyholes), and don't use general-purpose grease on high-temperature exhaust parts.
• Neglecting Cleaning: Greasing over dirt is counterproductive. The dirt acts as an abrasive, accelerating wear.
• Missing Hidden Spots: Some critical points, like wheel spindles or suspension linkages, are often overlooked because they're not immediately visible.
• Ignoring Torque Settings: When reassembling parts, especially those involving fasteners that have been greased, be mindful of torque specifications. Grease can affect torque readings, potentially leading to over-tightening or under-tightening if not accounted for.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Can I use too much grease?

A: Yes, absolutely. While it might seem counter-intuitive, excessive grease can attract and trap dirt, dust, and grit, turning the lubricant into an abrasive paste that actually accelerates wear. It can also cause seals to fail or simply create a messy environment. Apply thin, even coats where specified.

Q: How often should I grease my motorcycle?

A: This depends on your riding conditions and the specific component. General-purpose points like levers and cables might benefit from a quick check and top-up every few months or before long rides. Drive chains require lubrication every 300-500 miles or after riding in wet conditions. More involved tasks like wheel spindle greasing are typically done when tyres are changed. Always consult your motorcycle's service manual for specific recommendations.

Q: Is copper grease conductive?

A: Copper grease does contain metal particles and can be mildly conductive. Therefore, it should generally not be used on electrical contacts or connections where insulation is critical, as it could potentially cause short circuits. It's designed for mechanical anti-seize and corrosion protection on metal fasteners and non-electrical components.

Q: Can I use copper grease on stainless steel fasteners?

A: Yes, copper grease is highly recommended for stainless steel fasteners, especially in environments prone to corrosion or high temperatures. Stainless steel is notorious for 'galling' or seizing when tightened, particularly without lubrication. Copper grease acts as an excellent anti-seize compound, preventing this issue and ensuring easy future disassembly.

Q: What's the difference between grease and oil?

A: The primary difference is viscosity and application. Oil is a liquid lubricant, typically used for internal engine components or where continuous flow is needed. Grease is a semi-solid lubricant, essentially oil mixed with a thickener, designed to stay in place, resist washout, and provide long-lasting lubrication for bearings, pivots, and exposed moving parts. Each has its specific purpose.

Conclusion

Greasing your motorcycle is a fundamental aspect of responsible ownership that yields significant returns. It's a proactive measure that prevents costly repairs, enhances riding pleasure, and ensures your machine remains safe and reliable. By understanding the types of lubricants available, especially the invaluable copper grease, and applying them correctly to the right components, you're not just performing maintenance; you're investing in the longevity and continued enjoyment of your motorcycle. Make regular greasing a cornerstone of your routine, and your bike will thank you with many thousands of miles of trouble-free riding on the roads of the UK and beyond.

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