Hello, John Talley here with partzilla.com.
Today I want to talk to you about involving your kids and teaching them
the process of how to properly maintain whatever
machine that they may be riding. It may be a dirt bike or a four-wheeler,
but it's important that they actually take
ownership in the process and learn how to maintain it properly.
Where are they gonna learn it from? You, and I can help you do that with
all the different videos that we have posted as well as a wealth of knowledge
on our website that can help you accomplish this task. Sometimes we get so
called up in the world, we're trying to get all our toys ready
to go. We just run out there and we change the oil and we do all these
things, and we wash them and we tie them down and then we call in the kids and say, "Hey,
let's go ride." Well honestly, teaching them the basics of how to maintain the
machine? Well I think that's a fundamental
learning lesson that all kids should go through. We shouldn't do everything for
them. I started mine when he was really
really young, and I think he's turned out pretty well.
So let's go down the list of well, my top five ways
to get your kids involved. Really simple procedures, but sometimes they're
overlooked especially on their machine when you're just focused on yours. Number
one, need to take a look at that air filter
because let's face it, that is the lungs of any internal combustion engine. And if
it's not clean, well guess what? That machine is not
going to run properly and it's not going to last as long as it should.
Really simple to do, and we have several videos that can walk you through
the process that you can show them and at least they can
help and understand what it takes to clean one up,
get it re-oiled, and then get it reinstalled. And
I'm not saying that you want to cut your five-year-old loose on
actually pulling it out, cleaning it, and then reinstalling it by himself.
Although if he sees it done and helps do it enough times, he can probably handle
that as well. Next let's take a look at that
oil. Show them how to properly check the
level. And if it's been too long since it's been changed,
well they need to be there when you actually go through the process
and watch on how it's done whether it's just an oil change or an oil and filter
change, depending on the size of their machine.
Very important to keep it clean, and sometimes it's overlooked especially on
your kid's machine. Help them to keep up with it because
let's face it: they need to take ownership of that machine
to make sure it's performing properly when they want to go ride.
We have several videos that show you how to go through this process.
No matter what you have, it's basically going to be the same procedure,
but you want to reference the exact amount and the exact torque figures that are
going to be required for your machine. The next simple item that you want to
show your kids how to check and maintain is going to be your chain
adjustment. We want to make sure not only that it is adjusted correctly as far as
the slack, we also want to make sure that it is
aligned properly. We also want to make sure that it is cleaned
and then properly lubed so we can get the most life out of both the chain
and the sprockets. Once again, we have several videos that can walk you through
the process. Now let's take a look at the spark plug
and or spark plugs, depending on the size of the machine.
I'm guessing if it's a smaller one, it's only going to have one.
But it's important to pull it, take a peek at it. That's going to give you a
picture as to how that engine is actually running,
whether it may be too rich or too lean. Then you also want to look at that
electrode at the very end. If it's worn down, well guess what? It's time to go
ahead and replace it. Really simple to do, but sometimes
overlooked. Now last but not least, get out your tire
gauge and take a look at those tire pressures,
because they need to be within range for the machine to handle properly.
If they're out of whack-- either too high or too low--
the machine is not going to handle as it should and we don't want an unsafe
condition for the little guy or girl that's riding it.
The manufacturer suggests a certain tire pressure
and that's going to be in your owner's manual, so you need to look at that and
make sure that you're following their guidelines because let's face it:
they built the machine and they know best.
Well listen, I've just given you a quick list of five things that you can go
through with your children. Show them how to do it, get them involved.
That way they can take ownership in the process that is power
sports riding. Well listen, if you need any of those
tools that I've described and or parts for your machine, why don't
you come see us at partzilla.com and we can get you taken care of.
If you have any questions or comments, leave them in the section below and i'll
do my best to answer them. We do want to say thank you for shopping
here with us at partzilla, and we will see you in the next video.
Y'all have a great day, and be safe out there.