Homemade Electronic Bike Log

[72r60/7]

Since I do as much service and maintenance as I can, here is a homemade Bike Log that I made to replace the written Log that I used to keep. I made that written log book too large to carry all the time, so I'm trying a computer version.

I made the first mistake on an Apple device. I put the first Bike Log in a program called Notes. I accidentally erased all data on one bike and very pointedly discovered that Notes must have been a cruel Apple joke because there was no trashcan to look for things that got thrown away. What doe doe has never had to look in a trash can to retrieve something.

I now put all of my bike information on my log program on an app called (appropriately) Evernote and I make up to date copies. Every once in a while I'll email the notes to myself.

This log is just a little more than an outline and can be a time saver if you want a simple place to put a lot of information. Feel free to copy, send to a friend, rewrite, criticize, or just laugh at. It may even have its share of mistakes. I went just so far in organization and then just shifted to using it, without really completing.
It does come in handy, if you can remember to put the info in the log, rather than wait and try recall later.

Here tis below
______________________
BIKE LOG
Date and time. example (4/19/16 9:43)
BIKE Example ( 1972 R60/5)

MASTER BLANK
MOTORCYCLE LOG & MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE

Model: ________ Color:_______
Vehicle ID #:________VIN #:____________________
Vehicle License Plate :__________________License renewal date:_________________________
Beginning Mileage: _____________
Price Paid: _____________
Warranty:
Specifications:
Initial Dealer Service @ X,XXX
Recalls:

Next State Vehicle Inspection Due: Date: XX/XX/XXXX
Vehicle Inspection Due
Insurance Carrier
Insurance Policy #
Insurance Renewel Date XX/XX/XXXX

Modifications / Cost

Accessories and Cost:

Notes:

Date and Mileage / Kilometer Record
Date. Mileage Notes
Need to Do: Maintenance etc:
NTD......_____________
NTD......_____________
NTD......_____________

_______________________________________________________________

Sections


1. Routine Item Inspections / Service

2. In Depth Item Inspections / Service

3. Tires and Wheels

4.Engine Oil & Coolant Log

5. Brakes

6. Engine

7. Carburetor/ Air Intake / Exhaust

8. Fuel Injection / Air Intake / Exhaust

9. Clutch

10. Transmission

11. Drive Shaft

12. Chain Drive

13. Belt Drive

14. Rear End Differential

15. Suspension

16. Battery

17. Engine Electrics

18. Electrical

19. Body work / Seat / Accessories / etc.

20. Gear: Helmet, Jacket, Gloves, etc

21. Spare Parts Inventory

22. Parts and Accessories

23. Cleaning, waxing, and etc.

24. Motorcycle Maintenance or Repair Products

25. Blank TBD Later/Additional Sections

26. Wish List/New or Used Bikes

______________________________________________________________
1. Routine Item Inspections / Service

____Check Tire Pressure (or Kick)

____Check Engine Oil

____Note Fuel Capacity

____Check Headlight

____Check Parking Light

____Check Front Signal Lights

____Check Tail Light

____Check Brake Light--Both Functions

____Check Rear Turn Signals

____Check Horn(s)

____Check for Chain or Belt Adjustment


____Walk Around Bike Inspection--General to Detail Visual Inspection


____Added Items (Things that Require Daily/Periodic Attention)

Notes:

Routine Item Inspections / Service Log:
XXX,XXX Mi. / Km Date:XX/XX/XXXX

Next Inspection @ XXX,XXX Mi. / Km Date:XX/XX/XXXX

Next Inspection @ XXX,XXX Mi. / Km Date:XX/XX/XXXX

Notes:
_________________________________________________________
2. In Depth Maintenance Items / Inspections

Routine In Depth Item Inspections / Service Log:
XXX,XXX Mi. / Km. Date:XX/XX/XXXX

Next Inspection @ XXX,XXX Mi. / Km Date:XX/XX/XXX


____Check Tire Pressure / Condition of Valve Stem

____Check Engine Oil

____Note Fuel Capacity

____Check Headlight

____Check Parking Light

____Check Front Signal Lights

____Check Tail Light

____Check Brake Light--Both Functions

____Check Rear Turn Signals

____Check for Chain or Belt Adjustment

____Walk Around Bike Inspection--General to Detail Visual Inspection

____Check All Around Both Tires

____Check Steering Head Bearing Adjustment

____Check for Play in Swingarm

____Check for Play in Both wheels

____ Check Control Cables and Lube Cable Ends &Pivots

____Added Items (Things that Require Daily/Periodic Attention)

Notes:

______________________________________________________________

3. TIRES and WHEELS

Front Size
PSI / Bar
Solo / Loaded
Two Up / Loaded


Front Tire Log:

Brand
Cost:
Date:
Mileage/New:
Mi.@ Change:
Mi. Lasted:
Recommended PSI:
Notes:
__________
Front:
Brand
Cost:
Date:
Mileage/New:
I Mi.@ Change:
Mi. Lasted:
Recommended PSI
__________________________
Rear Tire Log:

Brand
Cost:
Date:
Mileage/New:
Mi.@ Change:
Mi. Lasted:
Recommended PSI:
Notes:

____________
Rear
Brand
Cost:
Date:
Mileage/New:
Mi.@ Change:
Mi. Lasted:
Recommended PSI:
Notes:

________________________
Wheel Sizes
Front:
Rear:

Bearing Part #'s
Front
Rear

Other Notes:


_______________________________________________________________

4.ENGINE OIL & COOLANT LOG

Oil Brand:
Type (wt):
Qty:
Price:
Source / Supplier:
Filter:
Part #:
Torque Value:

Oil Change Log
Date:
Milage:
Brand:
Cost:
Date:
Qty. Added Between Changes:
Qty. On Hand:
Notes:
___________

Coolant
Type:
Cost:
Source:
In Shop/On Hand

Coolant Log:
Date:
Mileage:
Notes:
_______________________________________________________________
5. BRAKES

Brake Pad Part # 's
Front:
Rear:
Fluid Type/Brand:
Notes:

Brake Pad Change Log:

Front mi. / km. Date:
XXX,XXX XX/XX/XXXX
Rear Mi. / Km. Date
XXX,XXX XX/XX/XXXX
Pads on Hand:
Qty. Front
Qty. Rear
Next Inspection:
mi./km. : XXX,XXX
Date: XX/XX/XXXX

Fluid Change Log
mi./km:
Date:
Brake Fluid on Hand: Qty Oz. / ml.
Next Change:
mi. / km.:
Date:
_______________________________________________________________________

6. ENGINE
VALVES
Specs/Clearance/Gap. Intake .XXX Exhaust .XXX
Inspection Date(s) XX/XX/XXXX Milage XXX,XXX
____
INTAKE
Gap Specs:
Date:XX/XX/XXXX
Milage:XXX,XXX
Existing Clearance / Gap
Cyl. * *#1 #2 #3 >>>>
.XXX. .XXX ..XXX
Existing Shim
.XXX .XXX .XXX
Shim Needed,
.XXX .XXX m. .XXX
Extra Shims Log
.XXX
.XXX
.XXX
____
New Clearance /Gap
Intake
Cyl. * *#1. #2 #3 >>>>
.XXX. .XXX .XXX
Existing Shim
.XXX .XXX .XXX

____
EXHAUST
Gap Specs:
Date:XX/XX/XXXX
Milage:XXX,XXX
Existing Clearance / Gap
Cyl. * *#1 #2 #3. >>>>
.XXX .XXX .XXX
Existing Shim
.XXX .XXX .XXX
Shim Needed
.XXX .XXX. .XXX
Extra Shims Log
.XXX
.XXX
.XXX
____
New Clearance /Gap
Intake
Cyl. * *#1 #2 M#3 >>>>
.XXX. .XXX .XXX
Existing Shim
.XXX .XXX .XXX

General Valve Notes:
_______________________________________________________________
7. *Carburetion*/ Air Intake / Exhaust

Notes:

______________________________________________________________
8. Fuel Injection / Air Intake / Exhaust

Notes:
___________________________________

9. CLUTCH

Clutch Plate(s) Log
Brand:
Part #:
Cost:
Installation/Inspection
Date:
Mileage/Km:
Thickness/Appearance:

Notes:
_______

Cable/Lever Lube Replacement/Inspection
Cable Part #:
Date:
Mileage/Km:

Hydraulic Fluid Change Log
Type:
Date:
Mileage/Km:

Associated Parts and Part #'s
Common Spec's:

Reminder:
Next Inspection @ XXX,XXX Mi. / Km
Date:

Notes:
______________________________________________________________
10. Transmission

Fluid Type:
Supplier :
Cost :
Quantity:
Extra Fluid On Hand :
Replacement Intervals :
Change Log :
Date:
Mileage:

Input Shaft Lube Intervals

Date:
Mileage:
Notes:.

_______________________________________________________
11. Drive Shaft
____________________
12. Chain Drive
______________________
13. Belt drive
_______________________________________________________________
14. Rear Differential

Fluid Type :
Supplier :
Cost :
Quality:
Extra Fluid On Hand :
Replacement Intervals :
Change Log :
Date:
Mileage:
Spline Lubricant :
Supplier :
Input Shaft Lube Intervals (Pinion Shaft)
Date:
Mileage:
Notes:

_______________________________________________________________
15. Suspension

_______________________________________________________________
16. BATTERY

Battery Size:
LxWxH. Eg.7"x 4 7/8"x 6 3/4
Min Amp Rating:
Post Position (as viewed from front) eg: pos rt., neg lft.,
Installation Date:
Source:
Brand:
Cost:
Next Inspection or Service @ Date XX/XX/XXXX
Notes:
_____________
Chargers owned:
Brand
Type
Date
New Cost
Source / Supplier:

Notes:

______________________________________________________________
17. Engine Electrics/Spark Plugs

______________________________________________________________
18. Electrical
Notes:

_______________________________________________________________19. *Body work / Seat / accessories / etc.

_______________________________________________________________
20 Gear:
__________________________________
21. Spare New or Used Parts Inventory

_______________________________________________________________
22 . Parts or Accessories

Item Needed / Wanted
1.
2.
3.
________________________
Parts Order #1
Supplier:
Contact:
Contact Phone #:&
Date Ordered:

Item Qty. Part # Description Cost
1.
2.



Date Received:

_______
Order #2
Supplier:
Contact:
Contact Phone #:
Date Ordered:

Item. Qty. Part # Description Cost
1.
2.



Date Received

_______
Parts Log

Check on Order:

Sources for Parts/Accessories


Check on Parts or Accessories Order

______________________________________________________________
23. Cleaning, waxing, and Etc.

_______________________________________________________________

24. Motorcycle Maintenance or Repair Products

______________________________________________________________

25. Blank TBD LaterAdditional Sections
_______________________________________________________________

26. Shopping for New or Used Motorcycles
_______________________________________________________________

The End
Maybe

 

[nakwakto00]

I too use Evernote to keep track of maintenance items and rides although mine is not as detailed as yours. It simply lists the date, event, action and mileage. I also keep track of some specifics, tire size, tire air pressure, farkles added, and other noteworthy info. For rides I keep track of date, mileage, short narrative and which bike. Evernote works great and I use it for many other riding things like camping recipes, to do lists, and check lists.

 

[BC1100S]

Not comprehensive enough.

 

[AntonLargiader]

I think with this sort of thing you need to decide if you really need to build in a handler for every event. At some point it's more cumbersome than the alternative.

For instance, my customers' records are in my Quickbooks. It's pretty fast to flip through their records and see how long ago certain things were done, and deduce what is needed by looking at dates. I don't have any special handlers... everything is just in a typical repair order listing. Plus, some things are due when your eyes tell you they are due, like tires. At that point it's easy to look back and see how long they've been on, even if you don't have a separate "tires" subcategory somewhere.

Years ago when I used your approach for my own bike, I had a spreadsheet where I entered the date and mileage, and items that were due would show up with a highlight. It was fun to write, but eventually I concluded that it's easier to just stick to BMW's published schedules.

 

[akbeemer]

Computerized records keeping will never catch on. I use a large white erase board.

 

[henzilla]

Computerized records keeping will never catch on. I use a large white erase board.

That's my system...and sometimes hard to keep up with even though it's right there on the wall

 

[sdpc2]

I tried to find an App

for this kind of record keeping. (my wife and i have a pretty healthy stable and it's hard to remember what has been done for which bike), and all that i could find was for autos. For awhile i used the auto app; but then when i upgraded to the newest IPhone, i lost all of my data. So i haven't gone down that road again. But it sure would be nice if someone came up with an app for this kind of data.

 

[lionlady]

Interesting idea, but when the "organization" is longer than the information, that's a problem. Glad it seems to work for you.

I use a Moleskine pocket notebook, which fits in my tailbag. I only have one bike, but one for each bike would work. One thing we've come up against twice now is that becuase of the manufacture date of my bike, it "should" use one version of the alternator belt, but instead it needs the other one. Can't remember which. But I intended to make a note of the problem the second time we had to return/reorder the part.

For maintenance notes for our "stable" of three bikes, we've got a sheet of plexiglas on the wall in the garage, with an old fashioned grease pencil tied to one corner with string. Harder to accidentally erase than a whiteboard.

 

[KenDittrick]

for this kind of record keeping. (my wife and i have a pretty healthy stable and it's hard to remember what has been done for which bike), and all that i could find was for autos. For awhile i used the auto app; but then when i upgraded to the newest IPhone, i lost all of my data. So i haven't gone down that road again. But it sure would be nice if someone came up with an app for this kind of data.

I use the Moto Minder App but YMMV of course.

 

[AntonLargiader]

...but then when i upgraded to the newest IPhone, i lost all of my data..

That's an important point: the data needs to survive a decade or two if you're going to go through the effort of cataloging that kind of detail.

When a customer shows up with a stack of paper receipts from previous service, it really doesn't get any better. All of the detail is there, on relatively few sheets of paper.

 

[nakwakto00]

Computerized records keeping will never catch on. I use a large white erase board.

Hmm? Transistor radios, cars with automatic transmissions, light bulbs, cell phones, TV antennas and thousands of other older technology things "will never catch on." What about radial tires, ABS, ESC, ASC, fuel injection and GPS? Wait, what about posting notes & messages from your computer on a forum? I suppose a chalk board at MOA headquarters would do.

 

[52184]

Not comprehensive enough.

Needs more cowbell??

DG

 

[72r60/7]

Now which rear brake pad wears quicker than the other? When did I swap sides with the other ?

How did I make the trouble light go out after using a spare rear end w/o ABS while repairing the original ?

Where is that photo of the battery model # that was bought at an auto supply store that "dropped right in" and lasted 5 yrs. and is in the bike on the other side of the continent ( or across an ocean)?

What was that VIN # so I can look up that part #?

Was that spare fuel pump in the parts bike a 43 mm or the larger ?

What's that NAPA fuel filter part # ?

Cut and paste. What a time saver !

Which bike does that new valve stem go on the next time I change the front tire, or was that a rear tire.

What are the front wheel bearing part #'s that I change every 100,000 mi. ? Or should I just order from the dealer. They shouldn't want but a dollar or so more than that industrial bearing supplier that is in this strange (Unfamiliar) town where I am broken down, should they. The closest dealer can maybe have one to me in two or three days.

Did that aux brake light come from Signal Dynamics or was that Custom Dynamics ?

Every one of these questions has come up before. Some while traveling and almost all with a helmet on and moving and no reason to stop.

Every one of the answers, and hundreds more, are at my fingertips when I'm not riding.
In fact, I can use four fingers to hold a device and 1 thumb to look for the answers.
Anywhere.

Charlie

 

[ponch1]

i have a spreadsheet that I got from a Vulcan forum. It's much simpler. I write in what was done, the date and mileage and who did the work.

 

[zenwhipper]

Nicely done.

 

[Dann]

I use the Service History Log feature on my Zumo 350 for quick reference and keep a binder with receipts, scan logs from the GS-911 etc.