TVS HLX service guide: oil, chain, brakes and tyres

The TVS HLX (125 and 150) is a popular, economical boda boda. Like any working motorcycle, it lasts longest with short service intervals and daily checks. Your owner's manual has the exact figures.

Oil

• Check the level every morning, with the bike upright on level ground.
• Change it about every 1,500 km on a working bike, with a four-stroke motorcycle oil (JASO MA) in the grade in the manual.
• Buy oil from a trusted shop; fake oil is common and damages engines quickly.

Chain and sprockets

• Clean and lubricate every 500 km, more often in rain and dust.
• Keep the slack to the figure in the manual; too tight wears the gearbox bearings, too loose and it can jump off.
• Replace the chain and both sprockets together when worn.

Brakes and tyres

• Check brake shoes every 3,000 km; replace them before they wear to the metal.
• Keep the tyre pressures right for the load you carry. Under-inflated tyres wear fast and make the bike harder to steer.
• Replace tyres when the tread is worn or the rubber is cracked.

Every 3,000–6,000 km

• Clean the air filter, check the spark plug, adjust the clutch and throttle cables.
• Have the valve clearance checked at the manual's interval.