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General Maintenance

Mostly, refer to the Official Owners Manual for regular and general maintenance.

Lift

Some maintenance tasks are better performed with the wheels off the ground.

The armored pan under the battery that protects onboard charging units is strong enough and positioned well to use a center lift.

Recommendation

Center lift under S model belly pan Center lift under S model belly pan

FXS from below. FXS from below.

Using a scissor lift center stand is an easy method to lift the bike.

Rage Powersports BW-1604A has been spotted at Zero HQ, but other manufacturers make very equivalent stands.

A center lift is easier than a rear stand to operate solo, and it is more compact than the rear stand although much heavier.

Location (S Platform)

Use a center lift under the battery compartment.

  • Orient the center stand so that it runs side-to-side to provide lateral stability.
  • Place it under the rear of the battery compartment to lift the bike's front and rear equally.
  • Place it under the front of the battery compartment to lift the bike's front and leave the rear tire in floor contact.
  • Strap the bike securely (through the center frame tube, say) to avoid toppling it.

Confirmed fits

Location (X Platform)

The FXS (at least) has three bolts sticking out from the pan under the bike.

  • Orient the center stand so that it runs side-to-side to provide lateral stability.
  • You can put a rubber pad on your lift to make it easier to use it over the bolts.

Confirmed fits

  • MSR Pro Lift Stand for the FX, but not other models (even FXS) because of height issues.

References

Front Stand

When To Use

A front stand is the easiest way to:

Spool Stands

  • The Zero does not offer axle attachment points for spools for a front stand.

Steering Head Pin Stands

  • 2014+ models(?) have a steering pin diameter of 5/8".
  • 2012-2013 Zero models have an 8mm diameter (from a 2013 Zero S report and some checking around), with no vendor match.
  • The DS/DSR/FX models' high front fender must be removed (or drilled through) to use a pin for the front steering head.

Confirmed fits

Verify your steering stem before ordering.

Front Stand Chart.

Years Platform Front Pin Rear Pin Rear Supports Restraint
2013 S & X None! (8mm ⌀) Pin Fitting Only - Zero Motorcycles (Axle: 23-04736) Top Supports (Pair), Standard Rear Stand
Top Supports (Pair), SS Rear Stand		 Trailer Restraint System - Zero Motorcycles (Axle: 23-04736)
2014 〃 Pin #7, Front 〃 〃 〃
2015+ 〃 〃 Pin Fitting Only - Zero Motorcycles (Axle: 23-08032) 〃 Trailer Restraint System - Zero Motorcycles (Axle: 23-08032)

Rear Stand

Inexpensive Jack Stands and a 2x4

Swingarm attachment

The Zero does not offer swingarm attachment points for spools for a rear stand.

A rear stand can work if it cradles the underside of the swingarm snugly.

This can work but takes a little care to operate single-handedly.

Confirmed fits

Axle Attachment

Custom Fabrication

An axle stand can be fabricated, like this Home made rear axle stand on Zero FXS.

Years Platform Front Pin Rear Pin Rear Supports Restraint
2013 S & X None! (8mm ⌀) Pin Fitting Only - Zero Motorcycles (Axle: 23-04736) Top Supports (Pair), Standard Rear Stand
Top Supports (Pair), SS Rear Stand		 Trailer Restraint System - Zero Motorcycles (Axle: 23-04736)
2014 〃 Pin #7, Front 〃 〃 〃
2015+ 〃 〃 Pin Fitting Only - Zero Motorcycles (Axle: 23-08032) 〃 Trailer Restraint System - Zero Motorcycles (Axle: 23-08032)

Tools

See the separate Tool Kits article for a curated short list of tools with their purposes.

NOTE: integrate or meld notes below with that article.

Tools and parts to support your bike

A travel kit for a motorcycle is always a good idea, but Zero doesn't include a default set. They do sell a tool kit which covers many common tasks.

Tools for Everyday Riding

Consumables

These collect useful spare parts for FST Platform models.

Spare Parts for Everyday Riding

  • 12V fuses (10A, 15A typically).
  • Tire patch kit, suitable for tubed (pre-2015 DS or FX bikes) or tubeless tires (all others).
  • Cable ties and electrical tape for wiring.

Spare Parts for Travel

~$90, only available from Zero.

Expect to eventually use it as replacement; avoids a delay waiting on delivery.

Pre-Ride Checklist

Item What to Check Look For Check Off
Tires And Wheels Tires Condition Tread depth, wear, weathering, evenly seated, bulges, embedded objects. Front & Rear
〃 〃 Air Pressure Check When Cold; Adjust to Load 〃
〃 Wheels Spokes Bent/broken/missing. Check tension at top of wheel: "ring" is okay, "thud" means loose. 〃
〃 〃 Cast Cracks or dents 〃
〃 〃 Rims Out of round by more than 5mm. Spin the wheel against a stationary pointer 〃
〃 〃 Bearings Grab the tire and flex it; no freeplay (click) between the hub and axle; no growl or squeak when spinning. 〃
〃 〃 Seals Cracked or torn, no grease 〃
〃 Brakes Function Each brake alone can hold the bike stationary 〃
〃 〃 Condition Worn pads or discs 〃
Controls Handlebars Condition Bars are straight, turn freely, handgrips and bar ends are secure.
〃 Brake Lever / Brake Pedal Condition Not broken/bent/cracked; adjusted properly.
〃 〃 Pivots Lubricated
〃 Brake Hoses Condition No cuts/cracks/leaks/bulges/chafing/deterioration.
〃 〃 Routing No interference or pull at the steering head; no sharp angles; support clamps in place.
〃 Throttle Operation Moves freely; snaps closed.
Lights & Electrics Headlamp/Running light Condition Turns on; no cracks; mounted securely; clean reflector.
〃 〃 Aim Just below horizontal and not skewed left or right.
〃 Tail Lights Condition No cracks; clean and bright.
〃 〃 Operation Running light always on; brighter with front or rear brake pressed.
〃 Switches Operation All switches function correctly: motor cut-out, hi/low beam, turn signal, hazard switch.
〃 Turn signals Operation No cracks; flashes with left and right turn signal switch usage; resets per switch.
〃 Mirrors Condition No cracks; clean, mount and swivel joints are tight
〃 〃 Aim Check/adjust while seated on the bike off the kickstand.
〃 Wiring Condition No fraying or chafing; insulated.
〃 〃 Routing No pinching, interference, or pulling at the steering head or suspension; wire looms and ties in place; connectors tight and clean.
Oil & Fluids Hydraulic Fluid Level Check front and rear reservoirs
〃 〃 Cleanliness Check whether the fluid is very dark, foamed, or has water
Chassis Frame Condition No cracks at gussets or accessory mounts; no paint lifting
〃 〃 Steering-Head Bearings No detent or tight spots through full travel; raise front wheel and check for play by pulling/pushing forks.
〃 〃 Swingarm Bushings Raise the rear wheel and check for play by pulling/pushing swingarm.
〃 Suspension Front Forks Smooth travel, equal air pressure/damping, anti-dive settings. Left & Right
〃 〃 Rear Shock Smooth travel, equal pre-load/air pressure/damping settings, linkage moves freely and is lubricated.
〃 Belt Tension Check at tightest point
〃 〃 Alignment Check position on rear sprocket; spin the wheel to check changing position
〃 〃 Sprockets Teeth not hooked or chipped; clean and securely mounted
〃 Fasteners Threaded Tight; none missing; check for corrosion
〃 〃 Clips and Pins None broken or missing
Stands Side Stand Condition No cracks; not bent; cutout switch equipped and working
〃 〃 Retention Springs into place; tension holds position up or down

Fastener Maintenance

To maintain the fasteners (bolts and screws), always check for loose or corroding bolts.

Torque

  • For torques, see Fastener Specifications, which gathers all the officially recommended torque and other settings for various fasteners.

Locking

  • Use blue Loctite threadlocker for non-conductive bolts.

Corrosion

TODO: recommend a corrosion inhibitor.

Source: zeromanual.com/wiki/FST_Platform/Unofficial_Service_Manual · Wayback capture of 2025-05-17 · wiki last edited 2 May 2020 00:04. Community-written content from the Unofficial Zero Manual, reproduced for preservation; not written or verified by OpenZero. Links to pages that were not mirrored go to the Wayback Machine.