How to Remove Your Motorcycle's Backplate

Properly maintaining your motorcycle engine is important to the life of the motorcycle and to your safety as a rider. Routine maintenance should include checking and replacing the manifold as needed. Before you do this, you will need to remove the backplate.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Ratchet
• Socket head
• Pliers

1. Remove the various devices on the motorcycle, and then remove the choke cable and disconnect the horn. These are all basic things to do before gaining access to the backplate and engine. Make sure the battery and fuel lines are disconnected, as well, to avoid injury.

2. Undo the bolts on the backplate using a ratchet and appropriate-sized socket head. This may vary slightly depending on the make, model and year of your motorcycle. If you are unsure, consult your repair manual.

3. Set the backplate with breather bolts off to the side to be used in the reassembly process. Next, locate the factory-style crimp clamp and snip it with a pair of pliers. Disconnect the throttle and idle cables. Hang them out of the way if they are too long to handle when gaining access to the cam and carburetor.

4. Check the slow and main jet to make sure they are not clogged. If they are, have the clogs removed by a professional motorcycle mechanic or try to unclog them yourself, taking care not to get the debris inside the carburetor.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure the motorcycle is secured on a motorcycle lift before attempting any of these steps. This job can be done on the ground, but you must secure the motorcycle in an upright position, not on the kickstand.