How to Maintain Your Motorcycle

Preventative maintenance is a must for motorcycles. You're putting yourself at risk for an accident if you wait for something to go wrong before fixing it.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Motorcycle Leather Tool Bags
• Motorcycle Oil
• Motorcycle Owner's Manual
• Motorcycle Wheel Wash
• Motorcycle Wash And Wax
• Spark Plug Gapping Tools
• Spark Plug Sockets
• Spark Plug Wires
• Tire Gauges

Maintaining a bike means regular pre-ride checks, monthly checks, and then yearly maintenance, including tune-ups.

1. Read the ehow "How to Check Your Motorcycle Before Riding".

2. Check your tire treads at least once a week. Look for cuts and scrapes on your tires, which could cause a blowout. Add air pressure as needed. Many blowouts are the result of low air pressure.

3. Investigate both of your wheels for loose or missing spokes. Check the rims for dents or cracks.

4. Lift the wheel off the ground. Spin it and watch the motion. Listen for noise and move it to check for looseness.

5. Inspect the controls for smooth operation, and watch for kinks or broken strands in your cables. Put lubricant on the mechanisms at either end of the cables.

6. Check the sprockets for worn teeth and oil the chain .

7. Watch out for missing or loose bolts, nuts or cotter pins. Keep your bike clean so it's easier to spot missing parts.

8. Adjust your brakes so when they are applied fully, the wheel is locked (see your owner's manual for instructions).

Follow a regular maintenance schedule using your Owner's Manual and the following list:

9. Check tire pressure and visually inspect the tires before every ride. Check the wheel bearings once a year.

10. Check the oil level before each ride. Change the oil and filter at least every 2,000 miles. Your bike will love you if you chage the oil and filter every 1,000 miles.

11. Check the coolant level (if applicable) before every ride. Change the coolant every 2 years.

12. Check the brake cables and operation before every ride. Check the thickness of the pads and/or shoes every month. Change the brake fluid every 2 years.

13. Check the suspension and chassis for loose nuts and bolts and leaks. Lubricate the swingarm bearing monthly. Change the fork oil every 2 years.

14. Replace the spark plugs every year. Replace the spark plug wires every 2 years.

15. Check and adjust the engine valves yearly.

16. Check and adjust and lubricate the chain before every ride.

17. Repalce the air filter every year.

Tips & Warnings

• Inspect your motorcycle carefully and fix things right away if you note potential trouble. That's the only way to spot problems before they cause an accident.
• Motorcycling is an inherently dangerous activity that can result in serious injury or death. We recommend that you seek proper training and equipment before attempting this activity.

Who Can Help Sponsored

• Ask a Motorcycle Mechanic Online Now

[kawikablyth]

on 7/29/2009 Anonymous - if you own a cycle with no filter, a 5 dollar in-line filter and some length of 1/4" tubing for new gas lines is a great way to prevent that problem. Also I welcome anyone to comment on my motorcycle maintenance article, which is a little more in depth.

[admin]

on 4/19/2007 Forks- look for signs of wear on the fork seals. If you see a ring of fluid at ride height, then you should probably replace the seals.

on 6/30/2006 Check inside your gas tank before each refill. Sometimes when you screw the gas cap back on the threads peel off. With some bikes, especially older ones, the thread peelings can get stuck in the carb. This problem is usually worse with plastic gas caps.