Motorcycle Maintenance Tips
Need some handy motorcycle maintenance tips? Just like any vehicle, it is important to maintain and care for your motorcycle. No matter what season it is! However, for new motorcycle owners, it is hard to know where to begin. That is why Cash 4 Motorcycle is going to break down a maintenance checklist to make sure your motorcycle is in tip-top shape!
Tire Pressure and Condition
To guarantee a safe ride, tire pressure is essential. If your tire pressure is too low, you risk a flat tire or blowout during your ride. This can be dangerous if it occurs when you are going at high speeds. To make sure your motorcycle is ready for the road, you should always check the psi levels and inflate them when you need to. You also should check your tire treads to make sure you have traction for breaking.
Engine Oil Level
Whenever you are out of a ride, your engine oil should always be full and clear. Just like a car, over time the oil will turn black. To check your motorcycle’s oil levels, you need to start your motorcycle to warm up the engine. Afterward, you need to place the motorcycle on a center stand or have someone hold the vehicle straight. From there, you can look for the engine oil glass to see if you need to top off the engine oil or change it.
Chain Slack
If your motorcycle is not shaft drive, you need to worry about chain slack. Over time, your motorcycle chain will begin to slack because of wear and tear. Also constant exposure to the elements can cause it to deteriorate or become loose.
So, how can you tell if there is too much slack? To measure chain slack, you have to push the chain towards the swing arm. The sag should not be more than 40mm for all motorcycles except dirt bikes (the sag should not extend past 50mm). You can make adjustments by tightening or loosening the axle nut. To check for your bike’s exact chain measurements, you should use your owner’s manual.
Battery Check
If you haven’t checked your battery in awhile, you should charge and check the battery fluid. Once a month, you should check your motorcycle battery’s fluid. If you are running low on fluid, you should take it to a motorcycle technician.
If you haven’t drove your motorcycle in several weeks, you should charge your battery. In fact, you should be charging your motorcycle battery regularly. However, it is important to not overcharge your battery.
Brake Pads
Brake pads are essential for any vehicle, including motorcycles. These pads wear down quickly on motorcycles, meaning owners have to take special care to inspect them. It should be part of your routine before hopping onto your bike. If your brake pads hit 2mm, it is time to replace them to guarantee your safety.
Filters and Coolants
A motorcycle’s filters and coolant system keep your vehicle running. Depending on the circumstance, some of these items need to be changed more regularly than others. While oil filters should be checked every time you change your oil, your air filter can vary. If you riding on a street or sports bike, you can wait for about 5,000 km before need to clean or replace the filter. However, if you riding on a dirt bike, expect to change your filter often.
Fortunately, your coolant fluid should not need to change for about two years. The recommended timeframe to change your oils is between 20-24 months. To change the coolant liquid, you should place your bike on a central stand and remove the fairings to access the radiator. After removing the fairings, allow the old coolant to drain from the radiator before adding a new coolant.
Keep Up With These Motorcycle Maintenance Tips
Fortunately, many of the maintenance tasks that you need to do for your motorcycle are similar to what you need to do for your car. However, it is important to keep up with this maintenance. On a motorcycle, you are exposed to more risks than you would in a car.
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