Don’t Forget These 5 Essential Motorcycle Maintenance Checks!
One minute you’re riding down the street on your Harley-Davidson® motorcycle, minding your own business and enjoying the sunshine, when KA-BLAM! Your tire pops! Or your engine stalls! Or… something else! At that point, you’re looking at contacting roadside assistance, or scrambling to fix a part as traffic whizzes past you. It’ll probably eat into more of your day than you’d like, and when it’s all said and done, you’ll wish there’d been something you could have done to prevent it.
Turns out, there was probably something you could have done. Proper maintenance is an essential part of owning a motorcycle. Some checks don’t even require a professional. Just do them from the comfort of your garage. Biggs Harley-Davidson has provided the 5 most essential checks for riders in San Marcos, San Diego, Oceanside, and Poway, California, so add them to your list if they aren’t already on it.
1. Tires
Let’s start by addressing one of those worst-case scenarios we mentioned earlier. Tire health is motorcycle health, both in safety and efficiency, so always check to make sure they’re properly inflated, as recommended in your owner’s manual. Also check the tread for signs of dangerous wear (excessive or uneven) or possible damage. Perform this inspection before you ride, when the tires are cold.
2. Oil
Now let’s move on to the engine. To be honest, there are a lot of things that can go wrong here, but there are some simple checks you can perform to ensure the thing that goes wrong isn’t due to lack of routine maintenance. Your oil reservoir should be appropriately filled with fresh oil. Top it off if it seems to be getting low. If it looks dark and sludgy, change it out. Don’t know how to check? Follow these steps:
- Remove the dipstick
- Wipe it off
- Reinsert it
- Pull it out again
- Compare the color to the chart
These easy steps will give you the most accurate indication of your bike’s engine oil condition.
3. Battery
Another easy check related to your engine is your battery. Check the charge every once in a while and recharge as needed. You may also need to clean corrosion off the posts periodically, using a solution of baking soda and water.
If you recharge your battery and it still drains after a short amount of time, get your alternator checked. Keep in mind that an old battery might just need replacing.
4. Chains, Shafts, and Belts
Once your engine is up and running, all that power is going to be transferred to your wheels via a system of chains, shafts, or belts. A breakdown in these systems means the wheels won’t work properly, even if the engine and tires do. Your essential maintenance check depends on which system your Harley-Davidson motorcycle uses.
- Chains: Chains require regular cleaning and lubrication, moreso than the other systems
- Belts: Inspect belts for tears and rips and ensure tension is mostly tight with just a little slack
- Shafts: Shaft drives run on oil that needs to be changed, though not as often as engine oil
5. Fuel
Let’s turn our attention to the fuel source. The fuel filter needs to be changed out when it gets dirty and clogged. Listen for strange noises or notice when your engine struggles to start, as these could be signs you need to replace your fuel filter.
Also, be smart about how you fill your tank. If you only ride once in a while, go for a higher octane fuel to avoid idling gas that could create a corrosive mixture.
If you’re brand-new to the motorcycle community, we highly recommend you start your at-home maintenance with these 5 essential things. Of course, over time, personal experience and recommendations from other riders will help you expand your list, but even the most technically savvy rider needs a professional’s help sometimes. If there’s a repair or problem that needs a trained technician, contact Biggs Harley-Davidson and we’ll help you with all your motorcycle repairs. You can also check out our motorcycles for sale near San Marcos, San Diego, Oceanside, and Poway, California.