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Many of us enjoy the wonderful feeling of being separated from the open road by only two wheels and an engine. No one, however, wants to be broken down on the side of the road, or get into an accident, because of some mechanical failure that could have easily been prevented. Maintaining a smooth ride on your motorcycle requires regular mechanical work, and with almost the entire US enclosed in winter's frosty grip this time of year, now is the perfect time to pull out your tools while the bike is locked up in the garage.
First, let's start with some year round basics. Every time you fill up the tank, ensure that you have proper tire pressure. You can easily do this with a pencil sized tire pressure gauge found at any mechanical shop. If you don't, you'll risk a costly flat. Experienced riders can also gauge their tire pressure by how it feels, but only if they've spent a lot of time on their bikes. This is also a good time to check the treads on the tires by taking a small object, such as a penny, and measuring the depth of the trenches. If it's about 2mm, or the size of Lincoln's forehead, then your tires are safe. If not, it's time to change them out.
Not everyone does this, but you should lube up your drive chain after every ride. Friction can weaken the strength of the chain, and it may eventually break. It's easier to do when the chain is still warm, so it should be the first thing you do right after a nice long drive. Just use any commercial spray lube that you can find at a bike shop. You'll also want to use a newspaper to cover the rear wheel rim so it doesn't get dirty.
Regular oil changes are a no brainer. Over used oil can corrode the engine and cause some serious problems, including loss of gas efficiency, corrosion of the air filter, and gelling of the oil itself. Also, make sure the gauge is on max or high before a trip. Be cautious of overfilling the oil chamber, because it can cause flooding in the air cleaner. It should also be mentioned that high temperatures, combined with high speed driving, and frequent stopping and starting in congested areas can lead to rapid oil breakdown. The oil filter should be also be replaced every other oil change as well.
Now, let's get to some of things you can do while your bike is in the garage all winter. This is a great opportunity for your yearly brake fluid change. Remember that some bikes have two places for brake fluid, one near the handle bars and in the rear. While you're at it, take a look at the brake pads, and make sure they haven't gone all the way down to the metal. You can also purchase braided steel brake lines to increase you brake pad's performance up to 50%. Brake pad maintenance is extremely important for your personal safety on your bike. After all, you'll want to be able to stop on a dime should anything happen.
Check the fuel lines for any damage from the past year, and see if the fuel filter is clogged. The fuel filter itself should be changed every two years as well. Remember, untreated gasoline only lasts for about 6 months, and you can seriously damage your engine if you try to run on old gas. Drain the fuel from the gas tank and fill it up with new gas before you take her out after a long hibernation.
Now comes the tough part. One of the hardest places to do work on most bikes is the battery. Since most of us have our bikes shut in for the winter, this is a great time to do some much needed maintenance. Most of this should be done monthly, but most people only recharge the battery at best. Beyond that, you should check the electrolyte level. Only use distilled or deionized water in your battery, never tap water. Make sure you're wearing protective gloves and goggles as well. Check all of the connectors, cables, and make sure the battery is clear of any dirt or grime. Make sure the exhaust tube is free of any kinks, and when you're done, test the battery with a volt meter. This way you'll know if you'll need to replace the battery in the coming months.
That's about all the basic tips I have. If you want to do some more extensive work, or make this your winter project, I suggest you talk to your nearest motorcycle mechanic or take some time to search online. If you use these suggestions to maintain your bike this winter, you'll probably save a lot of money in the next coming year, and have a smoother ride all year around.
By: Zachary Freeman
Edited By: Bruce A. Tucker
About the Co-Author
Mike is the author of the book Vegetable Gardening for the Average Person: A guide to vegetable gardening for the rest of us, available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and where ever gardening books are sold. He can be reached at his website: AveragePersonGardening.com where you can sign up for his free newsletter and he will send you a pack of vegetable seeds to get your home vegetable garden started.
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