Spring into Spring

Motorcycle Maintenance Tips to Prepare for Spring Riding Season

Dust It Off - Start by undoing any winterizing you did—take off the cover and remove any blocks. Pull plugs or rags from exhaust pipes and other openings meant to keep small animals from nesting there. Wash off any coating applied to the frame, rims, or chain.

Drain and Replace. Don’t start a new riding season with old fluids. Before attempting to start up your bike, drain any fuel from carburetors that is more than six weeks old. Gasoline can change its chemical makeup over time with parts of the mixture evaporating, turning what was once fuel for your bike into a brown muck that can clog carburetor jets and passageways. This can lead to poor performance, difficulty starting, or not starting at all. Now is also a good time to replace your air filter, as well as, check your oil, brake fluid, and coolant levels, even if you just topped them off in the fall or winter months.

Power Up. The most common issue from a bike sitting in storage all winter is a drained battery. While many riders put their battery on a trickle charge over the winter, those who skip this step definitely need to power up before hitting the road. If your battery is more than a few seasons old, however, it may time for a new battery.

Inspect Tires. Nothing stops a ride faster than a flat tire. If you kept the weight of your motorcycle off the tires while in storage, they are probably okay, but you should always inspect them before each ride. Check air pressure in both of your bike’s tires. Low pressure can make motorcycles difficult to handle while increasing tire wear and tear. Also, check for signs of damage such as cracks, balding, visible cords, sidewall bubbles and replace tires if needed.

Check everything! Check brake pads, brake lines, and brake fluid before setting out on your first springtime ride. It’s important to replace worn pads or cracked lines and to test front and rear brakes separately to make sure they are in working order and free from scraping or squealing. Closely examine your motorcycle’s frame for hairline cracks and check the steering head and handlebars. Lubricate bearings and tighten nuts and fasteners as needed. Look for missing teeth or wear on the sprocket. Check the chain’s slack and adjust the tension per your owner’s manual. Lubricate the chain afterward. Test the throttle, levers, and pedals. Lube and check cables. Also check hoses for damage or wear.

Get Pretty - Finally, clean it up with a good wash. Give it a good wax to protect it from the elements this riding season. Have a great ride!