Motorcycle Maintenance

Quick Tips to Routine Motorcycle Maintenance

For many riders there is no thrill as exciting as unwinding their motorcycle on the open highways or going for an off road adventure.  The pleasure and excitement of this two wheeling adventure can be difficult to match.  To keep your bike in peak performance condition, you should do these routine checks at least once a week, and more often, if you ride a great deal.
Checking the oil for the transmission and engine is one of the most frequent maintenance jobs you should perform. Usually, a well-maintained and properly functioning engine will not use any oil, but it is best to always make certain that the level is not low.  It is important that you always use motorcycle engine oil and not automobile oil, these are not interchangeable.

The oil should always be kept above the minimum level to avoid engine damage. Check the motorcycle’s oil level with your bike standing, or supported, in a level position. When the oil motion is stable, you can then check it. If there is a window, you can easily look to see where the oil level is in relation to the minimum and maximum marks.
If there is a dipstick you must check the oil level manually by removing the dipstick, wiping it clean with a soft cloth and then replace it to see where the oil mark is. If the oil is low, you will need to add oil that is designed for motorcycle engines. You need to add any oil to the crankcase, and at no time should you ever overfill.
Keeping both the steering and suspension in good working order are very important.  The motorcycle’s steering should turn and swivel without problem, and the suspension in both the front and the rear sections should be smooth and have no unnecessary motion noted.
Engine coolant is rarely a problem, unless a leak occurs.  Repairing leaks and refilling lost coolant will assure that the engine does not over heat causing long-term damage to the engine. Check the coolant by removing the cap and seeing if the amount of liquid in the reservoir is somewhere between the low and high marks. If any coolant is needed, fill it with a mixture of 50% distilled water and 50% anti-freeze.

Tire safety and proper pressure is always important on bikes. You should check the tire pressure only when the tires are cold. Also inspect the tread, wear pattern and air valve. You can make sure the pressure is adequate in your tires by looking for the label that shows you the required amount. This number is found on the mud flap at the back tire, or on the chain guard.
The brakes are checked separately, by giving a full depression to the front handlebar or rear pedal. When the brake is released, there should be no pull or brake drag against the tires. The brake fluid is checked by looking at the master cylinder chamber. Should the liquid be lower than the low marking, you should add fluid to bring the level up to the full level, do not overfill. The brake fluid you need will be marked on the brake chamber cap, and is usually DOT 4.
A drive chain that is attached  to the rear wheel may need to be lubricated with a bit of spray lube, if it seems dry; and always adjust the tension on this chain  if it becomes a bit loose.