Tweaking your motorcycle and maintaining it might seem like an arduous task, but it doesn’t have to be. With a few tools and a bit of know-how, you can keep your bike in peak condition.
Our experts at Euro Car Parts have put together this handy maintenance checklist, detailing the basics you need to cover to fine-tune your motorcycle with ease.
If you need any replacement motorcycle parts or accessories, we have a wide range of items to fulfil your needs including batteries and other essentials.
Things You’ll Need
- Tyre pressure gauge
- Lubricant
- Spanner
- Torque wrench
- Warm water and washing liquid
- Puncture repair
How Often Does A Motorcycle Need Maintenance?
To keep your motorcycle in the best possible condition, it’s recommended to run through your maintenance checklist every 6 months.
1) Check Your Tyres
You won’t be getting far on your motorcycle without well-maintained tyres. Use a pressure gauge to see if they need inflating and have a look for any punctures that might need repairing.
These checks are particularly important during the winter months, when the colder temperature can significantly reduce tyre pressure.
2) Inspect The Battery
It’s common to disconnect the battery over the winter period while your bike’s not in use; just like with car batteries, the cold weather can drain the unit’s charge. If you did this with your motorcycle, check it has plenty of juice before setting off on any journeys.
3) Lubricate Your Motorcycle’s Chains
The chain on your motorcycle plays an essential role, moving mechanical power to the vehicle by connecting to the rotating sprocket gear. It’s therefore incredibly important to keep it in top condition should it become rusty or worn-down.
Apply some motorcycle lubricant to the chain, ensuring that it covers each link; this will help reduce friction between it and the sprocket gear’s teeth. Ideally, this should be done every 300-600 miles, and any residue cleared up once done to prevent any debris build-up.
4) Check The Chain’s Tension
When maintaining your motorcycle’s chain, tension is just as important as its overall condition. If the chain is too loose, it can cause the bike to vibrate and lead to further damage; likewise, a chain that’s too tight can warp the sprocket gears.
If you feel comfortable adjusting the chain’s tension yourself, this can be done with a torque wrench, some spanners and a tape measure.
5) Change The Oil And Filters
Contaminated oil can impact a motorcycle’s performance, chiefly due to the debris affecting how well the oil can lubricate engine parts. Old oil can lead to the same hit in performance, as its viscosity and ability to effectively lubricate breaks down.
Consider changing up your motorcycle’s engine oil every 5,000-6,000 miles to reduce the risk of long-term damage. It’s also worth regularly replacing the oil and air filters if they’re in poor condition.
6) Top Up On Brake Fluid And Coolant
When it comes to fluid in your motorcycle, don’t forget to top up on things like coolant and brake fluid. Both are essential to keeping your motorcycle’s engine temperature down and ensuring the braking system works correctly.
7) Clean And Cover Your Motorcycle
Once everything has been ticked off your checklist, it’s time to give your motorcycle a good clean. It’s particularly important to regularly clean your bike when winter arrives, as the grit salt that covers the road can wreak havoc on any metal components if it’s not washed off.
Warm and soapy water is a great, no-nonsense choice of cleaning solution. Once that’s done, consider shielding your motorcycle with a cover overnight to protect it from the elements.
With this checklist, you’ll have your motorcycle running in no time. For more information on what parts it needs to run efficiently, we’ve got you covered with this detailed guide.
Check out our new range of motorcycle accessories here and keep an eye out for our full range of motorcycle parts launching later in the year.