Motorcycles are a reliable and affordable way to get around. However, as mechanical devices, motorcycles require constant maintenance to keep working well and in a safe condition. The good thing is that the basic maintenance to keep your motorcycle going is not hard, and you can do some of them yourself. In this article, we have compiled motorcycle maintenance tips for you. The tips are general and should apply to your type of motorcycle.
Check your tires
Your motorcycle has two tires, which connect you to the road. You must make sure they are always in good condition before hopping on it for a ride because riding with bad tires can cause serious accidents.
Check the tire pressure regularly, ensuring it is within the manufacturer’s specified range. If they are under-inflated, they can overheat and get damaged. You must also check that they are not worn out because they need to be able to grip the surface of the road.
If you notice that the tire losses pressure often, it is time to change it. However, it is advisable to change the two together because they are likely to suffer similar damages, even if you can’t spot them.
Don’t forget to change the oil
Another motorcycle maintenance tip is to change the oil at intervals. How often may depend on your particular bike but generally, you should do a change after several thousands of miles.
It is important to change the oil regularly because dirty oil will increase your fuel consumption and shorten your engine life.
To change your motorcycle engine oil, follow this procedure:
- Warm up the bike by riding for about five minutes
- Turn off the engine and stand the bike upright
- Remove the drain and oil fill plug and allow the oil to drain into a pan
- Take out the oil filter if it is clogged
- Add a new oil filter and the drain plug, and refill the oil
You should also regularly check that your engine oil is not leaking.
Clean the air filter
The filter helps your bike engine filter out dust and other particles from the air before it gets into the engine. If it is clogged, your engine performance will suffer.
Even though it may take some time to clean the air filter, your motorcycle will be better for it. Be aware that you may have to remove parts like the tank on some models before getting to the air filter.
Check your motorcycle coolant
Another basic motorcycle maintenance tip is to check your coolant. It does the critical job of keeping your engine from overheating, freezing, or getting corroded. This means it is a component that you must pay attention to if your motorcycle is to remain in working condition.
To change the coolant of your motorcycle, follow these steps:
- Remove any parts necessary to get to the coolant drain bolt
- Remove the bolt and let the coolant drain into a pan
- Removing the radiator cap will ensure you drain everything
- Refill with new coolant of the appropriate amount
- Cover the radiator, screw the drain bolt back into place, and return any parts that you removed to get to it
- Start the engine, let it warm for some minutes, and cut the ignition
- After the engine has cooled down, check the coolant level to know if you need to top it up
Clean your motorcycle chain
The chain is very crucial to the operation of your motorcycle. As such, you need to keep it in the best condition. Most modern chains do not need much cleaning, but it is still necessary to ensure they are not clogged to ensure smooth movement.
Clean the chain when it is dirty or according to the manufacturer’s instructions. You can get the job done with a gentle bristle brush that can extract the grime. Don’t forget to lubricate the chain as well.
Conclusion
Motorcycles are made to be durable and can serve you for many years. However, following the do-it-yourself motorcycle maintenance tips in this article will make your motorbike more reliable and safer to operate.
