Motorcycle Maintenance
Motorcycles are meant to be fun, easy rides that bring a smile to your face and put some thrills in your back pocket. But to keep your bike vrooming, you’ll need to give it some attention before and after you ride. This means more than taking your bike into the shop when it starts acting up. To keep your motorcycle in working order so it’s ready to go every time you’re ready, you’ll want to develop a habit of regular maintenance and learn what you need to keep your bike running.
At Bellevue Suzuki Kawasaki, we believe motorcycle ownership is partly about keeping proper care of your investment.
While we’d love it if all our customers were buying new bikes all the time, it’s much more pragmatic to keep up with maintenance so you can avoid unnecessary spending on parts and service. We’ve put together a short guide to get you started on the basics. If you’d like more information, or you want to take a look at the best new and used motorcycles around, head into our location in Memphis, Tennessee, near Bartlett, Jackson, Germantown, and Collierville.
Shafts, Belts, and Chains
Like most automobiles, a motorcycle uses a series of shafts, belts, and chains to transfer power from the engine to other components that need to get moving. These transfer mechanisms undergo a lot of stress, so it’s important to keep them lubricated and in good repair. If you have a chain-driven rear wheel, make sure that chain is kept nice and lubricated. Belt drives should be inspected for fraying and tearing. Ensure everything is balanced between too taut and too loose.
Brakes
Most motorcycles have front and rear reservoirs for brake fluid, so you’ll need to check both and add more until it reaches the marked level. Brake pads should wear evenly, so if they’re not, then you have another problem somewhere in how your bike is riding. Don’t wait until they’re completely worn to replace them, and any squeaking, grinding, or pulsating could mean something is wrong with your bike and it’s time for a visit to the shop.
Tires
The tires are where your bike meets the pavement, so it’s critical to keep them in good condition. A blown tire will all but guarantee an accident. Use a pressure gauge to check tire pressure. Check tread wear as well. Just like your brake pads, both tires should wear down at the same rate. If they’re not, it could mean an imbalance, and at the least, it might indicate it’s time for replacements. Balding, tearing, or scalping are other signs of damaged tires. You should also check the tread for foreign objects that might have gotten stuck in there. While a piece of debris might not immediately be harmful, it could come loose on the road and end up puncturing your tire. Save yourself a future headache and dig out that nail or glass shard before it’s too late!
Fuel and Filter
A clogged fuel filter can drain power from the battery very quickly. Replace the fuel filter when you hear sputtering or have a hard time starting the engine. If you don’t ride too often, make sure to use a higher octane fuel. Ethanol-heavy fuels can thicken into a corrosive sludge if left for too long. A fuel stabilizer will also work if you plan on storing your bike for a longer period of time.
Oil
Regularly check the oil to make sure the levels and viscosity are acceptable. Remove the dipstick, clean it off, reinsert it, and then note the oil level. If the level is low but in good condition, add a little more until you level it off. If the oil is too dark or sludgy, replace the oil and filter altogether. And if the oil has metallic shavings or powder in it, it’s time to visit a mechanic because something in your engine is grinding the material in there.
Battery
This is the first place to look if your bike isn’t starting. A drained battery can be recharged, but if that doesn’t work it will need replacement. If this leads to another drained battery, then something more serious is wrong (most likely the alternator). For storing your bike, remove the leads from the posts so the battery won’t drain. Check the posts for corrosion. If there is some, you can apply a solution of baking soda and water with a toothbrush. This will remove corrosion, but an older battery might need to be replaced anyway, even if the posts clean up nicely.
Following some of these tips can mean the difference between a happy motorcycle and a bike that spends too much time in the shop. If you have more questions about motorcycle maintenance, head into Bellevue Suzuki Kawasaki in Memphis, Tennessee, near Bartlett, Jackson, Germantown, and Collierville. We’re also proud to serve our neighbors in Southaven, Mississippi. Come in today and experience the best customer service around!