Fall Motorcycle Maintenance Musts
It’s officially fall. Depending on what part of the country you live in and if you’re equipped for cooler temperatures, there may be plenty of riding left. However, fall is a signal that winter is coming, which means you’ll need to get your bike in shape soon for the changing of the seasons.
Whether you ride through the winter or put your bike away when the mercury dips, there are maintenance issues you should attend to now to keep you riding safely through the fall and prepare your motorcycle for colder temperatures.
Cycle Trader put together the following checklist to guide you through the prep work necessary. Of course, you should always follow the recommendations listed in your Owner’s Manual, but here are a few key things to take care of before the next season rolls around.
Tires
Your tires are literally where the rubber meets the road. They are also where the rubber can leave the road if you don’t keep a close eye on them. Be sure to give them a visual check every once in a while to make sure there is no damage to the tread or sidewalls that could present a problem later. Also make sure that you have enough tread to provide you with proper handling and grip. Most importantly, be sure to regularly check your tire pressure. Over- or under-inflated tires can cause extra wear on the tread and can make handling of your bike more difficult.
Brakes
As much as you would probably love to ride on forever, there will be times when it is advantageous to stop. This is where the brakes come in handy, so it’s important that you regularly inspect them to make sure they are working properly. First, check the brake fluid. The level should be between the MIN and MAX lines, and the fluid itself should not be cloudy. If it is, it might be time to replace the fluid. If it just needs topping off, be sure to do so with a brake fluid recommended by the manufacturer in the Owner’s Manual.
You’ll also want to do a visual inspection of the brake pads and rotors to make sure they aren’t worn down and that there are no cracks, pits, or corrosion on the rotors, and that they are not scored or warped. You should also take a look at the brake lines and calipers to make sure there are no leaks and that everything is working properly. Inspect the dust boot on the caliper piston to make sure there are no cracks, tears, or damage, and look for corrosion or galling (rubbing) on the caliper itself. Lastly, give the brake handles a squeeze to make sure the piston moves freely and fully squeezes the brake pad against the rotor.
Oil and Filter
Your oil should be changed at regular intervals, whether the measurement is in miles or months. Check your Owner’s Manual for the manufacturer’s suggestion, but normally the oil should be changed every 3,000 to 5,000 miles for conventional oil and 7,000 to 10,000 for synthetics. Regardless of mileage, you should change the oil and oil filter at least annually to avoid issues that can be caused by condensation in the system or degradation of the oil.
Chain or Belt Drive
When it comes to lubing the chain on your bike, there are a number of factors that come into play: whether you have a “sealed” chain (O-ring, X-ring, etc.); the type and quality of the chain lube you use; the environmental conditions the chain is exposed to during rides; and the number of miles ridden between lubes.
Generally, the chain should be lubed every 300 to 500 miles on an “open” system and 500 to 1,000 miles on a sealed system. However, it needs to be greased more frequently after riding in the rain or dusty/muddy conditions. Despite the mileage, you should always lube the chain if it sounds dry, it’s making a rattling noise, or you notice signs of rust.
It is best to oil the chain after a ride while it’s still hot, which will help the lubricant penetrate the links and gaskets more effectively. If the chain is caked with grime, you should clean it before applying the lubricant. Check your Owner’s Manual for the type of lube recommended and the frequency at which it should be applied.
If your motorcycle has a belt drive, rotate the rear wheel to inspect the entire belt for tears, nicks, holes or fraying of any kind – on both the inner and outer surfaces. Check each tooth for damage or wear, and inspect for debris. Check belt tension and alignment in accordance with manufacturer recommendations and adjust as necessary.
Regularly servicing your motorcycle will help keep it running smoothly and help retain its value should you ever wish to move on to a new, or newer, motorcycle. The Cycle Trader marketplace can help with that too!
Barrett Baker