Whether you motorcycle has been stored for the winter or you have been riding on a regular basis, it is always a good idea to do a periodic inspection of your entire motorcycle. It is also a really good idea to thoroughly inspect a used bike you have just purchased.  This will ensure you bike is safe to ride as well as reliable (so you don't spend your day for riding sitting on the curb waiting for a friend with a trailer). Here are some tips to check out all the basic systems of your bike:

 

Electrical

 

• Check head light high/low beam, tail/brake light, turn signals, horn, instrument and driving lights.
• Test Kill button/switch
• Inspect overall wiring for chafe. Use wire ties to secure loose wires. A shot of WD-40 will keep switches & locks healthy.
• Check battery levels and clean terminals. Baking soda & water will clean corrosion from the post (Don't get it inside the battery!), a little petroleum jelly or grease helps prevent future corrosion.  Check the ground (-) cable at both ends to ensure it is tight and clean.
• Inspect starter connections & mounting bolts. Check shaft for excessive wear if noisy. *If your bike has a fuse box, check 'em and get spares.

 

Engine Fluids

 

• Check levels. If engine/trans. oil is very dark or black, smells burnt, change oil & filter. Inspect fuel filter & screens for crud and check lines for chafe and dry rot.
• Water cooled Engines: Check coolant/anti-freeze level, and check flow/pump/hoses.

 

Brakes

 

• Check and adjust lever & pedal travel. Refer to your owners/shop manual for specs.
• Check master cylinders for clean brake fluid & proper fluid levels.
• Check all brake lines for wear, cracking & leaks. Any brake fluid on the lines or around any of the connections means the brake system is leaking and REQUIRES attention.
• Irregular or "jerky" stopping may mean a warped rotor or drum.
• Inspect pads/liners and replace if needed. Don't let a front brake grab on wet pavement.
• Brakes are possibly the most important component on a bike. If you are not sure on how to correctly inspect the brakes & brake system, take your bike to an authorized service center!

 

Tires & Wheels

 

• Inspect tires for even wear, tread depth and dry rot (cracking) or cuts in side walls.
• Inspect valve stems for dry rot (and rim cuts on tube stems).
• Check air pressure. Do not over inflate especially in Hot conditions/climate.
• Inspect rims for dents, cracks (alloy) and Carefully tighten loose spokes.
• Check axles, axle nuts & hardware for tightness & wear and lube the bearings.
• Inspect drive chain(& lube) or belt for excessive wear and adjust/replace as needed.

 

Engine & Transmission

 

• Check spark plugs. Brown to grayish-tan is good. Black is probably from burning oil or a rich fuel/air mix., light gray or whitish can mean a lean fuel/air mix or an intake leak.
• Check carb(s), adjust float level(s) & idle/fuel/air. Clean carbs are happy carbs... Aerosol Carb/Injector cleaner can work wonders on carburetor or fuel injected motors.
• Inspect/adjust ignition components & replace old spark plugs & wires.
• About every 500 miles, check nuts, bolts & screws for tightness.
• Inspect oil lines for leaks, cracks or chafe & look for oil leaks from the engine/trans. case(s).
• Inspect air filter(s) and if dirty, replace or clean depending on type.
• Inspect exhaust for leaks (especially at the manifold) and check mounting brackets.
• Adjust clutch, replace plates if slipping or dragging. Check primary drive chain/belt.
   

Frame & Suspension

 

• Check/tighten/torque all nuts & bolts, & engine/trans. mounting hardware.
• Look for hair line cracks around engine/transmission mounting brackets.
• Check steering head/fork assembly for looseness/tightness and adjust if needed.
• Lube steering(tree) bearings.
• Check fork fluid level (refer to owners manual, use only approved hydraulic fluid).
• Inspect rear shock(s), (replace if worn or soft) and check fender mounting brackets/hardware.
• Inspect handle bars for cracks, check mounts and oil all cables.
   

Really important to CHECK YOUR TIRE PRESSURE.

 

Just heard about one of our local riders that got on his bike for the first time since last fall.  Went to turn in the intersection right by his house, the bike got all wobbly and ran ran right into an oncoming car. Luckily he wasn't hurt that bad, but when they got his bike at the shop there was only 6lbs of pressure in the rear tire!

I'd go as far as sugesting to do a walk around every time you ride...takes 30 seconds to check your tires, brakes and lights, and any obvious problems.....

done mine the day ,haven't been out on it for a few weeks ,so i had a wee look over it ,all was fine ,but its beter to be safe .also got her running and got the temp up to 100 then heard the fan come on the switched her off ,dont know about u guys but i like to warm her up every now n again if shes been sitting around .

already had to put a new rear tire on mine and have kept up the services. I check the screws on the windshield before every ride. They tend to work loose I have found. Brakes are starting to squeak a little bit I am gonna take it in and have them checked. they work fine but gonna have it checked just to make sure. It will go into storage after the toy run in December.

we had our inspection done right before we left from san diego to sturgis. we had also purchased a new back rear tire. on the way home right around reno i noticed the wires sticking out of the new tire... was scarey making it all the way with me on the back plus about 200 lbs of stuff we brought on the bike. we hadnt even put on 3k miles. lucky the guys at RENO, HARLEY DAVISDON took good care of us and sent us on our way. i thought that was kinda short for tire usage.... who knows.... ::giggles:: now all we have to do is get it detailed.... the bugs are still stuck on it.

~SG~

I was told in my MSC that you should check lights, tires, brakes every ride. Check fluids and pressure every
weak. One other thing was anybody can ride fast, a good rider can ride slow.

Nice list Lucky. I try to check the basics - tire wear, loose hardware, hoses, etc - every time I clean the bike.

Excellent post, one does not need alot of tools OR experience to do these things, I have give my bikes the once over every couple thousand miles for years now.

The main advantage other than the obvious financial one is that this makes you feel like one with your bike, you develope a clear mental picture of every part on it and what it looks like in operating condition. If something becomes loose or wore chances are you will spot it before it runs your day.

Every Sunday morning without fail I clean my bike, not for the shine but it gives me the chance to find all the things that need doing..loose bolts, slack chain the usual stuff. But one thing I will always do because of a previous bad blow-out, is i will run my hand over the tyres, if theres a nail or screw in there it may cut my hand but it may also save my life.

Getting about that time to give your bike a good looking over.

Good post Lucky. I appreciate it. You're a good host. and a good brother.

Just gave my bike the once over. Good list Lucky. I would have forgotten some of the most obvious stuff.

Just a reminder to everyone, please be sure to give you bike a good inspection before pulling it our and riding this spring.