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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. 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 petrolatum or grease helps prevent future corrosion.
- 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.
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- 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.
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