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 sitting on the curb waiting for a friend with a trailer instead of riding
Every bike will vary slightly in how to inspect certain items, you should have a service or maintenance manual handy to know what the specific specifications are for your motorcycle.
Here are some general tips to check out the basic systems of most motorcycles:
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 silicon spray 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.
Check fuse box for loose or damaged fuses. Carry spare fuses.
Engine Fluids
Check levels of all fluids
Check condition of all fluids. If engine/transmission 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. You can go here to learn more about Spark Plug Inspection & Diagnosis
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 1,000 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.
If you are not familiar or comfortable with working on your own motorcycle we recommend that you take it to a trained motorcycle mechanic at least once a year for a good overall inspection.
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