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BMB ROCKETS PROMOTES MOTORCYCLE SAFETY  Check out: www.msf-usa.org/
When temperatures rise, I want to roll my motorcycle out of the garage and go for a long ride. Then I remind myself that cruising off without giving my bike a mechanical check-up isn't safe. "Some very experienced riders crash on their first times out because they didn't do the necessary bike preparation," says Tim Bernard, owner of HappyTrails Motorcycle Products, a Boise, Idaho-based motorcycle accessories and service business. It isn't difficult to give your bike the basic maintenance it needs after winter storage or at least spot problems that require attention. This will keep you from riding off and becoming stranded somewhere if your bike breaks down or in a hospital if it goes down. If something needs attention and the motorcycle is ride-able, take it to directly to your repair shop and tell your mechanic what you see. Before starting the checkup, have your owner's manual handy and then follow these steps provided by Happy Trails. 1. Clean the bike. Even if your bike was stored clean, washing it is a good idea because you become "intimate" with it and may spot defects, says Tim Bernard. "Washing it allows you to see the problems." 2. Check your battery and recharge it if needed. You can check the charge using a voltmeter, purchased for around $25 at any electronics store or motorcycle accessories outlet. It's used to measure the open circuit - meaning no connections of a battery. Put the meter's plus lead on the battery's plus terminal and the minus lead on the battery's minus terminal to read the voltage. Generally, a voltmeter reading 12.8 volts for a conventional battery, and 13.2 volts for a maintenance-free battery indicates it's fully charged. A reading below those numbers, but above 11 volts indicates a battery that needs to be recharged. A reading below 11 volts generally means a battery that needs to be replaced, but it might respond when recharged. If the battery uses distilled water, make sure the water is at required levels. Always use distilled water to refill the battery. Medicine droppers are handy for this. 3. Check engine oil levels. Having insufficient oil can cause major problems, so look in the oil reservoir sight glass to make sure the level is adequate. Change your oil and filter at least once a season, or every six months if you ride year-round. Draining and changing your oil and filter is messy but not difficult. Find out in your manual which filter and oil to buy in advance.
If you want to change the oil yourself, there are good books that explain how, including "How To Change the Oil on a Twin Cam Motorcycle," by JamesRussellPublishing.com. Many riders prefer their dealer to change the oil. The beginning of the riding season is a good time to get that done including a tune-up. 4. Examine your tires. Replace if the tread is less than 2 mm thick or if you have dry cracks and noticeable damage. Check tire pressure and add air if it's below the manufacturer's recommended level, which typically is printed on the sidewall of the tire. This is is very important. Many accidents are caused because of low tire pressure.
5. Check brake fluid levels. Look at the sight glass in the reservoir on your handle bar for the front brakes and the sight glass on the side of your bike for the back brakes to see if the fluid is at desired levels. Brake fluid should look clear and clean. Brake fluid that's brownish or looks like weak coffee is burned, reducing braking efficiency, and should be replaced, says John Cole, a mechanic at Happy Trails.
6. Check your coolant level if your bike is liquid-cooled. The expansion tank next to your radiator has high and low level marks that tell you if more antifreeze is required. Check for cracked radiator hoses, which should be replaced. 7. Change the air filter. This should be done at least once a year for street riders and more often for dirt and dual-sport bikes. Clean your air filter if you have the foam reusable type. Again, if you unsure how to do this, we recommend you have your dealer look into it. 8. Change spark plugs and check connections for cracks. The caps should be solid and fit tightly. For technically challenged riders, leave this up to your mechanic.
9. Check to ensure your headlight, brake light and turn signals are working and that auxiliary electrical connections are tight. 10. Check the chain's tension and oil the chain. If your bike is belt-driven, examine the belt for damage. A shaft-driven bike may need more differential oil or to have this oil changed, so review the manual for instructions on how to check it. 11. Check the brake pads on the front and rear wheels. Pad wear depends on your mileage and how much braking you do. An eye check will tell you whether your pads are worn and thin, and need to be replaced.
12. Check brake and throttle cables to ensure they work smoothly. Brakes should be firm and not spongy. With bike on the center stand, turn wheels to ensure brakes aren't rubbing or grabbing. Check brake operation while rolling bike forward. See if the throttle lever moves smoothly and snaps back. 13. Start your engine using the choke. Let it run for a few minutes at low RPM. If the engine won't start, make sure the "kill" switch is off and the key is on to see if your lights work. If they're dim, your battery is weak. Consider jump-starting your bike to avoid draining the battery entirely. Even if you don't service your bike yourself, this checklist tells you what needs to be done or gets your motorcycle in shape to ride to a mechanic. |
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sites throughout the United States, there's probably one near you.
