Essential Motorcycle Maintenance Prep

There are a lot of maintenance tasks that need to be addressed on your motorcycle from time to time (see our full list of maintenance tasks to address everything). Keeping up on these tasks will keep your bike at its peak. But what if your motorcycle was put away in fine working order and you’re just ready to pull it out for a ride after it’s been sitting for a bit? Don’t just pull the bike out and hit the road. There are still things you should check, but the basics should be just fine to get you back out on the highway.

Check out our list below for the basics and let us know in the comments what things you check.

Oil & Fluids

Checking and changing your motorcycle’s oil and fluids has to be number one. Whether you put it away with a change or not, you need to ensure that everything is topped off and fresh before the first start. With out the proper lube and coolant, you run the risk of severe engine damage. But you know that, right? So take the extra time and ensure you’re rolling with fresh oil and coolant.

Don’t forget your brake fluid. Brake fluid does degrade over time, resulting in spongey brakes. It’s also good to check the levels to ensure that there are no leaks in the system. The same goes for hydraulic clutches.

Brakes

Done checking your brake fluid? Great. Now it’s time to check the actual brake components. Give the pads and rotors a good look to check for any visible damage, warpage, or excessive wear. Maybe you remember some squeaking the last time you rode. Time for some new pads. Many brake pads have wear indicator grooves to let you know when it’s time to replace them. If the groove is gone, it’s time. No groove on your pads? Make sure there is at least a tenth of an inch left of material.

Inspect the rotors for excessive rust and warping. If present, it’s time for new rotors. If they look fine, you then need to inspect the thickness. As rotors wear, they lose their thickness, and in turn, their effective stopping power. Each rotor should have a minimum thickness stamped into the side. Use a micrometer to measure the thickness and ensure it is still within spec.

Battery

Sitting unused for long periods of time can be the death knell for a motorcycle battery. If you didn’t have a float charger on while it was sitting, the battery could have been drained by any parasitic draws. Being frozen with low voltage is terrible for a battery. Hook your charger up and ensure that your battery can hold the proper charge. It’s also not a bad idea to load test your battery after it’s been sitting in a questionable state. Most auto part stores can do this for you. If any weakness is shown in the battery, it’s time to cull that old battery for a new one.

Final Drive

Whether your bike features a belt, chain, or drive shaft, the final drive is critical to getting the power to the wheel. Taking the time to inspect this area can save you the agony of being stranded on the side of the road

For drive belts, look them over for any cords pulling away, lugs missing or torn, any major rips, and holes. A few small nicks in the the rubber is acceptable and the same can be said for small fraying, though be sure to watch the progression as you ride more and more.

On chain equipped bikes, there are a couple of ways to inspect the health of the chain. The more precise way will be detailed in your service manual. This procedure will require hanging a weight off the chain and measuring the length of specific number of links. Another, less precise way, is to pull the chain away from the rear sprocket. If you see a half tooth or more, it’s time for a replacement. You’ll also want to look for kinked links, missing pins, or any other visible damage to the chain. Make sure you also look at the sprockets. Look for excessive hooking (shark tooth shape) or broken teeth. Replacing everything as a set is a good plan, but sprockets can last multiple chains. Keep your chain cleaned and lubed for a longer life.

The beauty of drive shaft bikes is the minimal maintenance. But, that doesn’t mean no maintenance. Be sure to keep up on the periodic lube changes. Take a look at the seals and look for any leaks. If you are more concerned, check the backlash of the gear per your service manual. Having a pro do this task may be best for inexperienced mechanics.

Tires

Like many other components, sitting for long periods of time is not great for tires. As you look over the tires, look for any weather checking, bulges, exposed cords, or excessive hardening. Also look for any cupping or strange wear patterns. Check the tread depth to see if you have enough tread remaining. Some tires have wear indicators on them for this task. No wear indicators? Take a penny and insert it into the tread at its thinnest area with Lincoln going head first. If any of his head is showing, it’s time for some new tires.

So there’s our quick hit list of maintenance tasks. These are all you may need for well taken care of bikes. A more exhaustive look may be required for older and neglected motorcycles. Let us know in the comments what your routine looks like when you take your bike out from a deep sleep.