|
Item |
General Procedure |
| Electrical |
*Check head light high/low beam, tail/brake light, turn
signals, instrument and driving lights.
*Test Kill button/switch
and 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 or Test Breakers. Fire is bad.
|
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.
*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. Don't bet your life on worn
brakes!
|
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.
|
| Highway Tool Kit & Spares |
*Wrench set. *Sockets with ratchet, extensions, U-swivel.
*Screw drivers. *Pliers (needle nose, vice grip & slip joint).
*Crescent wrench. *Hex wrenches. *Small utility knife. *Small hammer
& punch. *Hack saw blades. *File. *Thickness gauge. *12v test
lamp. *Fuses. *Assorted nuts, bolts, cotter pins, etc. *Chain mast.
link & spare links. *Spark plugs. *Ign. points or module. *Hose
clamp. *Bulbs. *Spoke wrench. *Elect. Tape. *Elect. wire. *1 Can
Flat Fix. *Flat tire plug kit. *Sm. tube silicon/gasket maker.
*Picture (braided)wire. *1 Qt. Oil. *Shop rag. *Small flash light.
*8'x10' poly plastic rain sheet. *CELL PHONE...
|
*Ride Smart! *Always Lock Your Bike. **A Small First-Aid Kit Can Save A
Life.
Thanks to Motorcycle City for this
tipsheet! |
