Motorcycle Care Basics You Could Actually Do Yourself

Knowing some basic maintenance can go a long way when it comes to motorcycles. When you know how to maintain and care for your motorcycle, you can save some money for maintenance and increase your safety in the road as well. Since there are different models of motorcycles, it is important that you check first the owner’s manual to know its parts and how to deal with them. For starters, here are some care and maintenance basics every motorcycle owner should know.

Clean the Chain

The chain plays an important role on how your motorcycle runs. If you notice that the chain is significantly dirty, it’s time to consider cleaning it. You can also check the owner’s manual to know the recommended mileage on when you’ll need to clean it. When cleaning it, set the transmission to neutral and elevate the rear wheel of your motorcycle.

This setup makes it easier to move the chain around while cleaning. Gently brush the dirt and grime off the chain and lubricate it after when necessary. After applying the lubricant fluid, let it stay for a few minutes to fully coat all the parts before wiping the excess fluid with a paper towel. Check this out for the best range of motorcycle cleaning products online.

Changing Oil

This fluid is essential in making your motorcycle run properly. It is stated on the owner’s manual on how often you need to change your motorcycle’s oil – usually at a certain mileage. To change the oil, start and warm up your motorcycle first for about 5 minutes to make the oil less viscous. Then, turn the engine off and while it is in upright position remove both the drain and oil fill plug so that the old oil will flow into the drain pan. After, remove the old oil filter and replace it with a new one. Put back all the parts that you have removed and refill it with new motorcycle oil.

Maintaining Tire Pressure

Your motorcycle tires need to have the right pressure in order to run properly and safely. You can simply check the tire pressure using an air pressure gauge. You can do this by removing the cap and putting the pressure gauge into the valve. The pressure gauge will show you the air pressure inside the tire. Compare it with the recommended pressure marked on the tire’s sidewall.

Inflate it when it falls below the recommended pressure and release some air when it is too high. Once you get just the right tire pressure, place back the cap and secure it tightly. An overinflated or underinflated tire is not as efficient compared to those tires with the right pressure. Aside from being inefficient, it can also cause damage to your wheels in the long run especially when you’re driving with an underinflated tire.

You can actually do some motorcycle maintenance at the comfort of your garage as long as you know the basics and how to do it in actual.

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