Easy Maintenance to Keep Your Motorcycle Running Smoothly
Do you find yourself at the mechanic's shop with your motorcycle a bit too often? Some of the most important maintenance tasks for your bike also happen to be some of the easiest! Save yourself some money and read our article on how to care for your bike from the comfort of your home. If you need any extra parts, you can stop by Willamette Harley-Davidson® in Eugene, Oregon for all your motorcycle needs.
Brake Fluid
Adding the Fluid
There is a brake fluid reservoir at both the front and back ends of your motorcycle. It’s important to regularly check these reservoirs to confirm that they are filled and that the fluid is a clear, pale yellow. If the fluid is low simply unscrew the cap on the reservoir and refill it with brake fluid purchased from your local automotive store. As you’re filling your reservoir, be sure to pour carefully, as brake fluid can damage your motorcycle’s paint.
Replacing the Fluid
If your brake fluid needs to be replaced you simply need a bit of hose, a wrench and a container. Your reservoirs will have what is called a bleeder valve for removing old fluid. Attach the hose to the end of this valve, placing the other end in your container to catch the fluid. Unscrew the bolt at the end of the valve with your wrench and begin pumping your brakes. The fluid should begin draining out into the hose, and you will continue to screw and unscrew the nut while pumping your brakes to pressurize your braking system. This will ensure all the old fluid is emptied out of your motorcycle.
Tires
Before busting out your tire gauge you’ll want to give your wheels a good once over. Make sure there are no punctures, leaking air, or foregin objects stuck in your tires. You’ll also want to check that your tread is still visible and worn down evenly in all areas. If you notice your tire’s tread is uneven it’s a sign your wheels will need to be realigned. After confirming that everything looks fine, you can remove the valve covers and grab your tire gauge. Push the gauge into the tire’s valve to allow a small amount of air to escape. If the air is released into the gauge correctly, it should accurately measure your tires air pressure. Depending on your model, your bike’s preferred tire pressure may vary, so be sure to double check your owners manual!
Oil
Checking the oil in your motorcycle isn’t too different from checking the oil in a car! Regularly remove your dipstick to confirm that the oil isn’t running low or extremely dirty. Be sure to wipe the dipstick off, place it into your oil, then check its condition before adding more or deciding to replace it. If you need an oil change, you’ll need to purchase a new oil filter and 3-4 quarts of oil, both of which can be found at a local automotive store. Place a container under your bike and remove the lug nut acting as your oil plug. Oil should pour out of your motorcycle until the machine is completely empty. To refill your bike, simply replace the lug nut and remove the old oil filter. After the new filter has been added, you can refill your motorcycle with oil as you normally would!
We understand that this short guide does not cover every motorcycle maintenance task you’ll need to perform. However, we hope this article has still been helpful in teaching you how to perform some important motorcycle upkeep! If you are having some trouble with your motorcycle’s maintenance or discover a serious problem, you can visit our service department and even make an appointment online. We proudly serve the cities of Albany and Corvallis, Oregon!