You know that regular upkeep of your motorcycle is important. But do you know that many aspects of maintenance and preventative care can be done on your own? All you need is the right tools and a bit of knowledge to help keep your motorcycle parts running smoothly. You may even reduce the number of times you have to go in for a motorcycle service!

Here at Willamette Valley Harley-Davidson®, we want to make things as easy as possible for you. That's why we created the following list of tools below. For all your bike needs, visit our location. We are a Harley-Davidson dealer proudly serving those in Corvallis, Portland, Medford, and Salem, Oregon.

Tire Pressure Gauge

The pressure of your tires impacts your ride experience. When tires are overly inflated, they lack enough contact with the road. When they are underinflated, they struggle to deal with the forces pushing down on them. When they are at the right pressure, it'll improve your ride and the lifespan of the tires.

It's easy to measure air pressure. All you need is a low-cost tool known as a tire pressure gauge. It's compact enough that you can easily store it in your cargo box. Test the tires before you hit the road to find out of you need to adjust them at all. It's best to do this measurement in the morning before you've hit the road. That way, the tires are cold and you will get a more accurate reading.

Socket Set

For repairs involving nuts and bolts, you'll want to use sockets as your first approach. They are less likely to damage a fastener and you can find ones with warranties that guarantee quality and a high lifespan. It's one purchase that can last years. Get a set of metric sockets and a medium sized socket wrench and you should be able to handle a range of projects.

Air Compressor

This piece of gear is more of an investment, but it's a crucial part of a do-it-yourself motorcycle service. If you discover that your tires need more pressure, this tool will help you inflate them to the right levels. You can also connect the air compressor to an air wrench for faster repairs or assistance cleaning your bike.

Breaker Bar

Sometimes a stubborn nut or bolt simply won't budge. This is more common on older models were the fasteners get rusted or frozen into place. A break bar adds an extended handle to the socket from your socket wrench set. This helps you apply more leverage which makes it much easier to get that nut or bolt moving.

Multimeter

One category of motorcycle parts that tend to have issues is the electrical systems. Before you can attempt to fix them, you'll need to know what the issue is. A multimeter is a tool professional mechanics use to pinpoint the issue and diagnose a failing electrical part. It's a conveniently sized item able to fit in your hand. It'll measure voltage, amperage, wattage, and ohms. It can help clue you in on what the issue is and help you know whether you need to visit a Harley-Davidson dealer to fix the problem or if you can handle it on your own.

We hope you found this list helpful! For all your bike needs, visit Willamette Valley Harley-Davidson. If you need motorcycle parts or a motorcycle service, our expert staff can help. We also offer a range of motorcycles for sale. We proudly serve those in Corvallis, Portland, Medford, and Salem, Oregon. Whatever you need, you can find it with us. Stop by today!