Taking your Bike Out of Storage

Whether you’re buying a bike that’s been garaged for a decade by the previous owner, or simply starting your bike up on the first warm spring day of the year, there’s a good chance that it won’t be as ready to fly down the pavement as you are. Even if the bike has always been reliable, you should run down the checklist to make sure it's in perfect working order before taking it for a spin. This guide provides just that.

Visual Inspection

The first thing that you can do when getting your bike out of storage is to pull off the cover and give it a quick visual inspection. Your biggest concern should be looking for newly developed rust or corrosion that may have popped up. It’s also a good idea to give your brake and clutch levers a squeeze to make sure that everything is still operating smoothly. Check below your bike as well, if you have a leak in your fluids, several months of sitting will leave a tell tale pool beneath your motorcycle. 

Oil Change

First thing’s first, you changed your oil before the winter, and it’s time to change it again. Engine oil, like gas, can separate out from water which will corrode the internal components of your bike. Swap out your oil before you think about riding again. 

Battery

If your battery has been on a tender in the garage, hook it up and you’re okay. If you forgot to disconnect your battery, it’s probably going to have zero charge, so you’ll need to get it charged up or replaced before you ride again.

Tires

If you parked your bike on a center stand then your tires are probably in the same condition that you left them, but that’s no excuse to skip your inspection. Make sure you rotate the tires, looking carefully at the tread and sidewall for signs of bulging, cracking, or general wear. If the tread has started getting thin, consider getting a new set to kick off your riding season. 

Gas

If you properly winterized your bike then you added a dose of fuel stabilizer to the gas tank before you stored your motorcycle away for the season. Fuel stabilizer doesn’t do your bike’s performance any favors, so you may want to consider draining the fuel tank and putting fresh gas in your bike. That being said, many riders don’t mind the excuse to take an extended ride just to burn off that gas, it’s your call.

Mechanic

It’s not a bad idea to schedule a service appointment before the riding season. You don’t have to do this every year, but it’s helpful to have your bike looked at by an expert once in a while, just to give you peace of mind. 

Many things can happen to a bike when it’s stored for a long period of time, from the battery draining to water getting into the fuel supply. If you’re lucky, there won’t be any major mechanical problems. However, it’s always best to have a professional look over it, give it an oil change, and make sure everything is in top shape. To take advantage of top-quality motorcycle maintenance services, be sure to stop by Willamette Valley Harley-Davidson® here in Eugene, OR. We’re proud to serve those nearby in Albany and Corvallis, OR, and look forward to assisting you with all of your important maintenance needs.