Motorcycle Maintenance You Can Do

No one likes taking their motorcycle in for a service. It costs you money you could be spending on motorcycle trips and gear. It takes time for the repairs that could be spent on the road. Sure, you can’t prevent all maintenance issues. But you can prevent some with a little proactivity. We put together a beginner’s guide to motorcycle maintenance below. When you need professional service, visit Cycles of Jacksonville. You’ll find us in Jacksonville, Florida.

Brakes

These are the most important aspect of your motorcycle. Without functioning brakes, you could encounter severe accidents. Monitor your brake fluids often. Check the front and rear reserves and top off when necessary. Look at your brake pads as well since they get worn down as you ride. Replace them when they get too worn down. When you encounter any squeaking, grinding, or pulsating, take your motorcycle in for a service.

Tires

Well-maintained tires help your ride go smooth and go safe. You need to check two aspects of the tire. First, is your tire pressure. When your tires are overinflated, they lose contact with the road. When your tires are underinflated, they can’t cope properly with forces pushing against them. Use your tire pressure gauge to check them in the morning when tires are cold for the best reading. Compare the measurement to the recommendations in your owner’s manual and adjust if necessary.

Second, you’ll want to examine your tire’s tread. The tread helps your motorcycle keep traction with the road. As you ride your motorcycle, the tread gets worn down naturally. Your owner’s manual will tell you at what point the tread is too worn down. It’s important to replace your tires when it is within this threshold. Otherwise, you risk losing control of your motorcycle when you ride!

Chain, Shafts, and Belts

Power runs from your motorcycle engine through a complicated system of chains, shafts, and belts. Make sure all are in good repair and well-lubricated. Check the adjustment of the belt too. If it is too tight, it’ll strain the material. If it is too loose, it could come loose.

Fuel

Look at your motorcycle filter often. If it gets clogged, it’ll drain power. When you hear a sputtering sound or struggle to start the engine, it’s time to replace the fuel filter.

It’s important to be intentional of the fuel you use. Riders who don’t ride often should stick with a higher octane fuel. Ethanol-heavy fuels can transform into a corrosive sludge if left sitting too long.

Windshields

Your motorcycle windshield gets dirty as you ride. Debris, mud, water, and bugs collect on its surface. You’ll want to wash them off, but don’t scrub hard as it can scratch the surface. Sometimes substances get caked onto the windshield. All you need is to put a soapy towel on top and let it soak for a few minutes. This should do the trick is loosening it up so you can gently wipe it off.

When you follow these steps, you can reduce the issues you’ll encounter. But you still will eventually need to service your motorcycle. When that day comes, bring it to the experts at Cycles of Jacksonville. We operate a parts replacement and service department that can get your motorcycle running like new. If you are looking to buy, check out our stock of new and used motorcycles. Check out our finance options and trade-in options to help bring the cost down. Our friendly staff can help you find the right motorcycle for your budget. We proudly serve those in Jacksonville, St. Augustine, and Orlando, Florida.