Motorcycle Maintenance Projects You Can Do At Home

A lot of us are stuck at our kitchen tables and couches thanks to this ruthless coronavirus, and if you’re like us you may be going just a little bit stir crazy. But just ’cause you’re being asked to stay home, it doesn’t mean you should neglect your motorcycle. Fact is, prime riding season is staring us right in the face, so it might be a good time to get off the La-Z-Boy and get into the garage. You can pass the time smartly by cranking out some easy but crucial maintenance on your machine while saving yourself a bit of scratch and, even better, get a jump on all that great mile munching you’ll be doing once we get the all-clear again.

Related: Bringing Your Motorcycle Out Of Storage

All you’ll need are a few basic tools, your motorcycle service manual, and a bit of space to spread out in. The Motorcycle Cruiser website has a host of great advice and in-depth articles to help you in your quest, and we’ve called the relevant ones out. So grab a wrench—though you won’t even need it for some of these jobs—and a shop towel and let’s get cracking on nine simple things you can do to dial in your bike.

Related: Prepping Your Bike for Spring

These don’t necessarily count as bike maintenance items, but you gotta start somewhere.

First things first; set aside a clean workspace that’s free of clutter and enhanced with good lighting. Get your tools ready for the job at hand (check out our tips for a basic tool setup).

If you have the space and the funds, you might want to set up your workspace so it can handle the widest variety of maintenance services. (Info on floor jacks can be found here.)

Inspecting the oil and brake fluid on a regular basis should be a snap, but you’d be surprised at how many riders drop the ball. Checking the brake fluid is a simple matter of looking at the master cylinder reservoir sight glass to see if it falls between the minimum and maximum fluid level lines. If fluid is low, it could mean the brake pads are worn, so inspect them before adding fluid (see No. 6). Also if the fluid is muddy, a change is overdue.

Related: DIY Simple Maintenance

Fork seals can fail if a bike has been sitting for a while. Run a paper towel around the stanchion and seal to uncover signs of oil seepage. Check for any leaks from the oil and coolant systems too. Most motorcycle parts and fluids are still available at several online sources.

You only check it when it dies, right? Before you go any further, start ’er up—especially if the bike’s been sitting untended. (You’ll need to know it starts before you can change the oil.) Even if your ride sees occasional use or is ridden mainly for short trips, the battery can take a beating, so pull it out, make sure the terminals are clean, and keep it plugged into the charger anytime the bike isn’t being used. If you’re running lots of accessories, consider hooking up a voltmeter or battery monitor to keep tabs on the charging system.

The New Rider’s Guide to Basic Maintenance

This step should be done whenever your bike’s been sitting for a while, especially if you’re bringing it out of winter storage. All you’ll need is fresh oil, a new filter, a drain pan, universal filter pliers (in most cases), and a box wrench. Get the specifics here: How to Change Your Motorcycle’s Oil and Filter.

Tuning carburetors isn’t a quick or easy job, so for instant gratification, take a closer look at the air filter. Funky-shaped filters—and even many stock airboxes—strangle the air intake, so swap them for something more open and, in many cases, you’ll see instant improvement in performance. In fact, go ahead and change or clean your filter anyway, especially if it’s been a while since you checked. While you’re at it, take a closer glance at all the intake gaskets and seals, especially on bikes with some years and miles on them. And if the bike’s been parked for a while, don’t forget to drain the carburetor float bowls to clear out all the accumulated gunk. If you really do want to get into your carburetor though, here are some of the finer points: How Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) Works - How To.

When was the last time you checked your final drive? Like the tires, it’s a woefully neglected component. Luckily you don’t need much time to rectify things; drive shafts don’t require more than the occasional oil change and a regular once-over for leaks. Belts require a bit more attention, and chains will ask the most.

Inspect the belt’s slack adjustment—check the shop manual for the specifics—and inspect it for physical damage. Serious chafing or any fraying on the edges means it’s time for a new belt.

Drive chains are needier, but they’ll last longer if you show them a little love. The main thing is to keep them clean and lubricated; how often depends on the miles you’re putting in, the weather, and whether you have a non-sealed or O-ring chain. Check the tension, stick to the factory recommendations, and keep an eye out for rusted links, hooked sprocket teeth, and the like. Worn components should be replaced ASAP, and always apply a quality chain lube. Get the full monty here: Basic Chain Care for Your Motorcycle.

You’ve already checked the brake fluid, right, and while you’re doing the brake system, might as well check the pads. Inspecting the brake pads and calipers takes only a flashlight and some flexibility. The pads will usually have a visual indicator to let you know how much life is left; once the indicator disappears, it’s time to replace the pad. And if your inspection reveals worn pads, changing them is a relatively simple operation too. Get details here: Brake Maintenance.

This one’s also a critical inspection point. Under- or overinflated tires create handling problems, increase wear, and compromise safety, so get into the habit of checking the tire’s condition—as well as its pressure—routinely.

All tires have wear indicators built into them, most often appearing as bars across the tread, and when they’re visible it’s time to replace the tire. Stick a penny into the tread with the top of Abe Lincoln’s head pointed toward the tire; if his whole noggin is visible, the tire is shot. Give the sidewall a look too; if you see cuts, bulges, and cracks, you probably have a serious tire casing problem. While you’re there, check the tire dates; any rubber older than three to five years is asking for trouble.

Decent tire gauges are readily available and you’ll find tire pressure spec info in the owner’s manual as well as on a sticker on the bike’s frame or swingarm. Because pressure increases as the tire warms up, do your checking and adjusting when the rubber’s cold.

Ever bother to tweak your bike’s setup? Many riders just go with what came from the seller, and oftentimes they end up suffering through awkward riding positions for years. Usually all that’s required is an hour’s worth of wrenching to make easy adjustments to your controls. Get the skinny here: The New Rider’s Guide to Basic Maintenance and Just Adjust: Set Up Your Motorcycle to Fit YOU.

Yes, it’s important—give your bike a good bath! Sure, it’ll look better, but you’ll also get a closer look at all its minutiae while you’re scrubbing away, enabling you to check bolts, cables, and controls for looseness or cracks. And don’t forget to lube your chain afterward.

Of course, you’ll also have to clean the crap you’ve left behind on the shop floor too. Maybe we’re anal, but a clear floor makes it easier the next time you have to troubleshoot. Check out some ideas here: Cleaning Products For Your Motorcycle Workshop.