So you’ve just bought a motorcycle and you’re loving the feeling of independence and freedom when it’s just you, your bike, and the open road.
But, how do you make sure that your motorcycle is always in tip-top condition without spending hundreds of dollars on regular trips to the mechanic?
There are some essential motorcycle repair tips and tasks that you should know about. Keep reading to learn all about them.
Table of Contents
Change the Oil
Knowing how to change the oil on your motorcycle is a rite of passage that all new riders should become familiar with. It’s crucial to keep your engine running smoothly.
Check your motorcycle manual to find out how often your model needs an oil change. You’ll need to change it every couple of thousand miles and you need to make sure that you’ve got the right oil.
One of the most important motorcycle repair tips is to warm up the bike with a quick five-minute ride before changing the oil. This is so that the oil loosens up and will be easier to drain.
Check, Lubricate, and Clean the Chain
You want to make sure that your chain is always working correctly, and is not too loose or too tight. A loose chain may become tangled and causes the back wheel to lock. On the other hand, a very tight change will wear and damage other motorcycle parts.
You can check it by lifting the chain from the lowest part with two fingers. You’re looking for about 1.5 inches of give, but check your manual for your specific motorcycle.
You’ll need rear wheel nuts and adjustment screws to make any adjustments.
Ensure that your chain is always clean and adequately lubricated so that it won’t bind up. Use a gentle brush to remove dirt and grim and then apply chain lube.
Replace the Air Filter
Replacing an air filter is one of the easier repair jobs that you can learn to do by yourself. The air filter is responsible for keeping debris out of your engine so you want to ensure that it isn’t clogged and dirty.
While it’s a straightforward task, it can take quite some time. You may have to remove the gas tank and other parts to get to it.
Air filters are some of the cheapest motorcycle replacement parts, so rather than continuous cleaning, it’s best to just replace it entirely.
Maintain the Tires
Refer to your manual to find out the correct tire pressure for your motorcycle and check the pressure yourself — it’s an easy job! You can use an air compressor to fill the tires up as much as needed.
Check your tires’ tread by inspecting the tire’s wear indicator. This is a little rubber knob that sits in the grooves of the tires. You’ll need to replace your tires if the knob is at the same level of rubber that meets the road.
Buy Motorcycle Replacement Parts Online
Buying motorcycle parts online is convenient and cost-effective, and can save you a lot of money. You’ll also have a wider range of options available so it will be easy to find the parts you need.
There are online sites dedicated to certain motorcycles, so if you’re looking for Kawasaki motorcycle parts, it will be simple and affordable.
Motorcycle Repair Checklist to Keep Your Bike Running Smoothly
If you take some time to maintain your bike and do DIY motorcycle repair tasks every once in a while, you’ll have many happy miles on the road. Check your manual to understand the specifics and keep the important checklist in mind.
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