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A Must-Know Motorcycle Maintenance Checklist

A Must-Know Motorcycle Maintenance Checklist

Maintaining a motorcycle is not as difficult as it may seem at first glance. It’s just like maintaining any other vehicle, except that you must pay attention to specific details that are different from those of cars or trucks. This article contains a must-know motorcycle maintenance checklist you can employ to keep your bike running smoothly and safely.

Change the Oil

Oil plays a vital role in keeping your engine clean and lubricated. The best way to change the oil is to remove the drain plug on the bottom of the crankcase and pour fresh oil into the pan. You should do this every 5,000 to 8,000 miles to ensure proper lubrication for the rest of the engine’s life. If you don’t change the oil regularly, your motorcycle will need more frequent repairs.

Check the Tire Pressure

Tire pressure affects performance and safety. A properly inflated tire provides better traction and helps prevent flat tires by providing greater contact with the road surface. To check the air pressure, simply look inside the tire valve cap. If there is no needle gauge, then the tire has been underinflated. In either case, you should inflate the tire to recommended levels before riding.

Change the Coolant

The cooling system also needs regular maintenance to ensure that it functions properly. Changing the coolant is easy enough; all you have to do is remove the radiator cap, fill up the reservoir with new coolant, replace the cap, and let the engine run until the temperature stabilizes.

Brakes

Brake parts and components wear out over time, so you should replace them periodically. Change the brake fluid every year or two, and make sure that the master cylinder piston is free of dirt and grime.

Spark Plugs

Spark plugs ignite fuel in the combustion chamber. They are located between the cylinders and the intake manifold. When spark plugs become dirty or clogged, they won’t produce a strong spark, which means less power. So it’s essential to change them when necessary.

As you can see, there isn’t anything daunting to maintain on a motorcycle. If you follow this must-know motorcycle maintenance checklist, you’ll be able to avoid costly repairs and keep your bike performing well.

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