Service Tips

Chains, Belts, & Shafts

The engine creates a motorcycle's power, but it's the system of belts, chains, and drive shafts that get that power to wheels. These parts are incredibly important to maintain because a major problem means your bike will be dead in the water. For belts and chains, tension is incredibly important. Your belts and chains shouldn't be totally taut, but should instead have a little bit of slack. You can adjust this yourself, or you can have a professional work on it. What you can do yourself is use a little bit of spray lubricant to help clean and lubricate chains. The longer dirt, grime, and road salt sit on your chain, the more likely it will be to corrode. Spray lubricant will penetrate and release this grime and leave you with a healthy chain. If you have a drive shaft, congratulations, your drive system is virtually maintenance-free.

Brakes

Most motorcycles use a hydraulic disc brake system. The two main elements to consider when looking at your brakes are fluid levels and brake pad wear. There should be a front brake reservoir and a rear reservoir. These will have a measure printed on the side to show you how much fluid should be in them. If they are low, remove the cap and top off the fluid. If you don't see any fluid in the reservoir, you might have a much bigger problem and should avoid riding your bike until you can take it to the mechanic. Brake pads should be evenly worn and smooth, meaning that you shouldn't be able to see any metal posts on the surface of your brakes. Motorcycle manufacturers often include a recommendation for scheduled brake maintenance, and this is another good measure for understanding when you need new brakes. If you feel any grinding or vibration when you brake, you should get your brakes checked out by a professional.

Tires

Tires on a motorcycle don't last nearly as long as tires on a car. Where you might get four or five years of regular driving out of car tires, you probably won't get more than a year of regular riding out of motorcycle tires. Make sure to check the air pressure in your tires on a regular basis, filling them up with air when they are low. Make sure to perform visual inspections regularly, too, so that you'll have a better chance of catching pieces of metal or other foreign objects you might have picked up. Finally, give your tires a wash down on a regular basis to remove corrosive road salt and dirt.

Oil

Checking your oil is one of the easiest but most important parts of motorcycle ownership. Simply pull out the dipstick, wipe the oil off with a towel, reinsert the dipstick and then pull it out again to check the oil level against the measure printed on the side of the dipstick. If the oil is below the approved range, add oil until you get it back to the appropriate level. If the oil is sludgy and dark, you should swap in new oil, as old oil will rob you of power and performance.

Battery

You'll want to occasionally give your battery a check to make sure it's in good shape. It shouldn't be covered in flakey white scales or green powder, which indicate post corrosion. When you go to store your motorcycle for the winter, make sure to remove the battery, as leaving it in your bike will sap its charge and possibly even ruin it.

Hopefully this guide has provided you with some useful information for maintaining your bike. Always pay attention to whatever your bike might be trying to tell you, whether it's a knocking engine, a grinding transmission, or a clutch that just won't engage. When you need service, stop by Henderson Harley-Davidson®. We can help get your motorcycle back into shape in no time!