Getting Ready for Spring!

The first day of spring has come and gone. It went by so fast I barely noticed it. For those that are finally able to get their bikes back on the road remember there are a few things you should make sure are working properly before you ride.

Check your tires:

Don’t just check your tire pressure, check the tread depth, check for cracks in the rubber, and check the valve stem for wear.

Check your drive mechanism:

Some folks have belts, some folks have chains so the maintenance is different.

With belts make sure there are not chips, tears, or fraying of the belt. If you have a tension gauge check to make the belt tension is within spec.

If you go old school and rock a chain I salute you. I also know where you parked because of the oil drops on the ground. Chain maintenance is super important for long life and smooth riding. Look at your sprockets for wear, teeth should be sharp, and not rounded.

Chains are generally a bit oily but they should not have residue build up, dirt stuck to it, or large nicks. If you see any o-rings or links that don’t line up anymore change your chain!

Brakes:

Check your rotors for uneven wear marks, excessive rust build up, and visually inspect for any warping.

Same thing for you brake pads. Look for any missing material, excess dirt, and make sure there is plenty of pad visible.

Lines and Cables:

One of the last thing most people think about are their lines and cables. You can have the best brakes in the world but if the fluid doesn’t make it there they won’t work. Same thing with that throttle, no cable, no go.

Cables need lubricated and the cable ends greased. Personally I use a white lithium grease to add a level of water protection. It does not take much to protect the cables.

Brake line inspection is checking for bulges, discoloration or cracking.

Grips:

Another often overlooked area are your hand grips. Slippery and worn grips reduce your motorcycle control, that slippery surface also adds to rider fatigue. Hard to relax those hands when hey can’t hold the bars properly.

There are other items and certainly more in depth maintenance but these are areas that are highly important when getting your ride back on the road!

Is there anything we missed, tell us in the comments below.