The Motorcycle season is well and truly upon us and most of you will be hitting (if you've not already do so) the open roads on your two-wheeler to freedom. After a long winter in extended storage, your bike will most likely need some TLC.
Start the riding season right with this inspection checklist. The following is inspection checklist that will help you get your motorcycle ready to ride after a long few months of the UK winter.
T - Tyres and Wheels:-
Check the air pressure of your tyres and inflate to the correct pressure (see owner's manual). Look for wear-and-tear on the treads, cracks, bulges or embedded objects, while your there also check your wheels for roundness, cracks and dents, and bent, broken or missing spokes(if you have them).
C - Controls
Check the levers and pedals to make sure they're still lubricated, and adjusted and fitted properly. They should not be broken, bent, or cracked or any rubber covers missing or cracked.
Inspect the cables to make sure they are not frayed, kinked, or folded into sharp angles or split. Also, test them to make sure your bike's cables at no time interfere with your ability to steer or brake.
Check hoses for cuts, cracks, leaks, bulges, chafing or deterioration. Like cables, hoses should not interfere with your steering or suspension, and should not be folded into sharp angles. Test that the throttle moves freely, does not stick and snaps closed when released.
L - Lights
If you removed your battery over the winter, Take care while installing it (see owner's manual) or better still invest in a optimiser for next year that will keep your motorcycle battery in tiptop working condition.
Check the battery to make sure the terminals are clean and tight and it's properly charged and secured.
Check the air box pipes to confirm that no leaves or other objects are clogging them up and proventing them from working properly.
Look over the light covers on the bike to make sure they are not cracked or broken, are securely mounted and do not have excessive condensation trapped within them.
Make sure the reflectors are not cracked, broken and are securely mounted.
Review the bike's headlamp for cracks. Confirm it points at the right height and direction. Test the operation of the high beam and low beam options including the flasher.
Test the rear light and brake light to make sure they work when they should, and they are not cracked. Clean and ensure they are properly secured.
Test both of the indicators to make sure the blubs are working and they have no cracks - left and right!
O- Oil and fluids
Check the levels and quality of the engine oil, gear oil(if seperate), shaft drive, hydraulic fluid, coolant and fuel. Replace or top-up fluids that are low. Once re-filled check for leaks.
F - Frame
Check the condition of the frame, looking for lifting paint, cracks, or dents.
Make sure the front forks and rear shocks are properly adjusted.
Check the tension of the belt or chain. Lubricate the chain if needed, and inspect the teeth of the sprockets confirming they are not worn and are properly mounted in place.
Replace broken items.
S- Stands
For both centre stands(if you have them) and side stands, make sure they are not cracked or bent and that it springs into place and has the required tension to hold the bike in position also make sure that the sidestand kill switch is not stuck and is fully working as if this fails it will stop your motorcycle from starting.
All the above should be taken with care and fully understanding of the job in hand. We don't claim to be professionals and only offer our knowledge and advice from years of experience. If your in anyway uncertain of how to do anything in this article STOP and take your motorcycle to your nearest motorcycle professional, Garage or main dealer.
