Daily motorcycle maintenance

Daily motorcycle maintenance 

You passed the CBT, got the bike, got the gear and are ready to hit the road but, wait.

Before setting off on any motorcycle journey, there are a few basic daily checks that you should perform to ensure the best performance and maximum safety on your pride and joy.

Here are five areas that you should pay close attention to;

Check the ground around the motorcycle

When you first approach the motorcycle, have a quick look at the floor under the bike to check for any signs of leaking petrol, oil or lubricants.  Petrol leaks can be extremely hazardous and could cause the bike to catch fire if not remedied immediately.

Engine oil leaks can occur when engine seals perish, leading to low levels of engine lubrication causing excessive engine wear.  

Modern motorcycle suspension systems use a combination of springs and oil filled dampers.  Fork seals can perish on the front legs of the bike forks, raising the possibility of oil coming into contact with the tyres, leading to reduced grip or the brake discs, leading to diminished breaking performance.

Check the tyres

Inspect the tyres for general wear and foreign bodies such as glass or nails.  Look at how the tyre is wearing down, commuters may find that the rear tyre wears down quicker through the centre than the outside edges.  Ensure that tyres are inflated to the manufacturers' specification, this can normally be found on the swing arm of the bike or in the user manual.  

A small tyre pressure gauge should form part of your bike's toolkit.  They are reasonably cheap to buy but will ensure that your tyres are prepared to give you maximum grip before setting off.  

Check the brakes

Motorcycle brakes are an essential part of the motorcycle system.  Poor braking performance can lead to an elevated risk of collision as reaction times have to be adjusted to counter the poor performance of excessively worn brakes.  If the brake pads become completely worn out, then the discs run the risk of overheating and warping due to the steel on steel contact.  Riders should ensure that there is a minimum of 1.5mm left on the pads before starting a journey.

Brake cables should be tight enough to allow a full range of movement of the handlebars without applying any tension to the brake cable.  

In fluid braking systems, levels should be inspected through the viewing slot, to ensure correct levels are present before moving off.  Brake and clutch fluid reservoirs can be fairly easily topped up but attention to detail must be paid when filling up.  Riders must ensure that the proper fluids are used, according to the manufactures specification, to avoid vaporisation due to heat which may lead to brake failure.

Check the chain and sprockets  

The motorcycle chain and sprockets should be kept clean, oiled and free from grit and dirt to preserve the chain for as long as possible.  Running a bike with a dry chain can cause the chain and sprocket to wear out prematurely, increasing the risk of the chain breaking whilst on the move. 

Chain tension should be set in accordance with the manufacturers' recommendations.  There should be a small amount of free play in the chain but not enough for the chain to slip off the sprocket. 

There is usually a guide to chain tensioning in the owner’s manual of the bike but if you lack the tools or confidence to adjust the chain yourself, then the best thing to do is take the bike along to your local workshop and have a qualified mechanic adjust it for you.  

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Startup and electrics.

After you have completed the walk around part of your checks, and you are happy with the condition of the bike, the next thing to do is start the bike up.  Riders should avoid the temptation of revving a cold engine and should let the bike idle for at least 30 seconds, to ensure that the oil in the sump has enough time to heat up and coat the working parts thoroughly.

Whilst waiting for the bike to heat up, riders should test the bike's lights and indicators, ensuring that they are clean and in good working order.  Riders can also check the dashboard for any warning lights that the ECU may have picked up on.  

If there is a fault warning, consult the owner’s handbook to determine if the fault is something that requires immediate attention or if it’s safe to ride to the workshop to have remedied.

Now that your checks are complete – it’s time to hit the open road.