Custom Search

Monday, March 19, 2012

Minimizing Costly Motorcycle Repairs

By Sanford Arslan


The need for expensive repairs on your motorcycle will likely be prevented if you do proper maintenance and preparation before you go riding. It is advisable to find out how to maintain the car yourself instead of taking it to an authorized repair center. The internet features a wealth of details on how to do basic motorcycle repair and maintenance so it is worth doing some research. Any time you are going for a ride, even if it is only a brief trip to the store, a quick check of your bike will help prevent in big repairs.

The motor oil and oil filter are the first things you should take a look at, and learning how to change the oil filter will save you some money. It's important that you know how to dispose of the oil if you plan to do the oil change yourself. You should never dispose of it into the drain but seal it in a container and take it to your nearest oil disposal facility. Since it can be an inconvenience to do that, you may want to have a professional do the oil change instead. At that time, you'll want to be checking all of the other fluid levels to see if any of them need to be changed as well. It's also advisable to examine the throttle, clutch, rear and front brakes and all other controls on your motorcycle. If you turn the handlebars through the complete operating spectrum, you can see if the steering mechanism works smoothly.

The tire pressure should be checked frequently, especially if you are touring, so make sure you have a tire gauge. If you would like to figure out the proper tire pressure, just review the owner's manual that came with the bike. You have to have your tires in good shape, so take a look at them as you are checking the pressure. The tires need to be changed should you have less than 50 percent thread left on the tire. Having any warning signs of damage, cuts or cracks, you need to replace the tires, and not try to repair them unless that is your only option. It is essential that you look for leaks particularly for the hydraulic fuel or oil because you can have costly repairs as a result.

For your own security you need to be in the habit of checking your brake lights, turn signals, taillights and headlights. It is not that hard to have the bulbs replaced and instructions are located in the manual. While checking the battery, it is possible to double the battery life if you keep the proper water level. Finding the correct level can be found easily by shining a flashlight straight into the opening.

You should always be sure that your mirrors are situated correctly before you ride off. Following these steps will make sure that your bike is running smoothly and safely. The things you are not able to carry out, you can get done at a recommended motorcycle shop.




About the Author:



Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...