5 Routine Motorcycle Maintenance Tasks you Can Do Yourself

Many motorcycle riders are also experts at servicing their bike and keeping it in the best condition possible. And, there are maintenance items that most motorcycle owners can do themselves to help keep costs down.

One word of caution- If you don’t feel comfortable completing these tasks, take your ride to a certified mechanic. It’s also important to keep your specific motorcycle manual available for reference during any routine tasks.

For more on why everyone should own a motorcycle, read our last blog post! And for more on how to safely store your motorcycle in your Cook shed during the winter months, watch this video!

Here are 5 routine tasks that any motorcycle owner or rider can do themselves!

Oil Change

Oil changes are the foundation of all vehicular maintenance, if you have a car, motorcycle, boat or other vehicle.

The oil change procedure is similar across most motorcycle brands, but it can vary according to model. It’s important to check the owner’s manual and know the right type of oil for your ride!

All you need to complete this process is a motorcycle stand, funnel, socket set, strap wrench and drain pan.

Brake Work

Having working brakes is an essential part of staying safe on your motorcycle. To keep your brakes in tip-top shape it’s important to regularly replace the brake pads/shoes and the brake fluid.

If you bike is standing in an upright position, use the socket set, a screwdriver, pliers and hex keys. A bleeder kit also comes in handy for draining any fluids.

Change Air Filter

Your machines air filters keep dust and dirt from getting into your airbox. But, because these filers are keeping that grimy stuff from getting into the internal components of your ride, it means they have to be replaced or cleaned routinely.

In those beautiful and cool spring months you might have to replace or clean this filter more often, depending on how often you ride.

To access the filer, you will have to remove either the seat or the fuel tank. Then, you can replace the dirty filter or clean it with a soft brush or compressed air. Then, clean with a solvent and reapply oil.

Replace Spark Plugs

For your motorcycle to run smoothly, it needs a quality pair of spark plugs. To change them out, first remove the fuel tank and airbox (this applies with most motorcycle brands).

Use a dedicated spark plug socket, which is designed to make plug removal safe and easy. This tool also makes checking the gap (look in the owner’s manual for this information) and adjusting it correctly much simpler.

To make future installation easier, apply a small amount of copper grease to the plug threads or add a little dielectric grease to the inside of the spark plug boot.

Adequate Cable Lube

Your motorcycle’s control (including clutch and throttle) cables are constantly moving, so it’s critical that you provide adequate lubrication to avoid breakage.

Align the cable adjusters by hand or using pliers and use a cable lubrication tool to secure the cable and apply the product.

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