Basic Harley-Davidson® Motorcycle Maintenance

A Harley-Davidson® motorcycle can last a lifetime if you want it to. That’s years of freedom, decades of great riding, and hundreds of great memories on the road. But in order to get the most out of your bike, it will require some very careful and consistent maintenance. Components left uncared for will quickly break down, especially if you’re not paying attention to the signs that your bike is starting to develop problems. With this guide from Bartel’s Harley-Davidson, we’ll walk you through some of the basic but important aspects of motorcycle maintenance. You can avoid serious issues, save money, and keep your bike running for years and possibly even decades. Of course, for some tasks, you’ll need more serious maintenance, so never hesitate to stop by our service and parts department for other repairs. We’re Marina Del rey, serving Malibu and Santa Monica, California.

Lubrication

A Harley-Davidson® motorcycle’s engine is known for generating incredible power and torque. However, that muscle doesn’t mean much unless it can properly be distributed to the tires, which is where the transmission system comes in. Harley® bikes rely on a belt system, which connects to the rear tire and appropriates the rotations created by the engine in order to move the tire. This is obviously an important component, and while belts are respected by many riders for being virtually maintenance free, you’ll still need to take a look at it every once in awhile. If it’s frayed or damaged in any way, that means you should bring it in right away to get it repaired or replaced. Similarly, while belts on these hogs will automatically adjust, sometimes they get a little out of whack, so it’s not a bad idea to check them every once in awhile for tightness. It should have some slack, but if it’s too snug or loose, you’ll want a mechanic to do a quick adjustment on it. This will prevent a lot of damage to the engine, and it’ll help keep your bike performing at the highest level.

Inspect the Braking System

Brakes aren’t just important for performance, but also safety. If you don’t keep your brakes in check, you’ll risk expensive repairs, dull riding, and even personal injury. That’s why it’s vital for every rider of a Harley-Davidson® motorcycle to take a look at the fluids on a regular basis. On a bike, there are two brake fluid reservoirs—one in the front and one in the rear. You need to check these to make sure they’re filled to the mark. Once they start running low, you can pick up some fluid from an auto parts store, but make sure you get one that’s compatible with your model (this information should be in your manual).

Oil

Lubrication is what keeps your engine running. Without good oil, the internal components will start to grind together, which can lead to extremely expensive repairs. Because of this, you’ll need to check the oil, using the dipstick, and make sure that there’s enough and that it’s quality is good. You can simply top it off when it starts running low, but when the fluid gets dark and viscous, you’ll want to bring it into our dealership to change the oil and filter. Being diligent about your oil will save your bike from a lot of problems, but thankfully, an oil check is a really simple task.

By following these basic routines for motorcycle upkeep, you can help make your Harley-Davidson® motorcycle last for years to come. Make sure to ask us questions if you ever need assistance, and of course, our service department at Bartel’s Harley-Davidson is always here to serve you if you need parts or repairs. We’re in Marina Del Rey, serving Malibu and Santa Monica, California.