Spring Maintenance for Your Harley-Davidson® Motorcycle

The time for spring cleaning is here, and there’s nothing more deserving of a good sprucing up than your Harley motorcycle. Now is a great time to do your regular maintenance, just before peak riding season. So grab your tools, put on your jeans, and get ready to give your Harley a bit of TLC.

Bartels Harley-Davidson® is more than a dealer — we’re Harley riders too! So we know you’re eager to get your bike on the road and chew up some serious pavement, but we also want to make sure your bike is ready to do real work. Whether you’ve put your motorcycle away for the season or you’ve just not had the time to ride recently, it might need a bit of attention before breaking free onto the open road.

Read on for some helpful tips on getting your bike ready for peak riding season, or if you’re after the best new and used Harley motorcycles around, head into our showroom in Marina Del Rey, California, near Malibu and Santa Monica.

Tires

Your bike’s tires are where it meets the ground, and they’re the perfect place to start your spring maintenance. Begin by checking the tire air pressure. Use a simple air pressure gauge and match the reading to the manufacturer’s recommendation printed on the side of the tire. Examine the tire tread for any foreign objects that might have gotten lodged in there, since they could come loose on future rides and cause serious damage. The tread on each tire should be wearing down evenly, and if they’re not then you might want to seek professional service. Ensure the tire wall is clear of gouges, gashes, and scalping, all of which could mean it’s time to replace your tires.

Fluids and Filters

You can check your bike’s oil the same way you would a car or truck’s: simply remove the dipstick, wipe it clean, reinsert, and then take it out again. The oil should be golden in color and have a low viscosity; discolored, sludgy oil means it’s time to replace the filter and the oil. Otherwise, just top off the levels according to the dipstick.

Front and rear wheels should each have a brake fluid reservoir. Simply check each and top off as necessary. Do the same for engine coolant. Also check the fuel filter, as a clogged one can drain lots of performance from your bike. Replace as necessary. If your fuel filter gets clogged often, consider switching to a higher octane fuel.

If your bike has been sitting for more than a month or two with fuel sitting in the tank, you’ll need to drain and replace it if you didn’t use a fuel stabilizer. Given time, water separates out of the gasoline and can rust through the fuel tank; it can also do serious damage to your engine should it get fed into the system. Don’t hesitate to replace fuel that’s too old!

Chains and Belts

The engine transfers power to different components through a series of chains, belts, and drives. You should make sure the main chain or belt that drives power to the wheels is in good condition. For a belt, this means ensuring there’s no fraying or holes that could lead to future trouble. A chain needs to be hit with some lubricant every once in a while. Both should sit balanced between too-tight and too-loose, as either extreme could mean trouble on the road.

Battery and Electronics

As with fuel, a battery that’s hooked up and has sat for too long without something like a trickle charger could mean a lack of function. If you’re having trouble starting your bike after it’s been stored for a bit, you might need to recharge it or else replace the battery entirely. If you’ve replaced a battery, but the new one drains too quickly, there could be something more seriously wrong with your bike’s electrical system. Finally, you’ll want to check the posts for corrosion. If you find any, a simple solution of baking soda and water can be applied with a toothbrush to easily remove it. If the battery is old, it might just be time to replace it.

Spring motorcycle maintenance doesn’t have to be more complicated than your routine check with some added details to ensure a bike ready for an active riding season. If you’re still after some maintenance help or just want to check out the great new and used Harley-Davidson® motorcycles for sale, head into Bartels Harley-Davidson® in Marina Del Rey, California, near Malibu and Santa Monica. Our team of knowledgeable and helpful professionals are more than eager to answer all your questions and help you find the bike of your dreams. Come in today!