The Essential Guide: Prepping Your Motorcycle for the 2024 Riding Season
Winter is over and spring is here which can only mean one thing - It's time again to Gear up and get ready for adventure. But before you rev up your engine for the season, I have some essential steps I recommend you take to revive your motorcycle after winter.
After chatting with a friend recently who asked what maintenance a motorcycle needs after winter or after being in storage, I decided to compile this list of motorcycle maintenance to guide you through. From checking your battery to preparing your gear, having this clear list will help ensure that your motorcycle is ready to ride.
In this guide, we will cover all the essential steps to revive your motorcycle from winter storage and prepare it for a safe riding season.
1. Check the Battery
2. Check and Replace Spark Plugs
3. Clean the Carburetor and Fuel System
4. Test the Charging System
5. Test the Lights and Electrical Components
6. Inspect the Brakes
7. Test and Adjust the Clutch
8. Lubrication and Moving Parts
9. Prepare Your Riding Gear
10. Get Ready to Ride!
Bonus Tips:
11. Change Engine Oil and Filter
12. Perform Regular Safety Checks
Installing a new battery. Always connect and disconnect the Positive side first.
1. Check the Battery:
The cold winter months can take a toll on your motorcycle's battery, remember it is mostly filled with water, so it is important to inspect it for any signs of bulging or damage before heading out on your first ride.
To prepare the battery, start by removing the cables from both the negative(first) and positive(second) terminals. Next, clean the battery terminals and cable ends with a wire brush where they mount and reinstall the cables (always disconnect & reconnect the positive cable first). Refer to your owner's manual for specific guidelines on how to recharge or replace a damaged battery. You may contact me for any help or questions you may have.
2. Check and Replace Spark Plugs:
Start by removing and inspecting the spark plugs for signs of age (black carbon and gas smells). I would recommend changing them out at this point since this is the beginning of the year and this set of spark plugs will last all year until next spring prep.
If you would like to just clean instead of replacing, that is totally fine. For this, I recommend some non-chlorinated Brakekleen to clean off all the black carbon buildup and a gapping tool to re-gap the plugs. Check your owner's manual for the proper plug brand, type, and gap setting as this is important for optimal engine performance. This will ensure that your engine is running tip-top all year long. You may contact me for any help or questions you may have.
3. Clean the Carburetor and Fuel System:
The carburetor and fuel system can get clogged over the course of winter (due to ethanol gas), which can greatly impede the performance of your motorcycle.
First, we will want to check and clean out the old gas. Start by draining the old fuel from the tank and then refilling it with fresh fuel. Next, use a carburetor cleaner (I recommend Seafoam) to thoroughly clean the system. Measure the amount and dump it into a full gas tank. Then make sure that all of the hoses and clamps and not cracked or loose. Finally, turn the fuel or bike on to check for any leaks in the fuel lines and replace them if necessary.
To see if the Carburetor(s) need to be cleaned. Make sure the battery is full and see if the bike starts. If everything is on and you are not getting it to start, you may have a gummed-up carb. If this is the case, you will need to check and clean your carb(s). I recommend utilizing a repair manual to follow in order to clean the carburetors properly and not to misadjust the settings in reassembly.
This will ensure that you have a smooth-running fuel system. You may contact me for any help or questions you may have.
4. Test the Charging System:
After a long winter, it's important to make sure your motorcycle's charging system is working properly before heading out.
To do this, you'll need to use a multimeter to check the voltage output of the battery while the engine is running and then compare it to the specifications listed in your owner's manual.
You should see between 12.7 and 13 volts when idling. Rev the engine and the volts should parallel the engine RPMs until the charging system regulator will top out at about 14-15 volts. If there is an issue with this test, it will need to be diagnosed and repaired before you ride. You may contact me for any help or questions you may have.
5. Test the Lights and Electrical Components:
Make sure all of your motorcycle's lights and electrical components are in good working order before hitting the road.
Test the headlight (high & low), brake light (at the handlebars and foot pedal), turn signals, horn, and any other electrical accessories you have on your bike. If any of the lights are not working, check the bulbs for a failed element. These tests are so important since your lights and a horn are mostly for us to be seen and heard in traffic. Also, check all of your switches and levers to make sure they are working properly. You may contact me for any help or questions you may have.
6. Inspect the Brakes:
The brakes are a crucial component of any motorcycle and should be inspected regularly.
Start by inspecting the brake pads and rotors for wear, run your finger across the rotor surface, it should be smooth without ridges. If you feel well-defined ridges, replace them with new ones. Also, check the meat thickness on the brake pads. If the thickness is more than 1/4 - 1/8 inch. if not, replace.
Check the brake fluid levels (front & rear) and top off as needed. Finally, test the brakes to make sure they are functioning properly and that the brake light is coming on before you feel the brakes grab. This will ensure that your bike is safe to ride and well-seen during this riding season. You may contact me for any help or questions you may have.
7. Test and Adjust the Clutch:
The clutch will need to be worked in and out to get the disks moving again. Test this by starting the bike, pulling the clutch, and shifting into first. Slowly let out the clutch and feel the bike starting to move (don't let it get away from you) and repeat for all gears. This will work in the clutch plates and get some lubrication in and around the transmission. If you are feeling the clutch slip, then adjust the clutch according to your Repair manual.
Finally, take a test ride to make sure that the clutch is engaging properly in all gears at varying amounts of throttle. This is essential for a smooth and safe ride during the summer to come. You may contact me for any help or questions you may have.
8. Lubrication and Moving Parts:
One of the most overlooked lubrication places is the cable housings. This ensures smooth operation and prevents sticky cables.
Start by loosening the locknuts on each cable, then apply a quick squirt of lubricant or a few drops of oil inside the cable, and then tighten the locknut back up. Repeat this process for all cables on your bike (throttle, clutch, brake lever, etc.). They also have a cable oiler for a cleaner application.
Also lubricating other moving parts such as the chain and other grease points. Before we get into lubing the chain, check and see if you have any grease zerks. You can usually find one on the swing arm pivot.
Now back to the chain, It is best to get a specialized motorcycle chain lube but if all you have is a can of spray lube then "Any lube is better than no lube". Make sure to spray the entire chain.
Make sure it is at a proper tightness, take the chain with two or three fingers, and move it up and down. The movement should remain between 1/2" to 1 inch. Check this monthly depending on how many miles you ride.
Finally, don't forget to check your air filter and the levels of all fluids in your motorcycle, including oil, coolant, brake, clutch, transmission, and fork oil. Check and top off these fluids as needed according to your owner's manual.
Properly maintaining your fluids will help keep your motorcycle reliable all year. If you have not changed the engine oil and filter, now would be a great time to do so. (see bonus tip 11). You may contact me for any help or questions you may have.
9. Prepare Your Riding Gear:
Make sure to check your riding gear and replace any worn or damaged gear. Checks should include your helmet, jacket, pants, boots, gloves, etc. Ensure that all of the zippers, snaps, clasps, and velcro are working properly.
Also, check for any items like worn-out foam in your helmet or ripped seams on your jacket that need to be fixed or safer yet replaced. Properly preparing your gear will help ensure that you are safe out there.
Finally, make sure you pack all the necessary items before you go on your next ride including all the tools you need for a side-of-the-road repair (I always keep a tool bag attached to each of my bikes so, not if, but when I have an issue I can repair it). If you have saddlebags or any other type of storage on your bike it is great to have everything you might need like a jacket or rain suit while out on the back roads. You may contact me for any help or questions you may have.
10. Get Ready to Ride!
Now that you have gone through this essential guide to preparing your motorcycle for the new year, your bike is ready to ride.
The focus is on you. This includes being mentally aware of the ride including other vehicles, Rocks and debris on the roads that have built up over winter and not yet been cleaned off by spring showers, or active animals crossing the road.
Now finally, getting back on the bike for the first time since last fall. When getting on your bike, make sure to give it a quick overall visual inspection of everything you have done to ensure the bike is safe and ready.
Remember, take it easy at first, get back into the rhythm of riding again, and practice your safety and riding techniques before you start pushing yourself.
Another springtime prep tip is to give your bike a good cleaning. Get out the bucket and soap, lather it up, and spray it down to get last year’s grime off and start the year off fresh with a clean bike. You may contact me for any help or questions you may have.
Bonus tips:
11. Change Engine Oil and Filter:
Changing your motorcycle's engine oil is an important maintenance task that should be done at least once a year if you are storing the bike for an extended period of time (more than one month). I recommend changing the oil and filter just before putting it into storage. This will remove any gas or sediments from the oil while the bike is sitting and decrease corrosion inside the engine. This also gives you a fresh oil change to start the new year off (this will make your bike very happy). You may contact me for any help or questions you may have.
12. Perform Regular Safety Checks:
Before heading out for any adventure, it is important to perform a safety check on your motorcycle at least once a month. Quickly check the tire pressure, oil level, chain tightness, cables, lights, brakes, and riding gear throughout the year. Give your bike a thorough visual inspection noticing anything that is out of the ordinary, since you have been periodically inspecting it from time to time. Right? This is a great opportunity to note what you find and see if this happens often. This will guide you to what maintenance you will need next. You may contact me for any help or questions you may have.
In conclusion, there is a lot that needs to be done to get your motorcycle ready for the new riding season, but taking care of all these essential steps will help to ensure that your motorcycle is running smoothly and safely, so you can enjoy a safe & enjoyable ride.
From checking the battery to prepping your riding gear, then finally getting ready to ride and performing regular safety checks; you are now ready to enjoy all of the breathtaking beauty that this world has to offer this year. So take the time and make sure you and your bike are ready to ride this spring!
I hope the above content helps you get a better understanding of what I suggest when preparing your motorcycle for a new year & adventure. Good luck, and have fun on all of your amazing rides!
Remember, YOU GOT THIS!!!
Good luck and have fun! Until next time,
Live Free & Be Happy,
Dach Phill Loney
If you have any questions or need help: mymotorcyclemaintenace@gmail.com