Check Brakes
Visually inspect brake pads for wear. If you’re not familiar with doing this, first look for brake pad wear indicators. Many, but not all, brands embed these indicators into the pad’s design to better allow consumers to know when it is time to replace them. Be proactive in replacing your pads, as failure to do so can result in costly repairs. We have customers come in all the time thinking they just need brake pads, when in fact they’ve already worn through them to the point that they’ve damaged additional parts unnecessarily.
Check Your Connections
Capable of presenting a wide range of electrical issues- from trouble starting to dash errors- it is a good idea to check your battery terminals if you haven’t in a while. Wiggle the cables by hand and if there is movement, simply tighten them with a 10mm wrench.
Check Your Chain (or Belt)
See owners manual for proper adjustment or ride it by and we will inspect it at no charge. For chain-driven motorcycles, inspect to ensure that it is properly lubricated. Try the following for a quick test we use here at the shop to check for chain/sprocket wear: Go to the rear of the motorcycle and pinch the chain at the rear sprocket. Pull away from the sprocket. This movement should expose no more than half of the sprocket’s tooth. If more than half is exposed, there is a good chance that the chain and sprockets need replaced. In addition, visually inspect the front and rear sprockets for any sharpness and/or curling that may resemble a saw-blade.
Check Instrument Operation
We’ve all been there: you get pulled over for having a bulb out and had no idea it wasn’t working. Not only is it inconvenient, but it is also a safety hazard- especially on a bike. Perform a full instrument operation check by actuating each of your lights to ensure that they are working properly. A quick checklist would include: front and rear brake lights, taillight, turn signals, headlight (high/low), running lights, dash-lights, and horn.
Check Tire Pressure and Wear
Always check your owner’s manual for manufacturers recommendations, but generally speaking your front tire should read 32 PSI and your rear tire should rear 40 PSI. We can’t tell you the number of times customers have come in with a completely shot tire and have had no idea that it needed replaced. The same can be said for low tire pressure- we’d estimate 90% of bikes that we put on our bench have low tire pressure, which affects both wear and handling. In addition to the old “penny trick”, rub your hand across the tire vertically to feel for cupping or unevenness.
If you have any questions or concerns about any of the above, always feel free to call us or ride by to have us give you our professional opinion!
