Now that spring has sprung, many riders who haven’t ridden since late fall are itching to get back on their bike. Although we’ve already seen a few bikes out, there’s always a sharp uptick on the first 65°+, sunny day of the year. Many riders make the mistake of waiting until that day to assess the condition of their bike after it has sat all winter. Plan ahead and give your bike a thorough once-over, as outlined below, to avoid being stuck in the garage trying to get your bike going once that day arrives. BATTERY Did your battery survive the winter? If it was maintained properly, it’s likely still good. Here’s a few ways you can check: 1. Start the bike. Simply put, see if the battery will turn the bike over. 2. Use a volt meter or load tester. See how many volts are in the battery and/or how it load tests. Check the battery specifications to see ideal readings. Generally speaking, a 12 volt battery should be above 12.4V and a 6 volt battery should be 6.3V. 3. Check the acid level. Most modern batteries are sealed. If you happen to have a battery that is not sealed, you may need to occasionally add distilled water. To do this, locate the high/low level markers on your battery and add distilled water until at the proper level.
Don’t own a volt meter or load tester? Stop by the shop during normal business hours with your battery (removed) and we’ll be happy to test it at no charge to you.
TIP: Even if you’ve just installed a brand new battery, it doesn’t guarantee it’s good. We’re increasingly seeing brand-new batteries that are bad out of the box across all of the major brands.
BATTERY
Did your battery survive the winter? If it was maintained properly, it’s likely still good. Here’s a few ways you can check:
Start the bike. Simply put, see if the battery will turn the bike over.
Use a volt meter or load tester. See how many volts are in the battery and/or how it load tests. Check the battery specifications to see ideal readings. Generally speaking, a 12 volt battery should be above 12.4V and a 6 volt battery should be 6.3V.
Check the acid level. Most modern batteries are sealed. If you happen to have a battery that is not sealed, you may need to occasionally add distilled water. To do this, locate the high/low level markers on your battery and add distilled water until at the proper level.
Don’t own a volt meter or load tester? Stop by the shop during normal business hours with your battery (removed) and we’ll be happy to test it at no charge to you.
TIP: Even if you’ve just installed a brand new battery, it doesn’t guarantee it’s good. We’re increasingly seeing brand-new batteries that are bad out of the box across all of the major brands.
FLUIDS AND FILTERS
After sitting for a period of time, it’s vital to check fluid levels and look for any signs of leaks. Where applicable, this includes: motor oil, primary oil, transmission oil, brake fluid, antifreeze, and differential oil. Ensure you’re using motorcycle/powersport specific fluids, as in some cases there is a difference.
If the motor oil shows overfull, there’s a possibility that it has been contaminated with fuel. The oil may smell like gas and appear watered-down or thinner than normal. This can possibly indicate a bigger issue and would require further diagnostics. At minimum, the oil will need to be replaced.
With some fluids, it’s important to not only assess their levels but also their condition. Brake fluid, for example, will often appear darker when in need of replacement. For antifreeze, a hydrometer can be helpful to determine the freeze point/concentration.
It’s also a good idea to assess the condition of the oil and air filters. After having sat, it’s common to find mice-related problems, particularly in the air filter.
TIP: Have a Harley and it’s leaking oil after your first spring start? Watch a video of a bike wet-sumping here.
VISUAL INSPECTION
Never underestimate the value of a visual inspection. You’d be surprised by the number of issues we’re able to find (and prevent!) by giving bikes a thorough inspection when on the bench. Some items to pay special attention to include:
Loose nuts or bolts. We’d estimate roughly half of the bikes we put on our benches have at least something loose on them, from mirrors to motor mounts. Especially on Harley-Davidson’s, due to their high vibration, it’s smart to check fasteners on the motor mounts on a fairly regular basis.
Brake pads. When assessing the brake pads, look for plenty of pad material (thickness) as well as even wear between the inner and outer pads. Noticeable uneven wear can indicate other problems, such as caliper mount bolts seizing up.
Check all lights/electrical components. Especially after having sat over winter, mice can, have, and will chew through wires. Ensure brake/tail/headlights and turn signals are all working properly. Honk your horn. Cycle through high and low beams.
FUEL
If winterized properly (by either draining or stabilizing the fuel), there likely won’t be issues. Stored improperly, fuel has a surprisingly short shelf life and can go bad quicker than most realize. In as a little as a few months, bad fuel can cause a multitude of problems, including gummed up carburetors/fuel injectors.
Bikes that fail to start/ run properly or leak fuel may have a fuel-related issue.
TIRES
Given that motorcycles only have two, we cannot overstate the importance of checking your tires before hitting the road. We recommend checking several things, including:
Inflation. The majority of bikes we put on the bench have low tire pressure, often severely low. This affects safety, handling, and wear.
Tread and Wear. Visually inspect the depth of the tread and run your hand over the surface of the tires to feel for any cupping, bulges, or uneven wear.
Dry rot. Consider the age of the tires and the conditions they’ve been kept under. Look for cracks in the tread and sidewalls. When in doubt, replace.
For a more in-depth discussions about tires, including how to identify the age of a tire, read our article here.
A NOTE ON INSURANCE
If you changed your insurance policy to “lay up”/garage status over the winter, don’t forget to call and update the status back to active to keep you covered!
