Tuning-up your bike is the most essential part of your motorcycle maintenance. It’s an extensive service session more like a thorough check of your motorbike to see if some parts or fluids require replacement, it is usually done after every 5,000km , or a few times per year. Same as oil change of a car, tuning up can be also done by bike owners without having to go to some mechanic. Of course, with sufficient know how & right tools for doing this job. Executing each tune up properly actually saves you more money in the long run, as they should be done regularly it will keep you safe. Here are a few simple motorbike tune ups that you can do by yourself, requirements of these totally depends on your motorbike. So make sure to consult your bike’s manual before beginning.
1) Change The Oil
For making your engine run properly, you are required to replace its oil after a few thousand miles, consult the bike’s manual for finding how often you should do it. For starting, you will have to ride your bike around five minutes for warming it up. Oil with lesser viscosity drains easily.
With the engine turned off & bike standing upright, remove its drain and oil fill plug, for letting oil escape to the drain pan. Also, pull out the oil filter. This process can be messy. Consider covering the engine and exhaust section by using an aluminum foil for protecting against dripage. After the oil is completely drained, install a new oil filter, place it on the parts that you removed initially, and use a funnel for refilling motorcycle oil, as described in the user manual. Also replace the oil fill cap.
2) Replace Air Filter
It is your motorbike’s air filter that keeps the debris out of the engine. If it’s clogged or dirty, it will definitely affect your bike’s performance. Changing the air filter isn’t a hard task, but it can take time. Most of the bike’s air filter can be accessed easily, but it might require you to remove the gas tank & other parts. After getting into the air box, you will have to take it out to replace the filter. And put back any part you removed.
3) Maintain Tire Pressure & Tread
For checking the tire’s pressure, first you will have to locate the valve stem at the inner side of the wheel, then remove its cap, & insert the air pressure gauge into the valve stem. Then compare the amount of pressure with what it should be, the value is usually written on the tire’s sidewall. Use the air compressor for filling the tire up to the correct value. Let some air pass out in case you over-inflate it. Change the cap of the valve stem when done. For checking how the tread is, look for the tire’s wear indicator. It’s like a tiny rubber knob, residing in the tire’s grooves. If knob and the rubber are the same level of meeting the road, time for replacing your tire has come and that is the job of some professional mechanic.
4) Lubricate Moving Parts of Brakes
Every bike has some metal parts that are vulnerable to dust & moisture. For keeping your bike working properly, lubricate these parts regularly. Pivot points on brakes & derailleurs are from those parts that need lubrication. On most of the bikes, brakes are mounted with bolts on the frame above the wheel. So when the lever is squeezed, the rake pivots around the bolt contracts. It’s one of the critical places where you should apply a few oil drops. Also make sure you chose the best saddle bag according to your bike style for carrying your bike luggage.
5) Keep the Chain Clean
Bike chains these days need less cleaning than conventional unsealed chains. You will have to cleanse the chain when it is dirty, or as per the mileage. Whenever you do, lift up the back wheel of your bike & put out the transmission in neutral, by allowing easy chain movement. Get a gentle bristle brush for brushing out the grit & grime from the chain.
If you want to learn more about how to take extra proper care of your bike, you can check the motorcycle user’s manual and download it for free!
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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