subject: Three simple checks that will keep your motorbike healthy [print this page] Imagine you have just bought a brand new Honda CBR Fireblade, it's your baby and you treasure it more than any of your other possessions. The last thing you want is for something to go wrong and to find yourself searching Google for honda motorcycle parts, honda motorcycle spares or even honda motorcycle dealers within a year of purchasing your bike.
This is something that can easily happen though if you do not properly maintain and look after your bike. So many new motorcycle owners forget the simple steps which they should take daily to look after their new motorcycle. This is a list of three simple daily checks which will prolong the life of your treasured motorcycle and ensure that it is a long time before you have to spend money on repairs.
The first is to check oil levels. Checking the oil level on a bike is very simple, either your bike will have a traditional dip-stick just like on a car or an oil inspection window. Oil is something that should not be decreasing in volume too regularly and if you find that the oil level in your bike is dropping rapidly it could indicate a couple of problems. Your bike could have a simple oil leak or it could have engine problems. An engine in good condition will not use very much oil between changes. Remember that your bike should be level to the ground when you are checking the oil so that the oil can stabilise and be measured accurately.
The second check is the motorcycles brakes. This is a very important check for both the maintenance of the bike and the rider's safety. Break checks are simple to do, just apply the brakes and ensure that they are fully applied without the lever or pedal being fully applied. Also the breaks should free up fully without any drag once the lever or pedal is released. Once this check has been made you should check the brake fluid level and if it is low replace it immediately. If your brake fluid continues to drop or your brakes do not appear to be working properly take your bike to a mechanic or the deal you purchased it from before riding it again.
The third and final check to do before taking your bike out each day is making sure the drive chain is in good condition. The drive chain should be well lubricated and should not be too slack looking. This is a major component on the motorcycle and it is vital that it is kept in good condition. If the chain looks a little dry the spray it with some aerosol chain lubricant and if it appears slack either adjust the tension yourself or pay a professional to do so.
By following these simple daily checks you will ensure firstly that your bike is safe to ride but also that your bikes performance will be optimal.
Three simple checks that will keep your motorbike healthy
