Basic Maintenance on Your Harley-Davidson®
Harley-Davidson® motorcycles are designed to run well for a very long time, but if you don’t keep on top of basic maintenance, you’ll run into problems pretty quick. While we recommend to bring your bike into our service department for professional repairs and checkups, there are a few tasks you can do yourself if you prefer performing your own basic tasks. No matter how you choose to do it, these regular maintenance routines will prevent small problems from turning into crippling issues. This guide will walk you through a few of the simple repairs and best practices, and when you have a more serious job, feel free to bring it into Barnes HD® in Langley, BC. We’re just a short ride from Surrey, Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Chilliwack, and Abbotsford, British Columbia.
Lubricating Parts
Your engine’s responsible for delivering that dominant power and torque to your Harley-Davidson®, but without functioning belts, chains, and drive shafts, that power won’t amount to anything more than rotating cylinders and spinning gears. The belts and chains actually transmit the torque to the tires, so you’ll need to make sure they’re all in good condition. Check the chains and belts for tightness: they should be pretty snug, but with just a tad bit of slack. If you’re confident in your abilities, you might be able to tighten these yourself, but our professional mechanics are always available for this short service. However, a very simple task you can easily perform is lubrication. Dirt and grime can corrode these parts, so spraying on a lubricant every once in awhile. If your bike’s powered by a drive shaft, you’ll never have to worry about these problems, since this system requires almost zero maintenance.
Brake Checks
Most Harley-Davidson® bikes have hydraulic disc brakes. These systems include two important elements: fluids and brake pads. To check the fluids, you’ll want to look at both the rear and front brake reservoirs. They have a line displayed on the side so you can measure whether or not you’re below the proper levels. Once it starts running low, just take off the cap and fill the fluid back up to the line. If the fluid’s completely gone though, there’s a bigger problem, and you’ll definitely need to bring your bike in for service. To inspect the brake pads, check to make sure they’re worn evenly and smooth. They need to be replaced if they’re especially corroded or rough, and if you notice any shaking or grinding while braking, this could be a sign that one of these parts is damaged or worn down.
Tire Pressure and Tread Quality
When you ride in a car, you might take the four tires for granted. If one of them blows out while riding, you can usually pull over to the side of the road and safely change one out. However, when you only have two tires on a motorcycle, blowouts can be one of the most dangerous of any malfunction. To avoid this, make sure you’re checking your tire pressure before every ride. Also, when the tread markers start getting worn down too far, make sure to bring it into our dealership to get new tires installed.
Oil Changes and Checks
Your Harley-Davidson® engine does a lot of hard work, but its components need proper lubrication in order to continue functioning properly. As you know, the only way to do this is with good quality motor oil. Check this every other week or so, and as soon as it starts getting dark and sludgy, empty the tank and put fresh oil in, as well as a new filter. If you ever notice it running low, make sure you top it off before riding.
This guide offers some basic tips for motorcycle maintenance, and you should be able to ward off a lot of serious issues by following our advice. Of course, if you encounter a problem that you’re not comfortable fixing yourself, don’t hesitate to visit our service department at Barnes HD®. We’re in Langley, and we also serve riders from Vancouver, Surrey, Richmond, Burnaby, Chilliwack, and Abbotsford, British Columbia.