| If you have a motorcycle of your own there are | | | | brake light. |
| some things you should check on a regular basis. | | | | Chain - Check the tension of the chain and make |
| Routine maintenance is important for your safety as | | | | sure it is lubricated well. |
| well as for the safety of others on the road. If you | | | | Things to check periodically on your motorcycle |
| don't have a handbook with specs on your | | | | Check battery - Make sure all the connections are |
| motorcycle, you should try to get one. If that is not | | | | tight. Also check the electrolyte level on batteries if |
| possible, you should try to find some information | | | | necessary. |
| about your motorcycle on the web. There are also | | | | Wheel bearings - Check wheel bearings by grabbing |
| workshop manuals available for various models that | | | | each wheel with it off the ground and see if there is |
| you can find in auto shops or on the internet. Many | | | | any sideways play. |
| of these manuals are available in the form of a CD or | | | | Swinging arm bearings - Check this with the back |
| DVD. | | | | wheel off the ground, check for any sideways |
| Keeping up with maintenance on your car is very | | | | movement in the swingarm, there should not be any. |
| different from maintaining your motorcycle. You may | | | | Brakes - Check the fluid levels, brake hoses for |
| be able to get by with neglecting some minor things | | | | deterioration, and pads/shoes for thickness. |
| on your car, but with a motorcycle no maintenance | | | | Cables and levers - These should operate smoothly. |
| aspect is minor. It is unwise to neglect any | | | | You should use a cable oiler to help keep these parts |
| maintenance detail. | | | | well lubricated. |
| Things you should check daily on your motorcycle | | | | Nut and bolts - You should go all round the |
| Tires - Make sure both the tires are in good condition. | | | | motorcycle with your spanners and check that all |
| Tire pressure- It is extremely important to keep tire | | | | nuts, bolts and screws are tight. |
| pressure on or very close to spec. | | | | The suggestions made here are for basic |
| Oil level - you should always check the oil with the | | | | maintenance. Other larger jobs would obviously have |
| bike on a level ground. | | | | to be done by a mechanic. It is a good idea to have |
| Brakes - check to make sure the brakes are | | | | a mechanic check for routine maintenance at least |
| functioning properly. | | | | once or twice a year just in case you miss something |
| Lights - All lights should be checked, especially the | | | | in your routine maintenance. |