Bike Maintenance

Bikes don't look after themselves. Just because your bike passed an MOT once doesn't mean it's good for a year without being checked, you need to carry out bike maintenance on a regular basis.

A good time to check everything over is whilst cleaning your bike. This is when you will find all those loose nuts and bolts. Make cleaning your bike into a time for bike maintenance as well.

Check your bike over daily.

Tyre pressure and wear

Regardless of what the legal tyre tread depth limits are, we would always advise that your tyres are not allowed to wear down beyond 2mm for safety reasons. For example, the more tread you have the better the grip and the better they will be for clearing water from under your tyres. To help you with this you can request a tyre tread depth gauge here which clearly displays a 2mm depth indicator. Tyre pressure requirements can be found in the owner's handbook, or they might be stamped onto a sticker near the petrol filler cap. Checking your tyres should be a routine part of your bike maintenance.

Get a FREE tread depth keyring

Oil and water

Just as important as putting petrol in the tank is checking the oil and water if your bike has a radiator. It will keep your trusty steed working well and in good shape.

Plus if you seize the engine through lack of engine oil, that will be the end of your biking for a long time. New engines don't come cheap and it could mean a long walk home.

Brakes

Check the brakes, but not whilst you are riding – this would not be a good time to find they don't work!

Instead, whilst the bike is stationary and off the stand, pull on the front brake and try and push the bike forward, do the same with the rear brake, the tyres shouldn't move!

 

Horn

Don't forget the horn, sound it to make sure it works before you set out. You might need it on the journey as your last means of communication with a less than attentive fellow road user, or the plonker who has just pulled into your path without looking!

Lights

Check all your lights work, including the brake and indicator lights. If they are fitted to your bike they have to work by law.

Mirrors

Please keep at least one good mirror on your bike, it saves you having to look round when you should be looking forward. They might get broken off in a spill, but please do replace them as soon as you can - they are for more than checking how cool you look.

 

L-Plates

If you haven't passed your test you are required by law to display 2 'L' plates, one to the rear and one to the front. Try and fix them so they can be seen by other traffic, it's no good if they can only be seen from the air. And beware – if one of the plates comes off, you can still be reported for not wearing ‘L' plates – and that's a fine and 3 points on your licence. Not a great way of collecting points!

Chain Drive

If your bike has a chain drive, keep an eye on the chain tension. Try sitting on the bike off the stand, with the engine switched off and get someone to check the slack in the chain. There should be no more than 20mm up and down movement in the bottom run of the chain. If you're not happy doing this, take it to your local dealer or bike garage.