De-Winterizing Your Motorcycle

It's that glorious time of year - time to take your motorcycle out of storage so you can finally get to riding again! But you won't want to take your bike straight from the garage to the open road. First you will need to de-winterize it. This process is easy once you know all the steps, which we cover for you below. For everything related to bikes, visit Southeast Sales. We proudly serve those in Chicago, Illinois.

Look for Pests

Your motorcycle can be an appealing home to a variety of critters looking for a dry, warm spot to set up shop in the winter. You'll want to check your bike to see if any of them are snuggled up inside. Insects or small animals like mice may be living in your exhaust pipe, luggage compartments, cover, and any other spot that allows them to burrow in shelter.

Check Your Fluids

Before bikes can be ready to hit the road, they need to have the right quality and quantity of fluids. You'll want to inspect your fluids starting with your oil. Put a dipstick in, wipe it off, put it in again, then look at it. Ideally, it should be a gold or amber color. If it's black or sludgy, it's going to be hard on your engine. If you notice any metallic flecks in your engine, there could be damage and it's worth a visit to the mechanic. Then check your brake fluid levels and transmission and top off if anything's low.

Chassis

Some owner's manuals suggest putting lubricant on linkages and flex points, such as the ones that connect to the suspension. If your bike calls for this, don't forget this step! As you inspect your chassis, look for minor damage or cracks along the weld lines. It helps to catch problems early and you should be inspecting it at least once a year, so now is a great time to do this.

Battery

If you were able to store your battery on a tender, then you'll likely just need to hook it back up to your motorcycle. If you weren't able to disconnect your battery, it'll likely be dead. In that case, charge it up or replace it before you ride again.

Tires

Your tires play a crucial role in facilitating a safe ride, so you'll want to ensure they are ready to handle the wear and tear of the road. Use a tire pressure gauge to measure their levels. Make sure they are within the manufacturer's recommendations. Test them when they are cold to get the most accurate reading.

Next, inspect the tread and ensure it's also within the manufacturer's recommendations. The tread should be worn down evenly. If it's not, this could indicate an issue with your motorcycle that merits a mechanic's visit.

Brake Test

Brakes are one of the most important aspects of bikes. Make sure yours are running well! Go for a short ride and test yours out. Start off by using half pressure to see if the brakes are engaging. Then you'll want to use more pressure until you come to a full stop. If dust settled on the brake pads, you may notice a little bit of squeaking. If you notice any grinding or slipping, that's a bad sign. Hopefully, yours run smoothly so you'll be ready to hit the road in no time!

We hope you found this list helpful! For all your motorcycle needs, visit Southeast Sales. Our friendly staff can assist you with whatever you need, so stop by today! We proudly serve those in Chicago, Illinois.