Getting Your Motorcycle Ready for Spring

With spring right around the corner, it’s about time you get your motorcycle ready for a season full of sunshine. There are a few things you should do before you take your bike out for the first ride of the season. Keep reading to learn more! If you’re looking for a new motorcycle, contact Bluegrass Harley-Davidson in Louisville, Kentucky. We also proudly serve Jeffersonville, Kentucky and Jefferson, Indiana!

Check for Pests

If your bike has been in storage all winter long, it may have become home to some critters. You should inspect your motorcycle for any pests. Check spots like the exhaust pipe, your cover, and your storage compartments. 

Clean

Hopefully you gave your bike a good wash before storing it. If you didn’t, it’s time to give it a thorough cleaning. You’ll want to get rid of any dust or grime that has accumulated. Keeping your motorcycle clean is always an important part of maintenance.

The Battery

Next, it’s time to check up on your battery. If you disconnected your battery and connected it to a battery tender before storage, it should still be charged. Just connect your battery back to your motorcycle and you’ll be good to go out on your first ride of the spring. If you left your battery on the bike, it’s probably drained. You’ll have to charge it before hitting the road. No matter how you stored your battery, check for corrosion.

Fluids

After completing a visual inspection of your vehicle, it’s time to turn your attention to the fluids. Start with the oil. If the oil is black and sludgy or if it has metallic flakes in it, there may be some internal damage that only a professional can fix. Next, check the brake fluids. Top off the oil if it’s low.

Tires

Air pressure level can be drastically impacted during storage. Before you take your motorcycle out this spring, make sure your tires are at the recommended PSI level found in your owner’s manual. Don’t forget to check the tread and sidewalls. Ensure that the tread isn’t uneven and that there are no cracks or damage to the sidewalls. 

Lights

Finally, you should check that all of your bike’s lights are working properly. Have a friend check if the turn signals, brake lights, and headlights are still functioning. Ask them if anything is dim or burnt out.

Are you ready to hit the open roads this spring? It’s time to call Bluegrass Harley-Davidson! Our friendly staff is here to answer your questions, and we have a great selection of models for you to look at. We are located in Louisville, Kentucky, and we look forward to assisting you. From Jeffersonville, Kentucky to Jefferson, Indiana, there’s only one place to go for all of your motorcycle needs!