DIY Motorcycle Maintenance

Staying on top of your motorcycle’s maintenance is vital for its longevity. However, many people have trouble scheduling service appointments or setting up professional care at the correct time. Thankfully, a majority of basic motorcycle maintenance can be completed at home. To learn how to DIY your motorcycle’s basic maintenance tasks, check out our article below.

Oil Change

Completing an oil change on your motorcycle can be a quick, simple process. Every several thousand miles, you need to change the oil to ensure that the engine continues running smoothly. Start by removing the drain plug to let the oil fall into a drain pan. After draining the oil, you can replace the oil filter and refill it with new oil. Choose a high-quality oil recommended for your machine.

Coolant Change

Most often, the coolant, which prevents both overheating and freezing, will need to be topped off. However, consult the owner's manual to find out the recommended time to change the coolant. Changing the coolant is similar to changing the oil on a motorcycle. You need to remove the drain bolt and the radiator cap to get the coolant out. Fill with new, high-quality coolant and replace all of the caps and bolts. 

Fuel and Filter

When your fuel filter gets clogged up with debris, it drains power from your Kawasaki motorcycle. It’s time to replace the filter when your engine struggles to start or makes weird sounds. You’ll also want to use the right fuel. Anyone who doesn’t ride regularly should stick with high-octane fuels. The problem with ethanol-heavy ones is they turn into a corrosive mixture when they sit too long.

Having trouble finding the correct tools and parts required to care for your motorcycle? Then stop by Santa Maria Harley-Davidson® to find all the components you need to keep your model in tip-top shape! We proudly serve the nearby cities of Ventura and Bakersfield, CA, and are always happy to order any parts that may be missing from our shelves here in Santa Maria, CA.