Motorcycle Maintenance Q and A

Owning a motorcycle can be frustrating when you aren't able to do regular maintenance on it without seeking the help of a professional mechanic. Fortunately, basic maintenance, such as recharging the battery, is relatively easy to learn. Here are some common maintenance questions that motorcycle owners ask and easy answers about how to keep your bike in good shape.

Is it safe to check the oil level of my bike when the engine is hot? Motorcycle owners go both ways on this one. Some prefer to check the oil when it's hot, because it makes for a better oil change should it be necessary. Others like to check it when the engine is cool. It's recommended to check the oil when the heat level on the dipstick reads between hot and cold.


What kind of tire pressure should I be aiming for? This one can be tricky because the manufacturer's/owner's manual oftentimes varies from what the tire manufacturer says. But the recommended tire pressure really depends on the objective of the rider. If you want to just set it and forget it, go with what the motorcycle manufacturer's guide says. You'll also be able to find the proper tire pressures for front and rear tires in the manual. Sometimes these vary, depending on what make the bike is and the OEM tire size.

How do I recharge motorcycle batteries? You'll definitely want to take out your owner's manual before recharging your battery. Also, make sure to have a pair of safety glasses handy so you can safely handle the battery acid when it comes time.

First, you'll need to locate the battery. The make and model of your bike will determine where it is located, which is indicated in the owner's manual. Once located, take the battery out of the motorcycle. Remove the caps that are over the chambers and fill them with distilled water. Take your motorcycle battery charger and plug it into an electrical socket before connecting the cables. After plugging it in, connect the positive clip of the charger to the positive battery terminal. Then, connect the negative clip to the negative terminal on the battery. Turn on the charger and select the desired amp.

Charging can take up to 24 hours, depending on the power of the battery level. Once the battery is charged, turn off the charger and disconnect the positive and negative clips. Replace both the chamber caps and put the battery back in the motorcycle. After you reconnect the battery, start your engine to check the effectiveness.

George is a freelance author in Grants Pass, Or. An avid outdoorsman, Mr. Zeed writes on subjects pertaining to all types of motorcycles, boats and RVs and accessories. George is the "go to guy" for help and advice when searching for products like a motorcycle battery or a marine battery charger, which he oftentimes buys directly from http://www.impactbattery.com/. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=George_Zeed Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7144703