How to Maintain A Motorbike: The Ultimate Guide
With sunnier days incoming, now’s a better time than ever to get the motorbike out of the garage and prepped to ride! But, before you get back on the road, it’s important to think about maintenance and safety checks. And thanks to this handy guide, you have everything you need to know about how to return to the ride, worry free!
Getting The Bike Out Of Wintering Storage
After a long slumber in the shed, the first thing you should do is check the battery condition of your bike. If it has a voltage of 10.3V or lower, you will need to get it changed. Next, you should check the tyres for adequate pressure, and drain the engine. You should also check levels of brake fluid and coolant – just as you would for a regular car. Finally, you should ensure the cables and articulation axes are well lubricated, and maintain the chain and braking system using the
Sounds confusing? Follow the handy step-by-step guide below.
Set Up Your Motorbike Maintenance Area
In order to properly maintain your motorbike, it is important to make necessary preparations. Ensure you have a clean, safe environment to work from – ideally outdoors or in a garage. Set up your equipment so it can be easily reached and used, and have a water source such as a garden hose close by for cleaning.
Things you will need
Rear wheel crutch
Sponge
Brush
Soft cloth
High pressure cleaner or garden hose (ensure the high-pressure cleaner is not powerful enough to damage your bike!)
Cleaner: WD-40® Bike Cleaner Spray
Degreaser: WD-40® Motorbike Chain Cleaner and Motorbike Brake Cleaner
Lubricant: WD-40® Motorbike Chain Lube
Enhancers: WD-40® Motorbike Wax and Polish and WD-40® Motorbike Silicone Shine
Step 1
Clean The Motorbike
Every great project starts with a well-prepared base. Firstly, place the rear wheel crutch onto your bike and leave it there for the duration of the maintenance. Rinse the bike using the high-pressure cleaner or garden hose, ensuring the water pressure is not enough to do any damage. Once the bike is wet, apply WD-40® Bike Cleaner Spray all over the surface of the bike, concentrating on muddy built-up areas. As this spray is water based and solvent free, it is safe for use on your wheels, frame, chains, and spokes.
Once applied, use a soft cloth to remove loose dirt, and a sponge or brush to tackle tougher residue. Then simply rinse the bike once more to remove any remaining dirt or product – and reveal a sparklingly clean finish!
Step 2
Degrease The Motorbike
Maintaining the brake discs and chain on your motorbike is imperative to ensure good handling for the bike’s lifetime. Simply washing the exterior of the bike is not enough to remove grease, grime, dust and other residue that builds up on the chain and braking system, these elements require further degreasing.
Braking System Degreasing
The brake system requires a specific degreasing product such as WD-40®’s Motorbike Brake Cleaner. This product effortlessly removes dust, dirt, brake fluid and oil from brake discs, callipers and clutch systems, and also works to eliminate clutch slip and annoying brake squeals. To degrease the braking system, shake the can and spray the relevant areas using the high-powered nozzle. Wipe away any excess product with a soft, clean cloth, and you’re done! Ensure you always test your brakes after any form of maintenance or cleaning.
Chain Degreasing
Similar to the braking system, it is necessary to use a specific degreasing product such as WD-40®’s Motorbike Chain Cleaner, which is suitable for use on O, X and Z chains, swing arms and drivetrains. Shake the can well and apply the product to your motorbike’s chain, swinging arm, and transmission. Use a brush to work the product into tough areas if needed. Wipe any remaining product with a soft cloth, and the grime will come away with it!
Step 3
Lubricate The Chain
After you have degreased the chain, you should always re-lubricate it for improved performance and extended lifespan. WD-40’s Motorbike Chain Lube works to give deep lubrication and is compatible with all types of bike chain, including O, X and Y rings.
After shaking the can, apply the lubrication to the chain whilst turning the wheel to ensure the product is spread evenly throughout and penetrates the links. Wipe away excess product with a clean, soft cloth and allow the chain to dry.
To protect your chain further, you can apply WD-40 Motorbike Chain Wax, which conditions your chain and helps to avoid corrosion and wear.
Step 4
Finishing Touches
Now that your motorbike has undergone all of its essential maintenance, it’s time to get it looking as good as the day you bought it.
Containing a mix of natural Carnauba Wax and beeswax, WD-40’s Motorbike Wax and Polish will give you a professional valet clean finish in half the time! Simply spray the product onto your clean, dry bike – being sure to avoid your saddle, tyres, and braking mechanisms. Buff in the product to be left with a streak free, glossy shine.
If you want to go all out and have the glossiest motorbike in town, WD-40’s Motorbike Silicone Shine will truly leave your paint and bodywork as good as new. Shake the can, spray any metal, paintwork and carbon fibre on your bike, and buff away with a clean, soft cloth. Again, ensure you do not apply this product to fabrics, saddles, tyres, and braking mechanisms.
Maintenance Complete!
We hope this guide was useful to all you bikers! Now that your two-wheeler is looking and feeling as good as new, it’s time to hit the road! Next time you need assistance, with anything from foggy headlights to dirty paint brushes, check out the WD-40 How To page to see if we can help! Our round up of all the top WD-40 motorbike uses can also show you many other ways to look after your motorcycle!
The uses shown and described for WD-40 Multi-Use Product were provided to WD-40 Company by the users themselves. These uses haven’t been tested by WD-40 Company and do not constitute a recommendation of suggestion for use by WD-40 Company. Common sense should be exercised whenever using WD-40 Company products. Always follow the instructions and take heed of any warnings printed on the packaging.
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