Harley-Davidson Maintenance Essentials

For any and all Harley owners, there are certain practical skills for the maintenance of your bike that are crucial to be familiar with.

Generally, these relate to the most important parts of your bike. A regular check up on certain components at certain times will help you keep your Harley running smoothly and avoid any serious headaches. Here are our top things to check in your Harley health check.

Tires

Your tires are extremely important when it comes to your Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Sadly, it gets quite often overlooked. Rubber from the tires is what separates you from the actual asphalt. Check the tires for punctures, glass, nails and any other debris. These can equal to a blowout or low pressure in the near future leading to important tire damage and expensive repairs. Cracking means that the tires are old. Check the tire pressure as well while the tires are cool to the touch.

Engine Oil

Change the engine oil based on the manufacturer’s recommendation. Contaminants can get into the engine oil as you ride along. This creates issues down the line as it leads to unwanted wear of very expensive internal parts on your motorcycle. If the bike is used for local traffic only, and not long rides, moisture can build up within the motorcycle engine and cause the oil to become diluted. This lessens the ability for the oil to lubricate, cool and clean out the motorcycle. If the motorcycle is used exclusively for short rides, the oil should then be flushed and replaced at least three times a year.

Air Filter

Making sure that the engine has a lot of fresh air is essential to its operation in order for it to run at peak performance. When a motorcycle filter is not at its best, it can choke off the motorcycle’s air supply, which in turn, lessens the power of the engine. Damaged filters can also allow particles to enter straight into the combustion chambers. Paper filters are disposable and not expensive, but may not be the best in removing air particulates. A foam filter can be reused after it has been cleaned. They are also not that expensive, but this kind of filters lessen the air flow, and this is especially true as they get dirty. Cotton filters, also called “wet” filters, is the most expensive kind but they are by far the most efficient ones. They can also be reused after they have been cleaned and re-oiled correctly. They may even last longer than the engine. Cleaning filters can be a mess though, as you have to use a special kind of fluid to get it working at it’s best. Check your bike’s air filter every time you check your oil and replace or clean it as soon as it starts looking dirty.

Battery

With proper maintenance, a standard Harley-Davidson battery should last you around 2 years. We recommend a thorough inspection and testing of your battery every year to ensure it’s up to scratch. If you spot any leakages from the battery, take it to your mechanic right away. A neat trick to ensure your battery lasts as long as it can is to keep it fully charged at all time, especially if you won’t be riding for a while. That being said, you do want to avoid overcharging your battery and using a smart charger will help you with that. It’s also important to ensure your battery doesn’t freeze during the storage period in winter. If this does happen, it can crack and acid can spill out.

Clutch

Getting to know your clutch can be a bit of a testing learning experience. The clutch allows you to change gears and will undoubtedly be used a lot over the years. Over time, the clutch cable will loosen. A clutch cable adjustment should be a part of every service that you have done on the bike. This should involve keeping the cable lubricated and ensuring it is properly engaged by the clutch.

Chains and Belts

Check your chain belt! If you have a belt drive, make sure it’s inspected so that the tension is correct. The time you spend applying lube on your chain is time well spent. Don’t use WD-40, however. Even though many may see it as a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to the chains and belts maintenance, it’s not. Clean the chains with a very mild degreaser like diluted Simple Green when you wash your motorcycle. Make sure the chain is completely dry and use a can of compressed air that’s used for keyboards or a blow gun to remove any debris. Instead of gear oil, use a lube product designed specifically for chains. Take a small, quick ride to warm up the chain to make the lube easier to apply. Lube the chain every 500 miles.

Brakes

Over time, brake fluid absorbs moisture. When this happens, the brake system will become less effective. It’s important to replace the brake fluid every two years, but better yet, every year. Motorcycle brake fluid can be found in the back of the motorcycle, and on the handlebars as well. Check your brake pads. Are they thin? Then it’s time to replace the brakes. Regarding brake pad thickness, make sure that they don’t go right down to the metal, as this can damage the brake discs and they will need to be replaced.

Last Words

These are the essentials to keep your bike running smoothly and without any stressful, expensive issues. That being said, there is plenty more you can and should do to keep your Harley-Davidson in mint condition. This includes maintaining the bike’s paint, chrome, metal and steel components by using an appropriate soap, wax and grease remover and other similar products. By using the correct products, your bike will gain a protective coating and be far more resistant to scratching and weather damage. If you need any more help, get in touch with our Harley-Davidson experts today to learn more about how to properly look after your bike.

This article has been written by Harley Heaven, a leading, certified supplier of Harley-Davidson motorcycles.