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Begin of season maintenance


cmb

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I am in need of some help. Since I just started riding last year, although now I wish I had done this years ago, I need help in preparing for the riding season.

I am wondering what things I should check before I start riding again.

Since I have some temporary duty assignments coming up, I would like to be able to ride my bike to them. As of right now, the farthest I am looking to ride is the MSP.

On my list so far is an oil change, check the chain and brakes.

Thanks for any help and ideas.

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  1. Change engine oil (check color & smell of oil - city riding could require an oil change every 2000 miles)
  2. Change oil filter
  3. Check battery
  4. Check clutch
  5. Check throttle (oil cable & check free-play)
  6. Check front & rear brakes - pads & discs (discs are much more expensive than pads)
  7. Grease swing arm & linkages
  8. Check tires & rims
  9. Check drive chain wear, tension and alignmnent (too loose is better than too tight)
  10. Lube side stand, gear linkages foot pegs & rear brake etc
  11. Lube cables & chain (inside not outside of chain)
  12. Check electrics (especially the rear eg tail lights)
  13. Check steering head bearings
  14. Check tension of all bolts & nuts (especially ones you've messed with previously)
  15. Check brake fluid
  16. Check swing arm bearings (grease & check free-play)
  17. Check wheel bearings (grease & check free-play)
  18. Check fork seals & rear shock (change fork oil every 12000 miles)
  19. Check coolant
  20. Check final drive oil (if shaft drive)

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starting to look like I am getting out of my element of repairs.

Guess I have a lot to learn.

Not at all. You're live close. I'll help you out. Max Power lives out this way as well. I have to jet his carbs when it gets a bit warmer out. We'll just get together and go over everything with you.

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its all a lot easier than it looks. i was in the same boat as you after my first winter, and now im changing out transmissions (well just one) and replacing clutches, etc...

bikes are a lot easier to work on than it seems.

no worries casper and max will help you out bud!

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I understand getting easier, as I have done some of the work on my Saturn, but not sure about my bike. I can do spark plugs, batteries, and maybe small things.

I didn't even touch the clutch on may saturn, and now I might be one to advance to a clutch on a bike, this could get intresting.

I guess this means that I get to buy more tools, or raid the boyfriends toolbox.

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I hope you changed the oil BEFORE you parked it.....

naaa, you're better off changing the oil before the riding season. Condensation will build in the oil if bike is just sitting all winter. Better to drain off the oil/condensation mix before the season.

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