8 Tips for Dusting Off your bike for Spring.

 KNOWLEDGE UP!
Read your Manual. If you’re still stuck indoors, now would be a good time to get your manual out and start reading and planning on what your bike needs. We are doing research and are getting prepared for the spring ride, but we are also making sure that we are getting the specific fluids, parts, and knowledge under our belt before we begin.



YOU'RE STALE …. GET SOME NEW GAS.

Fuel. Stale gasoline can be very problematic with stored vehicles. You should top off and add fuel stabilizers to winterize your bike before storing. Gasoline is a refined chemical and deteriorates very quickly. After a few months, the more combustible elements have already begun to evaporate, which in turn makes your bike run rough, or not at all. Gasoline can react to oxygen as well creating a varnish deposit in the fuel system, which can clog lines, jets or injectors, and filters. Condensation can also form inside your gas tank, depending on the temperature, adding water to your gasoline also. This too can cause problems for your motor and parts. You can empty your tank and leave it in storage empty, but some of our research has discovered that doing so can leave rust in your tank.

TIME TO RECHARGE!
Battery Maintenance. One of the most common issues with bikes being stored for the winter is batteries. They are still drawing current from the battery while they sit hooked up. A good way to preserve the battery is to use a trickle charger while it is stored. If you forget this step, and you get prepared for your spring ride early, you can have enough time to order a new one. If you happen to hook up your battery to a charger and nothing happens, chances are that your battery will joined the choir invisible, along with Monty Python’s Dead Parrot.




BEFORE YOU BURN RUBBER… CHECK YOUR TIRES.

Tires. Check your tires after storage. Be conscious of potential flat-spotting on the tires from sitting for the extended time in its winter Bastille
. Tire pressure really should be checked before every ride, as there are only a few square inches of rubber between your bike, yourself, and the road. So having good tires and proper pressure is important. Check for damages, and if everything is good fill your tire pressure  up to specifications. Air will have seeped out during the months it has been in storage.


OIL AND FILTER.

You may have already done this before storing your bike during the winterizing process, but if you haven’t it might be a good time to change your oil and keep things lubricated and smooth. Anytime you change your oil, it’s always a good idea to change your filter at the same time. Here is where reading your manual will come in handy, as your owners manual will have a list of the parts needed for maintenance and upkeep, and may even have information on how to perform the procedure.


BRAKES! MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THEM.

This is a fluid that can be easily forgotten, but there is reason to check it. Brake fluid is very hygroscopic, meaning that it absorbs moisture from the air very easily. At the very least, it is recommend that you top off the fluid levels in your master cylinder. Make sure that you have the correct brake fluid for your bike, and do not mix different DOT brake fluids. If you are changing your brake fluid do a complete flush of your brake system with new fluid.


KEEP YOUR COOL.
Check your coolant (If applicable). Especially after your bike has been sitting for a few months. We've found that some riders do a coolant flush by using white vinegar and distilled water, and then adding a fresh mix of coolant. If you tend to ride hard or your bike runs hot, consider using a racing-approved coolant. Some of them can reduce operating temperatures by 20 degrees or more.



MAKE IT PURDY!
Spring Cleaning. Now that your bike is tuned up and ready for riding, and your arms and hands have earned some nicks and slight exhaustion that feels great; now is the time to make your bike reflect the pride you feel for your spring cleaning efforts. Make your bike look as good as you feel by giving it a good scrub and wax. This will also help to protect your bike from riding season hazards such as dirt, rocks, and sun.

What other suggestions would you include? What are your tried and true methods for your Spring Dust Off?
Let us know!