Love taking your Harley Davidson out on the road? Want to keep it that way? Regular motorcycle servicing is important for keeping your bike in good road condition. Here are a few simple at-home servicing checks all Harley Davidson owners should perform to keep their wheels turning and the bitumen burning.
Whether you have an early Shovelhead or a late Dyna Glide, each Harley Davidson model is very different. Before commencing any service checks or work on your bike, make sure you have a copy of a Workshop Manual suited to your year and model to reference. Don’t have a copy of your motorcycle’s Workshop Manual? AMC Parts and Workshop can help you out!
CHECK OIL AND FLUIDS
Without the correct Oil and Fluid levels your bike will not run efficiently. Check the transmission fluid and engine oil levels by locating the dipstick on your bike, refer to your Workshop Manual if you are unsure where this is located. Generally, the level of oil should not sit lower than halfway down the dipstick.
Brake fluid should be checked by taking off the master cylinder covers and making sure the bike is level. Your level and the bikes level can sometimes be quite different so make sure the bike is level. Brake fluid should be either Dot 4 or Dot 5. Check your manual before filling up. Do NOT mix the two. Don’t overfill, make sure the level is no higher than just under the lip of the reservoir. If your brakes are worn fill under this level as it may overflow when you depress the caliper pistons after putting on new brake pads.
Beware: Dot 5 is silicone based and will not hurt your paintwork, however Dot 4 is not and will so be careful not to overfill.
TYRES
Checking the tyre pressure is very important for road safety and should be done weekly if you are riding every day. General rule of thumb, your tyre pressure should be no less than 36-40 PSI, however refer to your Workshop Manual for specifics for your model.
The tyre tread on your Harley should be checked after every 2000kms. The legal minimum will vary state to state, but in WA the minimum for tyre tread is 1.5mm.
BRAKES
Racing the wind on your Harley is exhilarating, however unfortunately you’ll have to slow down eventually. Whether it’s to refuel or to pick up a pie from The Bindoon Bakery, both these options require working brakes. You’ll need to check the brake pad thickness and the deep groves in the disc rotors to make sure they haven’t worn down. You are able to check the rear brake pedal adjustment however, if you have noticed the front brake isn’t working as it should, you’ll need to book in a trip to AMC Parts and Workshop to see their specialised Harley Davidson mechanic.
BATTERY
A low battery can put a dead stop to any ride plans. To maximise the life of your motorcycle battery, keep it hooked up to a maintenance battery charger at all times. This ensures your starting system gets the correct voltage every time.
LIGHTING
Keep in mind while you may be able to see other cars on the road, they may not be able to see you. Before heading out on the road for a ride, check all tail lamps, head lights and ensure turn signals (indicators) are working.
WHEN ITS TIME TO GET HELP FROM THE EXPERTS
Every motorcycle is different, and as a rider your will know when something is starting to behave out of the ordinary. Little problems can become bigger (more expensive) ones if left unattended. Always make sure you book your bike in for a check-up if you start experiencing any of the following problems:
• Major oil leaks
• Squeaky or squishy brakes and they don’t feel right.
• Any unexplained engine noises
If it feels different, don’t risk it! The crew at AMC Parts and Workshop are specialists when it comes to Harley Davidson and Custom Motorcycle parts and repairs. Book your motorcycle in for a safety check-up and service and you’ll be back on the road in no time!