Motorcycle maintenance guides
Most of the work that keeps a motorcycle reliable is routine, and an owner with basic tools and the service manual can handle a lot of it. Start with oil and fluids, which explains wet-clutch oil ratings and why brake fluid and coolant need changing on a calendar as well as by mileage. The battery care guide covers chargers, lithium batteries, and how to find a drain, and storage and spring startup walks through laying a bike up and bringing it back.
The chain, belt, and tire inspection guide covers the parts that wear with every mile. For owners of Big Twins, the Harley-Davidson maintenance article applies the same routine to three-fluid V-twins ridden in hot weather.
Guide
Oil and fluids
Wet-clutch oil ratings, viscosity, change intervals, and the brake fluid, coolant, and fork oil that are easy to forget.
Guide
Battery care and charging
Battery types, resting voltage, the right charger for lead-acid and lithium, and how to track down a parasitic drain.
Guide
Storage and spring startup
Fuel, oil, battery, tires, and pests before a long layup, then a careful check before the first ride back.
Guide
Chain, belt, and tire checks
Chain slack and wear, belt tension and damage, tire pressure, tread, repairs, and date codes.
Article ·
Harley-Davidson maintenance
Oil, primary and transmission fluids, the air cleaner, brakes, belt drive, charging system, and tires on Harley-Davidson Big Twins, with intervals adjusted for hot-weather riding.