When you have a motorcycle, there are things you’ll need to do in order to keep it looking and running great. Here are some tips for taking care of the various basic parts of a motorcycle.

Cleaning is the most basic care a motorcycle needs. Since it has more exposed parts than a car, taking it to a high-pressure car wash isn’t the best idea. That much pressure can damage the parts of a motorcycle. Instead, wash your bike by hand. Use toothbrushes and other small implements to get into the tiny nooks and crannies. Be careful when spraying water in order to avoid shorting out the engine’s ignition system.

Lubricate the chain. Do this every time you wash your bike because the old lubricant can get washed off. Also, lubricate the chain every time it appears to need it.

Check the tires. Just like with cars, motorcycle tires need to be kept at the right pressure. The pressure in tires changes with the weather due to the fact that air expands and contracts with temperature changes, so a seasonal check should be standard. Inspect for damage and foreign objects as well – sometimes, a nail in a tire won’t start to leak until riding causes the hole to expand. Spotting things like nails in advance will save you from flats later on.

Before storing your bike, fill up the gas tank and add fuel stabilizer if you’re going to keep it in a place without climate control. The top-up will keep air from getting in and causing corrosion. Fuel stabilizer keeps gasoline from becoming acidic or causing lacquering of the engine parts and carb.

If the bike will be stored indoors, for instance in your garage or a self-storage unit, empty the gas tank to lower the risk of fire. Doing this will also keep fumes down, which is important if the garage is attached to the house.

Change the oil at the start of storage or when first taking the bike back out for the season. Make sure the engine is warm when you change it so you get all of the old oil out.

Check the spark plugs at the start of the season and gap them if necessary.

Expect to need to charge the battery after long-term storage. Some use a trickle charger during the off-season to keep the battery at full strength, while others let it drain and then charge it a day or two before they plan to ride. Either way will work as long as it has juice when it needs to.

Check your oil regularly. This will protect the engine and allow you to spot leaks before major problems can develop.

These are just a few tips for maintaining your motorcycle. Other parts generally can be maintained on an as-needed basis. In general, common sense upkeep will keep things running as long as possible. Happy riding!

Author Bio: These tips were brought to you by mrostop.com, a leading supplier of industrial parts and supplies.