New York Chapter "W"
Gold
Wing
Road
Riders
Association
Rochester, NY
Rider Education Information by Gary Mandak
Riding Educator, New York Chapter "W"
Spring into the riding season safely
Now is the time to look at our motorcycles to prepare them for our first spring ride. We may have sneaked in a ride or two so far, but now it may finally be riding season, if you listen to the weather person! Last time you rode your bike, hopefully you stored it in such a way that it will take little to make it road ready. In any case we should look at the following items to make sure we are really ready to ride. Bring your manual and lets head out to the garage to make sure everything is within specifications.
Tires:
Put the bike up on the center stand and spin the tires to check the tread and sidewalls for wear, cracks or souvenirs from the road. If the sidewalls have cracks, replace them, they are too old to be safe. When you replace your tires, replace the valve stems as well. Check the air pressure. During the winter it is normal to lose some air pressure. If the air pressure is very low, you may have a leak in the rim or the stem, so you need to find the source of the leak.
Brakes:
While the bike is still in the air, spin the wheels and listen for noises. If you hear a rubbing sound, it could be worn brakes dragging on the rotors. How old are the brakes? How thick are the brake pads on both front sets and the rear? Do the rotors show wear? Check your brakes regularly for safety 's sake.
Brake fluid:
Check the brake fluid level and add the correct type of brake fluid that your manual recommends. When was it changed last? Moisture accumulates in the brake fluid and may cause rust to form in the calipers causing less than effective brakes. Do the brakes feel hard to compress or do they feel spongy? It may be time for a brake fluid flush or other maintenance. Check for leaks in the brake lines or the fittings.
Front Forks:
Inspect the front forks for any signs of leaking fluid; if so you may need seals. Leaking fork seals will affect handling. Make sure the fork sliders have no pitting, as that will cause the fork seals to be cut. Change the fork oil per your scheduled maintenance. Check the air pressure in the forks.
Shocks:
Check the air settings in the rear shocks to match the type of riding you are planning to do. Incorrect air pressure in the shocks will cause handling problems. Adjust the pressure as needed, depending on the weight of the passenger and amount of luggage.
Battery:
How old is it? Is the water level correct? If you battery is low, add distilled water, nothing else. Are the cable connections free from corrosion? Brush them off and add vaseline or similar type of coating to reduce rust at the connections. The newer types of gel batteries are maintenance free and will not leak battery acid in the event the bike is less than vertical.
Oil levels:
Has your oil and oil filter been recently changed in the engine? Most of us like to drain the old oil out in the fall and store it with fresh oil and filter. Is the differential oil at the correct level and been changed recently? When was the rear spline lubricated with the recommended type of grease?
Cable Lubrication:
The throttle, brake and clutch cable (non-Hydraulic) need lubrication on a regular basis. Lack of lubrication will cause the clutch and brake cables harder to use and may break if not done on a regular basis.
Center/Side Stand Lubrication:
The side and center stand need lubrication so they can retract all the way. They can hang down if not lubricated regularly.
Coolant:
How old is the coolant? Is the level in the overflow tank correct? Is it discolored? Use the correct silicate free type coolant that is required for aluminum engines. If you mix the coolant your self, use distilled water to minimize the contaminants in tap water.
Hoses:
Check the condition of the coolant hoses for leaks. Check the hose clamps. Inspect for coolant leaks at this time. Also check gas lines and vacuum lines for cracks and replace as needed.
Goldwing manual:
Now is the time to read through the manual for the recommended maintenance schedule. Whether we do the maintenance ourselves or not, we should be aware of what should be done on a regular basis. Maintaining your bike not only extends the life of the bike, but may extend yours as well. We should be confident that our bikes are in safe working order for the rest of the riding season.
Practice Safe Riding
Gary Mandak
Chapter W Educator
Spring into the riding season safely
Now is the time to look at our motorcycles to prepare them for our first spring ride. We may have sneaked in a ride or two so far, but now it may finally be riding season, if you listen to the weather person! Last time you rode your bike, hopefully you stored it in such a way that it will take little to make it road ready. In any case we should look at the following items to make sure we are really ready to ride. Bring your manual and lets head out to the garage to make sure everything is within specifications.
Tires:
Put the bike up on the center stand and spin the tires to check the tread and sidewalls for wear, cracks or souvenirs from the road. If the sidewalls have cracks, replace them, they are too old to be safe. When you replace your tires, replace the valve stems as well. Check the air pressure. During the winter it is normal to lose some air pressure. If the air pressure is very low, you may have a leak in the rim or the stem, so you need to find the source of the leak.
Brakes:
While the bike is still in the air, spin the wheels and listen for noises. If you hear a rubbing sound, it could be worn brakes dragging on the rotors. How old are the brakes? How thick are the brake pads on both front sets and the rear? Do the rotors show wear? Check your brakes regularly for safety 's sake.
Brake fluid:
Check the brake fluid level and add the correct type of brake fluid that your manual recommends. When was it changed last? Moisture accumulates in the brake fluid and may cause rust to form in the calipers causing less than effective brakes. Do the brakes feel hard to compress or do they feel spongy? It may be time for a brake fluid flush or other maintenance. Check for leaks in the brake lines or the fittings.
Front Forks:
Inspect the front forks for any signs of leaking fluid; if so you may need seals. Leaking fork seals will affect handling. Make sure the fork sliders have no pitting, as that will cause the fork seals to be cut. Change the fork oil per your scheduled maintenance. Check the air pressure in the forks.
Shocks:
Check the air settings in the rear shocks to match the type of riding you are planning to do. Incorrect air pressure in the shocks will cause handling problems. Adjust the pressure as needed, depending on the weight of the passenger and amount of luggage.
Battery:
How old is it? Is the water level correct? If you battery is low, add distilled water, nothing else. Are the cable connections free from corrosion? Brush them off and add vaseline or similar type of coating to reduce rust at the connections. The newer types of gel batteries are maintenance free and will not leak battery acid in the event the bike is less than vertical.
Oil levels:
Has your oil and oil filter been recently changed in the engine? Most of us like to drain the old oil out in the fall and store it with fresh oil and filter. Is the differential oil at the correct level and been changed recently? When was the rear spline lubricated with the recommended type of grease?
Cable Lubrication:
The throttle, brake and clutch cable (non-Hydraulic) need lubrication on a regular basis. Lack of lubrication will cause the clutch and brake cables harder to use and may break if not done on a regular basis.
Center/Side Stand Lubrication:
The side and center stand need lubrication so they can retract all the way. They can hang down if not lubricated regularly.
Coolant:
How old is the coolant? Is the level in the overflow tank correct? Is it discolored? Use the correct silicate free type coolant that is required for aluminum engines. If you mix the coolant your self, use distilled water to minimize the contaminants in tap water.
Hoses:
Check the condition of the coolant hoses for leaks. Check the hose clamps. Inspect for coolant leaks at this time. Also check gas lines and vacuum lines for cracks and replace as needed.
Goldwing manual:
Now is the time to read through the manual for the recommended maintenance schedule. Whether we do the maintenance ourselves or not, we should be aware of what should be done on a regular basis. Maintaining your bike not only extends the life of the bike, but may extend yours as well. We should be confident that our bikes are in safe working order for the rest of the riding season.
Practice Safe Riding
Gary Mandak
Chapter W Educator