New York Chapter "W"

Gold Wing Road Riders Association

Rochester, NY

Rider Education by Gary Mandak, March 2005

Winter is a great time to own a motorcycle

While we are looking out the window at the snow, how could anyone be happy about owning a motorcycle and not being able to ride it? How about working on it?! No, I did not fall and crack my head without wearing a non - DOTapproved helmet! Late winter/early spring is an ideal time to take a long hard look at our motorcycles to prepare them for our first spring ride.

Tires:

There are two things that keep you off the ground when you are moving, the tires. Put the bike up on the center stand and spin the tires to check the tread and sidewalls for wear, cracks or a newly acquired nail. How old are the tires? The DOT number on the tire sidewall indicates the month and year of manufacture. For some of us, the tires seldom wear out but are replaced due to age. How old are your valve stems? They also need to be replaced on a regular basis.

Brakes:

How old are the brakes? How thick are the brake pads on both front sets and the rear? Do the rotors show wear? Do the brakes feel hard to compress or do they feel spongy? It may be time for a brake fluid flush or other maintenance.

Brake fluid:

Is the fluid level at the correct level? 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. Are there any leaks in the brake lines or the fittings? If the fluid resembles your last cup of coffee, it is due for a change.

Front Forks:

Do the front forks show any signs of leaking fluid; if so you may needs seals? Leaking forks can affect handling. When was the fork oil changed last? What is the air pressure in the forks?

Shocks:

Check the rear shocks for leaks. Is the air setting is where you want it to be? If you see fluid on the shocks, they may not be holding correct pressure. Faulty shocks can cause handling problems.

Battery:

How old is it? Is the water level correct? Did you trickle charge it throughout the winter to keep it up to capacity? Are the cable connections free from corrosion? A dead battery on a trip in the middle of nowhere can not only be frustrating but dangerous. This may be especially true if your co-rider is not in the mood to take a leisurely romantic nighttime stroll to find help.

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 been lubricated? If your bike is out of oil or grease, this can cause the engine and the rear wheel to lock up, bringing you to an abrupt smoking stop. Fun to watch, but not the safest way to stop.

Cable Lubrication:

The throttle, brake and clutch cable (non-Hydraulic) need lubrication on a regular basis. If not, they can break, which is not a good position to be in while riding on the highway with larger vehicles following you trying to incorporate you into their grill.

Center/Side Stand Lubrication:

The side and center stand need lubrication so they can retract all the way. A sticking stand can hang down enough to touch down when executing a left turn. Impressive looking at night with all the sparks, but usually followed by you being introduced to the pavement.

Coolant:

How old is the coolant? How high is the level in the overflow tank? Is it discolored? Is it the correct silicate free coolant that is recommended for the engine?

Hoses:

Check the condition of the coolant hoses for leaks. Are the hose clamps tight? Leaking coolant can be very slippery and may cause you to lose control of your bike.

Lights:

Some Goldwingers like lights and lots of them. That is great if they all work. Turn on the bike ignition and walk around and check all the lights to make sure they all work. This may be an illuminating experience for some of us!

Nuts and bolts:

Check the assorted nuts and bolts on your bike for correct tightness or worse yet, missing ones. Use a torque wrench, this will prevent breaking bolts. Parts fall off your bike can greatly reduce the fun factor for you or the person following you.

Medical Information:

It is important to carry identification and a medical history of the rider and co-rider. This can be invaluable in the event medical information is needed quickly.

Best Book Reading:

When we got our bike, it probably came with a manual to introduce us to our bike. Ok, how many of us actually read it? Now is a great time to read through the manual and learn about our bike, its safety features, and 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. These are some things that should be looked at during the winter, so when the snow finally fades to flowers, we are confident that our bikes are in safe working order for that first ride of the season.

Practice Safe Riding

Gary Mandak

Chapter "W" Educator