Table of contents

• Mothball the motorcycle and get it ready to go Guide to the start of the season
• chain
• To clean
• Engine oil
• Brakes
• tire
• battery
• clothing
• Impregnate
• landing gear
• Driving tips, driving license, driving license test
• Required reading for screwdrivers and technicians
• More about technology

Photo: Rossen Gargolov

9 pictures

Artist

1/9
While the machine is being cleaned, it can be checked for defects at the same time.

Herder

2/9
Let the chain grease take effect first.

archive

3/9
The oil level should be checked several times if possible.

archive

4/9
Not to forget: brake pads and brake lines require a thorough inspection.

Jahn

5/9
The tire pressure should be checked and corrected if necessary.

archive

6/9
It is important to charge the battery overnight, as is its fluid level. This should also be checked.

Artist

7/9
The ultimate: clothing. Clean, polish …

Artist

8/9
… and waterproofing is the order of the day.

fact

9/9
The chassis: Check the fork and suspension struts thoroughly for defects and function.

counselor

workshop

Motorcycle season start guide

Mothball the motorcycle and get it ready to go
Guide to the start of the season

How is the motorcycle ready for the start of the season? We explain this to you in detail – from the battery to the chain, brakes, engine oil and chassis to the tires.

Melanie Khoshmashrab, Manuel Fuchs, Dina Dervisevic

02/26/2021

If you haven’t driven through it, you have ideally said goodbye to the motorcycle in the late autumn: everything is nicely cleaned, oil and brake fluid changed, the battery removed and every now and then hung on the charger to keep the brakes and tires in ideal condition. The motorcycle spent the winter clean and of course completely rust-free in a dry, well-ventilated environment. In theory, all you have to do is put the battery back in, press the start button, and off you go. In practice, however, you can usually expect starting difficulties and other annoyances. It is all the more important to have a thorough inspection before the first exit – so that, for example, the poorly adjusted and not lubricated chain is not noticed unpleasantly after 50 kilometers.

chain

Herder

Let the chain grease take effect first.

At the latest on the evening before the first trip you clean, adjust and grease the chain and check the wear: Can it lift off the sprocket, can you see so-called shark teeth on the pinion and sprocket? Then the chain has to be replaced.
The best way to check the chain slack is to have two people: one person sits in the saddle and compresses the vehicle. Then the lower chain strand must still have enough slack and must not be tensioned, otherwise the pinion and gear output shaft will be unnecessarily stressed.

You can get screwdriver tips for chain maintenance here:

workshop

Proper chain maintenance on a motorcycle

Clamp and lubricate

read more

To clean

Artist

While the machine is being cleaned, it can be checked for defects at the same time.

With an extensive vehicle wash, you can take your time to remove the winter dust and at the same time check the machine for defects. Is liquid leaking anywhere, is a screw loose? Are the hand and foot levers easy to move and correctly adjusted? Adjust and lubricate if necessary (e.g. with WD-40 spray oil).
How long it takes to wash a motorcycle properly is a great argument. On the one hand, it naturally depends on the individual aesthetic requirements – for example, water stains from cleaning water “dirt”? Does the machine have to be polished to a high gloss? On the other hand: If you need less than 20 minutes to clean your motorcycle, you can safely assume that the cleaning is not thorough.

Everything you need to know about motorcycle cleaning can be found here:

workshop

Guide to cleaning your motorcycle properly

A safe diagnostic system

read more

Engine oil

archive

The oil level should be checked several times if possible.

If you did not change the oil when mothballing, you should take care of it now and change the filter at the same time. You can find information on the required oil viscosity and fill quantity in the manual. Even during the season, it is best to check the oil level every time you refuel – still better than risking engine damage due to a lack of oil.
But too much oil also has consequences, for example a loss of performance. The oil can also foam up, which means that it loses its lubricating properties, which in turn damages the entire system.

You can get screwdriver tips for checking the oil level and changing oil with lots of helpful tips and background information here:

workshop

Oil change and oil level check

Tips from professionals

read more

Brakes

archive

Not to forget: brake pads and brake lines require a thorough inspection.

It is essential to check the function of the brakes before the first journey. For control it is enough if you push your motorcycle slowly. Checks whether the brakes react quickly to the pull on the lever and the step on the pedal. Does the brake open again afterwards, or are the pistons stuck and not going back? This can be recognized by an increased resistance when pushing. You should also check whether the brake pads are still strong enough. Brake dust on the caliper and disc can be removed with a brake cleaner. Also checks the brake lines. Neither on these nor on the connections to the brake cylinder or calipers may porous areas or leaks be visible. Do you only see black in the expansion tank? Then it is high time to change the brake fluid.

You can find out how to change the brake pads on a motorcycle here:

workshop

Change the brake pads on the motorcycle

Tips from professionals

read more

tire

Jahn

The tire pressure should be checked and corrected if necessary.

If the remaining profile is less than 1.6 millimeters or if there are cracks in the carcass, new tires are urgently required. You also need new tires if you suddenly experience unusual vibrations or even shake the handlebars while driving. The cause is usually a standing plate on the running surface. Anyone who has already pressurized the tires with 0.5 to 1 bar above the recommended inflation pressure while mothballing has at least reduced this risk.

Even if the tread still has enough profile, you should definitely check the tire inflation pressure before the first ride and correct it if necessary, because the air pressure usually decreases if the bike is parked for a long time, especially with changing temperatures. It is also important to clean the tires to prevent a dangerous film of dust from building up on the first ride.

You can see how to change a rear tire in the tire change tutorial (1st link), basics and detailed information on tire age, tire pressure and tire balancing can be found if you follow the 2nd link:

workshop

Tire change in the MOTORRAD workshop part 1 and 2

How to change a rear tire

read more

tire

Tire age, tire pressure, tire balancing

Motorcycle tires and their problems

read more

battery

archive

It is important to charge the battery overnight, as is its fluid level. This should also be checked.

No start without starter current, no engine run without ignition spark. If the battery has not been on the charger for the winter anyway, it must now be charged overnight at the latest to provide sufficient starting current. In the case of non-maintenance-free batteries, it is best to check the fluid level immediately afterwards.

When connecting the battery, first the red cable goes to the positive pole, then the black cable to the negative pole to avoid sparks / arcs. Also checks the vehicle lighting before the first journey, including indicators, low beam, high beam, parking and brake lights. Also important: both horn and kill switch work perfectly?

Everything about motorcycle starter batteries is available here:

workshop

Everything about motorcycle batteries

Battery guide

read more

accesories

15 motorcycle battery chargers tested

Charge the motorcycle battery

read more

clothing

Artist

The ultimate: clothing. Clean and polish.

Be honest with yourself: Is the leather suit uncomfortable, can you hardly put on the kidney belt? No reason to write off the clothes right away. A tailor can usually help you with change requests. Replaces foam dummies with CE-approved retrofit protectors. If the leather suit is no longer supple, a thin layer of leather grease will help. If the seams on the gloves come loose: no experiments. It is best to get a replacement, proper repairs are hardly cheaper.

Boots shine fresh again after being treated with soapy water and a soft sponge, if necessary also with leather grease. Regarding the helmet: can the visor open and close without any problems? Is the feed okay and clean? So either take it out and wash it in lukewarm water with mild detergent (caution: drying can take more than a day), or work in the helmet with an upholstery cleaner. At the latest when you see the sweat and dirt residues from last season in the washing water or in the rag, you will have an inkling of how necessary it was. And you will pay attention to removable pads at the latest with the next helmet. Make sure the visor is free of dust and dirt before the first trip and lubricates the visor technology with a small drop of silicone paste. If you don’t already have a fog-free Pinlock visor, this would be a good investment. You will never want to drive without it again.

We have summarized all current clothing tests for you here:

clothing

The best motorcycle clothing

Motorcycle clothing – tests at a glance

read more

Impregnate

Artist

A Gore-Tex combination also needs to be impregnated from time to time.

Checks the textile suit to see whether it is still waterproof and impregnates it if necessary. The most important tip when impregnating is quite simple: Pay attention to the manufacturer’s instructions for use! Does the material have to be impregnated dry or wet? From what distance does it have to be sprayed on? And what amount?

Also, whether a follow-up treatment is necessary – and if so, which one, please refer to the manufacturer’s information. If you take the trouble (and we strongly recommend that) to wash your clothes before impregnating: observe the drying time. Most of the time the station wagon is still quite wet the next day.

There are eleven current impregnation agents tested by us, including evaluation and conclusion, here:

clothing

11 impregnating agents tested

Sprays against moisture and dirt

read more

landing gear

fact

The chassis: Check the fork and suspension struts thoroughly for defects and function.

First check the fork and shock absorber [e] for leaks, then for their function. Checks the basic setting of the spring base and ensures that the steering head, wheel and swing arm bearings move smoothly.

To check the steering head bearing, a second person sits on the passenger seat of the machine. Now move the fork legs in a straight position back and forth in the direction of travel. No game must be recognizable.

If you want to learn more about the basics or further tips on chassis tuning, we can help you here:

workshop

The basics of chassis tuning

Instructions for trying it out

read more

Driving tips, driving license, driving license test

markus-jahn.com

A kick-off and refresher training has not harmed even the most experienced motorcyclist when spring awakens.

What’s the best way to go around a curve? How was that again with the steering impulse? Can you train your gaze technique? And what does the right ergonomics look like on a motorcycle? All the answers can be found at >All tips on driving technique, braking and safety<

With which driving license class can you drive which two-wheelers? How about that new regulation for the driving license with the class B, i.e. the car driver’s license? How old do you have to be for which driver’s license? What is still allowed today with older and very old driving licenses? And how much does a motorcycle license actually cost? Everything about acquiring a motorcycle license. All the answers and the driver’s license sheets for all classes can be found here:

traffic & business

Motorcycle driving license class A, A2, A1

All information about costs, classes, courses

read more

Driving experience & Driving tips

Driving school forms for all classes

Take the driver’s license test!

read more

Required reading for screwdrivers and technicians

Cook

The dossier for screwdrivers and technicians (and everyone who wants to become one) comprises almost 100 pages and can be downloaded as a PDF.

How exactly does gasoline injection work on a motorcycle? What different frame types are there? And how does a gear wheel get into position in a fraction of a second? The PS-Technik-Spezial provides answers to all of these and many other questions.

The 17-part series turns every reader into a technology expert. For anyone interested in the technology behind driving fun, the entire series with 17 PDFs and almost 100 pages is available for download in one dossier at a package price of only 9.99 euros (instead of 34 euros):

More about technology

PS knowledge: technology

• Motorcycle technology clearly explained on 97 pages (PDF)
• From starter to spark plug
• Simple teaching of physical principles
• Tips and tricks for practitioners

To the PDF for € 9.99

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