- Inspect your tires for conditions, such as weather cracking, tread depth, etc. Check tire pressures and be sure they are set at the factory-recommended setting before your first ride. We focus on 40 in the front and 40 in the rear, but check your owner's manual for exact pressures.
- Check the operation of lights and electrical components. Be sure your turn signals, brake lights, and headlights are all functioning as designed. Also, be sure your horn is working properly.
- Check the condition of your engine oil and be sure it is clean and set at the proper level. It is a good practice to have your motorcycle serviced at this time to be sure all fluids are fresh and ready to go. This, together with the many aspects of a full service, is the best way to be sure your motorcycle is operating at peak performance.
- Inspect the condition of your battery. If it was removed from the bike, check that the terminals are clean and free of corrosion, and be sure it has the proper battery voltage. Torque down the cables to your battery properly with the proper specs.
- Check for proper operation of moving parts such as the throttle, clutch, brake levers, jiffy stand, vents, etc. Open the throttle and let it go. It should snap back freely. If it doesn't, something is wrong. We recently saw a bike come in that had been regularly serviced elsewhere and the clutch bound up a bit. That's a recipe for a broken clutch down the road. A simple bit of lube and adjustment goes a long way but is often skipped by some technicians.
- Check to be sure your Vermont State Inspection is up-to-date and current. Also, be sure to make sure your registration and insurance are up-to-date as well and on your motorcycle in case you get stopped.
- Perform a "body check". Be sure you do not have any loose or misplaced parts on the bike and that all components are secured as designed. This is a good time to check your frame for rust and/or corrosion, an unseen enemy of long-term winter storage.
- Check the "nooks and crannies" of your bike for unwanted intruders. Believe it or not, it is common for unwelcome critters to find a cozy space in your bike to rest up over the winter, which can cause you unwanted expenses if they have damaged components such as wiring, air filter elements, etc.
- Check the operation of all locks and keys, including your fork lock. Be sure that these are functioning as designed and operate freely.
- Replace the batteries in your security FOB. There is nothing worse than taking your bike out for your first ride of the season headed over the Islands on Route 2 to New York, stopping at the sand bar for a photo op, and finding yourself stuck because your security FOBs are not working properly.
Our Top 5 Cleaning Products and Their Uses
- Harley-Davidson® Gloss Detailer - Used to wipe down motorcycles, removing anything from dust to fingerprints. Not for use on Denim paint.
- Harley-Davidson® Denim Paint Cleaner - Used to clean denim paint, removing dust, smudges, fingerprints, etc.
- Harley-Davidson® Engine Brightener - Used to give a shine / fresh look to wrinkle black paint on the powertrain and freshen up dulled black plastics.
- Harley-Davidson® Chrome Clean and Shine - Used to polish and clean all chrome parts on a motorcycle.
- Harley-Davidson® Bare Metal Polish - Used to clean bare/brushed aluminum parts and shine them up to look like new.
Got a question? Feel free to call us at 802-476-6104 or Email Service at Info@WilkinsHarley.Com