Bike Prep

Ron Lieback
AllAboutBikes.com Staff Writer

Ah, the tease of spring. Last weekend, the weather was supposed to be in the high 60s for two days, but Northeastern Pennsylvania got a taste of the mid 70s. I rode about 250 miles between those days without any problems. Well there was one. During a rip on my favorite mountain road, a swarm of bugs tattooed my vision; it appeared as if I was about to ride into billions of black rain drops. I was cruising along about 70 mph, and instead of relaxing on the throttle, I screwed it on a bit more. After storming through the torrential buggy downpour, I had to stop a few miles up the road to clean my visor. Not to be upset, I realized it was my bike’s first fling with the bugs of spring, and how convenient it was, considering I just gave my cherished CBR a bath.

But now, as I sit here writing my final bike preparation piece, it’s 43 degrees, rain pouring down in biblical proportions. Everyone has a tale, and nothing beats the stories bikers have, so let’s make sure our bikes are in top shape so more can be told. OK, since we’re on stories, let’s assume one. Imagine the sun just began flirting with the Western horizon, and you’re cruising home from a long distance trip. The weather couldn’t be more perfect, and the colors in the sky are slowly fading until it’s nighttime. The only thing lighting up the road before you is that bouncing headlight, which you expect to continue lighting the way, but it suddenly stops. You pull over, noticing with a match that your wires are all frayed and cracked, and you began ridiculing yourself for not checking for a frayed wire.

It’s very possible, so before that scenario can become fiction, inspect your lights and signals. Make sure your headlight, brake light and turn signals are working, and are free of cracks and condensation. Make sure the hi/low beams work, and both the front brake lever and foot lever light up the taillight. Check the wiring for fraying, cracks and pinches. Also check the battery wires, and make sure the terminals are clean and tight, and also the battery is held down securely.

Next is your throttle. Check that your throttle moves freely and snaps closed, and does not rev with the handlebars turned. Check the throttle cable for frays and kinks and also lubricate it. And never forget your chain. Adjust it to your manufacture’s specifications, clean it, lubricate it, and if it needs replacement, don’t mess around: replace it. We’ve probably all heard the horror stories of a snapped chain and the damage it causes. Sometimes it’s a just something mechanical, but it could cause some major road rash, and even death if left unchanged. So inspect it thoroughly.

The final preparation step is something most bikers take pride in, a shiny steed. I know many people who clean their bikes more than they actually ride them, but if it makes them happy, let them be. I attempt to clean my bike as much as possible, but sometimes when the grime builds I bypass the shine just to get in an extra hour of riding. But it’s absolutely necessary to do the best cleaning job when it’s coming out of storage; not only for the appeal of a clean machine, but also to further inspect the bike for any safety hazards that will prevent a season of carefree riding.

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