Motorcycle Engine Oil

All motorcycles will consume engine oil. Each manufacturer has different acceptable consumption rates for their motorcycles. New motorcycle engines burn oil more rapidly until fully broken in. Older motorcycles may consume more oil as they reach their service limits.

Because of this, all motorcycle owners should know how to check their engine oil level. Proper procedures are detailed in your motorcycle owners manual. The owners manual will also list the type and amount of engine oil required and oil change intervals. Listed oil change intervals should be considered maximum.

Understanding how to change your motorcycle engine oil is worth knowing as well. When changing your engine oil and filter, the motorcycle should be at operating temperature. Hot oil drains more quickly and carries out more foreign matter not trapped by the oil filter. Your motorcycle repair manual will outline procedures for oil and filter service as it relates to your particular model.

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Contaminated oil greatly increases damage to engine parts. Changing your motorcycle engine oil frequently is your best defence against premature wear.

Charging a Motorcycle Battery.

Before charging the motorcycle battery, check the electrolyte level. If low, top off each battery cell with distilled water. Always wear safety glasses and keep baking soda and water close for neutralizing spills. Leave each cell cap loose for extra ventilation while charging

When charging your motorcycle battery, avoid creating sparks. Hydrogen gas is explosive and present when charging a battery. To prevent sparks, turn off your motorcycle battery charger when connecting it to your battery.

First, connect the red lead of your battery charger to the positive battery terminal. Connect the black lead to the negative battery terminal.

Select the proper battery voltage setting on your battery charger: 6v or 12v. Turn your battery charger on. To select the proper battery charging rate, determine the ampere-hour rating of your battery. Battery charge rate should not exceed one tenth of the battery ampere-hour rating.

i.e. : 16 amp-hr battery=1.6 amps charge rate.

When charging is complete, turn off battery charger. Remove the black lead from the negative battery terminal first. Remove the red lead form the positive battery terminal second.

Is that motorcycle ready?

We're making our way through February. Thinking about getting that motorcycle out of the garage and going for an early ride? I've written a few pieces about motorcycle storage already, but with Spring coming I've just added one about why your motorcycle won't start.

Maybe you have a restoration project you've been meaning to start. Its not too late. You could still be riding that classic by summer! I've found tons of model specific motorcycle repair manuals and motorcycle books that you may find useful.