How To Get Your Bike Ready For Spring

Spring Motorcycle Inspection Checklist

To ensure safe springtime riding in Albany, follow this motorcycle inspection checklist after taking your bike out of winter storage:

• Change the oil: Even if you changed the oil last fall while winterizing your motorcycle, checking motorcycle oil again in the spring is a step you shouldn’t skip. Because condensation may have built up on the oil reservoir during the winter months, it’s best to change the oil again before your first ride of the new year.
• Check for tire wear and cracks in the rubber: Determine the level of tread wear by looking at the tire wear bars—little bumps or bars that are typically located in the tire grooves. You should also make sure that the tires don’t have any balding areas or cracks. If you notice cracks or wear, replace your tires.
• Check fluid levels and quality: Fluids that sit in reservoirs over the winter can deteriorate, so you’ll need to inspect your bike’s hydraulic and brake fluids. If any fluids look dirty or seem thicker than they were when new, replace them.
• Battery: If your motorcycle battery spent the winter in a warm, dry place and plugged into a trickle charger, it should be good to go for spring. Still, you should test it to make sure it holds a charge properly—and replace it if not.
• Make sure that brake lights, indicators, and gauges light up: Plug in your battery and check that everything lights up. If not, contact a Lebanon-area dealer to order replacement bulbs.
• Inspect and oil your chain: If rust has formed on your motorcycle chain or sprockets, clean it off. Then, warm up your bike with a quick ride before oiling the chain. Now is also a good time to check the chain tension and sprockets.

What If I Didn’t Winterize My Motorcycle?

It’s not the end of the world—but you will have to do a bit more work to get your bike ready to ride for spring. Here’s how to get your motorcycle ready for spring if you didn’t winterize your bike:

• Drain the fuel tank and check the fuel. If you see grit floating in the fuel, flush the fuel tank to clear out any rust that may have formed in the reservoir.
• Examine the exhaust and air intake system before starting your engine. If your bike was stored without a cover, small animals could be hunkered inside. 
• Add a fuel stabilizer. Even if you’ve flushed the fuel system, stale fuel can remain in the reservoir and cause engine misfires.
• Charge or replace the battery. If your battery was left on the bike all winter, it will need a full charge at the very least. If it’s more than a few years old, you’ll probably need to replace it.

Timber Town Harley-Davidson: Your Source for Professional H-D® Service in Salem 

Wondering when to schedule your next routine Harley-Davidson® maintenance appointment? The team at Timber Town Harley-Davidson is happy to help you keep your bike in fighting shape, so contact our service center today.

Join us to celebrate two re-imagined legends – the all-new 2024 Road Glide® and Street Glide® at our Grand American Launch Party on Saturday, March 23. Join fellow riders and enthusiasts to experience all that’s new and gear up for an unforgettable riding season.

• RSVP below to get a special branded Event Tumbler*
• Earn additional Prizes & Giveaways*
• Register for your chance to win one of two motorcycles** - an all-new 2024 Road Glide® or a 2024 Street Glide®, plus a trip to the H-D Homecoming™ Festival
• H-D® Members, earn up to 1,500 Bonus Points with $50 purchase*** (1,500 POINTS = $15 VALUE)
• From motorcycles to custom P&A packages and all-new riding gear, check out the latest products to help you get ready for your next adventure

* While supplies last. Offer limited to the first 60 attendees.  See dealer for complete details.
** Sweepstakes entry period March 22, 2024, 9am EST through March 24, 2024, 11:59pm EST. No purchase necessary. Purchase does not increase odds of winning. Open only to legal residents of the continental United States, including D.C. and Alaska and excluding Hawaii who are 21 years or older, and legal residents of Canada, who have reached the age of majority in their state, province, or territory of residence at time of entry. Void where prohibited. Need not be present to win. See participating H-D® dealerships for details or visit official rules at HD-LaunchParty.com.
*** H-D® Members earn up to 1,500 bonus points ($15 value) on a purchase of $50+ between 3/22-3/24 at participating H-D® Dealers. H-D® Membership must be activated at the time of sale. Points apply to a single transaction for eligible purchases of $50+ before tax/shipping, and after any sales discounts are applied. Promotion good for genuine H-D® and H-D® licensed products only. Free shipping applies only to continental U.S. Usual point restrictions apply. Please allow up to 72 hours for points to appear in your account.