Proper and regular maintenance can reduce your need to file insurance claims by helping your cycle run better. Your brakes and acceleration function better, making it easier to stop quickly and accelerate to miss objects in the road. Follow these tips from Rasor Insurance, serving Celina, TX, to care for your bike.

Before you hop on for that first spring ride, take a couple of hours to ready your bike. You can improve its running and enjoy a smoother ride.  

Examine Your Bike for Unwanted Visitors

Even if you used a cover and kept your bike inside during winter, you need to check it for debris, dust, dirt, and the occasional rodent. Check the intake system and exhaust system for bugs and mice. Dust off the bike and give it a good wipe down with a clean cloth. 

Drain the Bike’s Fuel Tank

You need to get rid of the stale, untreated fuel by draining the tank. Before you throw out the fuel, check its color. If you see a gritty brown substance, that’s rust. The inside of your bike’s gas tank is rusted. Use an acid remover to flush your fuel tank. You can put a clean-burning fuel in it, but you need to replace your fuel tank pretty soon. 

Add Fuel Stabilizer

Add a fuel stabilizer to the gas tank to clear any remaining contaminants. This helps you avoid engine misfiring. 

Change the Oil

You would need new engine oil even if you changed your oil before you stored it for winter. The oil may have condensation built up in it. You should change the oil filter, too. 

Check the Other Major Fluids

Also, check the brake and hydraulic fluid levels. Examine them for deterioration, appropriate color, and consistency. If they have grown too gummy or thin, replace them. This also applies if the fluids became dirty. 

Inspect the Bike’s Battery

Charge your motorcycle battery. If it has a tough time holding the charge, replace it. Check the fluid levels in each cell. Fill the cells with distilled water. If the battery is older than four years of age, replace it. 

Check the Electrical System and Controls

Examine the gauges, headlights, brake lights, switches, turn signals, and horns. Also, test the clutch, throttle, and steering. Check cables for tears or frays. Clean off your headlights so cars can see you better at night. 

Clean the Chain and Check the Brake Levers and Pads

Use lubricant on the chain after cleaning it. Dirt on the chain inhibits the motorcycle’s performance. Use a degreaser on the chain, too. Check the brakes, especially that the brake pads are at least 1/8 inch thick. Thicker is better.  

Putting this time into your bike care ensures you can enjoy a safer ride. You can also reduce the number of claims you need to file with Rasor Insurance of Celina, TX.