CHECKING TIRE PRESSURES IS THE MOST IMPORTANT TIRE MAINTENANCE FUNCTION YOU CAN PERFORM.



Under inflated tires can result in imprecise cornering, higher running temperatures, irregular tread wear at the edge of the contact patch, fatigue cracking, overstressing and eventual failure of the tire carcass.

Over inflating tires does not increase load carrying capacity, but will result in a hard ride and accelerated tire wear in the center of the contact patch.

Check cold tire pressure frequently with a good quality gauge that holds a reading, and always before extended trips.

Loss of pressure may occur due to worn out or badly seated valve cores. Check valve cores. If necessary, tighten for correct seating, or remove and replace them. A metal or hard plastic valve cap with an inner gasket should be used and installed finger tight to protect the valve core from dust, moisture and to help maintain a positive air seal.

Repeated loss of inflation pressure may result from undetected tire damage. Visually inspect tires for punctures, cuts, abrasions, cracks, bulges, blisters or knots. It will be necessary to dismount the tire to complete an inspection for internal damage and any need for repair.

 Damage caused by impacts, penetrations or continued under inflated/overloaded use is progressive and can result in sudden and complete tire failure and accident.

Always seek expert inspection of the dismounted tire following curb, chuckhole or other impacts, evidence of penetration beyond the tire surface, bulges or low pressure. Do not continue riding on such tires.

Inspect your tires frequently for damage and always heed warning signs such as vibration, handling instability, rubbing or tire noise that occurs during operation of the motorcycle

                                         Stop in today for your free tire safety inspection.

Top 10 Things to Do Before You Get Your Bike out of Storage

Ready to get your bike out and running again? For us in the winter weather, the time is almost near – at least that’s what the groundhog said. Before you get your bike on the road, here are some things to do when you pull it out of winter storage.

1. Check the fuel. Open up the gas cap and see if your fuel is clean. If not, it’s time to drain it and start over. If you used fuel stabilizer before you stored it, it should be in good order, but it’s worth making sure.

2. Check the fluids. If you didn’t change the oil before you stored her, now’s the time to do it. Also glance at your clutch, brake, and coolant levels. Coolant breaks up over time too and needs to be replaced just like the brake fluid.

3. Look at the hoses. Those pesky critters like to chew on these prime gems. You want to make sure there are no unwanted leaks.

4. Tighten the nuts and bolts. It doesn’t hurt to get in there with a wrench and make sure everything is tight.

5. Charge the battery. Did you have your battery hooked up over the winter? Make sure it is still holding a charge and not showing any signs of corrosion. Also check connections to see if they are secure.

6. Examine the tires. If you weren’t able to keep the weight off the tires, you definitely want to confirm nothing is uneven. Of course, it’s always good to check the tire pressure too.

7. Inspect the brake pads. Is there break lining left on them?  Have you serviced them lately? Both good things to get taken care of at this point.

8. Change the air filter. If you haven’t done this in a while, this is a good time to add it to the list.

9. Test the controls. Move the handlebars, hit the brakes, and make sure everything is moving smoothly. This is also when you want to see if all lights are shining.