The Weekend Workshop

A Simple Weekend Maintenance Routine

Most home maintenance doesn't need a lift, a full toolbox or a free afternoon. A steady routine done every week or two catches small problems before they become expensive ones, and it teaches you how your bike normally looks, sounds and feels. Your owner's manual is the final word on intervals, torque figures and fluid specifications, so keep it nearby while you work.

The quick walk-round

• Tyres: check pressures cold with a reliable gauge, and look for cuts, embedded objects, cracking and uneven wear. Use the tread wear indicators to judge remaining depth.
• Chain and sprockets: check slack at a few points as you rotate the wheel, clean off built-up grime, and lubricate with a product suited to your chain type. Hooked or sharp sprocket teeth mean replacement is due.
• Brakes: look at pad thickness through the caliper, check the fluid level in the reservoirs, and note whether the fluid has turned dark. A spongy lever is worth investigating before your next ride.
• Lights and controls: test headlight, brake light on both lever and pedal, indicators and horn. Check that the throttle snaps back cleanly and the cables move freely.
• Fluids and leaks: check engine oil on level ground as the manual describes, and look for drips under the bike, around fork seals and at the coolant hoses.

Working safely at home

Use a paddock stand or centre stand on firm, level ground, and don't rely on the side stand when a wheel is off the ground. Let the engine and exhaust cool before you reach around them. Dispose of used oil and fluids at a proper recycling point, never down a drain. If a fastener is seized, or a job involves brakes or suspension and you're unsure, it's sensible to have a qualified mechanic take a look.

Keep a simple log

A notebook or phone note recording mileage, tyre pressures, chain adjustments and fluid changes turns guesswork into a clear history. It helps you spot trends, such as a tyre that keeps losing pressure, and a tidy record is reassuring to buyers when you eventually sell. If you're on the other side of that deal, our guide to what to look for in a used motorcycle shows how these same checks apply when you inspect someone else's bike.