A motorcycle is a system of interdependent systems, each requiring some care and maintenance to support the overall health of the machine, and thus the quality of the ride and safety of the rider(s).

Air pressures - Tires and air suspensions require frequent checks to assure optimum traction and handling. Low tire pressures increase wear, increase handling difficulty and riding risks. Low suspension pressures will create harsher ride characteristics and may result in swaying in turns and rocking starts and stops.

Batteries - Dead batteries lead to problems with carburetors and fuel, if it won’t start it just may sit for months or many years. We see this often.

Brakes, Hydraulics - Manufacturers recommend fluid replacement every two years. Almost no one does it. While 2 years may be more frequent than necessary, overlooking this will eventually result in system failure as the fluid turns brown, then solidifies. excess moisture absorbed into brake fluid may expand as steam under heavy brake use, locking up the brakes. (See images on right, before and after cleaning - clutch master)

Carburetors - Marvelous devices which turn gasoline and air into a combustible vapor, carbs are prone to suffer if sitting long with old fuel. Especially in hot environments like Texas, stale fuel dries into varnish inside the carbs causing sticking and blocking the ultra-fine fuel passages used to mix fuel and air. If your bike only runs with the choke on, you have blocked passages and your carbs need to be cleaned.

Electrical - Lights, relays, starters, switches, computers, wiring - all subject to wear and weather and rodents, especially if they’re stored outside. Bulbs burn out, connectors and switches corrode. LED lighting upgrades are popular and may greatly extend nighttime visibility, brake light enhancements attract more attention at the other end. Turn signal replacements are numerous and very common, some don’t like the big bulbous lamps of yesteryear.

Fuel injection - Considered infinitely adjustable and more reliable than carburetors, FI simplifies startup and riding at all attitudes and altitudes, and may survive longer periods of idleness than carburetors. This simplification is brought to you by dramatically increased electrical complexity with a host of sensors monitoring and constantly tuning fuel input. Numerous aftermarket systems are available to allow customized fuel tuning.