A Spring "Start - Up" Check List

A Spring Start-Up Check List


The sands of time never rest. The days become weeks; the weeks stretch into months. The seasons change. For many, the Spring brings a new Riding Season. The time to renew the soul and the nameless fellowship with the open road. The time to pull back the cover and roll back the winter's gains. It's time to fire'em up.
Like the Winter Storage; the Spring Start-Up is a great time to give our bikes a good once over to check for any problems that may have come along with the previous season and to prepare the bike's different systems for the best operation right out of the gate. This is a process that is generally made a bit easier by all of that Fall prep we went through a few months ago. But even without any special treatment before hand, the systematic approach works best to get back on the road with hopefully no surprises later.
The following is a check list of things to do and a rough order in which to do them. As always, you should check your owner's manual for any specific or special needs and/or warnings that may be a part of your bike's, year and model maintenance program. As with the Winter Storage List offered a few months ago, the information has been gleaned from the web, magazine articles, friends and my own experience over the years. I have found it helpful and hope it will provide the reader a good framework on which to build. The custom touch comes in well at this time to make the best of any upgrades and changes we have made to tailor our bikes to the kind of riding we do.
As you might expect; the work list is basically the Winter Check list in reverse order and with a good winter prep, some steps can be skipped.

1.) Uncover and Unlock. Give your bike a general inspection - In some list this falls under the title Chassis. With the cover now pulled, check for any moisture that may have built up and dry if needed. Check for early signs of corrosion and lightly lubricate parts like the Cables, Chain and the Controls. Check the Center Stand and/or Side (Kick) Stand and their Support Springs. Check for free movement of all Levers and Pedals. Remove and or disengage any lock and security systems and check them for good operation.
2.) Make sure the Tires have the Proper Inflation Pressure - Check for any cracking or other signs of damage. The older the tire and colder the winter, the more the tire may degrade while in storage. With age and extended storage also comes the possibility of Dry Rot along with Ozone and Chemical Fumes not only attacking the tires but all the other Organic components on the bike.
3.) Check the Battery, Lights and Electrical System - If the battery was left in the bike, check for any signs of Freeze Damage and check the Fluid and Charge Level. Check the Terminals for any corrosion and make sure that all connections are tight. Make sure the vent is clear. If you used a Battery Maintenance System, the charge level should be good. If the battery was pulled and/or sit without periodic charging during the winter; most likely a good deep charge is needed. Check all lights. Check the Instrument lighting as well as the Head light(s) , Brake Light and Signals. Check the Running lights if your model is so equipped. Check the lenses for damage and any moisture that may have built up inside. Check the Reflectors and make sure that all are secure.
4.) Uncover the Intakes and Exhaust - Check for Moisture.
5.) Drain the Fuel Tank and Refill with Fresh Fuel - Drain the tank and refill with your favorite brand. If the Carburetor Bowls were not drained, the Stabilized Fuel mixture can be drained now. Bikes with Fuel Injection may require some special attention at this time. Please refer to your bike's manual.
6.) Check all Fluid Levels - Oil, Coolant, Drive and Hydraulic Fluids should be checked and topped off if needed. Now is also a good time to check for leaks that may have started. Don't forget the front and rear shocks.
7.) Touch up - Now is when all that washing, waxing and polishing, done with care last Fall, pays off. At this point all that should be needed is a little dusting and light polish work. It may be best to hold off on any serious detail work since the first few rides may turn up unexpected problems and work that may be needed.
8.) Misc. - Check all of your riding gear like Helmet, Gloves and the like. Check all of the appropriate paper work for the Bike and Yourself. Make sure your Tags and Stickers are up to date. Make sure that your Insurance is current and that all that needed paper stuff is in your Wallet and/or Bike. Like the Winter Storage; the Spring Start-Up is a very good opportunity to catch up on any Maintenance we may have been putting off. It's also a good time to make sure last seasons "Upgrades" are working out and if any adjustments are needed.
9.) Tune-Up - Some make this the time for the First Season Tune-Up before heading out, while others take that first spin to get a better feel for the bike. This is up to the rider and seems to be a no problem thing either way. But if you decide to Tune, then ride, be sure to gather all the stuff you will need like Plugs, Points and any extra tools and supplies in advance.
This Is Only A General Guideline I use to aid the task. I can not offer it as a definitive guide. I'm sure to be missing something important and/or fundamental. Everyone's needs are different even though we may be riding the same model bike. And of course, Every Bike Model And Year Has It's Own Service and Maintenance Protocols that must be followed to keep them running at their best. Please Always Follow Your Bike's Owner's Manual And Use Your Best Considered Judgment. Think ahead and carefully about the process and needs of your bike and what will do the best job for the bike and you. Take into consideration the kind of riding you expect to do and give yourself a little pad for the unexpected. The first few rides will give you a good hint into how the bike and it's many systems made it through the Winter. Hopefully, any problems that do turn up will be few and minor.
The care and effort we put into our machines is returned in that "Rush" we feel when we head out for that first season run. When everything checks out and the engine turns over without a hitch; it's time again to Enjoy The Ride.

Peace, Health and No Speed Limit To All, Intrepid