Tech Tips By Luvern Blaszak - Our Resident Master Mechanic

    It’s time to get the dust off the bike and take it for a ride.  When prepping my bike, I like to start from the ground up.  Check the tires first.  Check your air pressure and look for any signs of cracking or other weather-wear.  I can’t tell you how many bikes come into the shop with under-inflated tires.  If you have spoke wheels, inspect them for any loose or broken spokes.  Look at your belt or chain tension.  If your bike has been sitting all winter long, you’ll want to change the oil and take a look at the gas.  Pop the seat and check the battery and ground cable, looking for any corrosion or loose connections.  It’s not a bad idea to put a battery tender on the night before.  Make sure all of your lights (headlamp, turn signals, brake light) and horn are working properly.  After taking your hand and checking brake and clutch cable connections, sit on the bike and roll-test the front and back brakes.  It’s better to find out you need new brake pads in the garage than out in the streets. At this point, go ahead and fire up the bike, but don’t rev it up too high at first.  Let it idle for a couple of minutes to let the oil circulate through the engine.  Take it for a spin around the block to make sure all is well, and you’re ready to roll!

With 11 years of dealership service experience, Luvern Blaszak is one of only a few certified Indian and Harley-Davidson/V-Twin  Master Technicians in the San Joaquin Valley.  He is the Lead Technician at Indian Motorcycle Fresno.