How to Diagnose and Fix Common Motorcycle Problems
Even the best quality motorcycles can run into an occasional issue. Some fixes will require a visit to a service department, but there are many situations that you can handle on your own. If you’re not quite sure where to begin, you’ve come to the right place.
The bike experts at St. Charles Harley-Davidson have created this guide with tips to help you diagnose some common motorcycle problems. Keep reading to learn more! If you have any questions or you need assistance, don’t hesitate to contact us at our dealership in St. Charles, Missouri.
Spark Plug Issue
When a spark plug is about to give out, the motorcycle will run poorly, and it will sound louder than normal. Eventually, when a spark plug has gone completely out, your motorcycle will attempt to turn over but it won’t fire up. Luckily, fixing a spark plug is easy. Depending on its condition, you simply have to clean it or go for a replacement if the ceramic coating has cracked. Spark plugs are usually only a few dollars each and can be found at any auto store. If you need to replace a spark plug, make sure you replace all the other ones.
A Blown Fuse
Just like a car or truck, motorcycles have fuses, and they can blow the same way as in any other vehicle. Check the main fuse and see if it’s blown. You can tell the fuse is blown by either the black material found on the fuse or if the wires inside the fuse are disconnected. Keeping a fuse kit on hand is helpful, so you can replace any blown fuses with ones that have the same amperage. If fuses continue to blow after you replace them, you likely have a more serious electrical issue somewhere in the bike’s wiring.
Weak Battery
One of the most common issues is the engine not turning over. A good place to start troubleshooting this is to check the battery. You can use a multimeter or voltmeter to check the voltage on your battery, which should read 12.6 - 12.8 V. If you find that the voltage is too low, that means the battery doesn’t have enough charge to start your bike. You’ll need to charge the battery or maybe even replace it if it’s dead. When you try to start your motorcycle, check the voltage. If a fully charged battery drops below 11.5 volts, then you’ll need to replace it.
We hope you found this motorcycle troubleshooting guide useful! If you ever need expert help, bring your bike to St. Charles Harley-Davidson. Our parts replacement and service department can get your bike repaired in no time. We are located in St. Charles, MO, and we proudly serve all those in St. Louis and St. Peters.