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Motorcycle Maintenance 101

4.4 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Empty star
Based on 29 ratings
see reviews
steven Knoble

If you're new to motorcycle maintenance, this online class is ideal for you. The class covers a comprehensive range of essential motorcycle maintenance topics.

First, you'll learn how to check the oil on both metric motorcycles (Japanese and European brands) and American motorcycles, specifically Harley-Davidsons. After mastering the oil check process, we'll move on to changing the oil for both types of motorcycles. Following oil maintenance, we'll cover air filter checks and replacements.

Read more

If you're new to motorcycle maintenance, this online class is ideal for you. The class covers a comprehensive range of essential motorcycle maintenance topics.

First, you'll learn how to check the oil on both metric motorcycles (Japanese and European brands) and American motorcycles, specifically Harley-Davidsons. After mastering the oil check process, we'll move on to changing the oil for both types of motorcycles. Following oil maintenance, we'll cover air filter checks and replacements.

Next, we'll dive into brake maintenance, including inspecting disk brakes, an overview of pad replacement, and inspecting and replacing brake shoes. We'll also discuss the different types of brake pads available. Clutch functionality and adjustment will be another key topic, ensuring you understand how your clutch works and how to keep it in top condition.

Tire maintenance will be thoroughly covered, including identifying wear marks, understanding replacement intervals, and decoding the numbers on the sidewalls. We'll also address chain wear and alignment for metric motorcycles and drive belt wear and alignment for Harley-Davidsons.

Spark plug maintenance is crucial, so we'll cover how to gap and replace them. Additionally, we'll discuss battery service and replacement, and provide an overview of the charging system basics. Basic lighting and turn signal repair will also be addressed.

Fork seal inspection, winter storage, and spring service procedures will be discussed to ensure your motorcycle is ready for all seasons.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • In depth look at motorcycle maintenance and repair.
  • Confidence at diagnosing problems and breakdowns with one's personal motorcycle.
  • Technical knowledge from and instructor with 20 years experince.
  • Quality videos with detailed explinations in plain english.

Syllabus

Introduction
Welcome to 101 Motorcycle Maintenance - Presented by Knoble Moto

Check their oil

Checking and changing Sportster Trans/Primary Oil and Big Twin Primary Oil

*The Transmission and Primary shares the same quart of oil on the Sportster

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Checking Oil On Metric Bikes

When you first get a bike, check the oil every 200 miles. That way if your bike burns oil, or has a discrete leak, you will be aware of it. After a few thousand miles, you will have a good idea about your bikes oil consumption. It's still good to check it every 1000 miles or so.

● Refer to your owners manual for the exact procedure for your bike. *You can usually find these online Some manufacturers even have them posted on their websites

● Check the oil with the bike turned off. Some manufacturers recommend you run the bike for a few seconds, then turn it off before you check the oil.

● If you have a dipstick, or are planning on adding oil; wipe the dirt off from around the cap first. Most bikes have a dipstick or a sight glass for checking oil.

● Most metric bikes are designed to have the oil checked while straight up in the air. If you don't have a center stand, this can be tricky. If you are not comfortable with holding the bike and looking, it may be best to ask a friend.

● Once you have the bike in position, inspect the sight glass for the oil level to rise. The oil level should stabilize in the middle to upper ¾ of the sight glass. Give it a few seconds, because sometime this is slow, and you want to make sure it has not been over filled. *after you change the oil, the bike will show it being overfilled, until it has been started once.

● If you have a dipstick, remove it, wipe the oil off with a clean, lint free rag. Reinsert the dip stick, then remove again, and check the oil to the marks on the dipstick. − Remember, the moving parts of your motor have a clearance of as little as .0005 of an inch. 1/6th of a human hair. Even small amounts of dirt can be catastrophic to your motor.

You should replace your tires after 6-7 years of life. 

You should run 75-90% of the max psi listed on the side of your tires.

Inspect the chain tension

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Provides a solid foundation in motorcycle maintenance, covering essential tasks like oil changes, tire checks, and brake inspections, which are crucial for safe riding
Covers both metric (Japanese and European) and American (Harley-Davidson) motorcycles, offering a broad understanding applicable to various bike types
Includes guidance on winter storage and spring service procedures, which helps owners maintain their motorcycles through seasonal changes
Features an instructor with 20 years of experience, potentially offering valuable insights and practical tips for motorcycle maintenance
Requires owners to have specific tools for maintenance, which may involve additional costs beyond the course fee

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Reviews summary

Essential basics for motorcycle maintenance

According to learners, this Motorcycle Maintenance 101 course offers a strong foundation for beginners. Students appreciate the clear explanations provided by the instructor and find the video demonstrations particularly helpful for seeing how to perform tasks like oil changes, brake checks, and tire maintenance. The course covers essential maintenance procedures for both metric and Harley-Davidson motorcycles. While praised for its accessibility and practical focus, some learners note that it serves primarily as an introduction and doesn't delve into more complex repairs. Overall, it successfully helps new riders gain the confidence to tackle routine maintenance themselves.
Covers essential, routine procedures.
"Covers all the fundamental maintenance items you should know."
"The course provides a solid overview of basic checks and fluid changes."
"While great for routine tasks, it's not meant for major repairs."
Videos clearly show how to perform tasks.
"The video demonstrations are fantastic, very clear close-ups on the actual work being done."
"Watching the steps in the videos made it much easier to understand than just reading."
"Excellent video quality, you can see exactly what tools to use and how."
Instructor makes topics easy to understand.
"The instructor explained everything so clearly, even for someone like me with no prior experience."
"Really appreciate how the instructor broke down complex procedures into simple steps."
"His explanations were easy to follow and made sense."
Perfect starting point for new riders.
"This course is exactly what a beginner needs to start doing their own maintenance."
"Highly recommend this if you're just getting into working on your bike."
"Felt much more comfortable and confident after taking this course as a new rider."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Motorcycle Maintenance 101 with these activities:
Review Basic Motorcycle Terminology
Familiarize yourself with common motorcycle terms to better understand the course content and technical explanations.
Browse courses on Motorcycles
Show steps
  • Find a glossary of motorcycle terms online or in a motorcycle repair manual.
  • Review the definitions of key components like the engine, transmission, and suspension.
  • Take a short quiz to test your understanding of the terminology.
Read 'Motorcycle Basics Manual'
Gain a broader understanding of motorcycle systems and maintenance procedures by reading a comprehensive motorcycle manual.
View Motorcycle Basics Manual on Amazon
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Motorcycle Basics Manual' or a similar introductory motorcycle repair guide.
  • Read the sections relevant to the course syllabus, such as oil changes, tire maintenance, and brake inspection.
  • Take notes on key concepts and procedures for future reference.
Practice Oil Level Checks
Reinforce your understanding of oil level checks by practicing the procedure on different types of motorcycles.
Show steps
  • Locate motorcycles with different oil level indicators (dipstick, sight glass).
  • Follow the correct procedure for checking the oil level on each motorcycle.
  • Record your observations and compare the results.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Document Your Motorcycle's Maintenance Schedule
Apply your knowledge by creating a personalized maintenance schedule for your own motorcycle, referencing the course materials.
Show steps
  • Identify the make and model of your motorcycle.
  • Research the recommended maintenance intervals for your motorcycle.
  • Create a schedule that includes oil changes, tire rotations, brake inspections, and other relevant tasks.
  • Document the steps involved in each maintenance task.
Follow Online Tutorials for Specific Maintenance Tasks
Enhance your practical skills by following online tutorials for tasks covered in the course, such as brake pad replacement or spark plug replacement.
Show steps
  • Choose a maintenance task from the course syllabus.
  • Find a reputable online tutorial that demonstrates the procedure.
  • Follow the tutorial step-by-step, pausing and rewinding as needed.
  • Document any challenges you encounter and how you overcame them.
Inspect and Document a Motorcycle
Solidify your understanding of motorcycle maintenance by performing a comprehensive inspection of a motorcycle and documenting your findings.
Show steps
  • Obtain access to a motorcycle for inspection.
  • Follow a checklist based on the course syllabus to inspect all major components.
  • Document your findings, including any areas of concern or potential maintenance needs.
  • Create a report summarizing your inspection and recommendations.
Help Others With Motorcycle Maintenance
Reinforce your knowledge by helping others with their motorcycle maintenance tasks, providing guidance and answering questions.
Show steps
  • Offer assistance to friends, family, or members of a motorcycle club.
  • Share your knowledge and experience to help them troubleshoot problems.
  • Answer questions and provide guidance on maintenance procedures.

Career center

Learners who complete Motorcycle Maintenance 101 will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Motorcycle Technician
A motorcycle technician is responsible for diagnosing, repairing, and maintaining motorcycles. This course, offering a comprehensive overview of essential motorcycle maintenance topics such as oil changes, air filter replacements, brake maintenance, clutch adjustments, tire care, spark plug maintenance, and basic electrical repair, is highly relevant. A motorcycle technician needs a deep familiarity with these systems to keep motorcycles running smoothly and safely. This course specifically helps build skills in areas like identifying wear on tires and understanding replacement intervals, which is essential for a technician who needs to advise clients on safe practices. The detailed explinations of procedures make this an ideal intro to motorcycle maintenance for anyone looking to enter the motorcycle technician field.
See salaries and explore the career path for Motorcycle Technician
Powersports Mechanic
A powersports mechanic repairs and maintains a variety of recreational vehicles, including motorcycles, and this course is a very good introduction to this field. A powersports mechanic must have knowledge of different mechanical systems, and this course's detailed maintenance modules on brakes, clutches, and suspensions helps build this expertise, as well as specific skills on handling the intricacies of engine oil and electrical systems. This class covers both metric and American motorcycles, giving a broad knowledge of how to handle both types of machines. The ability to adapt to a variety of makes and models is a key component of being a successful powersports mechanic.
See salaries and explore the career path for Powersports Mechanic
Small Engine Mechanic
Small engine mechanics work on a variety of machines, including motorcycles, and this course in motorcycle maintenance provides a solid foundation. A small engine mechanic needs a strong understanding of how to diagnose and repair different engine systems, and this course helps build this understanding with its detailed look at oil changes, filter maintenance, and clutch function. The course specifically covers both metric and American motorcycle engines. A course such as this equips a small engine mechanic with the practical knowledge and skills to service a range of vehicles with internal combustion engines. The detailed explanation of procedures helps a mechanic develop best practices and troubleshooting techniques.
See salaries and explore the career path for Small Engine Mechanic
Motorcycle Customizer
A motorcycle customizer modifies motorcycles to fit their client’s desires, and this course’s focus on maintenance provides useful knowledge. A motorcycle customizer needs to understand all parts of the motorcycle, and the course’s modules that cover oil changes, brake maintenance, electrical systems, and tire care serve to enhance skills in this regard. A customizer needs to know how to maintain a motorcycle in order to modify it correctly and to understand the consequences of custom work. Taking this class will assist a customizer in that process. This course will help anyone looking to work with motorcycles as a customizer.
See salaries and explore the career path for Motorcycle Customizer
Technical Trainer
A technical trainer develops and delivers training programs, and this motorcycle maintenance course is a great introduction to the field. A technical trainer needs a strong foundation in motorcycle mechanics, and the course’s focus on practical maintenance tasks like oil changes, brake repairs, tire maintenance, and electrical diagnostics is valuable. This course not only helps build hands-on skills, but also develops an understanding that is useful for someone in a technical training role. By mastering the contents of this class, a technical trainer will also be able to explain maintenance procedures to others. This course will give any trainer a great start to understanding motorcycle mechanics.
See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Trainer
Motorcycle Service Advisor
A motorcycle service advisor acts as a liaison between customers and service departments, and this course in motorcycle maintenance can be very useful. A motorcycle service advisor needs to be able to understand the technical issues that a motorcycle might be experiencing, and the course’s focus on maintenance of brakes, clutches, tires, and electrical components provides a strong understanding. By learning about oil changes, brake maintenance, and tire wear, a service advisor can more effectively explain necessary repairs to customers, improving customer service and communication. This class provides hands-on knowledge that is helpful for anyone who needs to understand the mechanical aspects of motorcycle service.
See salaries and explore the career path for Motorcycle Service Advisor
Motorcycle Inspector
A motorcycle inspector assesses the condition and roadworthiness of motorcycles and this course may be useful. A motorcycle inspector needs to be intimately familiar with all parts of a motorcycle, and this course provides practical knowledge about critical mechanical elements. Through inspection of disk brakes, brake shoes, clutch functionality, and tire wear, the course offers a broad range of skills helpful for an inspector. The specific details on chain/belt wear and alignment could be crucial for someone in this role. This class helps build a foundation useful to anyone looking to work in the field of motorcycle inspection.
See salaries and explore the career path for Motorcycle Inspector
Shop Foreman
A shop foreman supervises daily operations and staff in a repair shop, and this course focusing on motorcycle maintenance can provide an excellent foundation for this role. A shop foreman needs a thorough understanding of motorcycle mechanics, and the course’s in-depth coverage of oil changes, brake systems, clutches, and tire maintenance provides valuable hands-on knowledge. The course also covers electrical systems, another key component of motorcycle repair. A shop foreman also needs to understand maintenance procedures, and this class provides this knowledge and helps them to communicate effectively with their staff about best practices. This is very useful for any shop foreman working with motorcycles.
See salaries and explore the career path for Shop Foreman
Quality Control Inspector
A quality control inspector ensures that products meet certain standards, and this course in motorcycle maintenance provides a great foundation. A quality control inspector will benefit from a knowledge of how different systems of a motorcycle are designed. The course covers inspection of oil systems, brakes, clutches, tires, spark plugs, batteries, and suspensions. This broad coverage can help an inspector identify issues related to quality control. The specific details on fork seal inspection, winter storage, and spring service may be particularly relevant. This class will help anyone looking to work in the field of quality control.
See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Control Inspector
Maintenance Supervisor
A maintenance supervisor oversees maintenance operations and teams, and this course on motorcycle maintenance can be helpful for those supervising motorcycle repair and maintenance. A maintenance supervisor benefits from a deep understanding of all aspects of maintenance, and this class specifically focuses on oil changes, air filter replacement, brake maintenance, and tire care. The course’s comprehensive approach to different motorcycle systems provides a good general foundation. A maintenance supervisor could also develop skills to help improve work order processes. This course could be a good fit for supervisors in the motorcycle field.
See salaries and explore the career path for Maintenance Supervisor
Automotive Parts Specialist
An automotive parts specialist is involved with helping customers find and purchase the correct parts for their vehicles, and this course on motorcycle maintenance may be useful to them. Although cars and motorcycles are different, many parts have similar functions, and this course can help build familiarity with names, functions, and types of parts. Knowledge of oil filters, brake pads, spark plugs, and tires will help a parts specialist communicate more effectively with customers who own motorcycles, and the specific focus on both metric and American motorcycles help develop skills necessary for any part specialist. This course will be helpful for any specialist looking to expand their capabilities.
See salaries and explore the career path for Automotive Parts Specialist
Motorcycle Salesperson
A motorcycle salesperson sells motorcycles to customers and this course will be useful to them. A motorcycle salesperson needs to understand the features, needs, and maintenance requirements of the different models they sell, and this course provides a solid foundation. A deeper understanding of oil changes, brake systems, and tire care would enable the salesperson to better address the customer's questions. The details about electrical and suspension systems will help the salesperson communicate the benefits of each kind of motorcycle. This class may be helpful to anyone who wishes to excel in motorcycle sales.
See salaries and explore the career path for Motorcycle Salesperson
Automotive Journalist
An automotive journalist writes about cars and other vehicles, and this course in motorcycle maintenance can be helpful. An automotive journalist needs a fundamental grasp of how different systems in a motorcycle work, and this course's in-depth look at oil changes, brakes, clutches, and electrical systems can provide this knowledge. The course’s coverage of tire maintenance, chain wear, and suspension is also useful for a journalist who needs to understand why repairs and maintenance are important. This course can help an automotive journalist better understand the mechanical side of vehicle ownership. This course will be useful for any journalist who covers motorcycles.
See salaries and explore the career path for Automotive Journalist
Motorcycle Rental Agent
A motorcycle rental agent manages rentals and provides customer service, and this course in motorcycle maintenance can be very helpful. A motorcycle rental agent needs a fundamental understanding of how a motorcycle functions to handle customer inquiries and to ensure the safety of the vehicles. This course’s coverage of tire wear, brake maintenance, clutch functionality, and general maintenance procedures provides useful context. The course can also assist a rental agent in handling any issues a customer may have while renting and provide basic troubleshooting tips. This class will provide a helpful start for a motorcycle rental agent.
See salaries and explore the career path for Motorcycle Rental Agent
Mechanical Engineer
A mechanical engineer designs and develops mechanical systems and products, and this course in motorcycle maintenance, with its focus on engine systems, could be helpful to a mechanical engineer, even though this role typically requires an advanced degree. A mechanical engineer could use this knowledge of oil changes, brake systems, clutch functionality, and suspension systems to understand what kind of maintenance a vehicle will require in the long run, or to inform their designs. The detailed look at spark plugs, batteries, and charging systems will also be useful. While a mechanical engineer does not need to work on vehicles themselves, this course provides context that can be helpful in design and manufacturing. This detailed overview makes this course useful for an engineer.
See salaries and explore the career path for Mechanical Engineer

Reading list

We've selected one books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Motorcycle Maintenance 101.
Cover image
Motorcycle Basics Manual
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of motorcycle components and systems. It is particularly useful for beginners who need a solid foundation in motorcycle mechanics. The book covers topics such as engine operation, braking systems, and electrical systems. It serves as a valuable reference tool throughout the course.
Motorcycle Basics Manual
Paperback
Check
Motorcycle Basics Manual
Kindle Edition
Check

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Course image
Rating
4.4 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Empty star
Effort
1.5 total hours
Via
Udemy
Instructor
steven Knoble
Language
English
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Provides a solid foundation in motorcycle maintenance, covering essential tasks like oil changes, tire checks, and brake inspections, which are crucial for safe riding
Covers both metric (Japanese and European) and American (Harley-Davidson) motorcycles, offering a broad understanding applicable to various bike types
Includes guidance on winter storage and spring service procedures, which helps owners maintain their motorcycles through seasonal changes
Features an instructor with 20 years of experience, potentially offering valuable insights and practical tips for motorcycle maintenance
Requires owners to have specific tools for maintenance, which may involve additional costs beyond the course fee
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