There are few quintessentially Australian experiences more satisfying than cruising the open road on a motorcycle. Unfortunately, even seasoned motorcycle owners with years of experience under their belts are clueless when it comes to maintaining their bikes. The best way to get started with motorcycle maintenance is diving in and getting your hands dirty. Here are a few basic motorcycle maintenance tasks you can do yourself with minimal tools and mechanical skills.

Change the Oil and Oil Filter

Start by warming up the engine by letting it idle for roughly five minutes. With the engine off, remove the hex bolt on the bottom of the engine and allow the oil to drain into a catch pan. Remove the old filter with a socket wrench and replace it with a new unit. Finish up by adding fresh, motorcycle-specific oil to the fill plug.

Clean or Replace the Air Filter

The air filter of a motorcycle should be changed or cleaned every 5,000 kilometres or so. If the filter is mounted on the side of the bike, you simply need to pop it off and slot in a new cartridge. Air filters found underneath the gas tank are harder to change. You’ll need screwdrivers to move the gas tank out of the way.

Adjust the Chain’s Tension

Over time, your bike’s chain will inevitably stretch. This results in rough gear changes. To adjust the tension, put the bike up onto the centre stand and chock the front wheel. Loosen the rear axle nut and turn the adjuster nut clockwise to achieve the appropriate amount of slack in the chain. Tighten the axle nut once your chain has the right amount of tension.

Swap Out the Spark Plugs

A motorcycle’s spark plugs should probably be replaced every 10,000 kilometres or so. You’ll need the right plugs and a plug wrench to get started. With the engine cold, twist the boot of the ignition wire off of the plug. Use a socket wrench to remove the old plug. Add a bit of anti-seize compound to the threads of the new plug and screw it in.

Install a Set of Brake Pads

Motorcycles have the same pad-and-rotor brake setup as any modern automobile. To swap out old pads, you’ll need to pull a few pins or loosen a few Allen-head screws on the caliper to relieve pressure on the pads. The pads should slide out quite easily. Just pop in new pads, add anti-seize compound to the backing plates of the pads and secure the retaining pins or screws to complete the job.

Making the Most of DIY Motorcycle Upkeep

Besides being a great way to save money on repairs, maintaining your motorcycle yourself is a rewarding activity. What’s more, doing so will make your bike last longer and run better. Just don’t try to learn everything about motorcycle maintenance all at once. Leave the heavy maintenance lifting to the professionals until you’re confident enough to tackle big jobs all alone.