How to Tune a Motorcycle: Quick Tips & Maintenance Schedules

Motorcycle tune-ups are needed now and again to keep a bike in good running condition. You might notice over time that the bike's performance has dropped and it just doesn't run quite like it used to, which probably means that it's overdue.

We naturally want to get as many years as possible out of a motorcycle, and regular maintenance is the best way to keep it running as smoothly as possible. Tune-ups are small changes that can fix things like fuel economy, acceleration, and overall performance.

With that being said, let's run through exactly how to go about a tune-up so you can get back on the roads with maximum performance.

What A Motorcycle Tune-Up Includes

Think of a tune-up as just one step above regular maintenance. Changing your engine oil and pumping the tires are one thing, but a tune-up consists of things that are only performed on the rare occasion.

A tune-up involves basically going over the bike and making sure that each part is running smoothly. Here are some examples of things to look out for:

• Adjust the valves
• Replace the brake pads
• Tune the carburetors
• Check tire balance/tire pressure
• Check or change out the brake fluid
• Coolant flush
• Replace the air filters
• Lubricating and tightening the chain

The whole process can be slightly time-consuming, so don't feel like it has to all be done at once. Feel free to split it up over a couple of sessions if need be.

Motorcycle Tune Up: Get It Done or Do It Yourself?

The big question: do you tune the bike up yourself or hire someone? Doing it yourself is obviously the cheaper option, but just how much you'll be saving depends on the level of tune-up needed.

To give you an idea, a tune-up can cost anywhere between $300-$900 AUD depending on how much work is needed. You'll not only be paying for parts but the cost of labour as well.

The only cost involved with doing the job yourself is parts, which aren't particularly expensive. An air filter costs about $50-$80 and brake pads go for about $50-$100.

Most tune-up jobs can be done with little experience and without high-end tools. Taking the extra time to learn how it's done will most likely save you a few hundred dollars.

DIY Motorcycle Tune-Up

Despite what you might think, most of these tune-up jobs can be learnt by reading a guide or scrolling through YouTube. You'll just need a few basic tools and some space to work.

The air filter is an easy one to start with. Just grab a screwdriver, find your air filter, and take it off, then replace it with the new one. That's it!

Next, come the brake pads. For this part, you'll need to take off your wheel, which can be done with minimal tools. Once the wheels are off the bike, remove the old brake pads, replace them with new ones, then reinstall the wheels. The process can vary with different bike models, so check how it works with your specific model.

Changing the brake fluid is a bit trickier. While draining fluid you introduce air into the brake lines. This air remains in the lines when you add new fluid until you bleed the brakes. Bleeding the brakes is pretty straightforward and just requires you to open and close a bleeder valve while pumping the brakes.

Now you can lubricate and tighten the chain. This is an important step that can be done without loads of tools either. Clean off any rust and then re-lubricate the chain after you've cleaned it. This helps it last as long as possible.

Tuning the carburetor is the toughest step. You can't perform this part on a cold engine so heat it up first. Start by warming your bike up and letting it run for 10 minutes, then find the air/fuel adjustment screw.

Turning these screws affects the air/fuel ratio of your carburetor. For best performance, you want 14 molecules of air for every 1 molecule of fuel. Obviously, this number is nearly impossible to reach exactly, so just try to get as close as you can.

Search online or in the bike's manual to check how many turns out the air/fuel screw should be. It can vary depending on the model.

Most carburetors have an idle screw. Turn the idle screw until the engine is idling at around 1200 rpm or until it sounds like it's running smoothly. The key is to find the sweet spot. The engine shouldn't sound like it's sputtering or constantly revving high, so in other words the screw shouldn't be turned too high or too low.

How Often Should You Tune Up Your Motorcycle?

When you choose to tune up your bike depends on the rider. Things like changing the brake pads and air filters can be done regularly while tuning the carburetor requires a bit more effort.

Generally speaking, you can perform a tune-up every six months, but there's no rule to it. You should tune your carburetor whenever the bike doesn't seem to be running quite like it used to, or just make a habit out of doing a top-to-bottom tune-up on a regular schedule.

Motorcycle Won’t Start?

If the bike won't start at all, there are several ways you can look into the problem. The most obvious is to make sure the bike is in neutral and the kickstand is up. Some bikes have safety features where they won't start if the bike is in gear or the kickstand is down.

Check the battery as well. Make sure the battery connections are secure and free of corrosion. If the battery is low on charge, try jump-starting the motorcycle using jumper cables and a car battery or a portable jump-starter. Of course, if the battery is old or damaged then it might be time for a replacement.

It seems obvious but make sure there's enough fuel in the tank. If the bike has a fuel valve, check that it's in the correct position. If you suspect a fuel delivery problem, check for any clogged fuel lines or a dirty fuel filter.

Inspect the spark plugs to make sure they're clean and in good condition. Fouled or worn-out spark plugs can prevent the engine from starting. If needed, clean or replace the spark plugs.

Conclusion

So as you can see, it doesn't take an engineering degree to tune up a motorcycle. Sure, you'll need to take some time to learn the process and secure the parts, but it can all be accomplished with a few simple tools.

Now that you've got the information, the only question is whether you still want to take on the job yourself or hire someone else to do it for you.

FAQs

How much HP does a tune add to a motorcycle?

Exactly how much HP a tune adds to a motorcycle can depend on the condition of the bike, engine configuration, the model, and the level of tune-up performed. A well-executed tune-up can give a noticeable improvement in horsepower, but the exact gains can vary.

On average, a tune can add anywhere from a few horsepowers to double-digit gains. This is only an approximation though. If you have very specific needs, it might be best to consult a good tuner or a performance shop.

How do I know if my motorcycle needs a tune-up?

How exactly to know if your motorcycle needs a tune-up is all about the performance. If you notice that it just doesn't seem to go as it used to, this might be a sign that the bike is due for some tuning.

Some specific things to look out for are reduced acceleration, sluggishness, poor fuel efficiency, difficulty in starting, or rough idling/stalling.

Is it necessary to tune up a motorcycle?

If you want to get many years out of a bike and keep it performing at optimal levels, it is necessary to tune up a motorcycle now and then. No one is saying you should be working on the bike every week, but a fixed maintenance schedule will increase the bike's life and performance.

Regular tuning can increase a bike's overall performance, fuel efficiency, and longevity of the bike's components.

How do you tune a carburetor on a motorcycle?

The carburetor is a vital performance component, so how do you tune a carburetor on a motorcycle? Start by warming your bike up and letting it run for 10 minutes, then find the air/fuel adjustment screw.

Turning these screws affects the air/fuel ratio of your carburetor. For best performance, you want 14 molecules of air for every 1 molecule of fuel. Obviously, this number is nearly impossible to reach exactly, so just try to get as close as you can.

Search online or in the bike's manual to check how many turns out the air/fuel screw should be. It can vary depending on the model.

Most carburetors have an idle screw. Turn the idle screw until the engine is idling at around 1200 rpm or until it sounds like it's running smooth. The key is to find the sweet spot. The engine shouldn't sound like it's sputtering or constantly revving high, so not too high or too low.

How do I know if my carburetor needs adjusting?

There are several signs to know if your carburetor needs adjusting. Poor fuel economy, a rough or inconsistent throttle response, and low overall performance can all indicate that a carburetor needs some work.

How do you tell if a carburetor is rich or lean?

A carburetor that's running rich has too much fuel, while it's considered to be running lean if there isn't enough fuel. So how do you tell if a carburetor is rich or lean?

These are the main symptoms to look out for:

Running rich

• Black, sooty spark plugs
• Smoky exhaust
• Decreased throttle response
• Poor fuel efficiency

Running lean

• White or light grey spark plugs
• Backfiring or popping sounds during acceleration
• Engine overheating
• Poor acceleration and reduced power