What Are the Most Common Motorcycle Repairs?

The most common motorcycle repairs include repairing tire punctures, replacing brake pads, replacing or tensioning belts or chains, repairing fuel system problems, repairing body damage, and many more repairs. Tires wear out more quickly than many other components, and they are at a high risk of damage because they are constantly in contact with the road, so motorcycle repairs dealing with fixing or replacing tires are extremely common. The types of repairs that are most common may also vary according to the type of motorcycle; dirt bikes are likely to incur different damages than road motorcycles, for example.

Aside from the tires, some of the most common motorcycle repairs focus on fuel systems. Many motorcycles have carburetors, while others are fuel-injected. The hoses that run to and from these units can dry out, crack, or otherwise fail, so they will need to be inspected and replaced. The gas tank may become punctured if the bike is crashed, and the puncture may need to be repaired or the tank will need to be replaced entirely. Carburetors need to be cleaned and adjusted properly to ensure the fuel system delivers fuel properly, and the jets inside the carburetor may need to be adjusted if the motorcycle is used for long periods of time at drastically different elevations.

Electrical issues can lead to common motorcycle repairs as well. These can be difficult to diagnose on some motorcycles, and such repairs are generally best left to professionals with the right tools and knowledge. Before doing any electrical repairs, it is important to disconnect the motorcycle's battery to prevent injury and potential damage to the electrical systems on the motorcycle. There are usually only a limited number of electrical components on a motorcycle, but the wiring can be difficult and diagnosing the problem can also be troublesome.

Body repairs are quite common motorcycle repairs that can be done in a number of ways depending on what the body panels are made of. Some panels are fiberglass and should be replaced if they are damaged, but other body panels are metal, and these can be repaired when dented in some instances. If the metal panels or gas tank are damaged, the dents can be pulled and scratches fixed, but the paint will more than likely need to be stripped and reapplied. Painting can be done in several ways according to the type of metal used, and this usually needs to be done with specialty equipment.