Snowbike Preseason Setup and Maintenance Checklist

Finally—we’re getting close to that white gold falling from the sky.

That means it’s time to pull the trusty steed out of the back corner of the shop, dust it off and start getting it ready for another season.

A little preseason maintenance now can prevent a lot of frustration once the snow arrives. Here’s the Moto365 checklist for getting your snowbike ready to ride.

1. Inspect the Dirt Bike

Start with a general look over the entire bike.

Check for:

• Loose or missing hardware

• Chafing on the wiring harness

• Cracked or broken plastics

• Damaged hoses

• Fluid leaks

• Anything that looks bent, worn or out of place

Snowbikes vibrate, move and take plenty of abuse throughout the season. Things can loosen or shift without being immediately obvious, so take your time and look closely.

2. Change the Engine Oil

This probably should have been done before you put the bike away for the summer.

But we all know that didn’t happen.

Start the season with fresh oil and a new filter. Snowbike engines work hard, often at sustained RPM, so regular oil changes are cheap insurance.

While you’re there, inspect the drained oil and filter for anything unusual.

3. Check the Coolant, Thermostat and Heated-Handlebar System

Hoses, wiring and fittings can shift during the season, especially on a bike that gets ridden hard.

Inspect all coolant hoses and connections for:

• Leaks

• Cracks

• Loose clamps

• Kinks

• Contact with sharp edges or hot components

• Areas where hoses may be rubbing

At a minimum, verify the coolant level. Starting the season with fresh coolant is never a bad idea either.

Also inspect the thermostat, temperature gauge and heated-handlebar plumbing or wiring to make sure everything is properly routed and secure.

4. Inspect the Track

Lift the rear of the kit off the ground and slowly rotate the track through a full revolution.

Look for:

• Torn or missing lugs

• Cracks around the base of the lugs

• Cuts or punctures

• Excessive fraying along the edges

• Damage to the internal drive lugs

• Anything embedded in the track

We use a torch to carefully clean up loose strings along the edge of the track. Take your time and avoid applying unnecessary heat to the track itself.

A damaged lug doesn’t always mean the track needs to be replaced immediately, but it’s better to identify the problem in the shop than halfway through the first ride.

5. Check Track Tension and Alignment

Set the track tension according to the kit manufacturer’s recommendations.

A track that is too loose can ratchet or derail. A track that is too tight creates unnecessary drag and puts additional load on bearings, shafts and drive components.

Check the alignment while rotating the track. We typically look down each edge and verify that the spacing remains consistent from front to back.

After making adjustments, rotate the track several more times and check it again.

6. Inspect the Drive Chain, Sprockets and Belt

These are wear items, so give them a close inspection before the season begins.

Check for:

• Stretched or damaged chains

• Stiff chain links

• Hooked or worn sprocket teeth

• Cracks or missing teeth on belts

• Incorrect chain tension

• Loose sprocket hardware

• Improper alignment

Avid riders should plan on replacing some of these items annually, depending on mileage, riding conditions and the specific kit.

They’re much easier to replace in the shop than in the backcountry.

7. Check Bearings, Bolts and Suspension Pivots

Cycle the suspension through its travel and make sure everything operates smoothly.

Give components a tug and check for unwanted movement or play. Inspect the suspension pivots, shafts, wheels and bearings for anything that feels loose, rough or notchy.

Check the major fasteners throughout the kit and torque them to the manufacturer’s specifications.

And don’t be afraid of the grease gun.

Keep the suspension properly lubricated so the pivots and bearings continue moving the way they should.

8. Inspect the Ski, Skags and Spindle

Chances are the ski took some abuse last spring while you were trying to reach that last patch of snow.

Inspect:

• Ski condition

• Skags and wear bars

• Spindle

• Bushings

• Mounting hardware

• Ski bolt

• Limiter components

• Any cracks or excessive wear

A damaged or badly worn skag can affect steering and tracking. Preseason is a good time to replace worn parts before inventory becomes difficult to find during peak riding season.

9. Test Heated Handlebars, Lights and Electrical Accessories

Fire up the bike and make sure everything still works.

Test:

• Heated handlebars

• Temperature gauge

• Headlight

• Auxiliary lights

• GPS or navigation equipment

• Battery

• Kill switch

Inspect electrical connections for corrosion, loose terminals or damaged wiring.

Finding out your heated bars don’t work is much less irritating in a warm shop than it is ten miles into a cold ride.

10. Inspect Fuel Cans, Bags and Mounting Hardware

Check all fuel cans, storage bags and mounting systems.

Make sure:

• Fuel cans aren’t leaking

• Caps and seals are in good condition

• Mounting brackets are secure

• Straps and buckles still work

• Bags aren’t torn

• Nothing is rubbing against the track or exhaust

This is also the fun part where you discover what you left in the tunnel bag all summer.

You may want to have gloves handy.

Empty everything out, clean the bag and inspect your tools and emergency supplies before packing it again.

11. Verify Suspension Settings

Check your suspension settings before the season begins, especially if your kit uses air suspension.

Verify:

• Spring preload

• Compression settings

• Sag

• Fork pressure, if applicable

• Cycle the suspension through and make sure it all moves smoothly

• Grease all fittings

Settings can change over time, and it’s easy to forget what you were running at the end of the previous season.

Record your baseline settings somewhere accessible so you can make adjustments throughout the winter without starting over every time.

12. Start It, Heat-Cycle It and Complete a Test Ride

Start the bike and let it come up to operating temperature.

Watch for:

• Coolant leaks

• Fuel leaks

• Unusual noises

• Warning lights

• Electrical issues

• Incorrect temperature readings

• Anything rubbing or moving unexpectedly

Allow the bike to cool completely and inspect it again.

A short test ride is also a good idea.

You may have to wait until we actually get some snow for that part.

13. Recheck Everything After the First Ride

The first ride of the season is the final part of the preseason inspection.

Once the bike has been through a full heat cycle and the kit has been loaded under real riding conditions, recheck:

• Major fasteners

• Track tension

• Track alignment

• Chain tension

• Fluid levels

• Hose routing

• Electrical connections

• Fuel-can mount

Things can settle, stretch or move during that first ride. Spending a few minutes going back over the machine can prevent a small issue from turning into a bigger one.

Final Thoughts

Preseason maintenance isn’t the most exciting part of snowbiking, but neither is standing beside a broken machine while your buddies keep riding.

Take the time to inspect the bike and kit thoroughly, replace worn components and verify that everything is operating properly.

Then, once the snow finally arrives, you can focus on more important things—like making questionable line choices and convincing yourself that one more accessory is absolutely necessary.

About the Author

Darren Teal has been riding snowbikes since 2010 and has spent over 14 years testing kits, building custom snowbikes, and helping riders throughout North America choose the right setup. He is an authorized MTN.TOP and CMX dealer based in Post Falls, Idaho.