Building Your Own DIY Motorcycle Garage: Why You Should and How to Do It

 

Bikers come in all shapes and sizes. They come from a range of different backgrounds, and they have diverse interests. That being said, they have a few things in common. For one, they love freedom and the open road. Secondly, they share a sense of brotherhood that goes well beyond riding. Many of them share similar mindsets about how to carry themselves and deal with the world as well.

 

On top of that, quite a few bikers prefer to work on their own motorcycles rather than taking them to a mechanic. In fact, at least 60 percent of bike owners do as much maintenance and repair work as they can. If you’re among them, that gives you yet another piece of common ground. Whether you own a quality used motorcycle or a brand-new model, you need a place to work on your bike. What better solution than your own DIY motorcycle garage?

 

Why Do Your Own Motorcycle Maintenance and Repairs?

 

People on the outside looking in may question the point of doing your own motorcycle maintenance and repairs. After all, there are plenty of mechanic shops virtually everywhere. Though you may have to venture out of town to find one that specializes in motorcycles, you probably won’t have to look very far. Overall, a couple of factors come into play here.

 

Personal Satisfaction

 

For one, working on your own motorcycle gives you a great deal of personal satisfaction. It’s a complex, hands-on project that requires time, effort, and ingenuity. When you’re successful, it gives you a strong sense of accomplishment. If things don’t quite work out like you planned, it’s a learning experience. Either way, you gain something in return.

 

You may need to start out small with simpler tasks like oil changes and adjusting tire pressure, but you can work up from there. Read, research, watch videos, and let the owner’s manual be your guide. Talk to more seasoned DIY motorcycle mechanics to benefit from their experience. Get to know your bike inside and out.

 

Learn everything you can about routine motorcycle maintenance and repairs. Ideally, it’s best to delve into different aspects before the need arises, but even fully certified technicians sometimes have to learn things on the fly. Just knowing you’re building a broader understanding of how to work on your own motorcycle can give you added confidence and gratification.

 

Trust Issues

 

From another perspective, many people see it as a matter of trust. You probably wouldn’t leave your children with a complete stranger even if it meant getting to ride. You wouldn’t let a shady doctor take care of you even if there weren’t any highly qualified ones available.

 

With that being the case, why trust a stranger with your bike? It’s your pride and joy. How do you know those mechanics you find online are truly qualified to keep it up and running? They could’ve enlisted friends and relatives to write those glowing reviews on their websites. Just because a co-worker recommended his cousin’s boyfriend’s bike shop, that doesn’t mean the guy knows what he’s doing.

 

Not everyone is worthy of your trust. You, on the other hand, care about your motorcycle. It’s not just a job and extra income; it’s important to you. You’re going to take the best possible care of it. If you know how to take care of your motorcycle, you won’t have to worry about shoddy work. Being overcharged for unnecessary parts and labor won’t be a problem, either.

 

Why Build Your Own DIY Motorcycle Garage?

 

Now, let’s take the matter to the next level. Being able to perform bike maintenance and repairs yourself is great. Is going so far as to build your own motorcycle garage at home a good idea, though? In short, the answer here is yes. There are several reasons to have a home-based workshop.

 

Having a Dedicated Workspace

 

One of the most obvious benefits of an at-home motorcycle garage is having a dedicated workspace. With that advantage, there’ll be no more working in the blazing sun, bone-numbing cold, pouring rain, or other unpleasant situations. With the right setup, doing maintenance on the hard ground in the most uncomfortable positions imaginable will be a thing of the past.

 

You’ll have all your tools on hand as well instead of having to round them up and bring them outside to work. Better yet, you won’t have to pack tools in your saddle bags, hoping you didn’t forget anything, and ride to a friend’s garage. If the bike isn’t running, there’ll be no need to load it onto a trailer, hitch it to your truck, and haul it elsewhere for repairs.

 

Protecting Your Bike

 

Another reason to have a home bike garage is to protect your motorcycle. If there’s enough room in there to work on the bike, there’s enough room to park it when it’s not in use. That means it won’t constantly be outside exposed to the elements. Its parts, paint job, and tires won’t suffer the consequences of exposure, so you may not have to perform as much maintenance and as many repairs as you would otherwise.

 

Security

 

At the same time, a home garage gives you added security. Motorcycles are popular targets for thieves and vandals. They’re also common victims of distracted and negligent drivers. Parking a bike in your driveway or on the street leaves it vulnerable. Parking it inside a locked garage that’s right there on your property prevents damage and theft. If you want to go the extra mile and equip the garage with security cameras and an alarm system, you certainly have the freedom to do so.

 

Doubling as a Sanctuary

 

Aside from added security, shielding your motorcycle from the elements, and providing a dedicated workspace, a DIY bike garage can double as a man cave. It doesn’t have to be a boring, utilitarian workshop. Time spent there doesn’t have to be restricted to working on the bike. It can be your own personal sanctuary to escape to whenever you need a break. You can also invite the guys over to hang out, help you work on your bike, or help them work on theirs.

 

Creating Your Motorcycle Garage

 

With all that being said, it’s time to discuss building your home-based motorcycle garage. Though this garage is yours to do with as you please, certain elements are essential. We’ll go over the basics before branching out into the luxuries.

 

Square Footage

 

Obviously, the first thing you need for a DIY motorcycle garage is a little extra square footage. Several options are available here. You could clean out your actual garage and convert it into a workshop/man cave. Partially unfinished basements work well too as long as they’re sealed and secure and their ceilings are high enough for you to stand up straight. On the other hand, you could have a pole barn constructed on your property or build a separate building yourself.

 

Overall, the goal here is to have enough space for the bike and essential tools and equipment. Of course, there should also be enough room left for you to move around once everything else is in place. If you have even more space than that to work with, it’s definitely a bonus. It’ll give you extra leeway for luxuries and customizations.

 

Tools and Storage

 

Since it’s a garage, tools are an important part of the picture. Different people have varying opinions on which tools are truly essential. Still, some items are basic necessities no matter your skill levels and zeal.

 

• Standard and Metric Wrenches and Sockets
• Phillips and Flathead Screwdrivers
• Wire Dykes
• Tire Pressure Gauge
• Channel Locks
• Oil Drain Pan
• Pliers
• Impact Driver
• Rubber Hammer
• Allen Wrenches or T-Bars
• Hose Clamps
• A Vice

 

These are some of the bare essentials. As you build out your garage and get better acquainted with your bike’s needs, you can certainly add to the collection. Like most people, over time, you’ll stumble upon a long list of extra tools that make maintenance and repairs faster and easier.

 

Besides the tools themselves, you’ll need to store them and keep them organized. That way, they won’t take up unnecessary space. Those measures will also keep you from spending more time looking for what you need than actually working on the bike.

 

A nice toolbox could serve that purpose well. If you have enough space, consider installing shelves for vertical storage rather than horizontal. At the very least, add peg boards to your arsenal. They’ll allow you to maximize space in a smaller garage by putting the walls to good use.

 

Equipment

 

In addition to tools, a couple of pieces of equipment are crucial for motorcycle workshops. One would be a table or workbench. It’ll give you a place to work on parts when you take them off the bike. Try to find one that’s the perfect height to prevent bending over while working. That’ll save you a great deal of back pain.

 

Another helpful piece of equipment is a bike jack or lift. It’ll get your bike off the ground. That makes for easier tire changes, engine work, exhaust repairs or installations, oil changes, and other jobs. It’ll take up space in your workshop, but it’ll be well worth the minimal loss of square footage if you have room to spare to begin with.

 

An air compressor would also serve you well. It’ll come in handy for adjusting tire pressure and when changing the tires. If you have a few air tools, like low-torque air wrenches, the compressor can power those too.

 

Adequate Lighting

 

This may be an afterthought for some people when they’re creating a home garage, but it’s an important element. Without adequate lighting, working on a bike will be a challenge. Placement is key here as well. Be sure the lights are in the right places to shed light on your projects without casting shadows that’ll interfere with your work.

 

Fluorescent lights are a popular choice, but LED panels also work great. They’re bright, energy efficient, and long lasting. Halogen lights are also common choices for workshops. Adding a gooseneck or floating arm lamp to the mix is also recommended. It’ll be helpful for the nooks and crannies the overhead lights just won’t reach.

 

Extra Essentials

 

A few other simple but necessary items will also be great additions to your motorcycle garage. Having a place to sit is always a plus. This doesn’t have to be anything fancy. It could be a simple stool, bench, or chair. Even an overturned bucket will work when you need to get off your feet.

 

Shop rags and hand cleaner tend to prove useful. A funnel will certainly be helpful at times. Be sure to have at least a couple of electrical outlets installed in your garage if it doesn’t already have them. You’re bound to find a long list of additional must-haves over time.

 

Putting the Finishing Touches on Your Motorcycle Garage

 

With the basics in tow, you can make your DIY motorcycle garage as simple or elaborate as you want. If space and budget allow, you can put in a sofa and recliner, a 100-inch television with surround sound, a gaming system, and a full bar. On the other hand, you may be happy with a mini-fridge and a tablet with a kickstand.

 

No matter what size your garage is or how much you spruce it up, be sure to add your personal touch. It’s your space, so make it your own. With the right tools and accessories, your home bike garage can be not only a place for working on your motorcycle and keeping it safe but also a space to unwind and enjoy a little peace or spend time with the guys.

 

Along the way, be sure to continue building your knowledge of motorcycle maintenance and repairs. That’ll help you make the most of the workshop you created. It’ll also ensure you get as much enjoyment as possible out of your bike and all the satisfaction that comes with doing your own maintenance and repair work.