READ YOUR OWNERS MANUAL!!!!
If you didn't get one of those pay the $30 and get a shop manual from Haynes. They are worth the price you pay for them, or if you are really lucky there may be a factory shop manual for you bike floating around the net.
Almost all routine maintenance can be done by you. It is really not that hard, and will allow you to get to know your bike better as well as save you some cash. It will also give you the time to go over you bike in detail to see if there are any loose wires or bolts. A major part of doing routine maintenance is to keep the bike clean. This allows you to find and tighten anything that is loose. Make washing your bike part of changing you oil and you will be all set.
The Basics
These are things that you should be able to do on your machine with a half decent socket set, a few screw drivers, the shop manual, a few other small tools and some time. The intervals here are just approximates that I follow. For specific maintenance intervals refer to your owners manual or shop manual.
Don't be afraid to get a bit dirty, take your time, and have some fun. If you don't feel comforable doing somthing take it to your local shop.
A few tips, WD-40 is not lubricating oil, never ever use it as such. Kerosene will clean old chain lube off the chain and swing arm, as well as clean up your rims. Soak it on a rag and wipe.
Coca-Cola can be used for more things then just drinking. If your chrome has small rust sports on it (rims especially) pour some coke into a bowl. Get some good aluminum foil (don't be cheap on this as the cheap stuff doesn't work) and tear off a section and fold with the shinny side out. Dip the folded foil into the coke and count to 15. Rub on the rusted chrome until the rust goes away, and its all shinny again. Clean the chrome with soap and water and then use a metal polish to protect your shinny rims. It works and I have stopped drinking coke since I started doing this.
Pressure washers are bad. They tend to force water into places where water was never meant to go. Avoid using them, and break out the bucket and hose.
