Give each motorcycle its own record
A useful service history lets you return to a simple question: what happened to this bike, and when? Start with the registration and the model details you have confirmed. If you keep more than one motorcycle, maintain separate records so parts, dates and notes stay with the right bike.
Gather the material you already have: service-book entries, workshop invoices, parts receipts and your own notes. Do not fill gaps with guesses. If you know a job happened but cannot confirm its date or mileage, say that in the record.
What to record after completed work
For each entry, write down the completion date, odometer reading and unit, work performed and who carried it out. Add the part reference or specification shown on the paperwork when relevant. Keep the invoice or receipt somewhere you can retrieve it and record its reference.
Be precise about what the evidence shows. A receipt for a part demonstrates a purchase; it does not by itself confirm installation. Distinguish work completed by a garage, work you completed yourself and information supplied by a previous owner.
An example of a useful entry
Example only: 8 September 2026; 18,420 miles; oil and filter change completed by the workshop; invoice reference SERVICE-014; product details retained on the invoice. Follow-up question: ask the workshop about the chain adjustment noted during the visit.
The value is in the clear distinction between completed work and the follow-up question. Keep the original paperwork alongside your record. A personal log helps you organise evidence; it is not an independently verified full service history or proof of ownership.
Keep future work in a separate plan
A list of work you are considering should remain separate from completed maintenance. Note symptoms or questions in your own words, add relevant previous work and bring the plan to your garage. Once work is completed, record what actually happened instead of simply copying the original plan.
Use the manufacturer’s information for your exact motorcycle and the advice of a qualified workshop when deciding what is due. Service intervals, specifications and procedures vary by model and use. A general record-keeping guide cannot set the maintenance schedule for your bike.
Where 2Shocks fits
2Shocks is a coming-soon motorcycle maintenance app for UK riders. It is being built to keep your maintenance entries, available MOT information and saved service plans together. At launch, Free is planned for one active motorcycle; Plus is planned for up to five.
Garage booking and parts purchasing are not included in the first release. You will be able to prepare a plan to show on your phone when talking to a garage. Until the app launches, a notebook or spreadsheet using the fields above is a useful place to start.