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Motorcycle Hand Signals Vikings Road Rules T-Clock Inspection



T-CLOCK Inspection Worksheet:

T-CLOCK is a mnemonic developed by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation for assisting you in doing a comprehensive pre-ride (or a pre-purchase) inspection of a motorcycle. It is easily memorized and very useful. The individual letters stand for the specific areas to check:
  • T — Tires & Wheels
  • C — Controls
  • L — Lights
  • O — Oil
  • C — Chassis
  • K — Kickstand

Just print these pages and stick them on the wall near where you store your mototcycle(s), or stuff them in your tank bag or under the seat...

T — TIRES & WHEELS
Item Check Look for Check off
Tires Condition Tread depth, wear, weathering, evenly seated, bulges, imbedded objects. Front - Rear
  Air Pressure Check when cold, adjust to load/speed. Front - Rear
Wheels Spokes Bent, broken, missing, tension, check at top of wheel: "ring" == OK, "thud" == loose spoke. Front - Rear
  Cast Cracks, dents. Front - Rear
  Rims Out of round/true == 5mm. Spin wheel, index against a stationary pointer. Front - Rear
  Bearings Grab top and bottom of tire and flex: No freeplay (click) between hub and axle, no growl when spinning Front - Rear
  Seals Cracked, cut or torn, excessive grease on outside, reddish-brown outside. Front - Rear
C — CONTROLS
Item Check Look for Check off
Levers Condition Broken, bent, cracked, mounts tight, ball ends on handlebar lever. Front - Rear
  Pivots Lubricated.  
Cables Condition Fraying, kinks, lubrication; ends and length  
  Routing No interference or pulling at steering head, suspension; no sharp angles, wire looms in place.  
Hoses Condition Cuts, cracks, leaks, bulges, chafing, deterioration.  
  Routing No interference or pulling at steering head, suspension, no sharp angles, wire looms in place.  
Throttle Operation Moves freely, snaps closed, no revving.  
L — LIGHTS
Item Check Look for Check off
Battery Condition Terminals clean and tight, electrolyte level, held down securely.  
  Vent Tube Not kinked, routed properly, not plugged.  
Lenses Condition Cracked, broken, securely mounted, excessive condensation.  
Reflectors Condition Cracked, broken, securely mounted.  
Wiring Condition Fraying, chafing, insulation.  
  Routing Pinched, no interference or pulling at steering head or suspension, wire looms and ties in place, connectors tight, clean.  
Headlamp Condition Cracks, reflector, mounting and adjustment system.  
  Aim Height and right/left.  
O — OIL
Item Check Look for Check off
Levels Engine Oil Check warm on centerstand, dipstick, sightglass.  
  Hypoid Gear Oil Transmission, rear drive, shaft.  
  Hydraulic Fluid Brakes, clutch, reservior or sight glass.  
  Coolant Reservoir and/or coolant recovery tank — cool only.  
  Fuel Tank or guage.  
Leaks Engine Oil Gaskets, housings, seals.  
  Hypoid Gear Gaskets, seals, breathers.  
  Hydraulic Fluid Hoses, master cylinders, calipers.  
  Coolant Radiator, hoses, tanks, fittings, pipes.  
  Fuel Lines, fuel taps, carbs.  
C — CHASSIS
Item Check Look for Check off
Frame Condition Cracks at gussets, accessory mounts, look for paint lifting.  
  Steering-Head Bearings No Detent or tight spots through full travel, raise front wheel, check for play by pushing/pulling forks.  
  Swingarm Bushings/Bearings Raise rear wheel, check for play by pushing/pulling swingarm.  
Suspension Forks Smooth travel, equal air pressure/damping and anti-dive settings.  
  Shock(s) Smooth travel, equal preload, air-pressure and damping settings, linkage moves freely and is lubricated.  
Chain/belt Tension Check at tightest point.  
  Lubrication Side plates when hot. Note: do not lubricate belts!  
  Sprockets Teeth not hooked, securely mounted.  
Fastners Threaded Tight, missing bolts, nuts.  
  Clips Broken, missing.  
  Cotter Pins Broken, missing.  
K — KICKSTAND
Item Check Look for Check off
Centerstand Condition Cracks, bent.  
  Retention Springs in place, tension to hold position.  
Sidestand Condition Cracks, bent (safety cut-out switch/pad if equipped).  
  Retention Springs in place, tension to hold position.  





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