Check Your Motorcycle - Vermont Castings MOTORCYCLE Manual


• Know the controls� Work the
throttle, clutch, brakes, and shifter a
few times before you start riding.
• Ride very cautiously and be aware
of surroundings. Accelerate gently,
take turns more slowly and leave
extra room for stopping.

Check Your Motorcycle

A motorcycle needs more frequent
attention than a car. A minor technical
failure on a car is seldom more than an
inconvenience for the driver. The same
failure on a motorcycle may result in a
crash or having to leave your motorcycle
parked on the side of the road. If
anything's wrong with your motorcycle,
you'll want to find out about it before
you get in traffic.
The primary source of information
about how a motorcycle should be
inspected and maintained is its owner's
manual. Be sure to absorb all of its
important information. A motorcycle will
continue to ride like new if it is properly
maintained and routine inspections
become part of its maintenance cycle.
A pre-ride inspection only takes
a few minutes and should be done
before every ride to prevent problems.
It's quick and easy to check the critical
components and should be as routine
and automatic as checking the weather
forecast before heading out for the day.
A convenient reminder developed by
MSF is T-CLOCS . There is a T-CLOCS
SM
"tear-out" sheet at the back of this
manual for you to keep with you when
you ride. A T-CLOCS inspection should
be conducted before every ride, and
includes checks of:
T — Tires and Wheels
• Check tire inflation pressure,
treadwear and general condition of
sidewalls and tread surface.
• Try the front and rear brake levers
one at a time. Make sure each feels
firm and holds the motorcycle when
fully applied.
C — Controls
• Make sure the clutch and throttle
operate smoothly. The throttle
should snap back to fully closed
when released. The clutch should
feel tight and should operate
smoothly.
• Try the horn. Make sure it works.
• Clean and adjust your mirrors
before starting. It's difficult to ride
with one hand while you try to
adjust a mirror. Adjust each mirror
so you can see the lane behind and
as much as possible of the lane next
to you. When properly adjusted, a
mirror may show the edge of your
arm or shoulder – but it's the road
behind you and to the side that are
most important.
L — Lights and Electrics
• Check both headlight and taillight.
Test your switch to make sure both
high and low beams work.
• Turn on both right and left hand
turn signals. Make sure all lights are
working properly.
• Try both brakes and make sure each
one turns on the brake light.
O — Oil and Other Fluids
• Check engine oil and transmission
fluid levels.
• Check the brake hydraulic fluid and
coolant level weekly.
• Be sure your fuel valve is open
before starting out. With the fuel
valve closed, your motorcycle may
start with only the fuel that is still in
the lines, but will stall once the lines
are empty.
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