March Safety Tip

Back to Safety Page

Home

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.