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Get Ready To
Ride!
Motorcycle season
will soon be here
and you'll soon be
hitting the open
roads on your
two-wheeler. Start
the riding season
right with the T-CLOCS
inspection created
by the Motorcycle
Safety Foundation.
The following is a
summary of their
pre-ride inspection
checklist that will
help you get your
bike ready to ride.
Ride On!
Start with
some TLC... tires,
lights, control
Check the air
pressure of your
tires and inflate to
the pressure
specified in your
owners manual. Look
for wear-and-tear on
the treads. Check
for loose spokes.
You can tighten any
loose spokes with a
spoke wrench, being
careful to not
exceed more than 1/4
turn per adjustment.
Operate all lights
and turn signals,
make sure to
double-check your
brake light and
license plate light.
Review the bike's
headlamp for cracks.
Confirm it points at
the right height and
direction.
Review the levers
and pedals to make
sure they are still
lubricated, and
adjusted and fitted
properly. They
should not be
broken, bent, or
cracked.
Oils, Fluids,
Chassis
Check the levels and
quality of the
engine oil, hypoid
gear oil, shaft
drive, hydraulic,
fluid, coolant and
fuel. Replace the
top-up fluids that
need it. The oil
should be at the
same level as your
last ride. If not
chances floor or in
your gearbox, don't
top off your oil,
after going through
this checklist, let
your motorcycle
reach operating temp
and do an oil and
filter change. The
trans case oil
should be changed.
The fork oil should
be checked. Check
the brake fluid
level and top off if
needed.
Review the
condition of the
frame, looking for
lefting paint,
cracks, or dents.
Make sure the front
forks and rear
shocks are properly
adjusted. Check the
tension of the belt
or chain. Lubricate
the chain if needed,
and inspect the
teeth of the
sprockets confirming
they are not hooked
and are proerly
mounted. Replace
broken or missing
fasteners and
tighten if loosened.
Battery,
Chains, Stands
If your battery was
stored so it would
not freeze, check
your fluid level,
top off with
distilled water, if
needed, and give it
a 2 amp charge for
about two hours. If
you let your battery
set in freezing
conditions, toss it
and get a new one.
Check your cables
when installing, and
make sure the vent
hose is sound with
no kinks or breaks,
the vent should hang
about 2 inches below
your frame.
Check your rear
drive chain or belt
for wear, note the
sprocket teeth also
looking for wear.
Adjust your rear
drive according to
your shop manual.
Inspect the primary
chain and adjust
according to your
shop manual.
For both centre
stands and side
stands, make sure
they are not cracked
or bent and it
springs into place
and has the required
tension to hold the
bike in position.
For more
information on The
Motorcycle Safety
Foundation's T-CLOCK
to to:
http://micapeak.com/info/T-CLOCK.html
Don't forget
about insurance!
Depending on which
insurance company
you have for your
motorcycle, you will
need to adjust your
insurance coverage.
Some insurance
companies will allow
you to remove road
or driving coverages
on your bike over
the winter months.
Others will only
allow you to keep
these coverages on,
but at a low
minimum. It's
important that
before you take your
bike out for the
first time this
spring that you call
your agent to make
sure these coverages
are adjusted.
Call us for any
questions regarding
your insurance
coverage at (860)
763-4077.
If you need a quote,
please call me or
email me at:
christine@howlandsargent.com
"Be who you are and
say what you feel,
cause people who
matter don't mind
and people who mind
don't matter." Dr.
Suess
RIDE SAFE!
Brought to you by
Howland & Sargent
Insurance
www.howlandsargent.com
8 South Road in
Somers, CT.
(860) 764-4077
The above
information was
received from
http://www.my68flh.com/2008/03/31/ |
