T-CLOCK Inspection Worksheet

T-CLOCK was 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 motorcycle(s).

T — TIRES  & WHEELS Item Check Look for Chec k 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

Chec k 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

Chec k off

Battery

Conditio n

Terminals clean and tight, electrolyte level, held down  securely.

Vent Tube

Not kinked, routed properly, not plugged.

Lenses

Conditio n

Cracked, broken, securely mounted, excessive condensation.

Reflector s

Conditio n

Cracked, broken, securely mounted.

Wiring

Conditio n

Fraying, chafing, insulation.

Routing

Pinched, no interference or pulling at steering head or suspension,  wire looms and ties in place, connectors tight, clean.

Headla mp

Conditio n

Cracks, reflector, mounting and adjustment system.

Aim

Height and right/left.

O —  OIL

Item

Check

Look for

Chec k 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

Chec k 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

Suspensi on

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/bel t

Tension

Check at tightest point.

Lubricatio n

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

Centersta nd

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.