| Item |
What to check |
What to look for |
Checkoff |
| T - Tires and Wheels |
| 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"= a loose spoke |
Front-__ |
Rear-__ |
| Cast |
Cracks, dents |
Front-__ |
Rear-__ |
| Rims |
Out of round/true - 5mm, spin
wheel, index against 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 around outside |
Front-__ |
Rear-__ |
| C - Controls |
| 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 on
place. |
__ |
| Hoses |
Condition |
Cuts, cracks, leaks, bulges,
chafing, deterioration |
__ |
| Routing |
No interference or pulling at
steering head, suspension, no sharp angles, wire looms on
place. |
__ |
| Throttle |
Operation |
Moves freely, snaps closed, no
revving |
__ |
| L - Lights |
| 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,
exessive 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 and clean |
__ |
| Headlamp |
Condition |
Cracks, reflector, mounting and
adjustment system |
__ |
| Aim |
Height and right/left |
__ |
| O - Oil |
| Levels |
Engine oil |
Check warm on centerstand,
dipstick, sight glass |
__ |
| Hypoid gear oil |
Transmission, rear driver, shaft |
__ |
| Hydraulic Fluid |
Brakes, clutch, reservoir or sight
glass |
__ |
| Coolant |
Reservoir and/or coolant recovery
tank - cool only |
__ |
| Fuel |
Tank or guage |
__ |
| Leaks |
Engine oil |
Gaskets, housings, seals |
__ |
| Hypoid gear oil |
Gaskets, seals and breathers |
__ |
| Hydraulic Fluid |
Hoses, master cylinders, calipers |
__ |
| Coolant |
Radiator, hoses, tanks, fittings,
pipes |
__ |
| Fuel |
Lines, fuel caps, carbs |
__ |
| C - Chassis |
| Frame |
Condidtion |
Cracks at gussets, accessory
mounts, look for paint lifting |
__ |
| Steering-head bearing |
No detent or tight spots through
full travel, raise front wheel, check for play by
pulling/pushing forks |
__ |
| Swingarm bushings/bearings |
Raise rear wheel, check for play by
pulling/pushing swingarm |
__ |
| Suspension |
Forks |
Smooth travel, equal air
pressure/damping anti-drive settings |
Left-__ |
Right-__ |
| Shock(s) |
Smooth travel, equal pre-load/air
pressure/damping settings, linkage moves freely and is
lubricated |
Left-__ |
Right-__ |
| Chain or belt |
Tension |
Check at tightest point |
__ |
| Lubrication |
Side plates when hot-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 |
| Centerstand |
Condidtion |
Cracks, bent |
__ |
| Retention |
Springs in place, tension to hold
position |
__ |
| Sidestand |
Condition |
Cracks, bent, (safety cut-out
switch or pad if equipped) |
__ |
| Retention |
Springs in place, tension to hold
position |
__ |