End Time Warriors
Motorcycle Club
"M/C"
Protocol
Check List
2 Corinthians 9:6
but this I say: He who sows sparingly will
also reap sparingly, and he who sows
bountifully will also reap bountifully.
                                             Take three minutes


The Quick Check to Insure Your Ride is a Great Ride.
"What a day for a ride," you think to yourself.
What you should be thinking, though, is "Is my ride ready for the day?"
It's a valid question, no matter how often or infrequent you ride. Either on-the-road usage and vibration or in-the-garage inactivity
can take their toll on your bike, potentially degrading safety, control, performance and comfort.
That's why the Motorcycle Safety Foundation recommends a short pre-ride check of your favorite two-wheeler before every ride.
To help you remember what to check, the MSF came up with the acronym T-CLOCK, which stands for Tires, Controls, Lights,
Oil, Chassis and Kickstand.
These are simple, easy-to-access items that anyone who rides should be able to identify and check. And despite the length of the
MSF's list, you can probably check everything in about three minutes. Depending on what you find, that could be the best three
minutes you spend all day.

Tires and Wheels
Since these are where you and the road meet, they're probably the most important things to look over. A problem can affect
handling—sometimes severely.
Are your rims free of dings? Are your spokes tight and straight? Check pressures in both tires. Since most manufacturers specify
pressures for cold tires, this is the only accurate way to check them, as they heat up quickly on the road, raising the pressure.
Consult your owner's manual or call your tire manufacturer's hotline for the proper pressures for your particular bike.
If you own multiple bikes, it may be difficult to remember all those different tire specs. And since this is one of those critical things
you should check often, you may want to make a small card—like our list on page “3“ —with each tire's recommended pressure,
then hang it on your garage wall, or anywhere that's handy.
While you're down there checking the tires, make sure you've got plenty of tread. You should have more than 1/16 of an inch,
about the distance between Lincoln's head and the top of a penny. Remove foreign objects that may have lodged in the treads, and
make sure there aren't any cuts in the tire. A scuff is nothing to be worried about, but if it's a deep scratch, you might want to have
it checked.

Controls and Cables
A snapped throttle or clutch cable can leave you on the side of the road, so check 'em. Operate anything connected to a cable and
make sure that levers and cables feel smooth and don't bind. Apply the front brake and push the bike forward. The brake should
feel firm, and the front wheel should not move. Check the rear brake in the same fashion.

Lights
Seeing and being seen are two great ways to avoid unwanted incidents on the road, so making sure your lights work is key.
Start by turning on your ignition. Are the headlight's high beam and low beam working? Does the taillight come on? Does the brake
light come on when you depress the brake pedal and lever? Check left and right turn signals, front and rear. Remember that the
cause of a malfunction here could be a relay or bulb.
Lastly, don't forget to check your horn.

Oil and Fuel
Running out of gas is a bummer, but since many motorcycles don't have gas gauges, it's a very real possibility. Check the gas level
in the tank, and be sure your fuel petcock isn't on "reserve," which could leave you with a nasty surprise if you roll to a stop
thinking you've still got gas in reserve. And don't forget to reset the trip meter every time you fill up.
Running out of gas can be inconvenient, but running out of oil can turn your bike into an inert display of public art. Even some new
bikes can use enough oil to be down a quart between oil changes, so check it before every ride.

Chassis
Though an improperly adjusted suspension may not seem critical, imagine your surprise as your bike behaves differently in the
middle of a curve because you forgot to reset it after picking up your friend last night.
Sit on the bike and rock it, making sure that everything moves smoothly and relatively slowly. If the front or rear end behaves like a
pogo stick, a trip to your trusty mechanic should be in your immediate future.
If you have an adjustable suspension, remember to read your owner's manual and adjust it properly for the load you'll be carrying
and the type of riding you'll be doing.

Kickstand and Centerstand
The kickstand is a handy little item—it's what keeps your motorcycle off the ground. Make sure it's not cracked or bent. Check the
spring or springs. Are they in place, and do they have enough tension to keep the kickstand safely up?
Don't forget to look at the engine cut-out switch or pad, if so equipped.
If everything's in place and operating properly you're done, and you're good to go. Enjoy the day.

Bike
Front tire condition
Air pressure (PSI) ________               
Rear tire condition
Air pressure (PSI) ________               
Front rim
(Check spokes)                                   
Rear rim
(Check spokes)                                   
Throttle operation                                
Clutch operation                                  
Front brake                                          
Rear brake                                          
High beam                                           
Low beam                                            
Taillight                                               
Brake light                                           
Left and right turn signal                     
Horn                                                    
Fuel                                                     
Oil                                                        
Suspension condition                           
Solo setting                                          
Passenger setting                                
Kickstand                                             

© 2003, American Motorcyclist Association

Tire links:
Avon
www.avontyres.com/
Bridgestone
www.bridgestone-usa.com/
Cheng Shin
chengshintires.com/index2.html
Continental
www.conti-online.com
Dunlop
www.dunlopmotorcycle.com/
IRC Tire
www.ircthailand.com/products/rubber.html
Kenda
www.kendatires.com/motorcycle_tires.htm
Maxxis
www.maxxis.com/
Metzeler
www.us.metzelermoto.com
Michelin
motous.webmichelin.com/
Pirelli
www.us.pirellimoto.com