Riding tips: T-CLOCS
Regular maintenance and preventive care of your Harley-Davidson motorcycle is crucial, and cleaning is an essential part of that. In fact, it’s often said that a clean bike runs better.
There’s truth to this time-honored axiom. For one thing, when you clean dirt and grit out of hand levers and brake discs, you can improve their performance and extend their life.
But, more importantly, washing your motorcycle offers an opportunity to perform a T-CLOCS inspection.
T-CLOCS is the acronym used by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation to guide riders through a proper pre-ride inspection of their bike. It’s one of the most important things you can do to reduce risk while riding, and it’s worthwhile to make it part of your routine during the cleaning process.
THE BASICS OF A T-CLOCS INSPECTION:
TIRES & WHEELS Tread depth, wear, embedded objects, brake condition, loose spokes, etc.
CONTROLS Handlebar, levers, pedals, cables, hoses, throttle, etc.
LIGHTS & ELECTRICS Battery, headlamp, brake/tail lamp, turn signals, lenses, wiring, etc.
OIL & OTHER FLUIDS Levels, leaks, faulty seals, etc.
CHASSIS Frame, suspension, belt, etc.
STANDS Cracks, bends, spring tension
First published in Issue 044 of HOG® magazine.
When you wash your bike, you’re inspecting parts you might not otherwise easily see. It’s easy to see if something is loose, like a shift lever or a footpeg. When you’re cleaning your chrome, you may feel some damage to a heat shield. Washing your tires and wheels is a great time to detect a loose spoke, excessive tire wear, or a missing valve cap.
These are just a few examples of how cleaning your bike can not only help it run better but also prolong its life – and potentially yours.
By following the T-CLOCS list, it becomes easy to remember what to check; and it only takes a few minutes. The bottom line is: If you see or touch it while you’re washing it, inspect it!
For complete information about inspections, consult your owner’s manual or visit www.msf-usa.org.
To purchase quality cleaning products designed specifically for your H-D motorcycle, shop at your local Harley-Davidson dealership. Visit www.harley-davidson.com/us/en/tools/find-a-dealer.html
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