You have your destination and route planned out. You have the date when you get to leave, all the arrangment have been made. You have the money set aside for your trip. You just figured out how to use your new GPS and you ordered new bags to pack your stuff in, but wait, what about your motorcycle. Will it be able to travel 4,000 miles on those tires? Before you leave on that motorcycle tour of a lifetime, make sure your bike is in tip-top shape to get you there. It is money well spent to send your bike to the garage for an inspection before you hit the road. Motorcycles are machines. Things can go wrong with machines and often do. You don't want to be broke down in the middle of nowhere, with electrical problems, because you didn't take the time to check your battery before you left on your trip. If you cannot afford the professional check of your bike, then you need to at least check  all the fluid levels and condition including oil, brake fluid and engine coolant (on liquid cooled machines) . Check the tires for wear and proper tire pressure. Check brake, clutch and throttle cables, adjust and lubricate if necessary. Check battery and all lights. Check for loose or missing items. Below is a check list from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation of things that should be inspected. A day spent on preparation can prevent days of travel lost to a broken down motorcycle.

 ^{SM Inspection Checklist}

T-CLOCS ITEM	WHAT TO CHECK		WHAT TO LOOK FOR	CHECK-OFF
T-TIRES & WHEELS
Tires	Condition		Tread depth, wear, weathering, evenly seated, bulges, embedded objects.	Front		Rear
	Air Pressure		Check when cold, adjust to load.	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 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
Brakes	Function		Each brake alone keeps bike from rolling.	Front		Rear
C-CONTROLS
Levers and Pedal		Condition			Broken, bent, cracked, mounts tight, ball ends on handlebar levers, proper adjustment.
		Pivots			Lubricated.
Cables		Condition			Fraying, kinks, lubrication: ends and interior.
		Routing			No interference or pulling at steering head, suspension, no sharp angles, wire supports in place.
Hoses		Condition			Cuts, cracks, leaks, bulges, chafing, deterioration.
		Routing			No interference or pulling at steering head, suspension, no sharp angles, hose supports in place.
Throttle		Operation			Moves freely, snaps closed, no revving when handlebars are turned.
L-LIGHTS
Battery		Condition			Terminals; clean and tight, electrolyte level, held down securely.
		Vent Tube			Not kinked, routed properly, not plugged.
Headlamp		Condition			Cracks, reflector, mounting and adjustment system.
		Aim			Height and right/left.
		Operation			Hi beam/low beam operation.
Tail lamp/brake lamp		Condition			Cracks, clean and tight.
		Operation			Activates upon front brake/rear brake application.
Turn signals	Operation		Flashes correctly.	Front left		Front right
				Rear left		Rear right
Mirrors		Condition			Cracks, clean, tight mounts and swivel joints.
		Aim			Adjust when seated on bike.
Lenses & Reflectors		Condition			Cracked, broken, securely mounted, excessive condensation.
Wiring		Condition			Fraying, chafing, insulation.
		Routing			Pinched, no interference or pulling at steering head or suspension, wire looms and ties in place, connectors tight, clean.
O-OIL
Levels		Engine Oil			Check warm on center stand on level ground, dipstick, sight glass.
		Hypoid Gear Oil, Shaft Drive			Transmission, rear drive, shaft.
		Hydraulic Fluid			Brakes, clutch, reservoir or sight glass.
		Coolant			Reservoir and/or coolant recovery tank — check only when cool.
		Fuel			Tank or gauge.
Leaks		Engine Oil			Gaskets, housings, seals.
		Hypoid Gear Oil, Shaft Drive			Gaskets, seals, breathers.
		Hydraulic Fluid			Hoses, master cylinders, calipers.
		Coolant			Radiator, hoses, tanks, fittings, pipes.
		Fuel			Lines, fuel valve, carbs.
C-CHASSIS
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 pulling/pushing forks.
		Swingarm Bushings/Bearings			Raise rear wheel, check for play by pushing/pulling swingarm.
Suspension	Front Forks		Smooth travel, equal air pressure/damping, anti-dive settings.	Left		Right
	Rear 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. Note: do not lubricate belts.
		Sprockets			Teeth not hooked, securely mounted
Fasteners		Threaded			Tight, missing bolts, nuts.
		Clips			Broken, missing.
		Cotter Pins			Broken, missing.
S-STANDS
Center stand		Condition			Cracks, bent.
		Retention			Springs in place, tension to hold position.
Side stand		Condition			Cracks, bent (safety cut-out switch or pad equipped).
		Retention			Springs in place, tension to hold position.

Leah Lind