RTT Motorcycle Maintenance & Safety Checks 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does the acronym T-CLOCS stand for in motorcycle pre-ride inspection?
- Tires, Controls, Lights, Oil, Chassis, Stands (Correct answer)
- Transmission, Cooling, Lights, Oil, Chain, Suspension
- Tires, Coolant, Levers, Oil, Controls, Signals
- Throttle, Chain, Lights, Oil, Clutch, Suspension
Correct answer: Tires, Controls, Lights, Oil, Chassis, Stands
T-CLOCS (Tires, Controls, Lights, Oil, Chassis, Stands) is the MSF-recommended pre-ride inspection checklist covering all critical motorcycle systems.
Question 2: When inspecting motorcycle cables (clutch and throttle), what condition requires replacement?
- Cables with any outer housing discoloration
- Frayed, kinked, or corroded inner cable strands (Correct answer)
- Cables longer than the manufacturer spec by 1 inch
- Cables that show normal lubrication residue
Correct answer: Frayed, kinked, or corroded inner cable strands
Frayed, kinked, or corroded cable strands weaken the cable and risk snapping during operation, making replacement essential before riding.
Question 3: What is the correct procedure for checking brake fluid level on a motorcycle with a sight glass?
- Check it while the motorcycle is leaning on the side stand
- Hold the motorcycle upright and level, then view the sight glass (Correct answer)
- Only check after the brakes have been applied repeatedly to warm them
- Remove the reservoir cap and look inside with a flashlight
Correct answer: Hold the motorcycle upright and level, then view the sight glass
The motorcycle must be held upright and level when reading the brake fluid sight glass to get an accurate level reading.
Question 4: How frequently should motorcycle air filters typically be inspected?
- Every 500 miles regardless of conditions
- Per the manufacturer's service schedule, more often in dusty conditions (Correct answer)
- Only when the engine starts running rough
- Once per year at annual service only
Correct answer: Per the manufacturer's service schedule, more often in dusty conditions
Air filters should be inspected per the manufacturer's schedule but more frequently in dusty or off-road conditions where they clog faster.
Question 5: What symptom suggests a motorcycle's spark plug is fouled or failing?
- Engine runs smoothly at all RPMs
- Hard starting, misfiring, or loss of power (Correct answer)
- Improved fuel economy
- Louder exhaust note
Correct answer: Hard starting, misfiring, or loss of power
Fouled or worn spark plugs cause incomplete combustion, resulting in hard starting, misfires at various RPMs, and noticeable power loss.
Question 6: When should motorcycle brake pads be replaced?
- Only when the brake lever touches the handlebar
- When pad material reaches the manufacturer's minimum thickness or wear indicator (Correct answer)
- Every 5,000 miles regardless of actual wear
- When the brake fluid turns dark brown
Correct answer: When pad material reaches the manufacturer's minimum thickness or wear indicator
Brake pads should be replaced when the friction material reaches the manufacturer's minimum thickness specification or when a built-in wear indicator is reached.
Question 7: What effect does low tire pressure have on motorcycle handling?
- Improves cornering grip by increasing contact patch
- Causes sluggish steering, excessive tire flex, and risk of blowout (Correct answer)
- Reduces braking distances
- Has no noticeable effect below 5 PSI under spec
Correct answer: Causes sluggish steering, excessive tire flex, and risk of blowout
Under-inflated tires create sluggish, imprecise steering, generate excess heat from flexing, and significantly increase the risk of sudden blowout.
RTT Motorcycle Maintenance & Safety Checks 4
What does the acronym T-CLOCS stand for in motorcycle pre-ride inspection?