Let’s Talk About The C in T-CLOCS! C= Controls

C= Controls. This includes Handlebars, Levers and Pedals, Cables, Hoses, and your Throttle. The second part of T-Clocs requires taking a little closer look at some of the finer details. First let’s talk about handle bars. You always want to make sure that your handlebars are not bent.. or broken! (Trust me this leads to an interesting ride!). When checking your handlebars remove the riser cover in the center, if its accessible, and check for cracks in between the riser mounts. (I learned this trick the hard way, who expects their handlebars to break mid ride….). Make sure that the handlebars turn freely all the way from right to left and back to right. While checking this free turn in the handlebars watch the cables. Make sure that they don’t kink, pull too tight, or bend at a sharp angle. You want the cables to move freely, making sure that there is no fraying or rubbing on the cable casing. There should be no interference or tension at the steering head or suspension, and the cables should be routed through wire supports. Check your levers and pedals. It is pretty easy to bend clutch and brake levers if your bike gets dropped or knocked over. Make sure that the ball ends are intact on both brake and clutch levers. These are safety features that help prevent your hands from slipping off the levers especially during sudden or emergency applications of the brake or clutch. Check for cracks or deformity along the length of the lever or pedal. A crack can develop into a broken off piece, which is probably not going to make for a fun day. Make sure that all pedals and levers are mounted tight with no extra movement, and that they are properly adjusted, both brake and clutch levers should pull back tight against the mount. They both should have no more than 10-15 mm of movement (the distance the end of the lever moves). Also check that the pivot points are properly lubricated. This will help to ensure that the parts don’t wear out prematurely or cause bigger issues. Inspect the hoses and fuel lines, checking their condition for cracks, leaks, bulges, chafing, rub spots, and weather or chemical deterioration. You may not see a leak in a hose but you may notice that the hose looks wet or feels gummy to the touch. This warrants a closer inspection and replacement. Make sure that hoses are routed through the proper hose supports and that they don’t bend at sharp angles or cause interference or pulling at the steering head or suspension (think brake lines here). And lastly… Check your braap, braaaap maker or your vrooomy vroomer… aka your throttle. The throttle should move freely, both forward and back. You SHOULD NOT have to roll the throttle closed manually, it should snap closed when you let off. Check to make sure that when the handlebars are turned completely from one side to the other that the motor does not rev. If it does this indicates that the throttle cable or wire is getting pinched or pulled. This needs to be addressed immediately, it is very unsafe to ride if this is happening as it can cause you to accelerate unexpectedly in a turn. These are some finer details to check and it may seem like it is a lot to remember, but hopefully by breaking it down step by step it makes the process easier to learn, and eventually it becomes like second nature. Remember….Preventative maintenance is much cheaper than emergency repairs!