Ready, check, ride
Make these quick and easy checks part of your pre-ride ritual
1 How tight is your chain?
Before every ride, you should give your chain tension some attention. You’re looking for how much up and down movement the chain has at a specific point in its run, as detailed in your owner’s manual or a sticker on the swingarm. If it’s looking a bit loose, or indeed a bit tight, you need to set it correctly before you hit the road. Here’s how…
2 Free the adjusters
First, loosen the rear wheel spindle nut, then put the bike on its main or paddock stand. Using a spanner, undo the lock nuts by a couple of turns on both sides to allow you to turn the adjuster bolts, which move the rear wheel backwards and forwards. When the wheel is adjusted back the chain tightens, and when the wheel moves forwards the tension reduces.
3 Set the tension, then torque
Turn each adjuster half a turn at a time, and use the reference marks on the swingarm to help maintain wheel alignment. Continue to do this, little by little, then check the tension with a ruler. When the tension is almost perfect, tighten the lock nuts, and torque the spindle nut to spec. Spin the wheel and re-check the tension, then lubricate as necessary.
4 Brake shake-down
Crouch down at the front of your bike and shine a torch through the caliper then look at the area where the pads make contact with the disc. You’ll notice the pads have channels cut into them – these are wear indicators. If the channels look prominent it means that your pads have plenty left, if not it means that they’re ready to be changed.
5 Static stop
It’s something many of us do subconsciously, but it’s good practice to make it a regular check: perform a static stop. Pull in the front brake and push the bike forwards to make sure the lever is firm and the caliper is working as it should. Repeat for the rear.
6 Get the red light
Flick the ignition to the ‘on’ position and check that both the front and rear levers are actuating your bike’s brake light. If the front fails to illuminate it could indicate a fault with the microswitch. If the rear doesn’t light up it may need adjusting – consult your manual.
7 Is your rubber ready?
Tyres last far longer than they did years ago. That said, it’s still critically important to give them a visual check before every ride to look for damage including cuts or cracks. Also check for signs of wear such as the rear tyre ‘squaring off’ in the middle.
8 Meet the Tread Wear Indicator
For bikes over 50cc there must be at least 1mm depth across ¾ of the tread pattern. Look at the edge of you tyres and you will see 'TWI’ – tread wear indicator – a raised section moulded into the tread. If the tread is flush with them, you have reached the 1mm limit.
9 Handle the pressure
Tyres deflate over time and often the daily difference can be so subtle that you don’t notice. Avoid this by checking pressures before every ride. The widely accepted road pressures are 36psi front and 42psi rear. Check while the tyres are at ambient temperatures.
10 How’s the view?
Make sure your visor is clean and scratch free. If you wear a tinted visor, dig out and clean your clear one then remember to take it with you, just in case. While we’re at it, how’s your eyesight? The new riding season is always a good time to head to the opticians.