Pre-Ride Checklist
From Unofficial Zero Manual
Here's a specialization of the Motorcycle Safety Foundation's T-CLOCS checklist:
| Item | What to Check | Look For | Check Off | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tires And Wheels | Tires | Condition | Tread depth, wear, weathering, evenly seated, bulges, embedded objects. | Front & Rear |
| Air Pressure | Check When Cold; Adjust to Load | |||
| Wheels | Spokes | Bent/broken/missing. Check tension at top of wheel: "ring" is okay, "thud" means loose. | ||
| Cast | Cracks or dents | |||
| Rims | Out of round by more than 5mm. Spin the wheel against a stationary pointer | |||
| Bearings | Grab the tire and flex it; no freeplay (click) between the hub and axle; no growl or squeak when spinning. | |||
| Seals | Cracked or torn, no grease | |||
| Brakes | Function | Each brake alone can hold the bike stationary | ||
| Condition | Worn pads or discs | |||
| Controls | Handlebars | Condition | Bars are straight, turn freely, handgrips and bar ends are secure. | |
| Brake Lever / Brake Pedal | Condition | Not broken/bent/cracked; adjusted properly. | ||
| Pivots | Lubricated | |||
| Brake Hoses | Condition | No cuts/cracks/leaks/bulges/chafing/deterioration. | ||
| Routing | No interference or pull at the steering head; no sharp angles; support clamps in place. | |||
| Throttle | Operation | Moves freely; snaps closed. | ||
| Lights & Electrics | Headlamp/Running light | Condition | Turns on; no cracks; mounted securely; clean reflector. | |
| Aim | Just below horizontal and not skewed left or right. | |||
| Tail Lights | Condition | No cracks; clean and bright. | ||
| Operation | Running light always on; brighter with front or rear brake pressed. | |||
| Switches | Operation | All switches function correctly: motor cut-out, hi/low beam, turn signal, hazard switch. | ||
| Turn signals | Operation | No cracks; flashes with left and right turn signal switch usage; resets per switch. | ||
| Mirrors | Condition | No cracks; clean, mount and swivel joints are tight | ||
| Aim | Check/adjust while seated on the bike off the kickstand. | |||
| Wiring | Condition | No fraying or chafing; insulated. | ||
| Routing | No pinching, interference, or pulling at the steering head or suspension; wire looms and ties in place; connectors tight and clean. | |||
| Oil & Fluids | Hydraulic Fluid | Level | Check front and rear reservoirs | |
| Cleanliness | Check whether the fluid is very dark, foamed, or has water | |||
| Chassis | Frame | Condition | No cracks at gussets or accessory mounts; no paint lifting | |
| Steering-Head Bearings | No detent or tight spots through full travel; raise front wheel and check for play by pulling/pushing forks. | |||
| Swingarm Bushings | Raise the rear wheel and check for play by pulling/pushing swingarm. | |||
| Suspension | Front Forks | Smooth travel, equal air pressure/damping, anti-dive settings. | Left & Right | |
| Rear Shock | Smooth travel, equal pre-load/air pressure/damping settings, linkage moves freely and is lubricated. | |||
| Belt | Tension | Check at tightest point | ||
| Alignment | Check position on rear sprocket; spin the wheel to check changing position | |||
| Sprockets | Teeth not hooked or chipped; clean and securely mounted | |||
| Fasteners | Threaded | Tight; none missing; check for corrosion | ||
| Clips and Pins | None broken or missing | |||
| Stands | Side Stand | Condition | No cracks; not bent; cutout switch equipped and working | |
| Retention | Springs into place; tension holds position up or down |
