|
You will be asked to demonstrate that you can carry
out the following basic machine checks. If you don't know how
to you will be shown.
| * |
Tyre tread depth |
This should be a 1 mm even tread
all over |
| * |
Suspension |
You will press firmly down on
the front of the bike with the front brake applied and then
on the back of the bike with the rear brake applied to make
sure the bike 'bounces' up and down |
| * |
Steering |
You will check for firm steering
and no knocking as you apply the front brake and push down
on the forks. You will turn the handlebars left and right
to make sure there is no grinding or crunching. |
| * |
Electrics and transmission |
You will check that the lights
and indicators are working properly |
| * |
Fuel and oil |
You will make sure that there
is adequate fuel and oil in the machine |
| * |
Chain |
You will check that the chain
is lubricated and not stretched i.e. that there is about an
inch and a half of slack |
Top
When you park a motorcycle you use a stand to support
it. Motorcycles have either a centre or side stand, and many models
are fitted with both.
Centre stand
The centre stand gives more stable support than
the side stand. It also supports the motorcycle so that maintenance
can be carried out. The centre stand needs to be used on a firm
level surface.
To put your motorcycle onto the centre stand
| * |
Position yourself on the left
of the motorcycle, holding the left handlebar with the left
hand |
| * |
Push the stand down with the right
foot, until both "prongs" of the stand have full
contact with the ground, and hold the frame near the saddle
with your right hand. Some machines have a special grab handle. |
| * |
Transfer all your
weight to your right leg, pushing down on the stand, and pull
the machine backwards and upwards |
To take the motorcycle off the stand
| * |
Position yourself on the left
of the motorcycle. Put your left foot ( right, if preferred
) in front of the centre stand |
| * |
Hold the left handlebar with your
left hand. Hold the frame near the saddle with your right
hand |
| * |
Pull the motorcycle forward. As
it comes off the stand move your right hand to the front brake
to keep control |
WARNING - If the stand isn't fully up it could
dig into the road and cause an accident.
Side stand
The side stand is generally quicker and easier
to use than the centre stand. It relies on the motorcycle leaning
over onto the stand for stability.
Care must be taken to ensure that the
| * |
Surface is firm enough to prevent
the side stand sinking and the motorcycle falling over |
| * |
Slope of the ground doesn't prevent the motorcycle leaning
onto the stand. If the machine is too upright it will be
unstable.
|
| * |
if you park on a hill,
and use the side stand, you must leave your motorcycle in
gear to prevent it rolling forward or backwards. |
To put your motorcycle onto the side stand
| * |
Position yourself on the left
of the motorcycle. holding the left handlebar |
| * |
With the machine upright, push
down the stand with your right foot (left, if preferred ) |
| * |
Let the machine lean towards you
until its weight is taken on the stand |
To take your motorcycle off the side stand
| * |
Position yourself on the left of the machine
holding the handlebars |
| * |
Push the motorcycle upright |
| * |
Move the stand to its up position with your
foot. Make sure it locks securely in position |
WARNING - If the stand isn't fully up it could
dig into the road when you're cornering and cause an accident.
Some machines have an inhibitor switch which will automatically
stop the engine if you try to ride off with the side stand down.
Top
You will be asked to walk while wheeling your motorcycle
beside you on your right hand side. You will wheel it around to
the left and right probably zig zagging in and out of cones. This
is to show that you have proper balance.
Top
Proper use of brakes
Many motorcycle riders are, quite wrongly, afraid
to use the front brake. This is usually because of what they learnt
as cyclists. But on a motorcycle
| * |
You must normally use both brakes |
| * |
The front brake is the more powerful
of the two brakes and the most important when stopping a motorcycle |
To stop most effectively in good road and weather
conditions
| * |
Apply the front brake a fraction
of a second before you apply the rear brake |
| * |
Apply greater pressure to the
front brake |
Applying greater pressure to the front brake gives
the best stopping power in good conditions because
| * |
The combined weight of the machine
and rider is thrown forward |
| * |
The front tyre is pressed more
firmly on the road, giving a better grip |
In wet or slippery conditions you need to apply
a more equal pressure to both front and rear brakes.
Using one brake only
You'll take much longer to stop when using only
one brake. But at very low speeds, such as walking speed, using
only the rear brake gives smoother control.
Top
START
AND STOP THE ENGINE
To finish off Element B you will be asked to start
the engine of the motorcycle you're using and, after a few seconds,
to stop it again.
Starting the engine
Some engines require a knack to make them start.
The following is a general guide, but you may need to modify it
to suit your machine.
To start the engine
| * |
Make sure that the gear selector
is in neutral. The neutral lamp on the instrument panel will
glow when the ignition is turned on. If no neutral lamp is
fitted push your motorcycle forward to see if the rear wheel
turns freely |
| * |
Turn the fuel tap to 'on' |
| * |
If the engine is cold move the
choke to 'on' |
| * |
Make sure the engine cut-out switch
is in the 'on' position |
| * |
Turn the ignition key to the 'on'
position |
Your motorcycle is now ready to start. The next
step depends on whether your machine has an electric starter or
a kick starter.
Electric starter
| * |
Press the starter button |
| * |
Open the throttle to give a fairly high engine
speed |
| * |
As the engine warms up move the choke to
off |
Kick starter
| * |
Fold out the kick-start lever.
On some machines you'll have to fold the footrest up before
you can use the kick starter |
| * |
Place your instep on the lever
and tread down sharply. Allow the kick-start lever to return
to its upright position. Repeat this until the engine starts |
| * |
When the engine has started, fold
the kick-start lever back to its resting position |
| * |
Open the throttle to give a fairly
high engine speed |
| * |
As the engine warms up move the
choke to 'off' |
Stopping the engine
This safe sequence applies to most motorcycles
| * |
Close the throttle fully |
| * |
Make sure that the gear selector
is in neutral |
| * |
Switch the ignition key to 'off'.
Take out the key in the Lock position if you're leaving your
motorcycle |
| * |
Turn the fuel tap to 'off', unless
it's vacuum operated |
Top
At the end of Element B you must
| * |
be familiar with the motorcycle, its controls
and how it works |
| * |
be able to carry out basic machine checks
to a satisfactory standard |
| * |
be able to take the bike on and off the stand
satisfactorily |
| * |
be able to wheel the machine around to the
left and right showing proper balance |
| * |
be able to bring the motorcycle to a controlled
halt by braking |
| * |
be able to start and stop the engine satisfactorily |
Top
You have now completed Element B
On to Element C
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