The importance of the pre-trip inspection

[John Regular]

If any of you have read my ramblings you might already know that I am not much of a mechanic, I make things work somehow and manage to get by for a while, yet for some

reason people are always asking me to fix their vehicles, Thanks to the members on this site I am beginning to understand more of what makes a motorcycle work and how a little

maintenance can prevent costly repairs/mishaps down the road. Many of you are posting your preseason start up procedures and it has been a great resource and reminder of what I should

be doing with every vehicle that I drive instead of just jumping in and going for it. It's not a new concept to me as I did it in the military and at work with vehicles and mobile

equipment but for some reason (laziness?) I don't with my own rigs and it almost cost me this week.

I'm a procrastinator to say the least, I'm impulsive and reactive and have been told that I am the opposite of OCD type personalities. I have the oil changed regularly on my truck but
rarely check it let alone walk around and inspect the vehicle. So anyway, earlier this week I was coming over the McKenzie pass from Bend, OR to Eugene area when I stopped at this

little mountain town called Rainbow because I was nodding off and needed to wake up. There were a couple of forest tweekers there patching a tire with one of those plug kits and

running water over it to make sure it was good. for some reason I decided to glance back at my tires to see if they were low or whatever and I noticed this

After thanking God for being the protector of fools and children, and changing my drawers I checked my truck for a jack and something to drive the spring bolt back into the

mounts. Unfortunately the jack that I had was only big enough to lift the vehicle from the axle housing and I needed to take pressure off the spring to attempt to line the bolt up as it

was almost completely out. I did have a 4 way lug wrench and one end fit the bolt head. I used it to pry up on it then drove it in by hitting the other side with my scaffold hammer (28oz Estwing),

Now with the bolt in place I had to find something to keep it there. The forest bums told me that the store had a small hardware section in the back corner, thanked God again,

and I managed to find the right sized nut with the wrong thread pitch. So I stacked as many washers as i could fit and cross threaded the nut on as far as I could with a 6 inch crescent

wrench and hoped for the best.

I drove the speed limit, took it easy around corners and made it home (70 miles aprx) This could have been catastrophic had I not seen those guys and happened to look back. The

McKenzie pass is steep twisty and riddled with pot holes and I had been hauling ass to get home. Hopefully this will be a wake up call to pay more attention and be more aware,

especially with my motorcycles. If anyone else has had close calls like this or just things missed/overlooked that most people don't even think about pleases feel free to post about them. Even little things that you think might be common sense like, don't armor all motorcycle tires....

 

[Pat D]

My "go to" daily use hammer back in the 80's when I was framing houses was a 28oz Estwing. Loved that tool, made the mistake of loaning it one day, that was the end. But I still have my 20oz Plumb that was my first job related tool purchase, 43 years and it still see's near daily use. And kudos on the roadside fix, it follows my philosophy of "Always. Get. Home."

 

[Lou_TX]

Oof, good catch, John! That could have turned ugly in just a few miles.
Would you be surprised that I had the same exact thing happen on the same exact part on the same exact whee? RR tire, LCA bolt fwd of the axle backed out almost all the way. Interestingly, I felt it. This was on my Z28 many moons ago. Since I restored the car to better-than-factory specs and she handled like a dream, I could feel everything in the car. And that afternoon, on the way from work, I noticed a slight difference in handling between acceleration and deceleration. It was not making any sense why I had to adjust steering input between those two modes. But it was a huge clue. The LCA bolt was loose and hanging only on the last few threads and it was allowing the LCA to move enough to change the geometry of the alignment. I thought about it the whole way from work.
So when I got home, I put the rear wheels on ramps to inspect and found exactly what I suspected. It was interesting to see that if one pays attention to clues, the diagnostic becomes easier. So I had to drive the LCA bolt back in, put blue LocTite on it and fortunately I had spare nuts that size. I immediately put LocTite on the LR LCA bolt as well. It has not come apart again.

I have another story too. MC story. Prepping my custom-built (by me) show bike for a show the next morning, cleaning her, wiping her down, spraying her with some shiny magic liquids, etc, I noticed that I had hard time pushing her around the driveway, it felt strange, something was slowing it down but it was intermittent. About every foot or so, it would kinda not want to go, then it went fine, then another foot, it didn't want to go. Huge clue. Tire circumference is just over 6ft. If there's a problem every foot of travel, what is present in the quantity of 6 with even distribution on a wheel? On this bike, it was the front brake disc bolts. 6. Inspection revealed that 4 backed out and were hitting the fork. (maybe I can find a picture) Guess which idiot forgot to put LocTite on them? (see a pattern here? )
My mistake was due to earlier test of the new rotor, I was testing how well it fits and how well the caliper floats on it etc and was planning on adding LocTite later. And forgot. Should have written it down. (I am getting old)
Removed bolts one by one, applied LocTite, torqued them properly, did the same for the rear disc as well. Checked other brake HW. All good. It is important to do a preflight. I don't want to get stranded somewhere (or worse, crash) because I didn't check the condition of my vehicle. Getting wiser with the years passing.

 

[John Regular]

Oof, good catch, John! That could have turned ugly in just a few miles.
Would you be surprised that I had the same exact thing happen on the same exact part on the same exact whee? RR tire, LCA bolt fwd of the axle backed out almost all the way. Interestingly, I felt it. This was on my Z28 many moons ago. Since I restored the car to better-than-factory specs and she handled like a dream, I could feel everything in the car. And that afternoon, on the way from work, I noticed a slight difference in handling between acceleration and deceleration. It was not making any sense why I had to adjust steering input between those two modes. But it was a huge clue. The LCA bolt was loose and hanging only on the last few threads and it was allowing the LCA to move enough to change the geometry of the alignment. I thought about it the whole way from work.
So when I got home, I put the rear wheels on ramps to inspect and found exactly what I suspected. It was interesting to see that if one pays attention to clues, the diagnostic becomes easier. So I had to drive the LCA bolt back in, put blue LocTite on it and fortunately I had spare nuts that size. I immediately put LocTite on the LR LCA bolt as well. It has not come apart again.

I have another story too. MC story. Prepping my custom-built (by me) show bike for a show the next morning, cleaning her, wiping her down, spraying her with some shiny magic liquids, etc, I noticed that I had hard time pushing her around the driveway, it felt strange, something was slowing it down but it was intermittent. About every foot or so, it would kinda not want to go, then it went fine, then another foot, it didn't want to go. Huge clue. Tire circumference is just over 6ft. If there's a problem every foot of travel, what is present in the quantity of 6 with even distribution on a wheel? On this bike, it was the front brake disc bolts. 6. Inspection revealed that 4 backed out and were hitting the fork. (maybe I can find a picture) Guess which idiot forgot to put LocTite on them? (see a pattern here? )
My mistake was due to earlier test of the new rotor, I was testing how well it fits and how well the caliper floats on it etc and was planning on adding LocTite later. And forgot. Should have written it down. (I am getting old)
Removed bolts one by one, applied LocTite, torqued them properly, did the same for the rear disc as well. Checked other brake HW. All good. It is important to do a preflight. I don't want to get stranded somewhere (or worse, crash) because I didn't check the condition of my vehicle. Getting wiser with the years passing.

It felt like the wind was blowing me around earlier in the day, that should have been a clue

 

[John Regular]

So no shit there I was, on the street because evidently the hang man wasn't hanging the other day. I had just squired a 2005 Vmax and the little wild one was

bringing me nothing but sorrow, and a little fear. On our maiden voyage unstable to say the least and darting all over the road. I had to hold the handlebars

straight to keep her from diving into a ditch, especially on slow corners. I had already read about the death wobble and all the front end issues with the

Vmax but had no ideah it would be this bad. The bars felt like they were going to jerk right out of my hands whenever they felt like it even at really low

speed. I knew all the fixes and that neck bearing setup was the most common culprit so I headed back to see if I could figure out the cause.. I wanted to do

everything in order to avoid chasing my tail so went back on the forum to re-read all the different theories because apparently there are many that can

cause these issues. It is a finicky system and needs to be dialed in. There are many differing views on causes but all agree that neck bearing set up is crucial

and there are tests to see if they are loose, tight or FUBAR. The first thing that they said to do was make sure the tires have the correct pressure and I

thought "Damn, I was totally going to do that", When I had first got the bike home I had done an inspection and familiarized myself with all the controls but the

neighbors came over and distracted me. They were oohing and awing and pointing at this and that trying to figure out what was what. Like where the

dipstick is. It doesn't have one just a sight glass and that appeared to be empty but wasn't . It took a little research to realize that it doesn't show level when

the bike is on the kickstand. I stood it up and they checked and it was good. I was getting anxious by now because the sun was going down and I wanted to

ride out somewhere close and get a cool pic with the sunset in the background like so many of you guys do so I forgot all about the tire pressure check. As

soon as I hit my driveway the handlebars felt like they would go to the stops if I didn't hold them straight. It got a littler better the faster I went but 90

degree corners I had to fight to counter steer. When I finally did check, it had 11psi in the back tire and ........7 psi in the front. Wheel turning round and

round Jack, and luckily, not coming off the bead. They looked fine and the PO was zipping around his block on it with no problems. He did tell me that they

needed replaced and they do. I am going to air them up and see how much of a difference that makes but just on my road at low speed. then I'll do it again. Anyway hear she is check out that wear pattern

 

[Raymond]

They definitely go better with air in the tyres. 2004, this m/c dealer gave me a GSXR to take for an MOT at a test station 10-12 miles away. Left the dealer's garage, went about 200 yards, 'Uhm, just not handling right' turned and came back, thinking it was tyre pressures. Front was below 10psi . . .

 

[jetmechmarty]

Someone handed the keys to one of those to me at lunch one day and said “Go!” I pushed it aggressively. Fun! It’s much like my Eleven Special. So, acquiring one would mean the Eleven has to go.

Flat tires are universally bad. I like the Vmax.

 

[John Regular]

Someone handed the keys to one of those to me at lunch one day and said “Go!” I pushed it aggressively. Fun! It’s much like my Eleven Special. So, acquiring one would mean the Eleven has to go.

Flat tires are universally bad. I like the Vmax.

Yeah, same here, ever since I first saw one when I was a kid. I was really into those RatFink comics that had the hot rods with the ridiculous hood scoops and the bug eyed monsters driving them, I would draw my own versions on my notebooks in class. When I saw a motorcycle with hood scoops I was like "No way! That's the coolest thing ever!" Even after adults told me that they were fake I still always liked them, Never thought that I would own one though

 

[Pat D]

So no shit there I was, on the street because evidently the hang man wasn't hanging the other day. I had just squired a 2005 Vmax and the little wild one was

bringing me nothing but sorrow, and a little fear. On our maiden voyage unstable to say the least and darting all over the road. I had to hold the handlebars

straight to keep her from diving into a ditch, especially on slow corners. I had already read about the death wobble and all the front end issues with the

Vmax but had no ideah it would be this bad. The bars felt like they were going to jerk right out of my hands whenever they felt like it even at really low

speed. I knew all the fixes and that neck bearing setup was the most common culprit so I headed back to see if I could figure out the cause.. I wanted to do

everything in order to avoid chasing my tail so went back on the forum to re-read all the different theories because apparently there are many that can

cause these issues. It is a finicky system and needs to be dialed in. There are many differing views on causes but all agree that neck bearing set up is crucial

and there are tests to see if they are loose, tight or FUBAR. The first thing that they said to do was make sure the tires have the correct pressure and I

thought "Damn, I was totally going to do that", When I had first got the bike home I had done an inspection and familiarized myself with all the controls but the

neighbors came over and distracted me. They were oohing and awing and pointing at this and that trying to figure out what was what. Like where the

dipstick is. It doesn't have one just a sight glass and that appeared to be empty but wasn't . It took a little research to realize that it doesn't show level when

the bike is on the kickstand. I stood it up and they checked and it was good. I was getting anxious by now because the sun was going down and I wanted to

ride out somewhere close and get a cool pic with the sunset in the background like so many of you guys do so I forgot all about the tire pressure check. As

soon as I hit my driveway the handlebars felt like they would go to the stops if I didn't hold them straight. It got a littler better the faster I went but 90

degree corners I had to fight to counter steer. When I finally did check, it had 11psi in the back tire and ........7 psi in the front. Wheel turning round and

round Jack, and luckily, not coming off the bead. They looked fine and the PO was zipping around his block on it with no problems. He did tell me that they

needed replaced and they do. I am going to air them up and see how much of a difference that makes but just on my road at low speed. then I'll do it again. Anyway hear she isView attachment 348154View attachment 348155View attachment 348156 check out that wear pattern

You weren't riding that in Maryland yesterday wearing shorts with a young girl on the back, were you? Spotted a VMax near the homestead, not a typical sight around here in 2025 ...

 

[John Regular]

You weren't riding that in Maryland yesterday wearing shorts with a young girl on the back, were you? Spotted a VMax near the homestead, not a typical sight around here in 2025 ...

No I'm on the west coast

 

[jetmechmarty]

Yeah, same here, ever since I first saw one when I was a kid. I was really into those RatFink comics that had the hot rods with the ridiculous hood scoops and the bug eyed monsters driving them, I would draw my own versions on my notebooks in class. When I saw a motorcycle with hood scoops I was like "No way! That's the coolest thing ever!" Even after adults told me that they were fake I still always liked them, Never thought that I would own one though

The one I rode had Cobra 4 into 4 exhaust and a Corbin seat. To my eyes it was far more appealing than the stock components.

The Vmax certainly stirs deep visceral excitement.

 

[John Regular]

The one I rode had Cobra 4 into 4 exhaust and a Corbin seat. To my eyes it was far more appealing than the stock components.

The Vmax certainly stirs deep visceral excitement.



View attachment 348157
View attachment 348158

Mine has the UFO Quadzilla Which is loud AF. Baffle inserts are around 200$ but I think I'm going to spring for them as soon as I get tires and the front end sorted

 

[gggGary]

Oh yeah I have "but for the grace of god" stories...
A good easy "daily" is a bottle of spray detail wax and rags, start at the top: windshield (bike and helmet), paint, bright work, and keep working downward, the rag is filthy about the time you're at the wheels and underbelly.
The point is you'll find LOT's of nigglers, incipient disasters before they happen while cleaning.
Just two stories:
Found a leaf spring hanger bolt "missing" on the little trailer at the ozarks rally one year. while walking by, trailer looked a "little crooked", even sitting empty.


New to me ZX14 purchased with plugged rear tire.

Had a dealer change it cuz "rocketship". Rode it home with a bit of extra-legal exuberance.
While cleaning on the lift the next night I found they hadn't tightened anything, rear axle, adjusters, brake caliper etc. LAST time I had bike work done at a dealer.
If negligence is going to kill me on a bike I want it to be MY negligence.

 

[John Regular]

Oh yeah I have "but for the grace of god" stories...
A good easy "daily" is a bottle of spray detail wax and rags, start at the top: windshield (bike and helmet), paint, bright work, and keep working downward, the rag is filthy about the time you're at the wheels and underbelly.
The point is you'll find LOT's of nigglers, incipient disasters before they happen while cleaning.
Just two stories:
Found a leaf spring hanger bolt "missing" on the little trailer at the ozarks rally one year. while walking by, trailer looked a "little crooked", even sitting empty.
View attachment 348159

New to me ZX14 purchased with plugged rear tire.
View attachment 348160
Had a dealer change it cuz "rocketship". Rode it home with a bit of extra-legal exuberance.
While cleaning on the lift the next night I found they hadn't tightened anything, rear axle, adjusters, brake caliper etc. LAST time I had bike work done at a dealer.
If negligence is going to kill me on a bike I want it to be MY negligence.

My Thairumph is at the dealer right now getting fixed. The last time I had iit in I paid half the blue book value to fix it. My fault , due to not maintaining and not storing in dry area. Finding a mechanic for the Vmax might prove to be difficult. I thought I had found the perfect mechanic and I even knew his son but his website said permanently closed so he must have retired or?

 

[gggGary]

Was really tempted a while ago, there was a Vmax with a chain drive conversion for sale....

 

[jetmechmarty]

Was really tempted a while ago, there was a Vmax with a chain drive conversion for sale....

I think those were done for drag racing. I would have passed as well.