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Maintenance of
Motorcycle by Members and Unsafe Equipment
It is the responsibility of each rider to
maintain his motorcycle and keep it in tip top shape. Unsafe equipment
can lead to serious injury to the rider or to others riding near him.
It is wise to pre-trip and post-trip your motorcycle each time you
ride it. Walk around it before you ever climb on and check it over
visibly. Look for leaks underneath the bike, breaks in the frame,
splits in the tire tread, tread wear, belt or chain wear, a rusty
chain, leaks from the drive shaft, worn or frayed throttle and brake
cables, and loose items on the bike such as turn signals, mirrors etc?
After doing a walk around check of the
motorcycle check the head and tails lights, brake light, turn signals,
engine oil, anti-freeze, and tire pressure. If everything checks ok,
it is then safe to start the bike. During the warm up period watch for
excess smoke or blowing oil from the exhaust, and listen for such
things as a clicking or grinding noise coming from the engine, these
things could indicate a serious problem or maybe a need to have the
valves adjusted. After the warm up be sure to adjust the rear view
mirrors and make sure all bags and items tied to the bike are secure.
Never find an item in need of repair or
tightening and decide to take care of it later. It is better to miss a
ride than to ignore the problem and chance causing yourself or someone
else to get hurt.
The Road Captain, or his appointee,
(usually the drag man or organizer of a ride) will do a walk around of
each bike and do a visual inspection. If the Road Captain finds a
serious discrepancy in the safety of your motorcycle, you will be
asked to not ride with the group. You should go and repair your
motorcycle. If after you are asked not to ride with the group you
decide you want to go anyway, they may ask you to ride in the back
behind the drag man and completely away from the other riders.
An expired tag will be reason for your
being asked to not ride with the group. You will also be asked from
time to time to produce proof of insurance and a valid State Driver's
License with a Motorcycle endorsement. Some groups or organizers will
not take on the responsibility of allowing uninsured vehicles, illegal
vehicles, or unlicensed riders to participate in a ride.
During a ride, if riders of the group
report to the Road Captain that your motorcycle is blowing carbon or
oil from the exhaust, you may be asked to not finish the ride with the
group, and be prepared for inspection before being allowed to
participate in group rides in the future.
Excessive drinking, drug use, horse play
or unsafe riding practices are some of the biggest reasons you could
be asked to leave the group ride. Riding in a group is dangerous
enough without the careless acts of another making the odds higher.
Most Road Captain will not tolerate horseplay or illegal acts. The
Sergeants At Arms will assist the Road Captain in his decision to put
someone out of the ride.
[A well maintained vehicle is a safe
vehicle, and a safe vehicle will help insure that we all arrive alive]
  
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