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General checks before going for a spin
polomouth - 2/12/08 at 10:29 AM

I' ve had my indy for about 3 weeks now and have enjoyed every min so far.Even tho the weather has been crap i've still managed a few quick blats. Its without doubt the best thing i've ever done i carn't help but smile whenever i've been out for a drive. The speed and the noise is amazing and the looks u get when u drop it down a gear and overtake people, ha they look at you as if to say what the f#'/k just happened there and your gone to the next set of twisty's . It's been a long 6 years of waiting and saving for this sorry if i've babbled on abit. Anyway i would just like to no what kind of safety checks to the car people are doing before you venture out. Cheers.


tegwin - 2/12/08 at 10:33 AM

Glad your enjoying it...

I do a lot of flying....and before every flight I pull out the check list and walk around the aircraft.... anything that is safety critical is written on the list and is inspected....

I havnt got so far as to write a list for my car, but I always spend 10-15 mins before each session of driving just checking that all of the suspension, steering and brakes are working and attached correctly......

I need/should use some locking wire and teltale stripes on some of the nuts as they tend to wind themselves undone....

I find if I dont do a proper check I cant enjoy the drive so much!


Mr Whippy - 2/12/08 at 11:01 AM

check where the speed traps are


contaminated - 2/12/08 at 11:33 AM

I always check the tyres - particularly that I have not picked up anything sharp in the garage. I always give the floor a quick sweep before I put it back as well.


nick205 - 2/12/08 at 11:57 AM

phone
wallet
house keys
appropriate attire for the weather
packa-mac just in case
visual suspension/steering check
tyre check
fluids - oil, water and brake
lights - easy in a dark garage

go drive


MikeR - 2/12/08 at 12:07 PM

i've heard a number of people but tipex on the suspension bolts etc - that way a quick walk round shows if any of the important bits have come loose.


Mr Whippy - 2/12/08 at 12:39 PM

quote:
Originally posted by MikeR
i've heard a number of people but tipex on the suspension bolts etc - that way a quick walk round shows if any of the important bits have come loose.


After the big nut fell off the handle bars at ‘relative' speed on my CG125 (got a slight fright to say the least!!) I went round all of the visible bolts and painted on lines with red touch-up paint so I could spot any impending doom

[Edited on 2/12/08 by Mr Whippy]


BenB - 2/12/08 at 01:58 PM

I've done the tippex trick so I just have a wonder round and check the suspension bolts. After having some lobro bolts come undone I also now pop the rear cover and check those too.....


DIY Si - 2/12/08 at 04:33 PM

All I ever check is the oil and water levels. I check all the main bolts once every 4-6 months or so as I've not ever had to tighten one up yet. Other than that, I check the lights, as my car has picked up a habit of eating flasher relays, although I think I've cured it now winter's here!


rusty nuts - 2/12/08 at 05:00 PM

Check the bonnet!!


Richard Quinn - 2/12/08 at 05:04 PM

Tweeks do something called torqueseal or something (can't remember actual name and it's at home). It comes in small tubes of bright colours. You use it the same as you would use Tippex or similar but is supposed crack at the first sign of movement making it fairly obvious that the nut/bolt has moved.


Meeerrrk - 2/12/08 at 06:00 PM

that i've got petrol!!

(no gauge you see)


JoelP - 2/12/08 at 07:25 PM

snow chains!


sebastiaan - 2/12/08 at 07:25 PM

I normally wiggle the front wishbones and cyclewings about and try to rock the rear wheels sideways to check for loose bolts. Then it's bonnet catches and I'm off.

Oil and water get changed at every engine change / upgrade, so there's no need to check those ;-)


DIY Si - 2/12/08 at 07:39 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Meeerrrk
that i've got petrol!!

(no gauge you see)


So it's not just me that braves this then! Although I do have an old cut down broom handle with FULL marked on it in biro!