Md. Code Regs. 11.14.03.02

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 20, October 4, 2024

Section 11.14.03.02 - Steering, Alignment, and Suspension

Steering and alignment items should be checked visually and adjusted according to the manufacturer's specifications. Check for condition, adjustment, wear, or broken and defective parts.

Procedures:	Reject Vehicle If:
A. Swing arm bushing, bearing or rubber mount. Place motorcycle on jack or stand with rear wheel raised and inspect for wear or looseness. Check for lateral movement of swing arm by applying side to side force against rear wheel. Rubber mounted swing arms are designed to flex.	A. There is noticeable lateral movement of the swing arm or rubber mounts are cracked, broken, or torn.
B. Steering head bearings or bushings. Place the motorcycle on a stand or block with front raised. Grasp both fork legs and apply fore and aft force. Inspect for loose adjustment or play in steering head bearings or bushings. Turn handle bars from side to side and inspect for roughness or galling in bearings or bushings and location of stops.	B. (1) There is noticeable play or roughness in the steering head bearings or bushings. Drag from a steering damper is not cause for rejection. (2) Stops are missing or do not adequately prevent forks from excessive travel or contact with the tank, etc.
C. Wheel Alignment. Inspect front to rear wheel alignment and front wheel to fork tube alignment. For ease of inspection, three reference lines 1 inch apart on the floor may be used. Center the front tire on the center line and observe tracking of rear wheel as motorcycle is moved along the lines.	C. Front to rear wheel misalignment exceeds 1 inch or front wheel is not vertical and parallel to front fork tubes. Front fork tubes are bent or damaged preventing full travel and free action of front forks.
D. Handlebars. (1) Inspect handlebars for cracks, deformation, excessive flexure, proper alignment, mounting heights, width, and handgrips.	D. Handlebars. (1) The handlebars are: (a) Cracked; (b) Deformed; (c) Show excessive flexure other than flexure from rubber mounts; (d) Improperly aligned; (e) Not constructed of adequate material; (f) Less than 18 inches in overall width; (g) Not equipped with grips.
(2) Inspect handlebars for type of material used and proper thickness.	(2) Handlebars will not withstand up and down force.
(3) Apply up and down force to handlebars.	(3) Handlebars are more than 15 inches above the lowest portion of the occupied operator's seat.
(4) Inspect for unobstructed rotation of forks from stop to stop.	(4) Handlebars prevent front fork from rotating from stop to stop.
E. Shock Absorbers (if equipped) and front fork tubes- check dampening effects. Inspect for leaks. Check for rebound.	E. Shock absorbers, mounting bolts, or mounts are missing, broken, or loose. Severe leakage (not slight dampness) of shock absorber or front fork tube seal.
F. Wheel Bearings- grasp tire at top and bottom and rock it in and out. Rotate wheels and check for roughness and galling.	F. There is noticeable play or roughness when wheel is rotated.