Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Motorcycles: Fundamentals, Service, Repair 16 An important piece of personal protective equipment (PPE) is a helmet. Always wear a quality DOT-approved or better helmet when test riding (even in states that do not require helmets ) and when operating any vehicle during a dyno test run. While most work on a motorcycle is performed on a lift or on the bench, at times you will be required to work while sitting or on your knees. A quality creeper seat or good qual- ity protective knee pads should be used, depending on the position in which you will be working. Shop Hazards Keeping the shop clean and organized promotes professionalism as well as safety. Main- taining a well-lit, properly ventilated, clean and organized shop instills confidence in customers. Follow these housekeeping guidelines: • Return all tools and equipment to their proper storage areas. • Never lay tools or parts on the floor. They can become lost, damaged, or cause a tripping hazard. • Keep the work area and all surfaces clean, dry, and uncluttered. • Keep workbenches clean and neat. • Dispose of any defective parts that are not returned to the customer or recyclable as scrap. • Keep all recyclable scrap in a secure, designated area. • Set aside a cleanup time at the end of each workday to ensure that the shop is clean and organized for the next day. Oil, coolant, water, or grease on the floor can cause slips that could result in serious injuries. Also, a vehicle’s tires may pick up this slick substance and become hazardous to you and the customer when riding the machine. Wipe up these substances immediately. If you choose to use commercial oil absorbent, be aware that contaminated oil absorbent is a hazardous waste that must be disposed of properly. Keep all water off the floor. Remember, water is an excellent conductor of electricity. Having a stack of clean shop rags on hand is important when performing engine work. However, oil- and solvent-soaked rags can become a fire hazard. To prevent spontaneous combustion from a pile of soiled rags, store them in a self-closing, lid-sealed metal container until they can be washed or discarded. See Figure 2-5. The container should be sorted regularly and the worst rags disposed of. Keep aisles and walkways clean and wide enough for safe passage. Do not park motorcycles or other vehicles in the walkways or have air hoses stretched across them. Turn on the shop ventilation fan or open the shop doors before starting any job that will create fumes. Never run an engine in the shop until provisions are made for exhaust gas removal. See Figure 2-6. If a quality exhaust extraction device is not available, take the machine outside for any running. Space heaters, along with exhaust gas, are sources of carbon monoxide (CO), an odorless, colorless, potentially lethal gas. Periodically inspect heaters to make sure they are adequately vented and do not become blocked. Proper ventilation is critical in areas where volatile solvents and chemicals are used. Because of the proximity of fuel, cleaning solvents, charging batteries, and other flammable materials, smoking is a serious fire hazard in a motorcycle shop. Do not smoke in the shop. Store gasoline and other flammable materials in approved containers, and keep the containers in an approved cabinet. Keep sources of heat away from the engine’s fuel system. Eagle Manufacturing Figure 2-5. Oil- and solvent-soaked rags should be stored in an oily waste container, such as the one shown here. The container should be emptied at the end of each workday to prevent the buildup of flammable items.