national streetrod association
THINK SAFETY FIRST by Bill Cowick, NSRA STATE Safety Inspector
For several years now, it has been a common sight to see either myself or my
safety team members crawling around, over or under vehicles at local cruises or
shows, to the streetrod and street machine owners whom have already joined the
National Streetrod Association (NSRA), they are well aware of the FREE Safety 23
inspection program service we are providing.
For those of you new to the NSRA safety program, we invite as of 2009, vehicles
of 1979 year of manufacture and older to participate in this free service. You
need not be a NSRA member, you only have to be interested in your safety and the
safety of others.
The NSRA Vehicle Safety Inspection Program is completely voluntary, and includes
23 different items ranging from the lighting system to suspension (see list that
follows), and the sole purpose of the safety inspection is to advise the vehicle
owner of problem areas, either real or potential. As an "advisory" type
inspection, it is only used to call the owner's attention to something which may
have been overlooked.
These Safety Inspection Teams are providing a very worthwhile service for the
car hobbyist but what they are offering for FREE to the individual enthusiast is
much more important...an extra set of eyes to notice a potentially life
threatening condition before it becomes more of one. There are approximately 800
people involved in making the NSRA Vehicle Safety Inspection Program work, and
they are doing more than just talk about vehicle safety...they make it a
reality!
Vehicle safety is an important part of our hobby and most all enthusiasts
recognize that fact and are doing something to prove it... they are having their
vehicle safety inspected every year.
VEHICLE SAFETY INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS
REQUIRED EQUIPMENT:
1. HORN: Electric only.
2. SPEED INDICATOR: Speedometer or calibrated tachometer at 65 mph.
3. REAR VIEW MIRROR: One inside or outside on driver's side of vehicle.
4. GLASS: Must be safety plate, lexon, or tempered glass.
5. LIGHTING: Hi-beam; low-beam; tail; brake; license.
6. WINDSHIELD WIPER: Electric or vacuum operated.
7. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION LOCKOUT: Neutral and/or park start only.
8. TIRES: Minimum 3/32 tread acceptable. Must meet D.O.T. specifications .
9. STEERING: No excessive "play" (2" radius max.) or binding; system must be
safely mounted.
10. THROTTLE LINKAGE: Must not travel past center.
11. FUEL SYSTEM: CHECK VENT ON TRUNK AND INTERIOR MOUNTED TANKS; no clear,
plastic lines allowed. No leaks.
12. EXHAUST SYSTEM: NO LEAKS. Must pass rear edge of front door and exit exhaust
away from vehicle.
13. SELF-ALIGNING ROD END BEARINGS: Check for fractures, insert sloppiness or
binding.
14. SHOCK ABSORBERS: One per wheel, no leaks, 2" travel in each direction.
15. BRAKES: Four-wheel brakes, no leaks, check brake pedal travel, no copper
tubing, check length of flexible lines.
16. SCRUB LINE: No steering, suspension or chassis components should be below
this line.
RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT: May be reason for failure.
17. WINDSHIELD: Should be AS-1.
18. SHIFT PATTERN: Shift pattern should be visible except on three speed
standard column shift.
19. FUEL LINES: Should be safely mounted and routed.
20. PARKING BRAKE: Should be activated independent of vehicle's hydraulic
system.
21. SELF-ALIGNING ROD END BEARINGS: Ball should have 1/8 inch spacer on each
side of the ball if there is any misalignment. Rod ends should not have more
than 100 misalignment. ROD ENDS and 4 BAR-PARALLEL RADIUS ROD SYSTEM rubber
bushed ends should have a safety washer at least the same outside diameter as
the housing or larger.
22. BRAKE LINES: Should be safely mounted and routed.
23. CHASSIS FASTENERS: Self-locking nuts, lock-washers, safety wire, or cotter
pins.
FOR YOUR SAFETY: fire extinguisher in driver/passenger compartment, seat belts,
a third brake light and a dual master cylinder.
Completion of the NSRA vehicle inspection warrants only that the vehicle
complies with equipment requirements recommended by the National Street Rod
Association. The National Street Rod Association vehicle safety inspection is
only advisory and is not to be construed as an official legal clearance, and the
National Street Rod Association, its employees, officers, delegates, agents, or
anyone assisting the Association assumes no responsibility for this advisory
clearance.
One should be reminded that while it is desirable to conform to all 23 items, do
not hesitate to have your vehicle inspected even if you feel you may not pass
all 23 items. REMEMBER, it is a second set of eyes! In passing the first 16
required items only, a small safety sticker will be applied to the windshield;
while passing all 23 items, the vehicle will sport a larger different Safety 23
sticker. Items failing to pass can be re-inspected at a later date when the
problem has been corrected with a pass resulting in the vehicle receiving the
appropriate safety sticker.
The safety team along with myself are looking forward to assisting you in taking advantage of the safety program either at upcoming events or while your project vehicle is under construction. Garage calls can be arranged!
Interested
in more, check out www.NSRA-USA.com and stay tuned to www.6one3.com.
Stay and play safe.
For info: Bigbill38@aol.com