ITI/NCVT Mechanic Motorcycle (AITT Theory) study materials
ITI/NCVT Mechanic Motorcycle (AITT Theory) study resources

ITI/NCVT Mechanic Motorcycle (AITT Theory) study plan

ITI/NCVT Mechanic Motorcycle (AITT Theory) · Give each week a clear focus.

8 weeks · About 7 hours per week

Week 1

Motorcycle Engine Construction and Working Principles & Occupational Safety, Health and Environment

  • Sketch and label the four-stroke cycle (intake, compression, power, exhaust) for a single-cylinder motorcycle engine, naming valve positions and piston direction at each stroke

  • Identify on a real or schematic engine the cylinder block, cylinder head, piston, rings, gudgeon pin, connecting rod, crankshaft, camshaft and valve train, and state the function of each

  • State the firing order and working principle of a single-cylinder four-stroke versus a two-stroke engine, including transfer and exhaust port timing

  • List the personal protective equipment and machine-guarding rules that apply when working on a running or partially dismantled engine, and explain the risks of rotating parts, hot exhaust and fuel vapour

  • Demonstrate the correct procedure for safely isolating an engine before inspection (fuel tap off, battery disconnected, engine cool) and record the steps in writing

Your checkpoint

A hand-drawn, fully labelled four-stroke and two-stroke engine diagram with a one-page written safe-isolation checklist for engine work

Week 2

Motorcycle Engine Construction and Working Principles & Hand Tools, Measuring Instruments and Workshop Practice

  • Explain valve timing events (valve opening and closing relative to top dead centre and bottom dead centre) and describe how cam profile and cam chain or pushrod arrangement produce them

  • Describe combustion chamber types used on motorcycles and explain the effect of compression ratio on power and detonation

  • Use a vernier caliper, micrometer and dial gauge to measure cylinder bore, piston diameter and crankshaft runout, and record readings to 0.01 mm

  • Calculate piston-to-bore clearance and cylinder taper from your measurements and compare results with a typical service specification

  • Explain the purpose of a feeler gauge, torque wrench and plastigauge, and demonstrate correct torque-wrench use and setting

Your checkpoint

A measurement log sheet with at least six recorded readings (bore, piston, taper, runout) plus calculated clearances and a pass/fail judgement against a stated specification

Week 3

Fuel, Ignition, Lubrication and Cooling Systems & Engineering Materials, Fasteners and Fits

  • Trace the fuel path from tank through tap, filter, carburettor or fuel-injection throttle body to the combustion chamber, and name the function of each component

  • Explain carburettor circuits (float, pilot, needle-jet, main) and the air-fuel ratio range for idle, cruise and full throttle

  • Describe the magneto and battery-coil ignition systems, including the role of the contact breaker or electronic trigger, condenser or capacitor, ignition coil and spark plug, and state typical spark plug gap

  • Identify the properties and correct application of engine oil grades (viscosity rating and API or JASO classification) and explain wet-sump versus dry-sump lubrication and oil pump operation

  • Classify common engineering materials used on motorcycles (cast iron, aluminium alloy, steel, rubber) and select the correct fastener grade and thread type for a given joint

Your checkpoint

A one-page fuel, ignition and lubrication flow chart plus a materials-and-fasteners selection table covering at least eight motorcycle components

Week 4

Fuel, Ignition, Lubrication and Cooling Systems & Transmission, Clutch and Final Drive

  • Explain air cooling and liquid cooling systems, including fins, radiator, thermostat, water pump and coolant flow, and state the symptoms of overheating

  • Diagnose a rich and a lean mixture from spark plug colour and exhaust symptoms, and state the corrective adjustment

  • Describe the function and operation of a wet multi-plate clutch, and explain clutch slip, drag and judder causes

  • Explain the construction and ratio calculation of a constant-mesh gearbox and the role of the shift drum and forks

  • Describe chain, belt and shaft final drive, including chain slack adjustment, sprocket wear inspection and shaft-drive bevel gear basics

Your checkpoint

A timed 25-question self-test on Domains 4, 5 and 6, scored and with every wrong answer written up with the correct reasoning

Week 5

Transmission, Clutch and Final Drive & Frame, Suspension, Steering and Wheels

  • Trace power flow from crankshaft through clutch, gearbox and final drive to the rear wheel, and identify where each component sits in the drive train

  • Explain the purpose of the frame, and compare tubular, cradle and perimeter frame types with their advantages

  • Describe telescopic front fork construction (stanchions, springs, damper rod, oil) and rear suspension types (twin shock, monoshock, swingarm linkage), including preload and damping adjustment

  • Explain steering geometry terms: rake angle, trail, wheelbase and steering-head bearings, and state the effect of incorrect trail on handling

  • Describe wheel construction (spoked and cast), tyre removal and refitting, and wheel balancing principles

Your checkpoint

A labelled drive-train and chassis diagram showing power flow, suspension components and steering geometry angles, with a short written explanation of each term

Week 6

Frame, Suspension, Steering and Wheels & Brakes, Tyres and Wheel Alignment

  • Explain the operation of drum and disc brakes, including master cylinder, caliper, pads and brake fluid, and state the cause of brake fade and spongy lever feel

  • Describe the procedure for bleeding a hydraulic brake system and for adjusting a drum brake and cable free play

  • Read a tyre sidewall and interpret size code, load index, speed rating, construction and DOT date code

  • Explain tyre wear patterns (centre wear, edge wear, cupping, flat spotting) and relate them to pressure, alignment and suspension faults

  • Describe wheel alignment checks on a motorcycle, including rear-wheel alignment to the front and the effect of misalignment on tyre wear and handling

Your checkpoint

A brake and tyre inspection report on a real or simulated motorcycle, listing measured pad thickness, disc or drum condition, tyre pressures, tread depth and a written diagnosis of at least two wear patterns

Week 7

Electrical, Battery and Electronic Systems & Diagnostics, Maintenance, Service and Repair

  • Explain battery construction, lead-acid versus lithium-ion types, capacity rating in ampere-hours, cold cranking amps, and the correct charging procedure and safety precautions

  • Trace the charging circuit (stator, regulator-rectifier, battery) and the starting circuit (battery, starter relay, starter motor, switches), and describe how to test each with a multimeter

  • Describe the motorcycle wiring harness, earth return, fuse protection and the function of the main switch, lighting and indicator circuits

  • Explain the role of the engine control unit and common sensors (crank position, throttle position, oxygen, temperature) in an electronic fuel-injection system

  • Apply a structured diagnostic sequence (verify complaint, gather symptoms, test in order, confirm repair) to a no-start and a no-charge fault, and list the multimeter readings expected at each step

Your checkpoint

A written diagnostic worksheet for one no-start and one no-charge fault, listing each test point, expected reading and the conclusion drawn

Week 8

Hand Tools, Measuring Instruments and Workshop Practice & Engineering Materials, Fasteners and Fits & Diagnostics, Maintenance, Service and Repair

  • Explain fits and tolerances (clearance, interference, transition) and interpret a basic hole-basis fit designation from a workshop drawing

  • Describe thread forms, thread pitch measurement and the correct use of taps, dies and torque sequences for cylinder-head bolts

  • Perform a full periodic service sequence on a motorcycle: oil and filter change, air filter, spark plug, chain adjustment and lubrication, cable adjustment, brake check and fastener torque check

  • Prepare a maintenance schedule table linking service interval to the checks required at that interval

  • Complete a full-length mock examination across all ten domains under timed conditions and review every incorrect answer

Your checkpoint

A completed mock exam with a score per domain, a list of the three weakest domains, and a written revision plan for the final days before the exam

Milestones

Week 2: Can explain the four-stroke cycle and valve timing from memory and has produced a measurement log with correctly calculated clearances

Week 3: Scores at least 70 percent on a self-made 20-question quiz covering fuel, ignition, lubrication and materials

Week 4: Completes the timed 25-question test on Domains 4, 5 and 6 with every error corrected and explained in writing

Week 6: Can name every component in the drive train, chassis and brake system and explain its function without notes

Week 7: Correctly describes the expected multimeter readings for a healthy charging circuit and a healthy starting circuit

Week 8: Achieves at least 75 percent overall on the full mock exam with no domain below 60 percent