By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Beau_Wiley]Beau Wiley
PROBLEM:
I need a little advice. I have the PIAA lights installed and they worked fine for a year. Now they blow the inline fuse every time I turn them on. I unmounted the PIAA lights from the highway bar and now the fuse no longer blows out. I put a voltmeter on the hanging PIAA light metal casing while they are on and the voltmeter reads 12V. Ouch, I look inside one of the PIAA lights and they are internally grounded to a screw inside the casing.
Since I can read 12V while touching the casing of the lights, does this mean their is bare metal touching the hot wire or does it mean my ground is bad?
This is happening on two separate Kingpins that have these PIAAs installed.
I checked the draw when the lights are on and not mounted to the metal highway bars. It is low. I am able to use a 15 amp fuse without it blowing. These lights suggest a 30amp, so that is good news.
If you have any tips on what is causing this, please let me know. I am guessing I have a bad ground since the wiring inside and outside the lights looks good with no exposed wires.
With both bulbs removed and the PIAA casings attached to the bike, no blown fuse. And my other set of smaller halogens driving lights stay on.
I will replace the bulbs.
SOLUTION:
I replaced the bulb and still had the short. Not one to give up I disasembled the PIAA light. Since the outside PIAA casing was still reading 12Volts I new that something internal to the light was not being grounded correctly. On one of the PIAAs I reasembled step by step, checking for the short as I went. I got the the last screw that holds on the front casing with the lense and checked. The fuse bew. Ok, the screw is contacting the internatl lighting component. The insulation must have worn out. So I put a thin piece of rubber over the hole and then reattached the bolt. This solved the problem on the left PIAA. The outside casing now read 0 volts.
The right casing was a little different. It was shorting out without even attaching the screws. So I took this apart and reassembled. This fixed the problem and the right PIAA casing now reads 0 Volts and no more shorts on the 30 Amp in-line fuse.
I think I sacrificed 50 fuses to resolve this and bought $80 replacement PIAA bulbs that I most likely did not need. Now I have some spares.
I know this situation is occurring on another Kingpin and I bet it is the same issue where the internal gorunding of the PIAA has been compromised through age.
Contributing author to the Victory Custom shop -- Cycle Solutions http://www.CycleSolutions.net
and the Victory Kingpin Cruiser Enthusiast site http://www.KingpinCruisers.net
Friday, August 31, 2007
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Cycle Nuts
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Darlene_Snyder]Darlene Snyder
Ok, I will admit it; my husband and I temporarily lost our minds. Before judging us though, I want you to consider the whole story. We were in our late forties, our only child blissfully married and on his own. Maybe we were going through a mid-life crisis, or that empty nest syndrome, I am not sure what you would call it. We decided to purchase a motorcycle. Actually, we traded a boat for one.
The desire to ride started slowly. We began by just hopping onto the motorcycle and taking short rides around the local countryside. We gradually progressed to riding further away and staying out longer. Because the Honda was so small and did not have a backrest, I started whining. "Mike, if we are going to ride very often, we are going to have to purchase something larger. This motorcycle is killing my back. I want a bigger one."
He agreed and we began our quest for a larger motorcycle. A man whom we knew personally had one for sale. On the very day of my whining, we went to visit Mr. Calico, after checking it out and eventually taking the motorcycle for a spin, we bought the Yamaha 1300. This was about the precise time that we witnessed a minor change in our children, Eric and April. April is actually our daughter-in-law, but I refer to both as our children. They took on the role of concerned parents; mocking the manner in which we grilled them when they left to go anywhere. "Where are you going? When will you return? Be careful, call us when you stop so we will know you are all right. Let us know when you get there."
Thus was the routine before we left to go riding. If we failed to phone, there were explanations and excuses to make later. There are a few things different from when we rode motorcycle as teenagers. First, getting on and off the motorcycle is certainly not the same. My arthritic, paunch body does not afford me an opportunity for a graceful exit off the bike. I can step up, swing my leg over, and get on ok, but practically every time I get off, I just about break my neck. I struggle with raising my leg high enough to be graceful and generally will hop as I try to extract my leg. I am quite sure onlookers have laughed at me.
Another disparity between riding when I was younger compared to the present time, is back then I had to have plenty of clothing on or else I would get cold, even on a sunny day. Now though the hot flashes take care of that little problem! One more difference is apparently our decision-making ability has flawed with age. Take this explanation as evidence.
Scheduled to go to a weekend conference in Bowling Green Kentucky, which was roughly three hours away from where we reside, we elected to make the excursion on our motorcycle. If I packed lightly, we would have ample room for our small overnight bags. The week before our journey, we tuned in to the local weather stations periodically to track the weekend weather forecast. Our local forecasters called for stormy weather but the prediction for Western Kentucky was for storms to be of the hit and miss variety with mostly sunny skies. Remind me not to rely on weather forecasts in the future.
We were resolved to make this journey on two wheels. After promising our children, we would be fine and after accepting our expected instructions and directive to phone them when we arrived at our hotel, we were on our way. The beginning of the excursion was nice enough, but as we proceeded on, we began to observe the formation of the menacing sky very closely. We believed we were traveling in advance of the storms when in fact we headed straight towards them.
The Cumberland Parkway appeared all but deserted as the winds picked up and the rain started to bounce off our helmets. Luckily, we donned water resistant jogging suits or we would have been soaked. As it was, the rainfall was not the predominant issue. Mike had to wrestle hard against the wind to hold the 1300-pound motorcycle in the highway and upright. We could occasionally see the trees bend from the force of the wind.
Mike pointed to the sign indicating that we were going to take that exit. As the wind blew harder and the downpour persisted, He continued to concentrate on keeping the cycle upright. Suddenly, I began to wave my hands and arms in front of Mike pointing to a tree, which had fallen across the parkway. He had not seen it; luckily, I had. He was able to maneuver around it. Our exit was just in front of us and we were able to make it to McDonalds where we stopped to wait out the intense storm.
We took off our helmets, moved inside, and phoned our children, as good parents should. We expressed to them we were fine, excluding the graphic details of our nerve-racking journey. We downed several cups of hot chocolate as we waited out the storm. Eventually we made the impending decision to get back on the highway. The rainfall halted and the wind receded. As we moved out of the parking lot, pointing to the sky I said, "The lightning concerns me practically as much as the wind did. Maybe we should remain here a little longer." Shaking his head in the negative, we continued toward Bowling Green. A cold rain began to fall once more. I constantly looked toward the sky, frequently seeing the lightning dance all around us. I thought about what I had heard about rubber tires keeping the lightning from striking. I sure hoped this implied motorcycles too. I felt exposed and unprotected. The only thing between the lightning and me was my helmet. That was not reassuring.
The stars were out in full force; actually, it was a beautiful night. The lightning was high in the magnificent sky and did not seem to be striking anything. It was playing across the sky instead of aiming down towards the earth. That was the only consolation I had. I previously had a relationship with the Lord, but before the evening was over, I had an intimate, up close and personal relationship with Him. I sure did a lot of praying that seemingly endless night.
Now, do you understand what I mean about losing our minds? Is it a normal thing for 50-year old mature adults to behave in such a way? We didn't make good decisions but maybe when we get older we will. For now, we are continuing to enjoy our motorcycle rides. Thankfully, our children have eased up some too. I realize motorcycles are not for everyone. However, if you are fifty, don't live like life is over, live life as if it were just beginning. Actually, it is just beginning.
Darlene has articles published in the Outlook magazine, a feature article in the Kentucky Monthly with one of her scenery photographs chosen as the cover of the June 2007 issue. A short story was published in The Storyteller. On Mission, Working Nurse and Hopekeepers magazine, all have purchased or accepted articles for future publication. A Christmas story she wrote was published in an anthology titled I'll be Home for Christmas. She writes part time from her home in Central Kentucky. She has been married for thirty-two years to the only man she has ever loved. She has one child, a son who is married.
Ok, I will admit it; my husband and I temporarily lost our minds. Before judging us though, I want you to consider the whole story. We were in our late forties, our only child blissfully married and on his own. Maybe we were going through a mid-life crisis, or that empty nest syndrome, I am not sure what you would call it. We decided to purchase a motorcycle. Actually, we traded a boat for one.
The desire to ride started slowly. We began by just hopping onto the motorcycle and taking short rides around the local countryside. We gradually progressed to riding further away and staying out longer. Because the Honda was so small and did not have a backrest, I started whining. "Mike, if we are going to ride very often, we are going to have to purchase something larger. This motorcycle is killing my back. I want a bigger one."
He agreed and we began our quest for a larger motorcycle. A man whom we knew personally had one for sale. On the very day of my whining, we went to visit Mr. Calico, after checking it out and eventually taking the motorcycle for a spin, we bought the Yamaha 1300. This was about the precise time that we witnessed a minor change in our children, Eric and April. April is actually our daughter-in-law, but I refer to both as our children. They took on the role of concerned parents; mocking the manner in which we grilled them when they left to go anywhere. "Where are you going? When will you return? Be careful, call us when you stop so we will know you are all right. Let us know when you get there."
Thus was the routine before we left to go riding. If we failed to phone, there were explanations and excuses to make later. There are a few things different from when we rode motorcycle as teenagers. First, getting on and off the motorcycle is certainly not the same. My arthritic, paunch body does not afford me an opportunity for a graceful exit off the bike. I can step up, swing my leg over, and get on ok, but practically every time I get off, I just about break my neck. I struggle with raising my leg high enough to be graceful and generally will hop as I try to extract my leg. I am quite sure onlookers have laughed at me.
Another disparity between riding when I was younger compared to the present time, is back then I had to have plenty of clothing on or else I would get cold, even on a sunny day. Now though the hot flashes take care of that little problem! One more difference is apparently our decision-making ability has flawed with age. Take this explanation as evidence.
Scheduled to go to a weekend conference in Bowling Green Kentucky, which was roughly three hours away from where we reside, we elected to make the excursion on our motorcycle. If I packed lightly, we would have ample room for our small overnight bags. The week before our journey, we tuned in to the local weather stations periodically to track the weekend weather forecast. Our local forecasters called for stormy weather but the prediction for Western Kentucky was for storms to be of the hit and miss variety with mostly sunny skies. Remind me not to rely on weather forecasts in the future.
We were resolved to make this journey on two wheels. After promising our children, we would be fine and after accepting our expected instructions and directive to phone them when we arrived at our hotel, we were on our way. The beginning of the excursion was nice enough, but as we proceeded on, we began to observe the formation of the menacing sky very closely. We believed we were traveling in advance of the storms when in fact we headed straight towards them.
The Cumberland Parkway appeared all but deserted as the winds picked up and the rain started to bounce off our helmets. Luckily, we donned water resistant jogging suits or we would have been soaked. As it was, the rainfall was not the predominant issue. Mike had to wrestle hard against the wind to hold the 1300-pound motorcycle in the highway and upright. We could occasionally see the trees bend from the force of the wind.
Mike pointed to the sign indicating that we were going to take that exit. As the wind blew harder and the downpour persisted, He continued to concentrate on keeping the cycle upright. Suddenly, I began to wave my hands and arms in front of Mike pointing to a tree, which had fallen across the parkway. He had not seen it; luckily, I had. He was able to maneuver around it. Our exit was just in front of us and we were able to make it to McDonalds where we stopped to wait out the intense storm.
We took off our helmets, moved inside, and phoned our children, as good parents should. We expressed to them we were fine, excluding the graphic details of our nerve-racking journey. We downed several cups of hot chocolate as we waited out the storm. Eventually we made the impending decision to get back on the highway. The rainfall halted and the wind receded. As we moved out of the parking lot, pointing to the sky I said, "The lightning concerns me practically as much as the wind did. Maybe we should remain here a little longer." Shaking his head in the negative, we continued toward Bowling Green. A cold rain began to fall once more. I constantly looked toward the sky, frequently seeing the lightning dance all around us. I thought about what I had heard about rubber tires keeping the lightning from striking. I sure hoped this implied motorcycles too. I felt exposed and unprotected. The only thing between the lightning and me was my helmet. That was not reassuring.
The stars were out in full force; actually, it was a beautiful night. The lightning was high in the magnificent sky and did not seem to be striking anything. It was playing across the sky instead of aiming down towards the earth. That was the only consolation I had. I previously had a relationship with the Lord, but before the evening was over, I had an intimate, up close and personal relationship with Him. I sure did a lot of praying that seemingly endless night.
Now, do you understand what I mean about losing our minds? Is it a normal thing for 50-year old mature adults to behave in such a way? We didn't make good decisions but maybe when we get older we will. For now, we are continuing to enjoy our motorcycle rides. Thankfully, our children have eased up some too. I realize motorcycles are not for everyone. However, if you are fifty, don't live like life is over, live life as if it were just beginning. Actually, it is just beginning.
Darlene has articles published in the Outlook magazine, a feature article in the Kentucky Monthly with one of her scenery photographs chosen as the cover of the June 2007 issue. A short story was published in The Storyteller. On Mission, Working Nurse and Hopekeepers magazine, all have purchased or accepted articles for future publication. A Christmas story she wrote was published in an anthology titled I'll be Home for Christmas. She writes part time from her home in Central Kentucky. She has been married for thirty-two years to the only man she has ever loved. She has one child, a son who is married.
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Victory Motorcycle Customizing
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Beau_Wiley]Beau Wiley
It is an exciting time for Victory motorcycle owners. The Victory motorcycle aftermarket is heating up. There are now more options to choose from for making your Victory unique and giving it that custom look. From the days when we owned our 2004 Victory Kingpin, there was not many options in the Victory aftermarket. Now there exists a wide selection of products from which to choose. These products range from simple bolt on chrome pieces (BLING!) to custom LED lighting, turn signals, license brackets, to finally performance products.
We here at Cycle Solutions are Victory Motorcyclists; we are passionate about our Victory motorcycles and excited about what the after market has to offer. We know what works well together and what does not. Our mission is to help our fellow Victory motorcycle riders choose the right part to satisfy their needs. Our Cycle Solutions customers are not customers to us they are guests. We value building a relationship with our guests and strive to make every guest happy. We want you to have an enjoyable online experience. Cycle Solutions does not advertise, we count on "Word-of-mouth" advertising from our guests to get the word out. There are instances where you can buy an item for less, we can offer competitive pricing but find if we offer deep discounts, we will not be in business much longer to serve you. Cycle Solutions offers online and personal phone technical consultation for the motorcycle aftermarket. Are you unable to find that hard-to-find part? Just ask us, odds are we have it and just have not added it to the site's store. If we do not have it, we will refer you to a shop that does. We are all motorcycle enthusiasts and want to work with the other stores when possible.
OK, now that we have convinced you that we are here to help you in any way possible with the Victory motorcycle aftermarket, let us give you some examples of some of the areas we have successfully helped out some of our cycle Solutions Victory guests.
- The first thing to go on most Victory motorcycles is the stock turn signals. Whether you own a Kingpin, Vegas, 8-Ball, Hammer or Jackpot, we have a few LED turn signal configurations to fit your needs.
- The next thing to go on most Victory motorcycles is the stock license bracket. There are now several options on laydown, sidemounts, radiused illuminated sidemounts license brackets from which to choose. We can guide you to pick the best one for your Victory motorcycle.
- Once you have your Victory all blinged out and looking good, it is time to consider some performance modifications. Yummy, these are excellent modifications that will get a few more horsepower out of your Victory Freedom 92ci or 100ci engine. Some of these performance modifications include, installing a simple plug and play fuel controller module. We strongly recommend the Lloydz VFC generation 2 or generation 3. You will not be disappointed. The ugly stock plastic coffin shaped air box is the next thing to go. Removing the stock air box and installing a high-performance aftermarket air intake like the PMRT air intake will do two things: 1) it will clean up the front part of your motor opening up the entire area under the tank and in front of the Victory Freedom motor -- really makes it look custom. 2) PERFORMANCE! with the PMRT, you get more air flow into your motor, Bam! More power. Installing the PMRT with the Lloydz VFC is the best performance bang for the buck on the market today. Finally, to finish off your performance upgrade, we suggest installing an aftermarket exhaust system by either Hackerpipes or SRVT. The SRVT Aces exhaust have heat shields, require no frame mods and provide an incredibly high air flow � which means performance. With these pipes it is highly recommended that a Lloydz Victory Fuel controller be installed to help offset the extra lean condition a high-performance exhaust may introduce.
- For the 2003-2005 Victory motorcycles with the 92ci / 5 speed transmission, we strongly recommend having the 32-tooth overdrive pulley installed. This will smooth out your bike at high speeds. No more hi-rpms and vibrations when going over 70mph. The overdrive pulley makes your Victory act like it has a sixth gear. Excellent modification. Please contact us for more detail.
- With the performance modifications come alot of questions. Please feel free to contact us if you have any performance questions or need advice on which system will work best for your Victory. If we do not know the answer, we will find it for you.
- Motorcycle safety is high on our list and one of our specialties. If you are looking for ways to make your motorcycle more noticed and safer, please contact us. We have some excellent products that will make you noticed and heard. These items also look cool and get your fellow riders talking. Some items we offer and strongly recommend are: 128db Air Horn, Back-Off brake modulator, Headlight modulator, LED turn signals.
As with anything, you get what you pay for. The high-quality Victory aftermarket items are not cheap! But you spent $20k on a Victory so these high-quality parts cost money to produce. Bottom line, these are great products and will make your Victory unique and get noticed. Beware of knock-offs on our products and sites that discount. Most times they are selling inferior or damaged items and will not honor returns. Also beware of sites with no address or phone number contact information. We strongly believe in providing online and on-phone customer support. Being able to speak with one of our Victory specialists is always a benefit before making a purchase. Most sites do not offer this support.
Cycle Solutions values our guests and we strive to build a relationship with our guests. We want to be the first source that you turn to for your Victory After market needs. We have teamed up with the Kingpin Cruisers site at http://www.KingpinCruisers.net to help build our Victory community and to meet local riders and have events. Check the KEG site out, it is a FREE Victory site.
Contributing author to the Victory Custom shop -- Cycle Solutions http://www.CycleSolutions.net
and the Victory Kingpin Cruiser Enthusiast site http://www.KingpinCruisers.net
It is an exciting time for Victory motorcycle owners. The Victory motorcycle aftermarket is heating up. There are now more options to choose from for making your Victory unique and giving it that custom look. From the days when we owned our 2004 Victory Kingpin, there was not many options in the Victory aftermarket. Now there exists a wide selection of products from which to choose. These products range from simple bolt on chrome pieces (BLING!) to custom LED lighting, turn signals, license brackets, to finally performance products.
We here at Cycle Solutions are Victory Motorcyclists; we are passionate about our Victory motorcycles and excited about what the after market has to offer. We know what works well together and what does not. Our mission is to help our fellow Victory motorcycle riders choose the right part to satisfy their needs. Our Cycle Solutions customers are not customers to us they are guests. We value building a relationship with our guests and strive to make every guest happy. We want you to have an enjoyable online experience. Cycle Solutions does not advertise, we count on "Word-of-mouth" advertising from our guests to get the word out. There are instances where you can buy an item for less, we can offer competitive pricing but find if we offer deep discounts, we will not be in business much longer to serve you. Cycle Solutions offers online and personal phone technical consultation for the motorcycle aftermarket. Are you unable to find that hard-to-find part? Just ask us, odds are we have it and just have not added it to the site's store. If we do not have it, we will refer you to a shop that does. We are all motorcycle enthusiasts and want to work with the other stores when possible.
OK, now that we have convinced you that we are here to help you in any way possible with the Victory motorcycle aftermarket, let us give you some examples of some of the areas we have successfully helped out some of our cycle Solutions Victory guests.
- The first thing to go on most Victory motorcycles is the stock turn signals. Whether you own a Kingpin, Vegas, 8-Ball, Hammer or Jackpot, we have a few LED turn signal configurations to fit your needs.
- The next thing to go on most Victory motorcycles is the stock license bracket. There are now several options on laydown, sidemounts, radiused illuminated sidemounts license brackets from which to choose. We can guide you to pick the best one for your Victory motorcycle.
- Once you have your Victory all blinged out and looking good, it is time to consider some performance modifications. Yummy, these are excellent modifications that will get a few more horsepower out of your Victory Freedom 92ci or 100ci engine. Some of these performance modifications include, installing a simple plug and play fuel controller module. We strongly recommend the Lloydz VFC generation 2 or generation 3. You will not be disappointed. The ugly stock plastic coffin shaped air box is the next thing to go. Removing the stock air box and installing a high-performance aftermarket air intake like the PMRT air intake will do two things: 1) it will clean up the front part of your motor opening up the entire area under the tank and in front of the Victory Freedom motor -- really makes it look custom. 2) PERFORMANCE! with the PMRT, you get more air flow into your motor, Bam! More power. Installing the PMRT with the Lloydz VFC is the best performance bang for the buck on the market today. Finally, to finish off your performance upgrade, we suggest installing an aftermarket exhaust system by either Hackerpipes or SRVT. The SRVT Aces exhaust have heat shields, require no frame mods and provide an incredibly high air flow � which means performance. With these pipes it is highly recommended that a Lloydz Victory Fuel controller be installed to help offset the extra lean condition a high-performance exhaust may introduce.
- For the 2003-2005 Victory motorcycles with the 92ci / 5 speed transmission, we strongly recommend having the 32-tooth overdrive pulley installed. This will smooth out your bike at high speeds. No more hi-rpms and vibrations when going over 70mph. The overdrive pulley makes your Victory act like it has a sixth gear. Excellent modification. Please contact us for more detail.
- With the performance modifications come alot of questions. Please feel free to contact us if you have any performance questions or need advice on which system will work best for your Victory. If we do not know the answer, we will find it for you.
- Motorcycle safety is high on our list and one of our specialties. If you are looking for ways to make your motorcycle more noticed and safer, please contact us. We have some excellent products that will make you noticed and heard. These items also look cool and get your fellow riders talking. Some items we offer and strongly recommend are: 128db Air Horn, Back-Off brake modulator, Headlight modulator, LED turn signals.
As with anything, you get what you pay for. The high-quality Victory aftermarket items are not cheap! But you spent $20k on a Victory so these high-quality parts cost money to produce. Bottom line, these are great products and will make your Victory unique and get noticed. Beware of knock-offs on our products and sites that discount. Most times they are selling inferior or damaged items and will not honor returns. Also beware of sites with no address or phone number contact information. We strongly believe in providing online and on-phone customer support. Being able to speak with one of our Victory specialists is always a benefit before making a purchase. Most sites do not offer this support.
Cycle Solutions values our guests and we strive to build a relationship with our guests. We want to be the first source that you turn to for your Victory After market needs. We have teamed up with the Kingpin Cruisers site at http://www.KingpinCruisers.net to help build our Victory community and to meet local riders and have events. Check the KEG site out, it is a FREE Victory site.
Contributing author to the Victory Custom shop -- Cycle Solutions http://www.CycleSolutions.net
and the Victory Kingpin Cruiser Enthusiast site http://www.KingpinCruisers.net
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
The Zen of Cleaning and Preparing Your Motorcycle After Winter Storage
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Beau_Wiley]Beau Wiley
Cleaning and preparing your motorcycle after Winter storage should be a passionate task. Yes, after the many months of waiting. Doing anything to your motorcycle is a much anticipated task. Sure it is not on the "hunny do list." But it is the number one to do item on your list. Whether you ride a BMW tourer, ZZR1200 Sport Tourer, or Victory Kingpin, you should approach the task like a Zen master. Learning about your bike again, fine tuning it up and preparing it for its first spring ride. So, get out the cache of cleaning supplies, soap, polish and waxes, lubricants, etc... and get to it!
The following punch list has been comprised by reading through the various motorcycle owners manuals (MOMs) and service manuals. As well as, from my own experiences as to what works. After a few months in storage for both you and your bike, I encourage you to read your general maintenance sections of your M.O.M just to make sure you did not forget something basic like inflating the tires to the proper inflation specifications.
Check battery terminals (clean, if necessary, with baking soda and water).
Dry or apply an after wash product (there are several available), then dry.
Check oil and other lubricants.
Check cables and lub with specified lubricants.
Check tire pressure and wear.
Check, charge, or install the battery (positive lead first).
Check all lights, and operation of each.
Check brake fluid level, and pads/shoes for wear.
Wash or apply a pre-wash, and then thoroughly "bathe" your ride.
Apply leather treatment to leather components.
Check drive belt, chain, or shaft.
Polish and wax all chrome and painted parts.
Add "octane" booster (if desired) according to directions.
Clean inside of helmet with mild soap (let dry).
Write down beginning mileage.
Review any notes written before putting your motorcycle in Winter storage.
Finally, you made it through your first spring motorcycle maintenance task and now are one with your motorcycle. Well, not quite yet. Now you need to fine-tune yourself. By that I mean, practice your basic riding skills. Head out to an empty parking lot and practice your braking, slow-speed riding techniques, and clutch control. You will find that you are a bit rusty. This will also give you a chance to see if there is anything you missed while going through your spring tune-up punch list.
The bottom line is to have fun. Motorcycling is all about the passion. I firmly believe in one doing their own motorcycle maintenance. If you are doubtful of your mechanical skill all you need to do is go to one of the many online motorcycle forum sites and post questions or browse their How-To articles. Ideally you want to go to a site that pertains to your model motorcycle.
Contributing author to the Victory Custom shop -- Cycle Solutions http://www.CycleSolutions.net
and the Victory Kingpin Cruiser Enthusiast site http://www.KingpinCruisers.net
Cleaning and preparing your motorcycle after Winter storage should be a passionate task. Yes, after the many months of waiting. Doing anything to your motorcycle is a much anticipated task. Sure it is not on the "hunny do list." But it is the number one to do item on your list. Whether you ride a BMW tourer, ZZR1200 Sport Tourer, or Victory Kingpin, you should approach the task like a Zen master. Learning about your bike again, fine tuning it up and preparing it for its first spring ride. So, get out the cache of cleaning supplies, soap, polish and waxes, lubricants, etc... and get to it!
The following punch list has been comprised by reading through the various motorcycle owners manuals (MOMs) and service manuals. As well as, from my own experiences as to what works. After a few months in storage for both you and your bike, I encourage you to read your general maintenance sections of your M.O.M just to make sure you did not forget something basic like inflating the tires to the proper inflation specifications.
Check battery terminals (clean, if necessary, with baking soda and water).
Dry or apply an after wash product (there are several available), then dry.
Check oil and other lubricants.
Check cables and lub with specified lubricants.
Check tire pressure and wear.
Check, charge, or install the battery (positive lead first).
Check all lights, and operation of each.
Check brake fluid level, and pads/shoes for wear.
Wash or apply a pre-wash, and then thoroughly "bathe" your ride.
Apply leather treatment to leather components.
Check drive belt, chain, or shaft.
Polish and wax all chrome and painted parts.
Add "octane" booster (if desired) according to directions.
Clean inside of helmet with mild soap (let dry).
Write down beginning mileage.
Review any notes written before putting your motorcycle in Winter storage.
Finally, you made it through your first spring motorcycle maintenance task and now are one with your motorcycle. Well, not quite yet. Now you need to fine-tune yourself. By that I mean, practice your basic riding skills. Head out to an empty parking lot and practice your braking, slow-speed riding techniques, and clutch control. You will find that you are a bit rusty. This will also give you a chance to see if there is anything you missed while going through your spring tune-up punch list.
The bottom line is to have fun. Motorcycling is all about the passion. I firmly believe in one doing their own motorcycle maintenance. If you are doubtful of your mechanical skill all you need to do is go to one of the many online motorcycle forum sites and post questions or browse their How-To articles. Ideally you want to go to a site that pertains to your model motorcycle.
Contributing author to the Victory Custom shop -- Cycle Solutions http://www.CycleSolutions.net
and the Victory Kingpin Cruiser Enthusiast site http://www.KingpinCruisers.net
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Simple Tips on How to Clean Your Motorcycle
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Mike_Webb]Mike Webb
Cleaning your motorcycle can be a hassle, but with periodic care you can make it easy on yourself. Depending on where you ride and how often will determine how frequently you need to clean.
Wash your motorcycle in a shaded area so as not to let the soap dry too quickly and leave a film. Make sure the engine has cooled down before washing with soap and water. When using a hose don't spray too hard around the engine so you won't short out the ignition system. If you have an air compressor use the air gun to blow out as much moister around the engine area as possible to dry it out. Regular car soap will work best along with a wash mitt that will allow you to get around the areas of the bike. When you want to get to the really small nooks and crannies use a soft bristle toothbrush. Wax all painted areas of the bike, there are many waxes available on the market to use, I just stick to the basic turtle wax, it's been around for years, but you might like to shop around. Using an SOS pad can clean up minor rust on chrome pieces. Make sure you put a coat of wax after clearing. Depending on your seat style you may want to use a leather treatment or possibly Armor All on the vinyl seat. Just remember it's going to be a little slick when you get done.If your bike has a chain make sure you lubricate it properly after washing and check for any other areas that might need to be re-lubricated. Lastly if you have a nice motorcycle cover then use it to save the hassle of cleaning so often.Having a clean motorcycle makes it a lot more fun cruising.
Take care and drive safely.
The author Mike Webb was an automotive technician at a Chrysler Dealership for 15 years and an agricultural technician for 5 years. He won the prestigiousToptech award from Chrysler in 1996 and is an ASE certified Master Technician. He currently owns and operates the Okinawan School of Karate with 2 locations. To learn more about Mike Webb you can go to his website: http://www.karatebenefits.com
The above article may be published freely as long as no content is changed and all links are included. Copyright Mike Webb 2007
Cleaning your motorcycle can be a hassle, but with periodic care you can make it easy on yourself. Depending on where you ride and how often will determine how frequently you need to clean.
Wash your motorcycle in a shaded area so as not to let the soap dry too quickly and leave a film. Make sure the engine has cooled down before washing with soap and water. When using a hose don't spray too hard around the engine so you won't short out the ignition system. If you have an air compressor use the air gun to blow out as much moister around the engine area as possible to dry it out. Regular car soap will work best along with a wash mitt that will allow you to get around the areas of the bike. When you want to get to the really small nooks and crannies use a soft bristle toothbrush. Wax all painted areas of the bike, there are many waxes available on the market to use, I just stick to the basic turtle wax, it's been around for years, but you might like to shop around. Using an SOS pad can clean up minor rust on chrome pieces. Make sure you put a coat of wax after clearing. Depending on your seat style you may want to use a leather treatment or possibly Armor All on the vinyl seat. Just remember it's going to be a little slick when you get done.If your bike has a chain make sure you lubricate it properly after washing and check for any other areas that might need to be re-lubricated. Lastly if you have a nice motorcycle cover then use it to save the hassle of cleaning so often.Having a clean motorcycle makes it a lot more fun cruising.
Take care and drive safely.
The author Mike Webb was an automotive technician at a Chrysler Dealership for 15 years and an agricultural technician for 5 years. He won the prestigiousToptech award from Chrysler in 1996 and is an ASE certified Master Technician. He currently owns and operates the Okinawan School of Karate with 2 locations. To learn more about Mike Webb you can go to his website: http://www.karatebenefits.com
The above article may be published freely as long as no content is changed and all links are included. Copyright Mike Webb 2007
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Reasons To Love A Mini Harley Chopper Scooter
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Alexes_Lebeau]Alexes Lebeau
Head Turners on the Road
A lot of buzz is going on about the mini Harley chopper scooter, and teens are going crazy over these trendy bikes. If your child is moping for one, then you have to go over the pros and cons before getting one. You have to think real fast, because they are short of supply.
These little bikes give off a big roar, and whiz past just like the big machines. Surely, you haven�t turned a blind eye and deaf ear to a mini harley chopper scooter? It is a good thing these are not recommended for use along the highway and public roads. Definitely not. Look up these bikes at the key suppliers nearest you or hop online to check out details.
Should You?
Buying a mini harley chopper scooter for your son or daughter will require some caution on your part. If your child is eighteen years old you can get her or him this hot bike; and if you trust your child, who is below 18 years, then why not. Most parents would not allow this for valid reasons. They have a point here.
Unless they have the time to supervise their kids with the proper use of the mini Harley chopper scooter, then parents can get this bike without worrying unnecessarily. These mini clones can go at speeds up to 25 mph. Just about right for teens. It has stainless steel dual tips muffler, headlight brake lights, and rear signal indicators.
Another enticement to get this mini harley chopper scooter is the price. It is an affordable piece of steel for your child�s fun, and pride. The machine is a fine specimen of detailed artistry. So you get real value for your money. You can test drive the mini Harley Chopper to check out how it runs.
Rocking Harley
The mini harley chopper scooter proudly displays a Harley Davidson logo. There is also a decal of a burst of flame on the seat and on the handlebars. A loud electric horn will warn anybody of the approach of the mini Harley.
Well as a parent, get your child the complete set of safety gear. Make sure he or she wears the helmet � whether it is hot or not. Some accidents have happened with devastating results just because the helmet was ignored.
Safety systems have been incorporated into this little meanie. There�s the push button electrical ignition that can start and switch off the motor safely. Front and rear disk breaks can balance the mini Harley Chopper when put rapidly to a halt.
Which Mini Meanie?
The 36cc, and 43cc, mini harley chopper scooter models are not gas guzzlers. The first runs with a maximum speed of 16mph, while the latter can go up to 25mph. You can have an idea of the speed limits of the little Harley. So get one that you believe is best for your child. Now watch her or him ride with pride. Perhaps you would be riding it too. That would be another story.
The latest must-have of any teener is the [http://www.askthescooterexperts.com/2007/07/22/is-it-a-good-idea-to-get-my-daughter-a-mini-harley-chopper-scooter/]mini harley chopper scooter. How about getting interesting information here about [http://askthescooterexperts.com/2007/07/20/are-electric-scooters-for-kids-safe/]electric scooters for kids?
Head Turners on the Road
A lot of buzz is going on about the mini Harley chopper scooter, and teens are going crazy over these trendy bikes. If your child is moping for one, then you have to go over the pros and cons before getting one. You have to think real fast, because they are short of supply.
These little bikes give off a big roar, and whiz past just like the big machines. Surely, you haven�t turned a blind eye and deaf ear to a mini harley chopper scooter? It is a good thing these are not recommended for use along the highway and public roads. Definitely not. Look up these bikes at the key suppliers nearest you or hop online to check out details.
Should You?
Buying a mini harley chopper scooter for your son or daughter will require some caution on your part. If your child is eighteen years old you can get her or him this hot bike; and if you trust your child, who is below 18 years, then why not. Most parents would not allow this for valid reasons. They have a point here.
Unless they have the time to supervise their kids with the proper use of the mini Harley chopper scooter, then parents can get this bike without worrying unnecessarily. These mini clones can go at speeds up to 25 mph. Just about right for teens. It has stainless steel dual tips muffler, headlight brake lights, and rear signal indicators.
Another enticement to get this mini harley chopper scooter is the price. It is an affordable piece of steel for your child�s fun, and pride. The machine is a fine specimen of detailed artistry. So you get real value for your money. You can test drive the mini Harley Chopper to check out how it runs.
Rocking Harley
The mini harley chopper scooter proudly displays a Harley Davidson logo. There is also a decal of a burst of flame on the seat and on the handlebars. A loud electric horn will warn anybody of the approach of the mini Harley.
Well as a parent, get your child the complete set of safety gear. Make sure he or she wears the helmet � whether it is hot or not. Some accidents have happened with devastating results just because the helmet was ignored.
Safety systems have been incorporated into this little meanie. There�s the push button electrical ignition that can start and switch off the motor safely. Front and rear disk breaks can balance the mini Harley Chopper when put rapidly to a halt.
Which Mini Meanie?
The 36cc, and 43cc, mini harley chopper scooter models are not gas guzzlers. The first runs with a maximum speed of 16mph, while the latter can go up to 25mph. You can have an idea of the speed limits of the little Harley. So get one that you believe is best for your child. Now watch her or him ride with pride. Perhaps you would be riding it too. That would be another story.
The latest must-have of any teener is the [http://www.askthescooterexperts.com/2007/07/22/is-it-a-good-idea-to-get-my-daughter-a-mini-harley-chopper-scooter/]mini harley chopper scooter. How about getting interesting information here about [http://askthescooterexperts.com/2007/07/20/are-electric-scooters-for-kids-safe/]electric scooters for kids?
Monday, August 13, 2007
Aluminum Motorcycle Trailers
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Sarah_Freeland]Sarah Freeland
If you are looking to tow your motorcycle long distances, then you might be interested in aluminum motorcycle trailers. An aluminum motorcycle trailer is a great option for storing and transporting motorcycles, ATVs, or jet skis of all kinds. Investing in an aluminum motorcycle trailer will mean your bike is always secure and ready to go when you are.
You have several options when shopping for aluminum motorcycle trailers. One of those options is size. These trailers come in a variety of sizes. What size you choose depends on what you are hauling, what you�re hauling with, and what your budget is. If you are just hauling a motorcycle, you should purchase the smallest size, for convenience and price. But if you have a lot of things to haul and a vehicle that can handle the load, a larger trailer will probably serve you better in the long run.
Another option to have when shopping for aluminum motorcycle trailers is the look of the trailer. These trailers come in a wide variety of colors, so you can pick one that you like. Choose bright red or orange to really stand out. You can also choose to have your trailer paint customized. Your name, company logo or favorite saying on the side of an aluminum trailer will be totally worth the cost of the custom paint job.
Aluminum motorcycle trailers are great for things besides motorcycles. Do you have a band? You likely have a lot of equipment to haul. With an aluminum motorcycle trailer, you�ll be able to get to your gigs on time with everything you need. Or maybe you�ve finally retired and want to hit the road. Not sure you can get your wife to come along without packing up the entire house? You may want to invest in an aluminum trailer. A small trailer will fit everything you need for the road trip you�ve been waiting for all your life.
Find [http://www.motorcycletrailerhitches.net/motorcycle_trailer_hitches.html ]motorcycle trailer hitches, towing accessories and enclosed trailers for Harley, Ducati and Honda. There is a wide variety of motorcycle trailers available today and they all have their pluses. From enclosed wedge nose motorcycle trailers and Delhi motorcycle trailers to Hurrican motorcycle trailers and enclosed motorcycle trailers. Information, reviews and resources at Motorcycle Trailer Hitches: your source for tips, guides and reviews on [http://www.motorcycletrailerhitches.net/motorcycle_trailer_haulers.html ]motorcycle towing and hauling equipment. If you are looking for new and used [http://www.ducatimotorcycleparts.info/ducati_1098_parts.html ]Ducati 1098 Superbike parts visit our site on Ducati bikes and replacement accessories.
If you are looking to tow your motorcycle long distances, then you might be interested in aluminum motorcycle trailers. An aluminum motorcycle trailer is a great option for storing and transporting motorcycles, ATVs, or jet skis of all kinds. Investing in an aluminum motorcycle trailer will mean your bike is always secure and ready to go when you are.
You have several options when shopping for aluminum motorcycle trailers. One of those options is size. These trailers come in a variety of sizes. What size you choose depends on what you are hauling, what you�re hauling with, and what your budget is. If you are just hauling a motorcycle, you should purchase the smallest size, for convenience and price. But if you have a lot of things to haul and a vehicle that can handle the load, a larger trailer will probably serve you better in the long run.
Another option to have when shopping for aluminum motorcycle trailers is the look of the trailer. These trailers come in a wide variety of colors, so you can pick one that you like. Choose bright red or orange to really stand out. You can also choose to have your trailer paint customized. Your name, company logo or favorite saying on the side of an aluminum trailer will be totally worth the cost of the custom paint job.
Aluminum motorcycle trailers are great for things besides motorcycles. Do you have a band? You likely have a lot of equipment to haul. With an aluminum motorcycle trailer, you�ll be able to get to your gigs on time with everything you need. Or maybe you�ve finally retired and want to hit the road. Not sure you can get your wife to come along without packing up the entire house? You may want to invest in an aluminum trailer. A small trailer will fit everything you need for the road trip you�ve been waiting for all your life.
Find [http://www.motorcycletrailerhitches.net/motorcycle_trailer_hitches.html ]motorcycle trailer hitches, towing accessories and enclosed trailers for Harley, Ducati and Honda. There is a wide variety of motorcycle trailers available today and they all have their pluses. From enclosed wedge nose motorcycle trailers and Delhi motorcycle trailers to Hurrican motorcycle trailers and enclosed motorcycle trailers. Information, reviews and resources at Motorcycle Trailer Hitches: your source for tips, guides and reviews on [http://www.motorcycletrailerhitches.net/motorcycle_trailer_haulers.html ]motorcycle towing and hauling equipment. If you are looking for new and used [http://www.ducatimotorcycleparts.info/ducati_1098_parts.html ]Ducati 1098 Superbike parts visit our site on Ducati bikes and replacement accessories.
Friday, August 10, 2007
Motorcycle Trailer Haulers
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Sarah_Freeland]Sarah Freeland
If you need to haul your motorcycle, you have many options. Motorcycle trailer haulers come in a variety of styles and prices ranges. Everyone should be able to find a great motorcycle trailer hauler to fit their needs. Our brief review of the different kinds of haulers and a few reasons you might choose to get one will help you start shopping right away.
There are many reasons you might be interested in getting a motorcycle trailer hauler. They are perfect for anyone who enjoys road trips. You can take your bike across the country and still have your car or RV with you for comfort. They are also great for anyone who enjoys camping. Take your motorcycle on your next trip into the canyon and enjoy a ride around the lake after your fire-grilled supper.
If you are ready to start shopping for motorcycle trailer haulers, you might be wondering what your options are. There are a few types of motorcycle haulers. The first type is open haulers. These are simpler and more affordable. They are just like a simple flat-bed trailer. These are great for anyone who just wants to haul their bike on short trips or into the canyon. They are also the most affordable, you can probably afford to buy one today.
If you want something a little more deluxe in a motorcycle trailer hauler, you should consider an enclosed trailer. These are available in a wide variety of sizes. Although they are more expensive than more basic trailers, they offer more protection for your bike and are best if you are going on long trips. They also come in a variety of prices, depending on the size and features you are interested in.
Find [http://www.motorcycletrailerhitches.net/ ]motorcycle trailer hitches, towing accessories and enclosed trailers for Harley, Ducati and Honda. There is a wide variety of motorcycle trailers available today and they all have their pluses. From [http://www.motorcycletrailerhitches.net/enclosed_motorcycle_trailers.html ]enclosed wedge nose motorcycle trailers and Delhi motorcycle trailers to Hurrican motorcycle trailers and enclosed motorcycle trailers. Information, reviews and resources at Motorcycle Trailer Hitches: your source for tips, guides and reviews on motorcycle towing and hauling equipment. If you are looking for wrecked Harley-Davidson and Ducati motorcycle parts visit our site on [http://www.wreckedmotorcycles.info/ ]salvaged motorcycle parts.
If you need to haul your motorcycle, you have many options. Motorcycle trailer haulers come in a variety of styles and prices ranges. Everyone should be able to find a great motorcycle trailer hauler to fit their needs. Our brief review of the different kinds of haulers and a few reasons you might choose to get one will help you start shopping right away.
There are many reasons you might be interested in getting a motorcycle trailer hauler. They are perfect for anyone who enjoys road trips. You can take your bike across the country and still have your car or RV with you for comfort. They are also great for anyone who enjoys camping. Take your motorcycle on your next trip into the canyon and enjoy a ride around the lake after your fire-grilled supper.
If you are ready to start shopping for motorcycle trailer haulers, you might be wondering what your options are. There are a few types of motorcycle haulers. The first type is open haulers. These are simpler and more affordable. They are just like a simple flat-bed trailer. These are great for anyone who just wants to haul their bike on short trips or into the canyon. They are also the most affordable, you can probably afford to buy one today.
If you want something a little more deluxe in a motorcycle trailer hauler, you should consider an enclosed trailer. These are available in a wide variety of sizes. Although they are more expensive than more basic trailers, they offer more protection for your bike and are best if you are going on long trips. They also come in a variety of prices, depending on the size and features you are interested in.
Find [http://www.motorcycletrailerhitches.net/ ]motorcycle trailer hitches, towing accessories and enclosed trailers for Harley, Ducati and Honda. There is a wide variety of motorcycle trailers available today and they all have their pluses. From [http://www.motorcycletrailerhitches.net/enclosed_motorcycle_trailers.html ]enclosed wedge nose motorcycle trailers and Delhi motorcycle trailers to Hurrican motorcycle trailers and enclosed motorcycle trailers. Information, reviews and resources at Motorcycle Trailer Hitches: your source for tips, guides and reviews on motorcycle towing and hauling equipment. If you are looking for wrecked Harley-Davidson and Ducati motorcycle parts visit our site on [http://www.wreckedmotorcycles.info/ ]salvaged motorcycle parts.
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
The Fun of Riding a Mini Motorbike
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Tony_Harries]Tony Harries
The mini-bike craze is sweeping the world in popularity. Associations have sprung up everywhere and are dedicated to finding safe ways and safe places to share in the fun of riding minibikes.
Minibikes have been around for many years, they were not as small as they are today, they didn't go very fast - but no one cared as long as it moved. And with the first generation of enthusiasts graduating to real motorcycles, they share their love of bikes with their families and now there is a whole new generation that has discovered the fun they can have on a minibike.
However, minibikes are now available with engines, brakes, suspension and headlights and horns. They are the absolute identity of the full sized versions. Almost with speeds to match. Some cities have banned the mini motor bikes on city streets and sidewalks because children began seriously injuring themselves by driving on streets where cars could not see them because of the small size of the bikes and the size of the young drivers riding them.
The new pocket rockets and super mini bikes have never been more popular, although there has been an increased number of complaints and probably will be for some time. "They are noisy, low to the ground, too fast and hard to see around cars and trucks." But some states have adopted strict safety rules. For instance, California requires riders of motorized scooters be at least 16 years old and wear helmets, and the state does not allow riding after sunset.
With the mini bikes getting more faster and more popular then ever, the latest trend after purchasing a minibike is to totally customize it. There are loads of accessories available to personalise your mini bike such as custom saddles, handlebars, headlights, chrome accessories and of course, to increase the power of the mini motor bike.
Although the modern mini motor bike looks like a full sized motorcycle in miniature, it was originally brought in for youngsters to enter the world of two-wheel racing. However, the smartness of these little bikes soon caught the interest of adult riders, even though many of them stand at just two feet tall, on a global scale!
The mini bike offers the ultimate in fun, even to spectators, who fill the stands to watch the excitement, as dare devils perform back flips, wheelies, rail grinds and ramp tricks. From teenagers to adults the stunts are performed with precise timing.
A lot of the fun is in modifying the mini bike and bike chop shops have sprung up all over. Almost every part you can imagine is available on the Internet, all the latest enhancements for the 49cc minibikes. They are built to a max speed of approx 35mph, but with modifications, some have achieved speeds nearer to 60mph!
Since the days of the first imports, prices have plummeted . Today, some of the new mini bikes can be picked up as low as $300, which makes them a less inexpensive toy. And, for the mechanically minded out there, you can also purchase a minibike in kit form for the serious hobbyist who wants to build a fully customized machine.
Although low to the ground, the minibike has gained new stature over the last couple of years, they have become more popular for off-roading, as they manage well on rough terrain and are not damaged by a fall.
What the Harley Davidson is the to the road, the mini bike is to the track.
It's the King. It's nippy and loads of fun for all!
Happy and safe motorcycling.
For more information about motorcycles visit the website: http://www.usedmotorcycles-4u.com
Article Re-print Rights Information. You may re-print the published article as long as you comply with following terms: Article must be published "as is" (unedited). Article must be published with the author's bio paragraph (resource box) and copyright information included. URL in the resource box should be set as hyperlinks. Article cannot be used in spam communications.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Tony Harries writes about his love of motorcycles. You can get additional information at his website: http://www.usedmotorcycles-4u.com
The mini-bike craze is sweeping the world in popularity. Associations have sprung up everywhere and are dedicated to finding safe ways and safe places to share in the fun of riding minibikes.
Minibikes have been around for many years, they were not as small as they are today, they didn't go very fast - but no one cared as long as it moved. And with the first generation of enthusiasts graduating to real motorcycles, they share their love of bikes with their families and now there is a whole new generation that has discovered the fun they can have on a minibike.
However, minibikes are now available with engines, brakes, suspension and headlights and horns. They are the absolute identity of the full sized versions. Almost with speeds to match. Some cities have banned the mini motor bikes on city streets and sidewalks because children began seriously injuring themselves by driving on streets where cars could not see them because of the small size of the bikes and the size of the young drivers riding them.
The new pocket rockets and super mini bikes have never been more popular, although there has been an increased number of complaints and probably will be for some time. "They are noisy, low to the ground, too fast and hard to see around cars and trucks." But some states have adopted strict safety rules. For instance, California requires riders of motorized scooters be at least 16 years old and wear helmets, and the state does not allow riding after sunset.
With the mini bikes getting more faster and more popular then ever, the latest trend after purchasing a minibike is to totally customize it. There are loads of accessories available to personalise your mini bike such as custom saddles, handlebars, headlights, chrome accessories and of course, to increase the power of the mini motor bike.
Although the modern mini motor bike looks like a full sized motorcycle in miniature, it was originally brought in for youngsters to enter the world of two-wheel racing. However, the smartness of these little bikes soon caught the interest of adult riders, even though many of them stand at just two feet tall, on a global scale!
The mini bike offers the ultimate in fun, even to spectators, who fill the stands to watch the excitement, as dare devils perform back flips, wheelies, rail grinds and ramp tricks. From teenagers to adults the stunts are performed with precise timing.
A lot of the fun is in modifying the mini bike and bike chop shops have sprung up all over. Almost every part you can imagine is available on the Internet, all the latest enhancements for the 49cc minibikes. They are built to a max speed of approx 35mph, but with modifications, some have achieved speeds nearer to 60mph!
Since the days of the first imports, prices have plummeted . Today, some of the new mini bikes can be picked up as low as $300, which makes them a less inexpensive toy. And, for the mechanically minded out there, you can also purchase a minibike in kit form for the serious hobbyist who wants to build a fully customized machine.
Although low to the ground, the minibike has gained new stature over the last couple of years, they have become more popular for off-roading, as they manage well on rough terrain and are not damaged by a fall.
What the Harley Davidson is the to the road, the mini bike is to the track.
It's the King. It's nippy and loads of fun for all!
Happy and safe motorcycling.
For more information about motorcycles visit the website: http://www.usedmotorcycles-4u.com
Article Re-print Rights Information. You may re-print the published article as long as you comply with following terms: Article must be published "as is" (unedited). Article must be published with the author's bio paragraph (resource box) and copyright information included. URL in the resource box should be set as hyperlinks. Article cannot be used in spam communications.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Tony Harries writes about his love of motorcycles. You can get additional information at his website: http://www.usedmotorcycles-4u.com
Saturday, August 4, 2007
Buying Seized Motorcycles
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Ricky_Lim]Ricky Lim
Buying seized motorcycles at an auction is a great way to purchase a motorcycle. Often these motorcycles have been repossessed and are almost brand new but with a much smaller price tag. Auctions are a great place for sellers too as the price the motorcycle is being sold for is the highest for that time. So, you are sure to get the best profit for the sale.
Look for government auctions as this is usually where these seized bikes will be for sale. These can be found on the Internet or you could ask your local dealer when and where the next auction will be. They are usually held on the same day every month.
Make sure that you fully inspect any motorcycles that you wish to buy. Once you have purchased them, they are yours, faults and all and these auctions don�t usually offer warranties. It�s not a bad idea to bring someone along that knows a lot about motorcycles so they can offer helpful advice.
It�s also important to arrive early on the day of the auction. This will allow you time to see what the auction has for sale that day and you�ll be able to get an idea of which ones you would like to bid on. It will also give you time to do your inspections without being pressured by anybody else.
Know the market value of the types of motorcycles you might be interested in purchasing before you get to the auction. This will give you a better idea of how much you want to spend and what is too much. Also, don�t get caught up in the bidding. Many people end up spending more than they would like as they get caught up in the bidding wars and they spend more money than the motorcycle�s worth.
Discover the best place to [http://www.bestnzb.com/buy_seized_motorcycles.htm]buy seized motorcycles online where you can purchase motorcycles that are [http://www.bestnzb.com/buy_seized_motorcycles.htm]less than 1 year old and bidding starts from $100.
Buying seized motorcycles at an auction is a great way to purchase a motorcycle. Often these motorcycles have been repossessed and are almost brand new but with a much smaller price tag. Auctions are a great place for sellers too as the price the motorcycle is being sold for is the highest for that time. So, you are sure to get the best profit for the sale.
Look for government auctions as this is usually where these seized bikes will be for sale. These can be found on the Internet or you could ask your local dealer when and where the next auction will be. They are usually held on the same day every month.
Make sure that you fully inspect any motorcycles that you wish to buy. Once you have purchased them, they are yours, faults and all and these auctions don�t usually offer warranties. It�s not a bad idea to bring someone along that knows a lot about motorcycles so they can offer helpful advice.
It�s also important to arrive early on the day of the auction. This will allow you time to see what the auction has for sale that day and you�ll be able to get an idea of which ones you would like to bid on. It will also give you time to do your inspections without being pressured by anybody else.
Know the market value of the types of motorcycles you might be interested in purchasing before you get to the auction. This will give you a better idea of how much you want to spend and what is too much. Also, don�t get caught up in the bidding. Many people end up spending more than they would like as they get caught up in the bidding wars and they spend more money than the motorcycle�s worth.
Discover the best place to [http://www.bestnzb.com/buy_seized_motorcycles.htm]buy seized motorcycles online where you can purchase motorcycles that are [http://www.bestnzb.com/buy_seized_motorcycles.htm]less than 1 year old and bidding starts from $100.
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Being a Female Rider Is Even More Fun than Being a Blonde
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Aimee_Therres]Aimee Therres
I always enjoyed the feeling of wind whipping at me on the back of my cousin�s Yamaha as he tore through country roads in Northern Maryland, but I never put any serious thought into getting my own motorcycle. That was until about two years ago. My boyfriend and some of his friends decided that they wanted to get motorcycles so travel and parking would be much easier in crowded Baltimore City.
Even though they had all ridden motorcycles and/or dirt bikes before, three guys decided to take the motorcycle class at the local community college; I tagged along. The class was convenient; you didn�t have to have a learner�s permit. You show up for the weekend and spend half of the time in the classroom and half of the time on motorcycles. At the end of the weekend, you take the MVA test and if you pass, you get a certificate to get your license. This sure beat getting a learner�s permit and finding someone with enough experience to ride around with until you were prepared to take the test.
Saturday morning, we got up early and drove to Cecil County excited that today would be the first day we got to ride the motorcycles. I was nervous, now would be the time that I would break my leg dropping my bike on it. I was sure I would make a fool of myself.
We got started walking the bikes up and down the parking lot before we even turned them on. One of the guys in the class dropped his bike, and I sighed in relief knowing that it was not me to be the first one to drop my bike. After a couple of exercises we got to ride the bikes around the parking lot. I was doing my turns extremely slow; I didn�t know that on bikes you had less control at slower speeds. I go into one of the right hand turns at about 7 miles per hour and the bike didn�t turn with me, it kept going straight (I wasn�t looking into my turn; I kept looking straight so I didn�t hit anything). I was going straight for the curb. I tried to stop the bike, but pulled in the clutch, not the break. I panicked and the bike tilted towards the right. I jumped like Spiderman and the bike landed on the ground with the rear tire still spinning. The instructor came over and quickly shut off the bike and taught me how to pick it up. I stood there embarrassed, my eyes filling with tears. Here I was embarrassing myself less than an hour into my session. The instructor talked to me and explained that I can not panic on a bike. I said okay and explained my runny nose off with allergies.
I went on to drop my bike twice more during the class, only once while I was riding. The other time I didn�t put the kickstand down all the way. The most important thing I learned: how a small woman can pick up a motorcycle more than twice her weight all by herself.
It was Sunday and time for the test. I passed my figure eight only putting my foot down once and made it through the other obstacles without dropping the bike. I was proud, but not confident that I had passed. They called me back to the private room first and I was sure it was to tell me that I had failed and they were telling everyone else that they had passed. The instructor brought me back to the room and told me that I definitely was not ready to go out on the roads yet. I thought �Stop sugar coating it and just say it,� but to my surprise he told me I passed. If I would have lost one more point, I would have failed. The instructor made me promise to spend some time in a local parking lot before moving to uncongested roads. I made sure to get my license the next day, just in case they realized they had made a mistake and I hadn�t really earned my license.
My first day riding was on a few of the streets near my boyfriend�s house. They were not well traveled so they would make a great place to start. I was still hesitant to bring the bike up to normal speeds. When I was riding down one of the streets riddled with potholes, a child on a bicycle passed me. I think he was shouting and laughing at me, but I couldn�t hear him over my concentration on those pot holes.
Eventually I got better. I managed my way through Baltimore City without hitting any main roads. One day while riding a man in an SUV didn�t see me and switched lanes almost right into me. I had to use my emergency stop so he didn�t run right over me. I pulled up behind him and revved my engine to let him know that he had pissed me off. Having a few rust holes in my exhaust left my bike extremely loud. I revved and revved until the light turned green; then I stalled my bike. Yeah, I showed him.
As my abilities grew I started to drive through the more populated areas of town. When ever I rode through the square in Canton there would invariably be a man who would put out his thumb as though he was hitchhiking. He would usually scream something lewd about women on bikes. At first, I merely ignored the men, then I thought it would be more fun to ride right up to them. Whenever I saw a guy with his thumb out I would slow up right in front of him like I was going to let him on the back, but as soon as he moved towards me I would take off laughing the whole way.
Although playing with people was fun, it was nothing compared to having a cheering section. We were riding down York Road, and I had the place of honor in the front. I came up to a yellow light and slowed down to stop. When I pulled up to the light there was a group of people waiting at the crosswalk. They started cheering and screaming �a woman rider!� I revved the engine and they cheered louder.
Woman often find it easier to sit on the back as their husbands or boyfriends ride, but this takes much of the fun out of riding. Don�t get me wrong, it is still fun, but you have a big head taking up most of the view. You can really only see the scenery to the sides so you miss out on the best view. You don�t control how fast you go or when you pull over for a break. When you ride the bike yourself, you are in complete control and it is exhilarating. Sure, there will be times when you do something embarrassing, but you will have a sense of accomplishment as your skills improve. Plus, you will feel empowered when you hear the roar of your engine as you crack the throttle. There�s nothing like the bond between you, your bike, and the road.
Aimee Therres has been published in multiple literary magazines and is the author of a novel, My Affair with Alfred . You can find out more about her at http://www.aimeetherres.com
I always enjoyed the feeling of wind whipping at me on the back of my cousin�s Yamaha as he tore through country roads in Northern Maryland, but I never put any serious thought into getting my own motorcycle. That was until about two years ago. My boyfriend and some of his friends decided that they wanted to get motorcycles so travel and parking would be much easier in crowded Baltimore City.
Even though they had all ridden motorcycles and/or dirt bikes before, three guys decided to take the motorcycle class at the local community college; I tagged along. The class was convenient; you didn�t have to have a learner�s permit. You show up for the weekend and spend half of the time in the classroom and half of the time on motorcycles. At the end of the weekend, you take the MVA test and if you pass, you get a certificate to get your license. This sure beat getting a learner�s permit and finding someone with enough experience to ride around with until you were prepared to take the test.
Saturday morning, we got up early and drove to Cecil County excited that today would be the first day we got to ride the motorcycles. I was nervous, now would be the time that I would break my leg dropping my bike on it. I was sure I would make a fool of myself.
We got started walking the bikes up and down the parking lot before we even turned them on. One of the guys in the class dropped his bike, and I sighed in relief knowing that it was not me to be the first one to drop my bike. After a couple of exercises we got to ride the bikes around the parking lot. I was doing my turns extremely slow; I didn�t know that on bikes you had less control at slower speeds. I go into one of the right hand turns at about 7 miles per hour and the bike didn�t turn with me, it kept going straight (I wasn�t looking into my turn; I kept looking straight so I didn�t hit anything). I was going straight for the curb. I tried to stop the bike, but pulled in the clutch, not the break. I panicked and the bike tilted towards the right. I jumped like Spiderman and the bike landed on the ground with the rear tire still spinning. The instructor came over and quickly shut off the bike and taught me how to pick it up. I stood there embarrassed, my eyes filling with tears. Here I was embarrassing myself less than an hour into my session. The instructor talked to me and explained that I can not panic on a bike. I said okay and explained my runny nose off with allergies.
I went on to drop my bike twice more during the class, only once while I was riding. The other time I didn�t put the kickstand down all the way. The most important thing I learned: how a small woman can pick up a motorcycle more than twice her weight all by herself.
It was Sunday and time for the test. I passed my figure eight only putting my foot down once and made it through the other obstacles without dropping the bike. I was proud, but not confident that I had passed. They called me back to the private room first and I was sure it was to tell me that I had failed and they were telling everyone else that they had passed. The instructor brought me back to the room and told me that I definitely was not ready to go out on the roads yet. I thought �Stop sugar coating it and just say it,� but to my surprise he told me I passed. If I would have lost one more point, I would have failed. The instructor made me promise to spend some time in a local parking lot before moving to uncongested roads. I made sure to get my license the next day, just in case they realized they had made a mistake and I hadn�t really earned my license.
My first day riding was on a few of the streets near my boyfriend�s house. They were not well traveled so they would make a great place to start. I was still hesitant to bring the bike up to normal speeds. When I was riding down one of the streets riddled with potholes, a child on a bicycle passed me. I think he was shouting and laughing at me, but I couldn�t hear him over my concentration on those pot holes.
Eventually I got better. I managed my way through Baltimore City without hitting any main roads. One day while riding a man in an SUV didn�t see me and switched lanes almost right into me. I had to use my emergency stop so he didn�t run right over me. I pulled up behind him and revved my engine to let him know that he had pissed me off. Having a few rust holes in my exhaust left my bike extremely loud. I revved and revved until the light turned green; then I stalled my bike. Yeah, I showed him.
As my abilities grew I started to drive through the more populated areas of town. When ever I rode through the square in Canton there would invariably be a man who would put out his thumb as though he was hitchhiking. He would usually scream something lewd about women on bikes. At first, I merely ignored the men, then I thought it would be more fun to ride right up to them. Whenever I saw a guy with his thumb out I would slow up right in front of him like I was going to let him on the back, but as soon as he moved towards me I would take off laughing the whole way.
Although playing with people was fun, it was nothing compared to having a cheering section. We were riding down York Road, and I had the place of honor in the front. I came up to a yellow light and slowed down to stop. When I pulled up to the light there was a group of people waiting at the crosswalk. They started cheering and screaming �a woman rider!� I revved the engine and they cheered louder.
Woman often find it easier to sit on the back as their husbands or boyfriends ride, but this takes much of the fun out of riding. Don�t get me wrong, it is still fun, but you have a big head taking up most of the view. You can really only see the scenery to the sides so you miss out on the best view. You don�t control how fast you go or when you pull over for a break. When you ride the bike yourself, you are in complete control and it is exhilarating. Sure, there will be times when you do something embarrassing, but you will have a sense of accomplishment as your skills improve. Plus, you will feel empowered when you hear the roar of your engine as you crack the throttle. There�s nothing like the bond between you, your bike, and the road.
Aimee Therres has been published in multiple literary magazines and is the author of a novel, My Affair with Alfred . You can find out more about her at http://www.aimeetherres.com
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