Sep 03

Amsoil for Motorcycles.

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In today’s world of a lot of promises and empty returns we have to be extra careful. I have always tried to remember what my grandfather taught me. Simply said, “boy you have to try things to know if they are good or not, just because a man says it is doesn’t mean nothing”. With most of grandpas words of wisdom, I filed them in my head not yet understanding their true value! As we grow older these filed words of wisdom somehow pop up and the full value is realized. So with that being said, I wanted to assure you of my conviction of trying things out before putting my opinion on it.

Change is hard and changing the way we do things is even harder. I have been around motorcycles a good majority of my life and even own a beautiful custom 07′ Nite Train HD. This year we went to Sturgis from Spokane, Wa. which is about a thousand miles each way. The group consisted of my brother, best friend, girlfriends and myself on three bikes. Admittedly the longest ride I have undertaken with a group or on my own. Like most motorcycle riders we were excited to get down to Sturgis as quickly as possible without killing ourselves. We had cut the ride into a two day ride which is about five hundred miles a day. Each day at the end of the ride, I kept hearing louder than usual noise from my bike as well as my best friends. Simply put, I thought something was seriously wrong with both bikes. Upon arrival in Sturgis and after setting up camp the three of us naturally discussed the ride and our concerns. It was at this time my brother decided to enlighten us about the use of Amsoil motorcycle oil and the benefits. My “older” brother has been riding for 25 years and knows how to tear a bike down and rebuild it even better, so naturally his views on motorcycles count to me. It was that night my best friend and myself decided to give Amsoil motorcycle products a try. The very next morning we headed into Sturgis were during the Rally you can find everything for your bike. Found a Amsoil trailer and figured out the service package we wanted and had the bikes converted if you will. My bike received a full service and my best friends a transmission oil change.

The words of my Grandpa hit me like a brick on this day! Once the service was completed on our bikes the tech simply said “go put 50 miles on your bikes and see if you notice a difference”. Only 50 miles are you kidding me, remember it was just the night before we believed that there was something seriously wrong with our bikes from all the noise out of the lower ends. The tech went through our bikes and said mechanically speaking our bikes were fine, our oils & lubricants were the problem. So you know I have always run what the manufacture recommends (HD). We went on a nice short 50 mile run and the proof was there. My best friend simply could not believe that the 5 speed transmission that sounded so bad the day before was as quite as the day he bought it. As for me, the 6 speed transmission I have had similar results. The trip home though put all disbelief’s to rest. Upon arriving back home my best friends bike sounded great and my bike which had the full service surprised even me. My results were 3 to 5 miles per gallon better on fuel mileage, around 35 degrees cooler and as we pulled into town the engine and transmission were purring better then I have ever experienced. I now know this, Amsoil motorcycle products are what I use and will continue to My bicycle.

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Sep 03

Harley Davidson Riders – Gear Up.

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Harley Davidson motorcycles are one of the most well known brands around – but they are also one of the most loved! By staying true to their vision and producing superbly crafted machines, Harley Davidson have forged a unique brand with loyal followers. Harley owners have many ways to show their loyalties beyond just the actual motorcycle they ride, however. There are plenty of accessories available for riders who don’t want to leave anyone in doubt.

The Harley emblem is commonly worn as a patch, or used on a wide range of other gear – mugs, helmets, or even applied as a decal to your car!

Of course some of the most essential accessories are safety gear, with a good helmet being top of the list. There are lots of different styles of helmet that offer different levels of protection. The most basic version is a simple half helmet with no face protection – these are great for the Harley rider with a bit of facial hair going on but they offer less protection from bugs and dust, which can be inconvenient.

Panniers or saddlebags are another ultra useful accessory that any motorcycle owner should have. Useful for groceries or emergency items alike, these bags can be made to fit on any bike.

Finally, protective clothing is an important part of any bike riders wardrobe. Leather is a good material for this application, with the double benefits of strength and good looks. Reinforced leather pants and jacket or vest are a good item to have on Items stored in bags that are useful for these small things.

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Sep 02

You need Custom Bike Builder? Start with sets of motorcycles!

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So you want to be a custom bike builder? Well friend, before you rush out and buy that motorcycle kit, the one that will set you on the road to riches and fame, stop and think about the level of expertise and artistry the top builders have attained. More importantly think about how long it has taken them to attain it! Let’s look at a few key issues…

Education

You’d be surprised how well educated a lot of today’s top bike builders are. Several of them have degrees (some more than one!) ranging from mechanical engineering to business and marketing management. Billy Lane, the founder of Chopper Inc, has several patents relating to motorcycle technology in his name for example. What about someone a little more “old school” like Dave Perewitz? Dave has accumulated close to forty years of mechanical, metalworking and painting experience. Not theoretical, but genuine hands on, early morning late night kind of experience. Could you put that kind of time in? Matt Hotch is still only young, but has gained an incredible amount of practical experience customizing first bicycles, then VW’s before moving on to custom bike building.

Facilities

These guys are building choppers and custom bikes that are state of the art. They don’t get thrown together in the yard; the motorcycle shops have all the tools and equipment required to produce almost anything out of metal, not just bikes. Just as important are the other services these builders use; the local chrome platers, machinists, painters and so on. These guys have just as important a part to play in the construction of these one off bikes as the designer builders themselves.

Desire

All the top custom bike builders live for one thing; building the best bikes they can. They literally live eat even dream about custom bikes (and looking at some of the more way out creations you can totally believe this from the designs they produce!) They are constantly striving to build bikes better. Its not about money for the top guys, I am convinced of that.

So where does that leave Average Joes like you and me? Actually, I don’t think we are too badly off; in fact if you want to build a custom bike, it has probably never been easier. Here’s my take on it….

Education

There is an unbelievable amount of information for the guys who want to start down the road to custom bike building. Videos, books websites, all of them help to flatten the learning curve for a novice. Most of the material out there relates to motorcycle kits, and for the beginner, building a motorcycle kit is definitely the best way to go if you want to get real hands on experience. After that there are motorcycle maintenance courses, which again will allow you to get up to speed as fast as possible in your quest to become the next Arlen Ness!

Facilities

To put together a shop like the ones you see on television costs thousands of dollars. But you don’t need all that stuff if you start with a motorcycle kit. Motorcycle kits can be put together with some pretty basic tools, providing they are of good quality. Two things that are an absolute must in my opinion though are a torque wrench and a basic lift. With these two tools, you can tighten the motorcycle kits fittings correctly, and not break your back while you are doing it!

Desire

Well this is one area where you can match the pros, no question. If you really want Will start to build a custom bike is not fun and keep your bike set.

We can not all be Billy Lane, Eddie Trotta or Russell Mitchell, we have a lot of fun.

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Aug 31

Sidecars for motorcycles – Discussion.

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In the twenty first century a motorcycle on the road is a common sight. But a motorcycle with a side car is not so common. When you do see one on the road, it will most likely catch the eye of the people present. This is so because people love to see something quaint. Side cars are one wheeled contraptions with a seat that is attached rigidly to the motorcycle. You can have one attached to a scooter as well and it is not uncommon to see it attached to a scooter like the Vespa in Europe and the Bajaj in India. But basically this equipment is relevant for motorcycles.

Attaching a side car changes the aerodynamics of the bike. It no longer rides like a two wheeled vehicle. The forces that run a motorcycle like the centripetal and centrifugal do not come to play. The drag coefficient also increases. The maneuverability of the bike as a two wheeled vehicle is lost. The bike then rides more like a car, but then it’s not a car. Its feel is different. So in case you have been riding motorcycles without a side car you will have to learn how to ride a bike with one attached to it. This is because the bike now has 3 wheels and cutting corners and moving through traffic will require some expertise.

Side cars for motorcycles have been in existence since the turn of the last century. WJ Graham of England was the first man to get the patent in 1903.The twenties and thirties was the hay day period and a lot many were manufactured.This continued in full force during the war years (39-45) and were popular with the Armed forces. The Germans particularly used the side car with telling effect and mounted a machine gun on it. The motorcyclist rode the bike and the machine gunner looked all around with the machine gun ready to fire. This type of motorcycle with its attachment with a machine gun was one of the main stays of the German army in occupied Europe.It really did terrorize the populace. The Germans attached these innovations to their BMW, Zundapp and other machines. However the war’s end saw the relative demise of this invention. And after the fifties its usage became restricted. Presently a side car is a rarity and only a few enthusiasts buy it.

Though the attached car is getting out of fashion it must be remembered that during the war years the it had a life of its own. German and soviet bikes(The Ural) used a differential gear to improve the ability of the bike to negotiate all types of terrain. Differential gear permits power from the engine to be transmitted to the wheel of the attached car thereby helping the machine move along easily on an uneven road.

The car attached to a bike is usually made of steel and is fixed to the body of the motorcycle. Most cars can be decoupled from the bike or attached in a reasonable short time. The side car provides a seat for one passenger and can come with an optional wind shield.One of the adoptions also allows a side car to be used to carry cargo. Some of them may have also have a soft removable top. But all these contraptions take away the thrill of a motorcycle and that’s the reason this contraption is almost out of fashion these days. Remember once a side car is attached to a bike the dynamics of the bike change and it drives more like a car. Attaching it to the bike also affects the speed which is greatly reduced. Thus the bike becomes unsuitable for cross country rides or intercity drives. Even in cities the usage of the bike becomes restricted in case the streets are crowded or narrow. Of course the stability is greater and chance of the bike falling on the side is almost zero. It could be a good help for older people and persons who cannot afford a car.

But what cannot be forgotten is that the side car is part of the evolution of the motorcycle and will always be associated with it

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Aug 31

Motorcycling the car to improve MPG.

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As the cost of fuel continues to rise, most consumers are looking at ways they can improve their gas mileage. From trading larger vehicles for hybrids to making sure their tires are inflated, every consumer seems to be looking for a way to get better gas mileage. One idea that many are now considering is the use of a motorcycle instead of a car. If you have given some thought to this idea, there are some considerations that should be made before you make the plunge. Factors that should be considered are the initial investment in the motorcycle, the amount of fuel that can be saved and the length of time during the year that a motorcycle can typically be ridden.

Initial Motorcycle Investment

If you are considering riding a motorcycle in order to cut your fuel costs, you will need to think about the initial investment that must be made if you do not already own a bike. The actual cost of the bike will depend on the exact model you purchase as well as whether you choose to purchase a new bike or a used bike. When considering the investment you will be making in the bike and whether it is worth it for you individually, you will also need to think about the amount of money that can be saved on your fuel costs.

Saving Fuel with a Motorcycle

Motorcycles are usually able to offer increased fuel economy over many traditional vehicles; which is their primary advantage. The actual fuel economy of a motorcycle can range between 40 and 100 mpg; based on the weight of the bike, the engine size and the number of passengers that are riding on the bike. Compared to most cars, motorcycles certainly offer significant savings. When determining whether it is worth it for you to ride a motorcycle versus driving a car, you will need to compare the bike’s MPG to the MPG of your current vehicle and determine how long it will take you to recoup the cost of the bike you are considering with the fuel economy you will receive.

Motorcycle Seasons

One final factor that should be taken into consideration if you are thinking of riding a motorcycle is the fact that you typically cannot ride a motorcycle year around. This is particularly true if you live in an area that receives snow during portions of the year. Even if you live in a southern locale, there are concerns regarding the rainy season as well as the summer heat that may limit the amount of time that a motorcycle can be Place salad in many vehicles also have a lot of weather and time of practice or travel with family.

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Aug 30

Gas, Save Money.

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There are many ways we can be proactive about saving money especially in our car. The first is to think about the errands needing to be done and consolidate them. Instead of running to the store everyday, go once a week or twice and keep lists of what you need. Go to the dry cleaners while at the dentist in that part of town, car pool to the kids schools and sporting events. Instead of hopping in the car and running the first time something comes to mind, think about it and decide if it can’t wait until errand day and do most of the errands together. The most obvious way to save money and fuel is to purchase a fuel efficient vehicle or better yet for getting around a small town, commuting to work or doing simple errands consider a scooter.

We sold our van a few years ago and with the money we were spending on gas we made a car payment on a small economical car. We have a good friend who recently sold his SUV and bought a little 150cc scooter. He is a chiropractor in town and see him scootering off to the office each morning and home for lunch.

He probably doesn’t use five dollars of gas a week. Of course you can’t use a scooter for all your transportation needs but is sure is a great way for commuting to school or work. A perfect mode of transportation for teenagers, no making out on the back of a scooter! Think small, think efficient and think organized to better save money and fuel, its good for your pocket book and good for the countries fuel Consumption

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Aug 30

Electric motorcycles.

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The motorcycle was introduced in the latter half of the 19th century. Since then this has been the most common and popular means of transport. An electric motorcycle is a two-wheeled vehicle powered by battery and is the latest innovation in the motorcycle industry.

Basically, electric motorcycles can be classified into two; power-on-demand motorcycles and power-assist motorcycles. Earlier, electric motorcycles were used only for races. With the introduction of electric motorcycles for general use, they have become one of the most popular and trendy means of transport among the local masses. Unlike the ordinary motorcycles, the electric motorcycles are powered by batteries. Thus, electric motorcycles are the best solution for air pollution and making the earth a better place to live in.

On an average, the lifespan of the battery is approximately 300 charges or 15000 km, and it may last for one to two years. The blade of the electric motorcycles delivers horsepower which is equivalent to a 250 four-stroke motor. Apart from high performance, the blade does not produce any noise or pollution. The control of the blade can be programmed to suit the ride. When compared with other motorcycles, the electric motorcycles are lightweight.

To meet the varying demands, the electric motorcycle comes in a wide range of colors, models and brands. EMB Inc., Kawasaki, Yamaha, Honda, and Suzuki are some of the leading companies dealing in electric motorcycles. Most popular models in electric motorcycles are TDM07Z, SW-0004, and SW-0004.

Depending on the availability, all the different models of electric motorcycles can be purchased from various sources, the favorite being the online stores. Internet is packed with numerous online sites which provide a wide range of options in electric motorcycles. Another major source from where you can purchase electric motorcycles is authorized dealers.

Electric motorcycles are available in different price levels to meet the varying needs. When compared with petrol or gas motorcycles, the electric motorcycles are quite expensive. A brand new electric motorcycle with 48-Volt SLA Battery pack will cost around $6,800 and a longer range electric motorcycle will cost more. In spite of the high cost, it is considered as the most viable Options for the environment and fun.

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Aug 30

Chinese motorcycle – a new low-cost transportation for Americans.

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With rising gas prices, many Americans are turning to alternatives from their gas guzzling cars. And yet while common sense would lead one to believe that a motorcycle is a better alternative to a car, the well established name brand motorcycles aren’t seeing the same huge spike in sales that motor scooters are. And why not?

The answer is simple. The best selling brands of motorcycles in America are, relatively speaking, expensive. Whether you’re considering economic evaluators such as “total cost of ownership”, “return on investment”, or “opportunity cost”, trying to save on gas by buying a Harley Davidson, Honda, or other name brand motorcycle just doesn’t produce the right bottom line.

So does this mean that one has to settle for a motor scooter as a result of the high gas prices? Well, as long as free market forces are allowed to run their natural course, the answer is “no”. Options are available to the American looking for a way to save gas without having to settle for a scooter, but those options are in slim availability in the US at the moment. And those options are Chinese motorcycles.

According to the Motorcycle Industry Council, 50% of the motorcycles in the world originated in China, and China has been the leading country in the production of motorcycles since 1994. These numbers usually don’t make any sense to American motorcycle enthusiasts because in America Chinese motorcycles make up a very slim minority of the motorcycles in use in the US. So where has China been sending all these motorcycles they’ve been making?

Primarily Chinese motorcycles are exported to countries in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. The demand in these countries for extremely low cost transportation is higher than anywhere else in the world. For many families, the only vehicle the family will ever own and use is a basic small engine scooter or motorcycle built in China.

In the past few years China has begun exporting their motorcycles to the US. However, the economics that have existed in America have been vastly different than they’ve been in countries in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. Motorcycle buyers in the US aren’t looking for the lowest form of transportation available. In the vast majority of cases, an American purchases a motorcycle as a supplement to another primary vehicle that they own. These conditions have traditional left the motorcycle product offerings from China as a non-factor to American motorcycle buyers.

However, $4 a gallon gas has significantly changed the demographics of the American motorcycle buyer. Now we see a new demand for extremely low cost transportation as a primary vehicle from Americans, and the name brand motorcycle manufacturers aren’t producing products that meet that need. Enter China.

China is ramping up as fast as possible to provide the same products that they dominate the Asian, Middle Eastern, and African markets with. While most motorcycle enthusiast balk at the idea of America being flooded by Chinese motorcycles, capitalistic forces are far more powerful than their opinions or objections.

Today the majority of Chinese motorcycles are being sold via the internet, from brands such as Roketa, Tank, and SUNL. However brands such as QLink and CF Moto are setting up infrastructures of dealerships to sell and service their brands of Chinese motorcycles.

And a very unique thing these Chinese motorcycle manufactures are providing is a good amount of automatic transmission motorcycles. With many new people turning to motorcycles as a new form of transportation, the automatic transmission motorcycles are very appealing to those who don’t want to learn how to shift.

So as we watch the Olympics in Beijing conclude, rest assured that we haven’t seen the last of China in America. Very Soon, Chinese motorcycles are part of everyday life of many American movements.

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Aug 30

Motor Trade Insurance Made Easy.

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It is an unfortunate fact of daily life that vehicle accidents happen, causing injury, stress and trauma to those involved; as well as serious economic impact to both individuals and governments. It is estimated that worldwide, over 3,000 people are killed in road accidents daily; and 50% of these cases involve people in the 15-49 age bracket – with 73% of this statistic being male. In the United Kingdom alone, there are 10,000 vehicle accidents every day, which result in injury to around 290,000 people annually.

Vehicle insurance is governed by law for both individual drivers and trade vehicles, be they drivers of cars, taxis, vans or motorcycles – in fact, every type of commercial vehicle. It is to be noted that the aim of an insurance policy is to compensate you for loss, so you will be no better or worse off than before the occurrence of the loss, and you will only be paid out the real value of your claim and nothing more. Motor trade insurance is somewhat different from private drivers’ insurance, but both types are confusing to the average motorist. Set out below are some of the facts and terminologies used by insurance companies to make the whole process of finding the best motor trade insurance for your needs simpler.

In the first instance we will discuss the various types of insurance policies. It is to be noted that there is a specific insurance that every person who owns and drives a vehicle must have, namely third party insurance, which covers your liability for injuries caused to people and damage to their vehicles and property while driving on a public road. As an employer, you are also legally bound to have coverage for any of your employees who are injured or become ill as a result of his employment in your company. Over and above that, there are another two kinds of compulsory motor trade insurance, which are called motor insurance and employers’ liability insurance. A policy which is not compulsory, but recommended, is a fully comprehensive policy, which will also cover damage to your own vehicles.

An insurance broker is a professional who is able to offer independent insurance advice and it is highly recommended to consult one, as he will be able to tailor your insurance needs and may even be in a position to offer you a cheap motor trade insurance policy, dependent on your circumstances.

The premium is the total amount you will pay for the cover set out in the insurance policy.

A loss adjuster is an expert appointed by the insurance company, who will process any claims from the very beginning to pay out. He will negotiate a fair settlement for both the insurance company and your company.

A claim is a notification to your insurer requesting payment related to any costs incurred in an accident, such as compensation for loss or damage, The insurer will take into account any history of prior claims when assessing its payment; after deduction of the excess, which is the first part of each claim which you will need to pay.

Liability cover covers employers in the motor trade industry for personal injury caused to third parties, which means that any compensation and/or costs awarded by a court against your or your employee will be covered by your insurance policy.

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Aug 30

Yamaha Motorcycles – Creativity and Spirit of Challenge.

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“If you are going to do something, be the best”

Ginichi Kawakami, Yamaha Motor Company First President.

Yamaha Motorcycles, under this motto, employing all its creativity, and with a very strong spirit of challenge, became what it is now: one of the biggest players in the worldwide motorcycling scene.

But Yamaha’s history doesn’t start with motorcycles…

It is back in 1877 that Torakusu Yamaha started with the Nippon Gakki Company that later would become Yamaha Corporation: an important manufacturer of fine musical instruments.

As the company grew, they explored several fields of opportunity in the textile industry and others.

During the World War II, the company set up a factory to produce airplane propellers. This plant played an important role in Yamaha’s entry to the motorcycle industry as you will see.

After the war, Yamaha Corporation had to find new ways to use the tooling and experience that had been accumulated during their times in the airplane industry, and it was then when Yamaha Motor Corporation was founded.

It’s important to mention that even though this new company was just another branch of Yamaha Corporation, it was placed under an independent management. In this case, under the guidance of Ginichi Kawakami; which turned out to be a brilliant move.

Before producing their first motorcycle, Ginichi Kawakami traveled a lot establishing what would be very useful relationships. He also sent out his engineers to Europe and had them learn how to build motorcycles, particularly from DKW; whom with they kept an underground and unofficial long lasting relationship.

One proof of this is that nowadays, the only two manufacturers in the world of mass-produced five side-valve engines are Yamaha an Audi (DKW – Auto Union).

One of the most important legacies from this international relationships were all the skills learnt by Yamaha’s engineers on two stroke engines know-how. Other manufacturers as Suzuki would not reach the same level of development in this area till seven years later.

Not to wonder why the first bike from Yamaha Motorcycles the 125 YA-1 was fairly a faithful copy of the 1949 DKW RT 12. The only two important differences were the four speed gearbox instead of the original three speed gearbox, and a gear transmission replacing the primary chain drive.

IMPORTANT MODEL FROM YAMAHA MOTORCYCLES

>>> Yamaha YA-1

Even though the Yamaha YA-1 – baptized “Acatombo” (Red dragonfly) by its fans – had “nothing in special” and was more expensive than its competitors, it almost immediately became a great success.

It was reliable: before putting it into the market, the prototypes were tested along 10,000 miles of rough rides . Even the big boss himself, Ginichi Kawakami, rode the bike without any incident from Hamamatsu to Tokyo.

It was beautiful: with this model Yamaha was the first manufacturer to put special attention to the decoration of the motorcycle. This task was given to GK Design in Tokyo. It’s worth mentioning that this firm has designed the “look” of most Yamaha motorcycles to date.

It was fast: the YA-1 obtained excellent overall results in the most important local races of that time: Mount Fuji (third place) and Mount Asama (first place).

In fact it was this aggressive attitude in the sporting world that helped Yamaha Motorcycles gain fast acceptance even though they made a late start in the motorcycle scene (in comparison to Honda and Suzuki).

In other words: Yamaha Motorcycles showed the world they had arrived to be considered good and fierce competitors from the beginning. Particularly to Honda and Suzuki.

Other important models from that time were:

>>> The Yamaha YD-1 (the competition for the Suzuki TP of that time)

Some technical specifications:

Yamaha YD-1

15 hp

70 mph.

185,000 yen

in comparison to:

Suzuki TP

18 hp

80 mph.

195,000 yen

>>> The Yamaha YDS-1

The dream bike of all young Japanese between 1959-1960.

Some technical specifications:

20 hp

333 lbs.

85 mph.

Direct rival of the Honda CB72

Since then, the history of models and victories goes on and on…

Today, Yamaha Motorcycles is one of the major players in the worldwide motorcycling scene.

Just to give you an idea of how important Yamaha Motorcycles have become:

- The 2004 Moto GP was won by excellent rider Valentino Rossi on a Yamaha motorcycle.

I could go an and on writing about Yamaha Motorcycles, victories, challenges and models but I would need a whole book…

So to learn more about Yamaha Motorcycles, I invite you to visit this page:

http://www.yamaha-motor.com/products/mcy/epic/epic_home.html
You will see competition from the 1955 Yamaha motorcycle in 2001.

Riding Fun!

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