motorbike info

German Motorcycle Helmets Have a Long History

2008-05-28T05:43:00.000-07:00

German Motorcycle Helmets Have a Long History

Author: Jafrum

The motorcycle was first developed for every day use in the military during WWII. Along with this development came a lot of the motorcycle gear and motorcycle apparel that enthusiasts still use to this day. One of these style are the German motorcycle helmets.

Fashioned after World War One and World War Two German Army battle helmets, the German motorcycle helmets do not stray far from the original design. There have been other helmet designs based on the original German motorcycle helmet, but this style remains true throughout time.

Being one of the most popular styles today as a motorcycle helmet, the German motorcycle helmet was once only available as a novelty item. It was something to set the extraordinary motorcycle rider apart from the rest of the crowd. Today, there are German motorcycle helmets, that have been approved by the D.O.T. for use in motorcycle riding.

There are no face shields for these types of helmet. They look a lot like the half shell of a turtle. The only other part that sets it apart from a turtle shell are it's colors and the chin strap. Black is a very popular color. Pink German motorcycle helmets can be purchased for the female motorcycle rider as well. Chrome German motorcycle helmets are available and add a certain flair to the helmet.

Carbon fiber German motorcycle helmets are very durable and have a resilience like no other. They can be covered with leather to give them a smooth and semi-glossy finish, as opposed to the shiny black that carbon fiber offers. These can also be adorned with flat black flames that offset the glossy black of the helmet.

When you are measuring for the size of a German motorcycle helmet, use a cloth tape measure. Consider having someone help you to do the measuring. This will ensure that you obtain an accurate measurement. Placing the tape measure about one inch above the eyebrows, and calculating the circumference of your head is the best way to find out the size that you would need. If the measurement falls between two sizes, choose the smaller size. Remember that the chin strap will also help adjust the fit for you as well.

As there are no face shields to the German motorcycle helmet, the motorcycle rider might want to purchase some motorcycle eye protection for their apparel. This is an absolute must on long road trips. The more popular options are yellow, gray, or clear blue tinted goggles. These use a strap around your head and are even more securely fastened in place by the chin strap feature of the German motorcycle helmets.

Whether you prefer leather, carbon fiber, chrome, or simply flat black flames, there is a German motorcycle helmet right for you. The sizes are plentiful, and the originality of the style ensures that you remain a part of motorcycle riding's great history. Purchase one today, and be sure to make the right call and buy the eye protection right for you.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/motorcycles-articles/german-motorcycle-helmets-have-a-long-history-279845.html

About the Author:

Jafrum.com sells motorcycle helmets and motorcycle gear.

You can find articles and products at our website www.jafrum.com

All information given on this web site by Jafrum.com is given in good

faith, but we shall not be held liable for any loss or damages

suffered by any client, customer, or other visitor to this site, on

account of any inaccuracy of description or information.

"Copyright 2007 Jafrum International Inc.

Harley Davidson VRSC Motorcycle

2008-05-14T09:34:00.000-07:00

Harley Davidson VRSC Motorcycle

Author: Martin Davies

These Harley Davidson VRSC motorcycles come under the revolution models with VR engines. The VRSC designation is given to all the street motorcycles.

The VRSC is followed by the letters A, B, D, R, SE or X to denote the model of the bike.

Additional information:

The main features of this type of Harley Davidson VRSC motorcycles are as follows:

1.It has a characteristic 'V-Rod' with the engine.

2.It has the fuel injection method.

3.There is provision for the cooling of the liquid and

4.There are specialised over head cams.

5.There is presence of cleaner cover which supports the radiator.

The V-rod feature has gained a wide support over the world. There is an anti lock brake system. There is an added efficiencyfrom 1130cc to 1250 cc which provides more support to the bike.

THE CURRENT MODEL SERIES:

VRSCAW V Rod:

1.It has a length of 94.4 inches

2.Seat height in the laden is 26 inches and unladen is 27.1 inches.

3.It has a ground clearance of 5 inches.

4.There is a wheel base of 67.2 inches

5.The fuel and oil capacity are 5 gal and 4.5 qt.

Power train:

1.It has a liquid cooled engine with 60 degrees v twin revolution.

2.The displacement accounts for around 76.3 inches.

3.The torque for the engine is 84 ft. lbs. for 7000 rpm.

4.There is a 11.5:1 ratio of compression.

Wheels and tyres:

1.The front and rear wheels are either brushed or machined type with laced or cast aluminium.

Special features:

1.It has silver and charcoal power train with chrome covers and it is two toned.

2.The seat height is very low which accounts only 26 inches.

3.It has frame made up of steel with aluminium coat.

4.The tire is 240mm wide.

5.The foot controls are mounted in the forward direction.

VRSCD Night Rod:

Dimensions:

1.It has a length of 94.4 inches

2.Seat height in the laden is 26 inches and unladen is 27.1 inches.

3.It has a ground clearance of 5 inches.

4.There is a wheel base of 67.2 inches

5.The fuel and oil capacity are 5 gal and 4.5 qt.

Power train:

1.It has a liquid cooled engine with 60 degrees v twin revolution.

2.The displacement accounts for around 76.3 inches.

3.The torque for the engine is 85 ft. lbs. for 7000 rpm.

4.There is a 11.5:1 ratio of compression.

Wheels and tyres:

1.The front and rear wheels are 5 spoked with black and laced or cast aluminium.

Special features:

1.It has special pegs to run on high ways.

2.The seat height is very low which accounts only 26 inches.

3.The tire is 180mm in the rear end.

4.The foot controls are mounted in the mid level.

5.The headlamps are matched with the color.

VRSCDX Night Rod Special:

Dimensions:

1.It has a length of 94.4 inches

2.Seat height in the laden is 25.2 inches and unladen is 26.3 inches.

3.It has a ground clearance of 4.2 inches.

4.There is a wheel base of 67.2 inches

5.The fuel and oil capacity are 5 gal and 4.5 qt.

Power train:

1.It has a liquid cooled engine with 60 degrees v twin revolution.

2.The displacement accounts for around 76.3 inches.

3.The torque for the engine is 85 ft. lbs. for 7000 rpm.

4.There is a 11.5:1 ratio of compression.

Wheels and tyres:

1.The front and rear wheels are black along with a slotted type of disc.

Special features:

1.The seat height is very low which accounts only 25.2 inches.

2.The tire is 240 mm in the rear end.

3.The foot controls are mounted in the forward level.

4.The handle bar has a short drag style.

5.There are black exhaust caps.

Thus the Harley Davidson VRSC motorcycles are specialized in their own way and gain support worldwide.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/motorcycles-articles/harley-davidson-vrsc-motorcycle-390541.html

About the Author:

Martin Davies enjoys writing about motorcyles and in particular the Harley Davidson VRSC and often blogs on all topics related with Harley Davidson Bikes.

Use Motorcycle GPS to Turn an Ordinary Ride Into a Pleasure

2008-05-06T09:02:00.000-07:00

Use Motorcycle GPS to Turn an Ordinary Ride Into a Pleasure

Author: Peter Clark

Ever been on one of those motorcycle trips that turn into a disaster? You know the ones, it never stops raining, you get lost, and you never get to where you wanted to go because it all got too hard.

A good motorcycle GPS system can turn a disaster into a triumph. It won't stop it raining, they aren't that good, but it should ensure that you get to where you want to go with the minimum of problems via the best route.

Modern GPS is an extremely valuable tool to make navigating a snap. In the past it wasn't totally user friendly for the inexperienced user, giving limited information relating to your position on the planet, and not a lot more. Extremely useful for some, like those in the military, but of limited value for most of us who want a simple efficient and reliable navigation system.

However in the last few years all that has changed and GPS navigation is now a reliable, extremely user friendly and relatively cheap navigation solution for anyone, including bike riders.

Modern satellite GPS navigation systems, for motorcycles, cars, walkers or anyone else who needs one, are extremely good. They are relatively inexpensive considering how useful they are. And now with satellite GPS technology combined with modern mapping software they provide a total navigation solution unlike anything ever seen before.

You can plan your ride before you start it, put the details in your GPS unit and it will plan the entire route for you, and tell you how to get there as you travel, both by screen display and voice prompts direct to your earpiece in your helmet via modern bluetooth technology. Download it all at the end to keep for next time or share with your friends.

With a little time anyone can learn how to use a motorcycle GPS unit and with some practice will be adding a whole new dimension to their rides, particularly the long rides. And you also get all sorts of extras with a modern dedicated motorcycle GPS system that make life a little easier when you're out on your bike, like the ability to load your favorite music to listen to on the ride, or to display your photos to your friends as you go, or to have up to date real time traffic information so that your GPS can direct you around traffic jams, reselect a new route and save you time, fuel and frustration.

And lots lots more.

In the past riders had to make do with GPS units that were not designed for motorcycle use. They were often intended as hand held or auto GPS systems, and lacked many of the features that are essential to operation on a bike that is used outdoors with the display on the handlebars in the weather, and suffering from all the vibrations that are an integral part of motorcycle use, especially offroad.

But there are now dedicated GPS motorcycle systems that are specifically designed for motorbike riders. They offer the sorts of features that are much more important to bike riders than to other users. These include such things as a display that is easier to read in the sun or rain, waterproofing ability and vibration resistance. None of these are important to, say, a driver of a car, but are extremely important to a motorcycle rider.

The waterproofing of these GPS units for example is tested to exacting standards, and they are designed to be used with a dedicated mount that itself has been designed to minimize vibration problems.

Companies well known in the field GPS design like Garmin or Tom Tom make motorcycle GPS systems that offer all those benefits discussed, and more, and make extremely high quality units that are now in use on many many bikes around the globe.

Systems like the Garmin Zumo or the Tom Tom Rider are both superlative motorcycle GPS systems and if you shop online you can buy these new for well under $1000.

So if you've suffered a motorcycle disaster trip, and you'd like to find a way to avoid another one in the future, consider a good motorcycle GPS system. They make motorcycle navigation easy and fun. You'll never regret it.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/motorcycles-articles/use-motorcycle-gps-to-turn-an-ordinary-ride-into-a-pleasure-403504.html

About the Author:

For a website totally devoted to Motorcycle GPS visit Peter's Website Hot Motorcycle GPS Deals and find out about Motorcycle GPS systems as well as Garmin Motorcycle GPS systems and more, including Tom Tom Rider navigation systems and find some hot motorcycle GPS videos.

History of the Shovelhead Engine

2008-04-12T07:56:00.000-07:00

History of the Shovelhead Engine

Author: Christine Harrell

There is no bike on the road that looks like a Harley-Davidson. Over the manufacturer's century-long history, the look of the Harley has changed and the true enthusiast can tell the year of a bike at a glance. One of the most obvious clues is the distinctive Harley engine.

For twenty years, Harleys got their look from the Shovelhead engine, the engine that many people even today automatically associate with the bike.

The End of the Panhead

In the mid 1960s, Harley Davidson motorcycles used the Panhead engine, so called because of the shape of the rocker covers. As the bikes got heavier they required engines with more power than the Panhead could deliver. In 1966, Harley introduced the next evolution of this engine design.

This new engine, like its predecessor, got its name from the shape of the rocker covers. The covers were shaped like coal shovels and these shovelhead parts inspired the Shovelhead engine's name.

The Shovelhead had more powerful cylinders and pistons and was meant to provide stronger acceleration to meet the demands of bikers of the day.

The engine had its drawbacks. It was more powerful but also heavier so didn't give as much power as had been hoped. That weight also affected the bike's steering and could cause it to weave at top speeds.

Some of these shortcomings were because it had not originally been designed as a motorcycle engine. It was supposed to be used in an outboard motor but engineers discovered that it didn't work well in humid environments, which is rather a significant drawback for a marine engine.

The Shovelhead Era

Although the Shovelhead was not perfect, it still provided a lot of power for the new generation of bikes.

Harley continued to improve the engine throughout its life. In the 1970s there were a number of changes made to the design of Shovelhead parts that resolved many consumer complaints about its performance.

However, the engine never became what bikers wanted it to be. Some of the reasons for this were government regulations that came out of the energy crisis of the 1970s. Harley was limited as to how much power they could give the engine.

One real improvement in Shovelhead parts was the FLH Electra-Glide Package, also known as the Police Option. Although this option made the bike harder for the amateur to maneuver, a skilled rider could get more power and speed.

The End of the Shovelhead

Despite Harley's efforts, this engine struggled to keep pace with the innovations that were sweeping the industry. Shovelhead parts such as oil management systems were considered archaic when compared to other engines and the machine fell out of favor.

Harley stopped producing the engine in 1984, although manufacturers still make custom engines in the same style. The Shovelhead was replaced by the Evolution engine that Harleys still use today.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/motorcycles-articles/history-of-the-shovelhead-engine-362100.html

About the Author:

Author is a freelance copywriter. For more information on Shovelhead Parts, visit http://www.jirehcycles.com/.

Harley Davidson Helmets- Making Your Noggin Safe and Helping You Look Good as Well

2008-04-08T19:47:00.000-07:00

Author: Ken A.

Harley helmets are available in various shapes and styles. What item to select? That relies on several criteria -- what style of biker you are, if you want the ultimate in protection, and what the remainder of your accessories look. Let's go over some of the options we have so you can sort through the choices and make a good determination.

Wearing Your Harley Davidson Helmet

Lecturing you once more on the issue of helmet safety is repetitive and redundant. Instead, let's agree that it's crucial to put on protective headgear, and use this chance to consider the options that are available.

Full Face Helmets

These head protectors shield your entire block. Not surprisingly, they provide the ultimate in safety. With a jaw bar, face shield as well as a strong outer shell, they're the right choice for individuals who like going fast and are fine with being separated from the elements. One can find a really slick looking Harley "Ghost Smoke" model online. The negative aspect of these head protectors is that they often become very hot, in spite of cooling channels that are designed to allow air circulation into the helmet.

Harley Half Helmet

The half helmet belongs to the other end of the spectrum when it comes to protection. This is for the biker who wants to experience the environment while biking, at the loss of some protection. These helmets normally don't protect the entire skull and do not fit as snugly on the parts of the head that they do protect. Many half helmets are available with standard or not so traditional Harley styles.

Find a three-quarter helmet as an alternative to Half and Full face helmets.

Harley Davidson 100th Anniversary Helmet

Because Harley-Davidson experienced such overwhelming achievement in promoting their centennial celebration, the company choose to repeat the effort several years later. For this reason, both 105th as well as 100th anniversary equipment are available for purchase. Helmets are included in this promotional plan. On some helmets, you will discover classic bar-and-shield symbols next to excellent anniversary-style graphic designs. Many other Anniversary designs are accessible as well. If you search the web, you'll discover lots of possibilities that can work well for you.

Vintage Helmets

If you're looking for vintage Harley helmets, the perfect site to try is eBay. New designs supply retro styling, while used items supply wild custom paint jobs. Be cautious with a used model, however, since it may not be up to modern DOT standards.

Those are only a sampling of the Harley Davidson helmets models available. You may want to visit Harley Davidson on the web for more ideas. Or, look around a bit on the web, and you'll discover yourself with lots of models to choose from.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/motorcycles-articles/harley-davidson-helmets-making-your-noggin-safe-and-helping-you-look-good-as-well-367878.html

About the Author:

Ken Av is a Harley rider who tries to keep his head on straight. He's been blogging about motorcycles and motorcycle gear for a long time and has been recognized as an authority for a bit less than that. Ken has played with lots of Harley accessories and would love to share his musings and recommendations on Harley Helmets with you.

Harley Davidson Sportster Motorcycle

2008-04-05T12:44:00.000-07:00

Harley Davidson Sportster Motorcycle

Author: Martin Davies

Harley Davidson has been considered as the iconic American bile for ages and owning this bike is luxury for some and sheer passion for alot of others.

Harley Davidson Motor Company based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in USA is the manufacturer of these fine motorcycles.

The Harley Davidson Sportster Motorcycle happens to be the proud member of the Harley Davidson Motorcycles family and came into existence in the year 1958.

The Sportsters bikes were inaccurately based on the then popular K-model racer. The first ever Harley Davidson Sportster was pretty lightweight, relatively narrow and stripped down and had earned a good amount fanfare among the sports bike enthusiasts.

Many bike lovers believe that the Harley Davidson Sportster gradually evolved to become the Harley's cruiser bike model.

There is a group of people who also like to call this beautiful bike as the semi-sports bike, now that is an interesting way to name a bike!

Today's evolved Sportster resembles the XLCH Sportster bike model that was created in the year 1958 but amusing enough every single part of the Sportster is different when compared to the XLCH Sportster of 1958.

The batteries and battery boxes, engines, carburetors and air cleaners, exhaust, mufflers, brakes and rotors, rotors, cables and charges, gas tank, oil tank, swing arm, rear shocks, wheels, forks, frames, everything is different but surprisingly the resemblance is austere.

One has to bear in mind that Harley Davidson bikes have always been considered as or rather was intended to be the chopper style bikes. In fact it was Harley Davidson bike that has given a rise to the new whole new cult of custom created bikes.

People often find this fact as contradictory but then if you have ever owned a Harley Davidson or have been an avid admirer of any model of Harleys you would know what it means to be believe in evolution but not revolution.

It is this characteristic of the Harley Davidson Sportster Motorcycle that has made the bike what it is today, a truly retro yet state-of-the-art bike till this date.

It is for this fact that the Harley Davidson motorcycle company, which is the oldest motorcycle manufacturing company, has retained its popularity and credibility as the one of the most renowned motorcycle companies in the world.

The Sportster Motorcycle too lives up to the standards set by the earlier models of Harley Davidson's motorcycle company. By this yardstick the Harley Davidson Sportster Motorcycle is a real-time example of the evolving work or let's say a work in progress. Have you ever seen two Sportsters that looked exactly the same?

Believe me one doesn't have to be a Harley Davidson motorcycle fanatic to be able to answer this. Any layman who knows a little bit about Harleys will answer the question. You will never find two Sportsters that look same, it is again for the reason that the like any other Harley Davidson bike, the Harley Davidson Sportster Motorcycle too is full of possibilities when it comes to the additions and modifications.

This is especially true for the basic XLH 883 and XLH 1200 models. The type and number of modifications that you can do to your Harleys Sportster can be limited only by your own creativity and imagination.

Whether it's engine performance, safety accessories, comfort and convenience accessories, appearance accessories, the possibilities are many.

It is the final touches that you give to your Sportster that lends the personality to your Sportster.

No wonder that even today a well-maintained and well-treated Sportster is capable of fetching you a 100% of the original cost price as the resale value.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/motorcycles-articles/harley-davidson-sportster-motorcycle-375610.html

About the Author:

Martin Davies enjoys writing about motorcyles and in particular the Harley Davidson Sportster and often blogs on all topics related with Harley Davidson Motorcycles.

Boomers And Harley-Davidson

2008-01-31T21:46:00.000-08:00

Boomers And Harley-Davidson

Author: Jerry Johnson

What is the perfect mix? For Harley Davidson, they have mixed their Harleys with Baby Boomers and found they are a perfect mix. Baby Boomers are approaching their social security age so why in the world do they want a Harley? Boomers are not like any of the prior groups of people who have already approached retirement. Boomers still want to continue to live their youth.

Harleys offer fun, excitement, thrills and also a position of class envy. Harleys ain't cheap so these Yuppies want to buy one and show off their financial status. They aren't the fastest bikes or the easiest to ride but that don't matter to a Boomer. It is all about perception. Harley motorcycles, Harley babes, Harley road trips are all part of the dream that unites the Boomer with his Harley.

Even the name of the Harleys seems to point toward us older folks. Harley Softails reminds me I need a soft place to park this old rear end. Harley Fatboy motorcycles and a peak in the mirror reminds me of my physical condition. Let's not forget the Harley jackets, sunglasses, riding pants and the hundreds of other must have Harley accessories. Face it, Boomers may be getting old but they still need it all.

We even enjoy motorcycle auctions especially if there are some good buys on Harleys. Heck, we even buy a Harley Davidson and rarely ride it. We just park it in the garage and wait for it to appreciate. Funny think; it usually does.

We grew up watching biker movies, the call to Sturgis, and Hell Angels. When we sit down on that hog, we can't help have vision of being one of those "bad" but misunderstood biker. We just know owning a Harley comes with Harley babes. It is probably a myth but a boomer worth his salt is certainly not going to deny it. It is all about image.

Bottom-line, the good folks over at Harley-Davidson have nurtured this image of Harley motorcycle riders being a tough guy. This image has been translated in quite a successful profitable business that just keeps going on and on. Harleys and the Japanese bikes have no comparison. The Yamaha's, Suzuki's, and Kawasaki's have a reputation of fun, power and sports. Yet they can't compete against the rumbling sound of a Harley with a Baby Boomer straddling this beast with a huge smile of his or her face.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/motorcycles-articles/boomers-and-harleydavidson-320924.html

About the Author:

Jerry Johnson owns the Harley Auction Home a Harley motorcycle auction site as well as several other successful webstores. Visit the Harley Auction Home for great prices on Harley-Davidson. Easy financing is also available.

Building A Chopper The Easy Way

2008-01-18T17:27:00.000-08:00

Building A Chopper The Easy Way

Author: Richard Sherland

Maybe you don't have loads of cash or just like doing things for yourself. Building a custom chopper can be fun and you can gain a great deal of satisfaction from doing it yourself.

It takes patience and dedication but if you have average mechanical abilities you can be successful.

Build a custom bike kit first. This way you have all the parts you need and it will be a great way to learn how to build a chopper with less frustration. You will find out about your strengths and weaknesses, what you like or dislike in parts, and you will accelerate your learning for your next custom chopper built from scratch.

To avoid unpredictable results, experienced chopper builders recommend waiting until you can afford buying all the accessories from one manufacturer. Waiting may not be easy when it comes to building your dream come true, But when you finally complete your custom chopper you will be really glad you waited.

You can find some custom parts to add to it if you like. There are many sources online if you want to add parts. There are Salvage yards and also parts locators online or you can try a local salvage yard if available.

To save money you can find used mirrors, wheels, seat, handlebars Online. Add a nice paint job and this will make the greatest difference to you Chopper.

Aside from the overall style, the one thing that will make your bike truly unique is the paint job. A lot of custom bike kits come with pre-painted tanks in a variety of slick styles. If you can't find a pre-painted style that you love with the bike design that you want, you can always sand down the tank and have it repainted in your own style.

More than likely, you're going to run into roadblocks along the way even though most custom bike kits come with detailed instructions. When this happens there are plenty of resources online with advice and forums with question and answer logs. Try documenting your own progress on a blog so that others who need answers in the future can find them on your site.

When shopping for custom bike kits, it's important to look at more than price. Custom bike kits do cost less than ready made bikes, but that doesn't mean that bottom of the barrel prices will yield a quality motorcycle. There's no problem with shopping around for competitive prices on reputable brands. Buying an unknown brand based on price alone can be trouble.

Once you've done your research and chosen a quality custom bike kit that fits your style and your price range, you'll be well on your way to enjoying the freedom and satisfaction of your own custom chopper. With the intimate knowledge you'll have of every construction detail of your bike, you'll be able to add new parts to further customize the look of your bike throughout your years of ownership. The one thing better than cruising on a chopper is the satisfaction of having built it from the ground up.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/motorcycles-articles/building-a-chopper-the-easy-way-300432.html

About the Author:

The author has two online stores.
A motorcycle leather clothing online store he also has Gutz LeatherLadies and mens leather clothing

Short History of Royal Enfield

2007-12-19T10:17:00.000-08:00

Short History of Royal Enfield

Author: Michael O'Brien

The pride of British manufacturing companies, Royal Enfield has established a reputation that dates back to the mid 1800’s. Like many early manufacturers of personal transportation, founder George Townsend focus on producing parts for existing bicycle designs, and by 1893 was producing and selling complete bicycles under the Enfield name. It wasn’t long before Townsend turned the name Enfield and its slogan “built like a gun” into household words across Great Britain.

The most endearing product introduction by Royal Enfield has to be the Bullet. With a single-cylinder, 4 stroke engine, the 1933 Bullet sported a dramatic front to rear rake making for truly classic line. World War II brought a one-of-a-kind bike from Enfield, the Flying Flea. Complete with its own parachute and packing cage, the Flying Flea could be dropped from an aircraft along with the troops provided a means of motorized battlefield transport not previously available.

The Royal Enfield line even included a version of the famous red-painted Indian motorcycles, after the company acquired the brand name rights. The RE Indians were discontinued in the 1960’s. Intense competition from Japanese motorcycle producers during the 1960’s and 1970’s meant the Royal Enfield needed bikes that could match the speed and performance of the Asian bikes. The answer was the Interceptor line of extremely fast motorcycles, with a top speed of over 105 miles per hour and able to cover the quarter mile in les than 14 seconds. Sadly, production could not keep up with demand, and the Interceptor became the last of the Enfield line to be produced in England.

Royal Enfield motorcycles are still produced in India and exported worldwide, including to the United Kingdom and to the United States. The famous Bullet bikes still anchor this legendary line of motorcycles with versions which includes the 500 cubic centimeter Elektra-X.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/motorcycles-articles/short-history-of-royal-enfield-270469.html

About the Author:

Michael O'Brien is a writer for many popular websites.

A Brief Historical Perspective On Suzuki Motorcycles

2007-12-16T00:36:00.000-08:00

A Brief Historical Perspective On Suzuki Motorcycles

Author: Gregg Hall

The Suzuki motor company was started and funded by Michio Suzuki. He had a very good business going before he started to invest in the motorcycle industry in 1920. Suzuki didn't take to the top quick instead came to the top of the industry over time. There were a variety of bikes that had good success. Most of the people began to notice Suzuki after one of the bikes one the Mount Fuji climb in 1953.

In June of 1954, Suzuki started using a trademark symbol the "S" to their bikes. So after observing the motorcycle company for some time they put all their intelligence to use. When 1962 came around they were the Grand Prix championship holders. Suzuki then started selling their bikes in the United States in 1963. Since they first appeared in the United States they have come a long way from where they first stood over seas.

Suzuki first showed the X-6 hustler in 1966, this was the first street legal performance bike. Also at the time it was the fastest and best 250cc bike on the market. After the success of that bike they made another that was 500cc called the titan. Suzuki took everyone and everything by surprise when they made the GT750 in 1969. This kind of bike was a two stroke bike that could reach speeds of up to 110mph. This bike could go from zero to sixty in five seconds. Since their bikes seemed to be selling and grabbing attention they made a bigger bike that was called the RG500. The RG500 soon became the bike that was the best at the time to have.

Suzuki still went on to dominate over everyone through the 1970s, taking the World Motocross Championship in 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, and 1976. Their bikes were just faster and better; in 1976 they had some problems meeting regulation with their four stroke bike but soon got over the altercations and went on with it.

In 1982 with the XN85 they made history again with a new Suzuki model. This bike was a turbo charged bike that one many of the high profile races back then. The very first American to win the world championship did so with the XN85 in 1982. They also made another bike in 1986 called the GSX-R which was also a turbo charged bike; it was made of an aluminum frame which made it the lightest bike in its class at the time.

As to selling a lot of bikes they soon did well selling cruisers as well. The Boulevard model came in a variety of different models that the rider could choose from to however they needed or wanted to ride.

The way the model was made was so good that you could ride wherever you needed or wanted. This model still today is the best model being sold as it is being sold around 13,000 dollars. Every single one comes with a 12 month warranty that can be extended at any time. Suzuki today is still the best bike company that there is.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/motorcycles-articles/a-brief-historical-perspective-on-suzuki-motorcycles-281951.html

About the Author:

Gregg Hall is an author living with his 18 year old son in Jensen Beach, Florida. Find more about motorcycles as well as automotive care products at http://www.5starshine.com

Want To Become A Harley Davidson Dealer

2007-12-05T15:50:00.000-08:00

Want To Become A Harley Davidson Dealer

Author: Low Jeremy

If you share interest on becoming a Harley Davidson dealer, the first thing you should know is that Harley Davidson is open for dealership. Having said that, the next question that should be answered is: "How?"

There are two possible ways where you can acquire for dealership.

First, is the sellout of the existing dealership. Here, Harley-Davidson has a list of existing dealership locations ready for sale. If you match the requirements on this site, you can be contacted for an interview. But first you have to submit an application. Harley-Davidson can disclose the list of dealerships that are to be sold-out once you have submitted your perspective dealer application. It does not end here though. The company has to review your application, your business experience, your financial strength, and your geographic preference.

Second, is the opening of a new dealership location. You must be aware that the company is the sole determiner whether it needs to open a dealership on a particular location or not. Once it has determined the need and the location, Harley-Davidson advertises on newspapers for applications, interviews and assessments.

The Harley-Davidson requires you to complete the Prospective Dealer Application together with the required documents that come along with it. Failure to provide the required documents will mean delay on the processing of the application.

What are the investment requirements?

Take note that Harley-Davidson does not charge for franchising fee. It only requires applicant to have sufficient financial status, which depends on the need and the market standing of the dealership location. Your finances will be reviewed and your capability to become a dealer lies greatly on this.

What are the financial requirements?

To become a dealer of the Harley-Davidson Motor Company, you must reach the minimum financial requirements. This is to guarantee the capability of the applicant to sustain and improve the business. In general, a minimum $600,000 of liquid asset and $1 million net worth are required to pass the financial requirement.

The processing

Once you have submitted the documents and your application, expect to receive a reply within a 45-day period. Your file will be kept on the database for a year. Take note that it is only to first step to become a Harley-Davidson dealer. There are several processes that will follow. You become a dealer once you have signed the contract with the company. From then on, you are a proud dealer of Harley-Davidson motorcycles.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/automotive-articles/want-to-become-a-harley-davidson-dealer-77777.html

About the Author:

This content is provided by Low Jeremy. It may be used only in its entirety with all links included. For more information on Harley-Davidson & other useful information, please visit http://harley-davidson.articlekeep.com

Dirt Bike Tires – Tough on Rough Terrains

2007-12-04T19:38:00.000-08:00

Dirt Bike Tires – Tough on Rough Terrains

Author: Robert Sheehan

Dirt bike tires are quite a sine qua non for those untamed, rough or uneven grounds. These tires have knobby; deep treads for that ultimate grip on loose dirt, mud, or gravel. You surely can’t do without dirt motorbike tires if you want to hit the unpaved road for that matter.

Dirt bikes or Trails Bikes are off-road, lightweight bikes that are specially designed for rough terrains. This calls for tough tires and not to mention suspension. Unlike the conventional street motorcycles, these bikes have lesser engine power way below 500 cc.

Tires are the most important part

Dirt bikes manufacturers in the likes of Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha, Husqvarna, Husaberg and KTM make sure that these bikes as sturdy as their knobby tires. The most important part about dirt bikes is their tires because achieving maximum grip is precisely what you want.

It is usually found that motorcycles employ pneumatic tires. As far as off-road motorcycles are concerned, you will find that to do away with punctures the tires are filled with a kind of mousse. There is no dearth of configurations as regards both the tires whatsoever. And did you know that the contact patch is a key feature of any tire. This is that part of the tire that comes in contact with the road surface in course of riding.

Truth be told, it is the tires of a Dirt Bike that goes through a lot of wear and tear. Believe it or not, don’t be surprised if after one tough trip, it loses out on its traction. So make sure that test out the tread on the tires following each ride. Fixing your attention to the front tire is all that you need to do.

Before you hit the road make certain that your motorcycle is ready for it. From the motorcycle’s lubrication, to the engine, from the lights to the mirrors and of course the tires, everything needs to be ready.

Say NO as to driving on roadways with slicks or bald motorcycle tires. But if you indulge in it there are chances that you will hydroplane on wet roads. Try to look whether the tires are worn out or not. You will surely not want to venture on road with depleted tires.

Dirt motorcycle tires are specially designed tires that help the bike to combat the toughest of roads. Well, you must know that dirt bikes require stronger sidewalls to resist puncture. And with deeper grooves that help to dig deeper into mud and dirt, these tires are just about prefect for dirt bikes.

You must know that motorcycle tires are build around a steel rim. In fact, the size, material and shape of the motorbike tires are the ones that contribute to the performance of the bikes. All you need to do is settle for the right type of tires that best suits your bike.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/fitness-articles/dirt-bike-tires-tough-on-rough-terrains-96818.html

About the Author:

Robert Sheehan is a freelance writer and co-owner of

http://www.bicycles-are-us.com Visit Robert And

read more about bicycles at

http://www.bicycles-are-us.com/Dirt-Bikes.html

The Magnificence Of The Bmw Motorcycle

2007-12-01T07:05:00.000-08:00

The Magnificence Of The Bmw Motorcycle

Author: Ryan Simpson

Ever since 1932 BMW has been making motorcycles that fall in the high-end class and that are regarded as being amongst the highest quality motorcycles.

They are known for excellence and for providing some of the most enjoyable motorcycle rides around.

BMW first introduced the R32 BMW motorcycle in 1932 and have been developing that particular style of motorcycle into something that has fan clubs all over the world.

This first BMW motorcycle had a peculiar engine, known as the "boxer twin" engine. It was designed for air cooling and its two cylinders protruded from opposite sides of the motorcycle.

Later during the BMW motorcycle development they also developed more traditional four cylinder motorcycle models.

Not only did BMW manufacture road bikes, they also branched out into off-road motorcycles and have made a name for themselves there as well.

Apart from the association with quality through the BMW logo and name, BMW motorcycles also attract loyal fans because the motorcycles give comfortable rides without sacrificing sportiness and performance.

Apart from some of its off-road models, the BMW motorcycle generally is a big motorcycle. However, drivers of these motorcycles will tell you that they handle like a dream.

Today they are four different series of BMW motorcycles. These are the F, G, R, and K series.

The F series has a four stroke, four valve engine and has a chain drive to the back wheel. The G series is an off-road motorcycle that BMW developed in conjunction with Aprilia. The R series motorcycles still have their trademark protruding cylinder heads but they have been improved upon over earlier models. The K series has also been developed into a motorcycle technological wonder. Both the R and K motorcycle series come with powerful engines that can drive a small car.

If comfort, style, technology, and stylishness appeal to you in motorcycles, then the BMW motorcycle will definitely be on your shopping list. On the one hand they come with a high price tag, but on the other hand you know that you are buying BMW quality, comfort, and style.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/cars-articles/the-magnificence-of-the-bmw-motorcycle-129472.html

About the Author:

For more information on BMW motorcycles visit InformationAttendant.com, where you can also find a wide selection of information and knowledge with RSS feeds for website syndication.

History of Gas Scooters

2007-11-24T21:07:00.000-08:00

History of Gas Scooters

Author: Dr. Larry A. Johnson, D.c.

The first patents for scooters go back as far as 1921. The Razor scooter was later developed by Gino Tsai in Shanghai, Taiwan and became an instant hit with the public. It didn't take long for motor scooter popularity to expand all over the globe.

Even before 1950 there were as many as 110,000 scooters on the road in Italy alone. It has been just a little over 50 years since the Vespa-Douglas Corporation in the UK sold their first gas scooters. The Douglas corporation was on the verge of bankruptcy when they first began selling their gas scooters. It was a big hit at the 1950 Motorcycle Show and saved the company from possible financial ruin.

From 1950 to 1958 Vespa sold over 125,000 of their gas powered scooters in the UK. Why the great success? During this period the European countries didn't have a great deal of money and there was not much gas available to the public. Due to the scarcity of gasoline and the high gas mileage of the gas motor scooter it's popularity quickly escalated.

It didn't take long for the Italian models (the Piaggio from Vespa and the Lambretta from Innocenti) to branch out to other countries. In France they became so popular the French tried to get in on the boom by manufacturing their own. By the early to mid 1950s the sale of gas scooters climbed to about 1 million a year in France alone.

Other countries wanted to profit from the newest craze and tried to climb on the band wagon. While some were successful others were not. Germany began to manufacture larger touring models, but this did not satisfy the public in the way the smaller, cheaper and more fuel-efficient models from Italy and France did. These smaller models were extremely popular in the European market.

Tourist Scooters Manufacturers in Germany built some very strong and powerful versions and were the first to install electric starters. These larger versions were great for traveling, touring and even racing, but were not as popular as the smaller, cheaper, more efficient models used for traveling shorter distances around town.

Vespa began marketing a couple of very popular gas powered scooters from Piaggio, the GS 125cc and the GS 150cc. These were improved versions of the earlier models for several reasons. The biggest reason is probably because the heavy gear mechanism rods were replaced by smaller and lighter cables.

France's Roussey Scooters tried to one-up the Italian competition by coming out with a 175cc model. These were very nice vehicles and included the first water-cooled engines along with other new features, but because it had a pull-start it could not compete with the newer models from Italy that were already offering versions with electric starts.

As these wonderful vehicles have evolved over the years they have become increasingly more popular all over the world. Today they are everywhere. They are cheap to purchase, economical to operate, and are very handy and functional. These are not toys and are genuinely a lot of fun to ride. There are electric, gas powered, foldable, mobility and utility scooters.

The electric types are often used by kids and teens, but are also popular with the elderly and handicapped. Models for the handicapped are usually called mobility scooters. Folding varieties can be folded up and conveniently stored under desks, in closets or in other tiny areas and utility types are used for many different purposes. They are more popular than go karts, mini bikes or go carts. Scooters, sometimes called mopeds or go peds, are very functional, convenient and are here to stay.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/automotive-articles/history-of-gas-scooters-9196.html

About the Author:

J Larry Alan is a freelance author providing information about a variety of scooter topics including gas scooters, gas powered scooters and motor scooters.

Getting Parts For A Motorcycle

2007-11-23T20:19:00.000-08:00

Getting Parts For A Motorcycle

Author: Victor Epand

Tune-ups don't require ignition coil replacements. Sometimes you need to replace the spark plug caps on the ends of the wires, though. The resistance value should be around 5K ohms. Honda Tune up kits generally has plugs, points and condensers in them, as a set. The number of miles you have on the bike engine and the overall care it has had makes a lot of difference in what you will need and what may keep going for you, for a while.

The tools that came in your kit, if complete, could barely get you by on repairs/tune-ups. If you own a bike, you need to know about how to repair it and have the tools to do the job. You can go to Wal-Mart, Costco and elsewhere and get giant tool packages for $100 or less that will get you going pretty well. An Impact Driver with a selection of bits and a good hammer will be a good investment! Steel screws, resting in aluminum threads for such a long time will setup corrosion in the threads that can spell trouble in some cases.

The cables are now 33 years old.... probably time for a change! If your bike is a 1973 CB350G, then it has a front disk brake that has its own maintenance issues. Same with the CB350F. The "regular" CB350 twins had cable operated drum brakes.

You can get a lot of stuff on EBay, as far as tune-up parts go. You need to identify the exact model, of course, before you move forward, plus a good tune-up guide and/or shop manual will be useful. I have a PDF version of a minor tune-up guide that is a reprint from a Cycle Guide magazine special booklet, but it only covers CB350 Twins. The principles of engine tuning are all the same, but the details between 2 and 4 cylinder bikes are somewhat different in layout of components.

If you used stabil or some kind of gasoline stabilizer for the winter, the carbs should be okay. I would certainly drain them and refill the tank with fresh gasoline. Yamaha makes a carb cleaner that you mix with gasoline and then funnel down the carb fuel line to clean out the parts in the float bowl while it is together. Depends on what kind of condition the parts are in, though. Honda carbs have numerous O-rings inside that need replacing after 33 years!

What you could do, and it may require some modification on your part, is to find a hard bag mount set for your bike and then go to a motorcycle salvage yard and see what they have that you may like. You would likely have to repaint them, but that requires a wind-free place to work and a bit of light sanding and paint and a few hours.

Alternatively, if you know how to work with fiberglass, you could build the bags you want yourself, but this is a long-term project that will eat up a lot of your spare time to do it quickly. You can also look on a few of the catalogue sites. In addition to that, try some of the e-groups for Kawasaki and Vulcan's. There are a lot of specialized e-groups out there for specific makes and models of bikes. Look there, as there may be someone who is getting rid of a set that will work on your bike. It will certainly be less expensive than new.

Honda pretty much washes their hands of responsibility of supplying parts after about 10 years after end of production. They have made thousands of different models and dozens of variations of many of those, so the parts inventory and production considerations are staggering in any case.

Honda does have a vintage parts division, apparently in Japan who will make small quantities of some items that they still have tooling for, like exhaust systems for some of the fours. CB750 primarily. CMS in Holland is tied to them, to a certain extent and almost had them remake the missing #2 pipe for the 350Fs but the cost got too high.

Companies like apex cycle, retrobikes and a few others are having Asian companies remake some items. You won't be seeing any new crankshafts or engine cases coming from Honda or anyone else. Tooling and production of this stuff is way too expensive nowadays.

I have a source in Australia who makes new Dream and CB77 mufflers from stainless steel.

It is a small company and he's willing to do the tooling in-house just to produce the parts, but he's getting near retiring and that source will dry up one day. A company in NZ made some beautiful new CB77 mufflers a few years back, but the supply is now gone, I believe and they don't seem interested in doing another run again.

If there is sufficient demand, someone usually steps up and takes a shot at having parts made, but there are so many parts in a bike and so many models, that it is impossible to expect that the supply line for 40+ year old motorcycles is going to continue indefinitely. Brit bikes and scooters remained relatively unchanged for many years, so making parts for those is less of a stretch, than doing Honda camshafts for 250-305s... there were three versions of splines on just those parts.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/motorcycles-articles/getting-parts-for-a-motorcycle-195175.html

About the Author:

Victor Epand is an expert consultant at http://www.SellUsedMotorcycleParts.com/. Sell Used Motorcycle Parts is a community of various independent used motorcycle parts sellers from around the world. Each used motorcycle parts seller represents a unique style of products all their own.

Thing To Consider When Buying Used Harley Davidson Motorcycle

2007-11-21T04:18:00.000-08:00

Thing To Consider When Buying Used Harley Davidson Motorcycle

Author: Low Jeremy

Buying a new Harley-Davidson motorcycle is fairly easy. All you have to do is pick a model, visit local dealers, test drive the Harley, and pay in financing or in full. However, buying a used Harley-Davidson motorcycle is a different story. Since it is already used, you should be more extra careful in closing your deal immediately. Here are the things you should consider if you want to buy used Harley-Davidson motorcycle:

Motorcycle history - Since you are not aware of things that have happened while you are yet the owner of the motorcycle, you need to know its history. Here you will learn if it was involved on accidents or have been submerged under water. These information are vital since you want to buy a good used Harley.

Price - One of the reasons why you buy used Harley-Davidson motorcycle is because you want to save. If you are not aware of the current market value of the model you are buying, then it is time for you to make some research.

Overall Condition - Whether you are buying a 1978 or a 2005 model, you have to consider the overall condition of the motorcycle. Never disregard this since you will be the one who will take the whole responsibility of your purchase in case you have bought an ill-maintained motorcycle.

Check the exterior or the motorcycle as well as its performance. Like buying used cars, you should check everything and test-drive the vehicle. Check the sound and the engine. Check for rusts, dents, and other things that may affect the price of the Harley.

Mileage - Since the mileage reading is the main basis of the price of the any type of used vehicle including the Harley-Davidson motorcycle, you must check it and base it on the price being offered.

Proximity - This may not be very important for some. But for those who want to get to see the used Harley motorcycle being sold, location is very important. If a Harley-Davidson seller happens to be near you, you can easily visit and have the deals made fast.

Owner's background - This does not mean you have to investigate thoroughly the owner by hiring an investigator and make a report for you. All you have to do is to ask the seller questions related on how does he take care of the motorcycle while in his possession. Or, if you happen you have a chance to meet the owner, be observant on the things around him. Surely, you will get clear idea on how well he is as a motorcycle owner.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/automotive-articles/thing-to-consider-when-buying-used-harley-davidson-motorcycle-57537.html

About the Author:

Is Your Harley Davidson Ready For Sale

2007-11-20T06:11:00.000-08:00

Is Your Harley Davidson Ready For Sale

Author: Low Jeremy

What if there will come a time when you have to sell your Harley-Davidson? You do this maybe because you want to buy another, newer model or would like to buy a much older, harder to find one. You can come up with unlimited reasons why you have to sell your Harley-Davidson of course. But with all these, have you asked yourself: "Is my Harley-Davidson ready for sale?"

If your answer is "maybe", "I don't know", or a definite "no", follow some tips below and you will surely get your Harley-Davidson sold in no time...

Do the aesthetics.

If you are a buyer, you simply would like to buy a Harley-Davidson motorcycle that looks great. Since the exterior is the very first thing that a costumer would look at when buying a Harley-Davidson or any vehicle for that matter, you should pay attention to it before anything else. You can look on the weak spots of your Harley and make changes on it. Dents should be removed. Rusts should not be in any visual. Dusts should not sit on corners. In short, your motorcycle must be clean on the outside. It will not only give your potential buyer the impression that you maintain your Harley very well, it will also increase the value of it.

Do the inside.

Some riders buy Harley-Davidson for its sound and engine performance. So, you have to keep the sound as Harley as possible. If you can, maintain the original sound of your Harley. Sell your motorcycle by promoting the sound and the engine. In other words, if you have a great Harley sound, you are one step closer to the sale.

The price.

The price of your Harley-Davidson would either depend on its current market value or on how well you maintain it. Set the price which is very attractive to buyers but not necessarily cheap. Price should always be reasonable.

The receipts.

If you happen to do some changes or replaces some parts that have to be replaced, you should compile all the receipts of these and present them to the buyer. Receipts are your supporting documents when you sell your vehicle to the potential buyer.

Remember that when you follow all these, you get increase your chances of landing at the best sale possible. Though these would help, you have to remember that working to achieve it relies on you and you alone.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/automotive-articles/is-your-harley-davidson-ready-for-sale-61863.html

About the Author:

Yamaha Yzf-r1 : The Road Monster

2007-11-17T15:00:00.000-08:00

Yamaha Yzf-r1 : The Road Monster

Author: Varon Sanornoi

Yamaha YZF-R1 is a natural born land rocket by combining the technology from the race track with a great design compare to other super bikes in the same category. It is quite a while since it first appearance but from its unique performance in every aspect makes the YZF-R1 still in most bikers mind.

Foe anyone who owns this R-1, you don't have to be worry that your model will fade through time because the Yamaha has made a great design for it. As time goes by this bike still be trendy and even for the minor change they never miss every little detail. If you look at the minor change it looks a lot like the old model but actually more than 200 parts are change. Specially the body parts, it may look alike but the Yamaha has to redesign it and test the arrow dynamic force to find the best model that will has the least wind resistant. The front mirror angle is reducing by few degrees. The front head light is uniquely redesign and added the air duct ability to help cool down the intercooler and the engine itself. For the back mirror, the size was longer and moves the position higher for better seeing. Other than what they mention above, the overall weight is also reduced by 2 kilograms.

The frame is the newly develop frame from Yamaha under the name of Delta-Box II and used in the first time in the R-1 and later used in the R-7 which is the best super bike of the year. The new frame is lighter, stronger than and not as big as the earlier one.

The new engine technology that is used in this monster is lighter but more powerful. It is a 4 cylinder Double Overhead Camshaft engine uses the Genesis 4 step technology 998 cc. The cylinder diameter is 74 millimeter and the pull length is 58 millimeters and the compression ratio is 11.8:1. It produces 150 horsepower at 10,000 rounds per minute with the torque 11.0 kilogram-meters at 8,500 rounds per minute equipped with a six speed manual transmission. The gear plate is small and changes the ratio for 1st gear to close to 2nd gear. The cylinders use the ELEC-TROPLATING technology to reduce the occurred friction and also helps cool down the temperature. The fuel injection they use is from Mikuni 40 millimeters with a special system that will transfer the data to the ECU. The fuel rail is bigger. The start motor is smaller and shorter by 12 millimeters. The valve cover is made from magnesium for lighter weight. The muffler was redesign and the muffler tip is made from titanium.

The last change is the fuel tank. Yamaha has removed a support from the end of the tank and reduced the size by 5 millimeters which gives the comfortable feeling while you are riding it. The overall design is impressive and creates the modern look.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/automotive-articles/yamaha-yzfr1-the-road-monster-90603.html

About the Author:

Varon Sanornoi is the internet freelance writer. If you want to find a car dealership in Washington DC,please go to Washington DC Car Dealer

The History Of The Legendary Harley Davidson Motorcycles

2007-11-17T14:27:00.000-08:00

The History Of The Legendary Harley Davidson Motorcycles

Author: Joe Goertz

Harley Davidson is a famous brand of motorcycles, and it all started back in 1901 when a young man by the name of William Harley crafted a blueprint of an engine that would fit onto a bicycle.

In 1903 the very first Harley Davidson motorcycles were made available to the public when William Harley and his friend Arthur Davidson produced one built as a racing motorcycle. It was purchased by one of their childhood school friends, Henry Meyer. During this time, the Harley Davidson production plant was nothing more than a crude wooden shed with the words "Harley Davidson Motor Company" scratched across the front door.

1905 was an important year for Harley Davidson, as they hired their first full time employee and one of their motorcycles won a race in Chicago, putting them on the map in a sense. Years and years go by, and the 1950's find Harley Davidson's winning races, being featured on magazine covers with Elvis Presley, and becoming a household name among race and motorcycle enthusiasts everywhere.

In 1983 the Harley Owners Group was formed, and was referred to as H.O.G. It became the largest motorcycle club in the world to be sponsored by a factory. In a mere six years, the club had grown to include more than 90,000 members. In 1987, Harley Davidson became listed on the New York Stick Exchange, and owners everywhere realized what a wise investment they had made!

More years pass, with Harley Davidson inventing new motorcycles on a regular basis, winning more races, and selling more motorcycles than any other manufacturer. In 2006, Harley Davidson appointed the first authorized dealer of their motorcycles in China.

Today, Harley Davidson produces a wide variety of motorcycles that come in all different styles, shapes and colors. Harley Davidson not only makes recreational and sport racing motorcycles, they also make touring bikes. The Ultra Classic Electra Glide is the king daddy of them all, loaded with extra features and offering the ultimate in comfort. It even comes with an advanced audio system!

While Harley Davidson is most well known for their motorcycles, they also produce a full line of accessories to compliment their motorcycles. Some of the available accessories include sidecars, saddlebags and pouches, chrome covers, windshields, seats, mirrors, backrests, hand controls and sissy bars.

They also make a full line of clothing including leather goods, warm, cold and wet weather gear, helmets, gloves, jackets, vests, shirts, pants, boots, eyewear, as well as racing attire. There clothing accessory line is available in a wide range of sizes for men and women, as well as children.

If you are in the market to buy a Harley Davidson, you'll be able to find one no matter where you are in the world. Harley Davidson has dealerships in over 60 countries, and as a company employs more than 9,000 people.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/automotive-articles/the-history-of-the-legendary-harley-davidson-motorcycles-61432.html

About the Author:

You will find more from this author at: vehicles-magazine.com

Motorcycle and Atv Cylinder Rebuilding Options

2007-11-15T20:16:00.000-08:00

Motorcycle and Atv Cylinder Rebuilding Options

Author: Thomas C Schueneman

Recent History of Cylinder Types

The oldest and most common method of cylinder design is a cast iron block that is machined with a cylindrical bore directly from a solid casting. There is also a cast iron block that incorporates a sleeve that is pressed into the iron block. Generally iron block motors weren’t very successful in small engines. Most small engines were used in vehicles and equipment that needed to be light and mobile. This made cast iron blocks undesirable for this purpose. There were a lot of single cylinder motors used in lawn mowers, construction equipment, scooters, small tractors and small motorcycles that used cast iron block motors in the early years. These began to disappear in the 60’s and they were replaced by aluminum block motors with cast-in iron liners. This opened the door for new lightweight motors that could be used in many more applications and in bigger displacements than ever before. This was accomplished by placing a cast iron sleeve into the mold before the molten aluminum was poured into the mold. This made the sleeve an integral part of the cylinder block. The sleeve usually had locking rings or flanges around the outside to prevent it from slipping in the casting as the engine expanded from the heat generated by the combustion process. A major problem occurred often when air pockets would develop during the casting operation around the sleeve. This caused hot spots and often caused premature engine cylinder failure.

There is another type of aluminum block with a cast iron sleeve that wasn’t cast-in; it is installed in the block after casting. The cylinder bore of the aluminum block is machined to 3-5 thousands of an inch less than the sleeve diameter, block is then heated to around 600 degrees Fahrenheit, and the sleeve is dropped in. When the block cools the sleeve is held in place by the interference fit and the flange at the top or bottom of the cylinder. This cylinder can be rebuilt by simply re-heating the block to 600 degrees and removing the old sleeve and replacing it with a new one. Of course the finish bore will have to be machined to size and honed.

Near the end of the last century it was discovered that you could make a mold pattern using a computer aided molding system out of Styrofoam. This made it possible to have precise duplicate patterns of a particular cylinder that you wanted to mold of aluminum.

These are placed in a mold made of sand, molten aluminum is then poured slowly into the mold melting and replacing the Styrofoam pattern. This process is called total loss mold casting. Now all they have to do is a little milling and drilling, plate the bore and hone to size. For the two stroke market the best part of this is the finished product is an identical copy of the original. The factories love this because it just eliminated a whole lot of assembly line workers. No more absenteeism, no health insurance or pensions, and no coffee breaks. As far as the consumer goes they get a cylinder that doesn’t need a lot porting before they can be competitive.

There are a lot of four stroke motors that use aluminum blocks and aluminum sleeves that are plated a variety of hard finishes. These sleeves can be removed and replaced. The replacement sleeve can be either iron or aluminum. If you want an aluminum sleeve it will have to be plated after installing otherwise it won’t be true and round.

There are several types of plating that has been used over the years, and the companies doing plating guard their formulas carefully. The finish in the early years was a simple chrome or hard chrome electro-plating. The plating was generally only a few thousands of an inch thick. If it was more than about ten thousands of an inch thick it was prone to chipping or flaking because of heat expansion and contraction. In the early seventies Electrofusion became popular. Electrofusion was different from electroplating in as much as it was a fusion process instead of electroplating. Next there was ceramic composites and Boron. All of these perform in about the same way as far as wear and durability. Then there was Nikasil. Nikasil was a new plating formula of nickel-silicon-carbide. It was harder than the others that came before it. For years you couldn’t get a cylinder re-plated when you damaged one, the only way to get going again was to buy a new one. Now you can choose from many companies doing their own version of Nikasil.

Now let’s look at a person’s choice of repair or rebuilding methods for their Motorcycle, ATV, Snowmobile, Personal Watercraft, or Outboard. You can have your Nikasil or other plated cylinder re-plated (or some called it re-coated). This includes the composite types.

Or you can have it sleeved with a hardened alloy steel or cast iron (when you add alloys to iron its considered steel). If your cylinder has an iron sleeve already, whether it’s cast-in or not, you’re only real choice is replacing it with another sleeve or a sleeve liner.

Let’s assume you’re an avid racer and race 25 weekends a year, you’re going to need a rebuild of your cylinder by the end of the year no matter what type cylinder you have. If it is a plated type cylinder you have three choices. 1- buy a new cylinder for $500-600 for the top end and expect to do the same next year. 2- re-plate it for about $300-400 with piston kit and gaskets and figure on doing it again next year. 3- have it sleeved for about $250-350 with piston kit and gaskets and next year have it bored (most models) to the next size for about $55 plus piston kit and gaskets.

A properly sleeved cylinder will perform as well as any plated cylinder. A properly sleeved cylinder is one that has the proper interference fit, proper pre-sleeve bore finish, accurate flange machining, and sleeve made from the proper alloys. The most popular sleeve is the Moly 2000 chrome-moly iron. The proper boring and honing to match the piston clearance requirements goes without saying.

Pros and Cons

Re-Plated Cylinder Bore

Pros

• Small advantage in heat transfer

• Slightly better wear factor

• Somewhat lower co-efficient of friction

• Weighs a few ounces less

Cons

• Costs slightly more

• Can’t be bored when damage occurs

• More fragile

• Can flake and peel

Iron Sleeved Cylinder Bore

Pros

• Costs less

• Boreable for future over sizes

• Honeable to keep bore true and proper ring seal

• Can be worked with common tools

• Can be replaced when needed

Cons

• Slightly slower heat transfer

The Bottom Line

Both systems perform equally well when professionally done, so it really comes down to economics. You can expect a sleeved cylinder to give more life for the money. Re-plated cylinders are as close to original as you can get. So if you’re happy with your OEM plated cylinder you should have it re-plated. If not have it sleeved by a company that has the reputation, experience, and warrantees to protect your investment. http://kustom-kraft.com

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/motorcycles-articles/motorcycle-and-atv-cylinder-rebuilding-options-247293.html

About the Author:

Some Knowledge About Motorcycle Shock Absorber

2007-11-07T20:05:00.000-08:00

Some Knowledge About Motorcycle Shock Absorber

Author: koma

Shock absorber includes front absorber and back absorber. Back absorber is simple and made up of absorb spring and damper.

It has good bounce and it's always unable to take-down. Some of the back absorber has the adjust items which can adjust spring's flexibility.

Front absorber is a bit complicated and take great influence on motorcycle.Front absorber not only absorb front wheel's shock but also pass the running power.

So it demands a good flexibility. Moreover two absorber's flexibility should be the same in order to keep the motorcycle driving straight.

Front absorber librates 80 times/min, it requires good toughness spring and front fork core. It also requires high produce precision and toughness. Concretely front fork core should never been damaged or distorted, otherwise it affects absorber's effect, increase abrasion. Front fork's belt limit is 0.1mm to 0.2mm, it will be changed over 0.2mm.

Moreover, oil seal is also very important because it's hard to seal reciprocate than whirligig. Oil seal's material have to be good rubber and be spring.

Shock absorber should be removed by expert in order not to do harm to shock absorber.Front fork and oil seal take a great influence on motorcycle driving. Drivers should use original fittings for Front fork and oil seal.

Article source:ATV for sale

All Right Reserved

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/motorcycles-articles/some-knowledge-about-motorcycle-shock-absorber-251333.html

About the Author:

Koma Wu is director of utility trailer. You can get the latest information and products about ATV winch and ATV parts.

Teaching your Kid About Riding an Atv

2007-11-02T22:27:00.000-07:00

Teaching your Kid About Riding an Atv

Author: Ray Martin

Teaching your kid about riding an ATV

Your kid’s first ATV ride experience may not be as easy as you may think it is – even with his great enthusiasm to learn to ride one. Most ATV parents are eager to pass on the ATV “legacy” to their kids without first finding out if their kids are interested. Besides just teaching them to ride, there are other issues that the parents have to tackle first – such as the physical, emotional and mental assessments of your child.

First of all, it is really important that your child is interested in ATVs, or at least is keen in learning to ride on one. If your child shows keen interest, you will need to discern if he is physically ready to ride an ATV. He should be able to at least stand on the footpegs or the floorboards while straddling the seat on the ATV. Your child should be able to reach the control levers comfortably and also have the strength to operate them. After your child passes the physical requirements to ride an ATV, you will need to evaluate his ability to comprehend risk – is he able to recognize and reduce risks? True, you may not be able to get rid of all the risks involved with riding an ATV, but with detailed preparation and careful prevention, you will be able to reduce the risks significantly.

Once you have determined that your child is ready to ride on the ATV, you have to start teaching him from scratch. Remember, patience and good communication are 2 great keys to get your child to understand how the machine works. Explain to your child what he needs to do to get the machine going and stopping. Try to minimize your use of technical jargons that only an adult ATV rider understands. Don’t tell him to shift to a lower gear or a higher gear when you can actually just tell him to tap the shifter down with his toe. Do not try to rush your kid in learning how to operate an ATV – take it one step at a time. It is more important that he is able to learn how to ride the ATV safely first and this alone is a big step in learning.

Whenever your child is making progress – do praise him, but never compare him with other kids if the others are making a better progress than he is. You need to remember that every skill advances in its own pace and that you simply can’t rush your child. Never allow your kid’s frustrations upset you while you are coaching him – if you see that your kid is struggling, more often than not, it is best to just take a break. If he does not get it right the first time, try and try again. Bear in mind that each child is different and it is best to work within their individual limits and not push them ahead of their own pace. By pushing them too hard, they may lose interest in learning and give up altogether.

Even if your child have mastered the skill of riding an ATV, it is best that you be his eyes and ears while he is riding. It is difficult for a young rider to recognize everything that goes on around them, so if you sense or see danger, you will have to take action immediately. You should never allow your child to ride an ATV all by himself. One of the best ways for you to access his skills is to ride alongside with him – that way you can also stop and offer advise whenever it is needed and you will have more fun riding together that way too!

For more tips and ideas about learning to ride an ATV, check out some of the ATV websites’ forums and discussions boards, or better yet, if you have some tips about teaching your kid how to ride an ATV, you can always share your great ideas at www.jackel.com or www.kazumausa.com too!

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/motorcycles-articles/teaching-your-kid-about-riding-an-atv-130367.html

About the Author:

For more information about kids atvs and products relating to your needs feel free to contact Jackel Motorsports toll free at 1-888-529-8629 or on the web at www.jackel.com

Team Jackel

1-888-529-8629

http://www.jackel.com

Your Tires Are The Foundation Of Your Motorcycle, Here's How To Care For Them

2007-10-31T13:55:00.000-07:00

Your Tires Are The Foundation Of Your Motorcycle, Here's How To Care For Them

Author: Gregg Hall

The tires of your motorcycle are just as important as the engine. The tires are the only connection to the road. Well maintained tires grip the road and make riding much more pleasurable, they allow the rider to go faster and maneuver better. Tires are often bought because of how they make the bike look. But beauty is only skin deep or in this case tread deep. Having the proper tread for the terrain you are riding can be the difference between a great day and a trip to the hospital.

The backbone of the tire is a carcass. Then there is a layer of cords, the angle of these cords determine the overall strength and flexibility of the tires. If you could look inside the plies of the tire you would notice they form an x shape. On the outside of this is the tread. The amount of tread determines the use of the tire. High tread or knobby tread is used for off road riding. The smoother tread is used for regular roads or highways. This tread has grooves to channel water and prevent hydroplaning.

Since there are only two tires on it is important to maintenance them and change them at the same time so they wear the same. It usually takes about 100 miles to break in new tires. You should check the air pressure in your tires regularly. It is the air in the tires that cushions the bike from the roughness of the road. Proper inflation can add life to the tire. The valve stem should be capped with a nice tight fit so they can't come off when driving at high speeds.

Tires should have proper balance and alignment. These two things have the most effect on the handling of your motorcycle. If they are not done properly steering can become difficult or dangerous in some situations.

Keep your tires clean. There are many products on the market to clean tires, even good old soap and water works. Clear the debris from the treads looking for nails or screws, anything that could cause the air to leak.

Before you ride it is a good idea to do a quick visual inspection of your tires to make sure they have the proper air pressure and there aren't any cords showing from too much tread wear. You should never mix the treads on the front and rear tire. They should be the same style and tread type.

Taking the time to care for your motorcycle tires is as important as changing the oil. It doesn't take long to make sure they are functioning properly and it will add to the riders' enjoyment.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/motorcycles-articles/your-tires-are-the-foundation-of-your-motorcycle-heres-how-to-care-for-them-57646.html

About the Author:

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about this as well as Motorcycle Accessories Plus at http://www.motorcycleaccessoriesplus.com

Did You Know That There Are Radar Detectors Specifically For Motorcycles?

2007-10-31T11:17:00.000-07:00

Did You Know That There Are Radar Detectors Specifically For Motorcycles?

Author: Gregg Hall

Radar detectors are very popular now days to help people avoid costly speeding tickets. One place you don't see radar detectors is on motorcycles. When you think about it this does not make much sense since motorcycles can go just as fast as cars. The sport bikes tend to go even faster than cars. I'm sure you've seen one of these sport bikes whiz by down the street at high speeds. Half the fun of owning one of these bikes is to see how fast you can go.

Traditional radar detectors don't tend to work well with motorcycles for a couple of reasons. Most detectors make a noise to let you know that is has sensed other radar and because a motorcycle is so loud plus the fact that you should be wearing a helmet for safety it is difficult to hear.

The next problem with traditional radar detectors is how they are installed. With a motorcycle you don't have many places you can mount your radar detector. If you do have a place to mount your detector you will have to fight the long cords. You don't really want a bunch of long cords getting in your way when you are riding your motorcycle.

Another big problem with radar detectors is that they are not waterproof. Most motorcycle drivers like to avoid riding in the rain or snow, but this can not always be avoided. What would you do with the detector if your out for a ride and it starts to rain unexpectedly? If you leave the detector out it will be ruined, but you probably won't have a safe dry place to put it either.

Since the need for a motorcycle radar detector is increasing, so are the efforts of the manufacturers. Many manufacturers are now coming out with cordless detectors so you don't have to mess with the long cords. You can also now find detectors that use an earpiece so that you can hear the warning.

When shopping for a motorcycle radar detector you want will want to check out which options are important for you to have. You will need to decide how much you are willing to spend, the distance of detection, and what or how many bands it can detect. Another thing to consider is if you want your detector to just detect other radar, or if you want it to have the ability to jam other radar. You will also need to look at how the detector will be mounted to the bike, if it has an ear piece or a screen for you to read, and if it is waterproof.

If the detector is not waterproof you may be able to buy a waterproof case to protect it. Keep in mind that even though the popularity and availability of these detectors are increasing, you may have a hard time finding exactly what you want. You may have to compromise in at least one area.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/motorcycles-articles/did-you-know-that-there-are-radar-detectors-specifically-for-motorcycles-56767.html

About the Author:

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about this as well as Cobra Radar Detectors at http://www.radarlaserdetectorsonline.com

Ducati 1098 - Strictly Pro

2007-10-30T13:21:00.000-07:00

Ducati 1098 - Strictly Pro

Author: Arnold Hexden

The Ducati 1098 was built using superior race technology and then given the tweaks necessary to allow it to be used on the road. Trademark Ducati features like the high tail rear and unique front end aerodynamics give it the unmistakably gorgeous looks we are accustomed to when reviewing a Ducati.

The sizzling looks are important but are nothing without performance; underneath the sizzling body is an engine that is quoted by Ducati to be the The most powerful , lightest L-Twin in history and consequently the 1098 is also the fasted Ducati street bike ever made. This was made possible by reducing the weight of the main components and adding them to their record breaking Testastretta Evoluzione engine design.

The Ducati 1098 also has also been given extra stopping power with the addition of Brembo Monobloc brakes, which give it outstanding braking ability and also the weight saving single- sided swing arm. Another first is the integrated data acquisition system and information rich instrumentation, which both come straight from the Ducati Moto Gp racers.

You can see immediately that that this is a thoroughbred race bike and loaded with attitude. The shape and contours mold the rider into the form of the machine, which automatically gives it the best aerodynamics imaginable; It exudes quality and breeding whilst giving the feeling of power and performance with every twist of the new elliptical throttle.

In addition to the standard machine, Ducati have two other awesome models:

The Ducati 1098 S flagship model adds a host of high quality special parts compared to the standard machine. High spec Ohlins front forks feature low-friction sliders and sport the latest mono bloc caliper mountings working on twin front discs. It also sets a new standard for lightweight performance; it addresses this important area by mounting Marchesini forged and machined wheels, reducing weight by 4lbs. The weight reduction makes a huge difference to the handling as the front and rear wheels are now super lightweight. The weight reduction is also helped by mounting a carbon fibre front fender, front mudguard and cooling ducts

The Ducati1098 S is also comes with the Ducati Data Analyzer system which is standard equipment. The Data Analyzer allows you to retrieve data so you can analyze the data collected from your previous track session or road trip. The DDA package also includes software for your personal computer on CD, together with a data retrieval USB key and instructions.

The third option in the range is the Ducati 1098 s Tricolore, however it is a limited edition for 2007 only, The Triclor is available in an Italian flag inspired red,white and green colored theme. Ducati began the Tricolore tradition back in 1985 with the famous 750 F1 and then decided to theme the limited edition 851. The latest Tricolore 1098 S not only has a special paint job but also boasts additional features of frame and wheels finished in traditional racing gold colours. It has also been given a power-increasing 102 dB Termignoni racing muffler kit with dedicated ECU.

If your looking for a race inspired motorcycle this has to be he one; Ducati have certainly been able to capture the excellent speed to weight ratio and Italian design expected from the many fans and have produced a future legend in the Ducati 1098.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/motorcycles-articles/ducati-1098-strictly-pro-246777.html

About the Author:

Find out more about Superbikes and the Ducati 1098 There is a huge range of Motorcycles mopeds and scooters together with apparel and accessories at http://www.mopeds-scooter-bike.com

ATV Wheels And Tires

2007-10-25T06:32:00.000-07:00

ATV Wheels And Tires

Author: T J Madigan

ATV wheels have the same characteristic: defined threads, durable tear and snag resistant tire material and large balloon like construction.

Definitely the most ingenious aspect of ATV is in its wheels, no arguments. ATVs defining factor is the ATV wheels, making it possible for ATVs to travel and work even in the absence of roads.

All ATV wheels have the same characteristic: large defined threads or knobs for better traction in all kinds of terrain, extra durable tear and snag resistant material for the tire bodies to protect it against puncture from sharp objects, and large balloon-like construction to help the wheels avoid small pits and rocks on the trail. It also helps the wheel climb out of any obstacle. And in some cases afford flotation.

When necessity initiated the ATVs invention in Japan, ATV wheels were the deciding factor in its success. Osamu Takeuchi led the development team that was assigned by Honda Research & Development to develop a vehicle suited for winter travel. The outcome was the development team spawning a prototype vehicle with six ATV wheels. But still the invention didnt have the cutting edge technology that will enable it to meet the demand.

However, when Osamu Takeuchi got hold of an American invention called the Amphi Cat, the design process quickly hasten to completion. The Amphi Cat had rolled on six 20 inch low pressure high flotation balloon tires, and Osamu Takeuchi revamped his ATV invention until it can accept the Amphi Cats wheel which became the trademark of modern day ATV wheels.

To date, there are various types of ATV wheels that are designed to meet specific terrain conditions. Though most wheel types still work adequately on other terrain, there are such ATV wheels that would perform poorly on a specific terrain. One instance would be the race tires against sand dunes.

Race Tires

Usually developed to create greater traction on different conditions, this wheel type has defined knobs and threads. Also, some of these tires are flatter to afford ample hold on the terrain.

Trail Tires

Trail tires are created to be more durable to defend against punctures against sharp objects such as rocks or wood splinters. Some of these tires are large, balloon-like construction to afford flotation (defense against sinking in bogs and sandy parts) in soggy terrain and mud.

Sand Tires

These tires are also called Paddle Tires since the threads do exactly just that - to paddle. These tires are usually made balloon-like, with few but enormously large threads. The balloon construction will help avoid sinking even in the softest sand and the enormous threads afford traction.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/motorcycles-articles/atv-wheels-and-tires-128418.html

About the Author:

For more free articles and information or to view a selection of car and truck articles and information and van articles and information visit Articles.net.au - Your source for free Articles, Information and Website Content.

Making your Harley Faster, Louder, and more Powerful with Custom Motorcycle Parts

2007-10-24T07:36:00.000-07:00

Making your Harley Faster, Louder, and more Powerful with Custom Motorcycle Parts

Author: Christine Harrell

If you want to turn your average chopper into a loud, roaring, customized machine, there are a few custom motorcycle parts that can make a big impact. The aftermarket custom motorcycle parts listed here are generally in the $150 to $500 range and don't require a degree from the Jesse James School of custom bike building to install. Take a look at these simple modifications that can make a big difference in sound, and performance of your Harley.

Big Growler Exhausts:
What's a chopper if it doesn't rumble? The Big Growler Exhaust system will turn the heads of even those sealed inside their super luxury cars, and make them wish they had the freedom a burley Harley. The long straight pipe makes this exhaust system "un-muffled" amplifying every hum and grind of the engine as it accelerates and cruises. When it comes to custom motorcycle parts, the couple hundred dollars for the exhaust is a great value.

Yost Power Tube:
One way to get a lot of power with custom motorcycle parts for a little cash is with the Yost Power Tube. More power comes from increased combustion efficiency and there's no better way to achieve this than with the Power Tube. The kit from Yost includes a spacer for even greater power and throttle. The power tube works with all of the S&S Series B, E, & G Harleys and is one of the custom motorcycle parts that most weekend bike enthusiasts can install themselves.

Spyke Ignitions:
An ignition kit is another of the inexpensive custom motorcycle parts that makes a big impact. Spyke aftermarket ignitions have more power than the factory ignition, dyno-proven power gains, and aggressive ignition curves. This aftermarket part also reduces kickback and strain and allows for customized timing based on engine modifications.

Carburetors:
After market carburetors are another one of the first aftermarket parts people modify on their Harley. The job of the carburetor is to mix the right amount of gas with air to produce the torque that fuels the bike. Too little gas and the engine runs lean, too much gas and the engine will flood. The Mikuni is one of the most effective for pulling in air among the aftermarket carburators. More air flowing through means more peak power.

Once you get started modifying your bike with aftermarket custom motorcycle parts, you'll most likely find scores of other projects to fill your time. In a lot of cases, the custom motorcycle parts produced by aftermarket companies surpass the look and performance of stock parts. Modifying the engine, ignition, and exhaust is a great place to start to make big changes to your stock bike. Later, with modifications to the handlebars, mirrors, gas tank, tires, and paint job can create a completely unique looking bike with a lot of power, speed, and noise.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/motorcycles-articles/making-your-harley-faster-louder-and-more-powerful-with-custom-motorcycle-parts-35314.html

About the Author:

Author is a writer for Jireh Cycles which specializes in custom motorcycle
parts. For additional information you can visit http://www.JirehCycles.com.

Honda Chopper

2007-10-23T15:39:00.001-07:00

Honda Chopper
By Joe Henderson

Have you seen the Honda VTX 1300 cruiser style motorcycle? Well look out, because here comes the new style of Honda chopper with chopper kits available for this hot new motorcycle model from the famous Honda brand, well known for their reliable, fast and comfortable machines.

The Honda chopper concept has been around for a long time now so perhaps you are wondering why this may even be a worthy news item? Well, that is because things have changed with the new style VTX range of motorcycles from Honda. They are completely different from the old style machines that Honda became well known for. The Honda VTX is modern, light, easy to handle and very comfortable on a long ride. And now there is a huge range of custom motorcycle accessories available so that you can convert that standard Honda motorcycle into a Honda chopper with some extra chrome, a nice set of loud exhaust pipes and of course, the raked triple trees and fork tube extensions on the front end for that classic Honda chopper look.

The old school Honda chopper style of the 1970's has been dramatically updated for the new millennium with the Honda VTX 1300 chopper kits and custom parts available today. This fast and light motorcycle will outperform many competitors and still maintain an economical stance when it is time to fill up at the nearest gas station.

Honda chopper 21st century style can be obtained by fitting a chopper kit with raked triple trees and extended fork tubes. These chopper kits contain all the necessary parts you need to make the chopper conversion and include a choice of 9, 14, or 18 degrees of rake over stock and all the required components such as extended fork tubes, chrome steel trees, steel braided brake line and extended speedometer cable. The 9° raked with 4" over stock fork tubes adds 6" to the overall length of your Honda motorcycle, the 14° rake with 8" over stock fork tubes adds 10" to the overall length of your motorcycle and the really radical 18° rake with 10" over stock fork tubes adds 14" to the overall length of your standard Honda motorcycle for that extreme Honda chopper look.

Your Honda chopper will still ride safe all the way up to the top speed of the motorcycle and the cool thing about doing a chopper conversion to a factory standard bike is that you still get to use all the standard parts for maintenance and repair. There is a lot to be said for one off custom creations but using this method has got to be a lot more practical for the serious chopper enthusiast as you will be able to spend more time actually riding your Honda chopper and much less time in the repair shop!

For further reading see our site for Chopper Kits here for Harley Chopper and here for here for Honda Chopper

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joe_Henderson
http://EzineArticles.com/?Honda-Chopper&id=718724

2-Stroke Cycles

2007-10-23T15:15:00.000-07:00

2-Stroke Cycles
By Mary Long

The two-stroke cycle of and internal combustion engine iffers from the more common four stroke cycle by completing the same four processes (intake, compression, power, exhaust) in only two strokes of the piston rather than four. This is accomplished by using the space below the piston for air intake and compression, thus allowing the chamber above the piston to be used for just the power and exhaust strokes. This causes there to be a power stroke for every revolution of the crank, instead of every second revolution as in a four-stroke engine. For this reason, two-stroke engines provide high specific power, so they are valued for use in portable, lightweight applications. On the other hand, large two stroke diesels have been in use in industry (i.e., locomotive engines) since the early twentieth century.

Power/exhaust: This stroke occurs immediately after the ignition of the charge. The piston is forced down. After a certain point, the top of the piston passes the exhaust port, and most of the pressurized exhaust gases escape. As the piston continues down, it compresses the air/fuel/oil mixture in the crankcase. Once the top of the piston passes the transfer port, the compressed charge enters the cylinder from the crankcase and any remaining exhaust is forced out.
Compression/intake: The air-fuel-oil mixture has entered the cylinder, and the piston begins to move up. This compresses the charge in the cylinder and draws a vacuum in the crankcase, pulling in more air, fuel, and oil from the carburetor. The compressed charge is ignited by the spark plug, and the cycle begins again.

In engines like the one described above, where some of the exhaust and intake charge are in the cylinder simultaneously the gasses are kept separate by careful timing and aiming of the transfer ports such that the fresh gas has minimal contact with the exiting exhaust which it is pushing ahead of itself.

Different two-stroke design types: Piston port(simple design), Reed valve(dirt bikes and ATVs), Disk rotary valve, Power valve systems (Yamaha, Suzuki and Honda systems). www.angry-motorcycles.blogspot.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mary_Long
http://EzineArticles.com/?2-Stroke-Cycles&id=660733

Choosing A Motorcycle Frame For Your Custom Chopper

2007-10-17T09:59:00.000-07:00

Choosing A Motorcycle Frame For Your Custom Chopper

Author: Christine Harrell

Above almost all else, motorcycle frames shape the overall look and feel of your custom chopper. If you're mulling over the idea of building your own custom chopper from scratch or from a custom bike kit, motorcycle frames are the piece around which you'll want to build your design concept. There are several styles of motorcycle frames to consider depending on the look you're going for and how you'll be using your custom chopper.

Measuring Custom Frames:
When comparing custom frames, you'll notice that they are described in terms of "stretch." The amount of stretch in the downtubes refers to how much higher the custom frame is than the stock frame. The stretch in the backbone refers to how much longer the custom frame is than the stock model frame.

Sportster Style Motorcycle Frames:
There are different styles of Sportster motorcycle frames designed for the Sportster engine. Sportster motorcycle frames needs to be extra tough to withstand the weight and rumble of the big Sportster engine. If you're going to have oversized tires on your custom chopper, you'll probably want to choose a Sportster motorcycle frame like the Hardtail Chassis that is built for larger tires.

Rolling Chassis Frames:
Rolling chassis frames are any type of rigid, swingarm, or softail motorcycle frame with front and rear wheel assembly and a stretched backbone or front downtubes. These are different from Sportster softail frames that have no stretch.

Rigid Frames:
In most cases, rigid motorcycle frames are stretch frames that are angled upward. Where other motorcycle frames have both wheels connected to the motorcycle frame through a suspension arrangement, rigid motorcycle frames often forgo the rear suspension.

FRX Frames:
If you're building a racing bike or dirt bike or are going to be riding on rugged terrain and need durability and extra suspension, FRX motorcycle frames may be your best bet.

The Weight Factor:
Make sure to consider the weight of the motorcycle frame before you buy. The weight of the motorcycle frame makes a big difference in how smooth of a ride your custom chopper will have; generally the heavier the frame, the smoother the ride. However, if you're going to be drag racing, you might favor a lighter weight.

Motorcycle frames are literally the backbone of the chopper. You'll want to be selective with all of the parts for your custom chopper, but when it comes to the motorcycle frame be sure to devote a little more time to research, asking questions, and getting opinions. The motorcycle frame is what holds the entire bike together and choosing a quality, heavy duty motorcycle frame is well worth the time spent shopping around.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/motorcycles-articles/choosing-a-motorcycle-frame-for-your-custom-chopper-46478.html

About the Author:

Author is a writer for Jireh Cycles which specializes in custom
motorcycle frames. For more information you can visit http://www.JirehCycles.com.

Choosing and Installing a Motorcycle Battery

2007-10-17T09:52:00.000-07:00

Choosing and Installing a Motorcycle Battery

Author: Christine Harrell

Although a motorcycle battery and other types of vehicle batteries are built for longevity, over time batteries will slow down and eventually wear out. This occurs when the sulfate that flows over the plates begins to build up a residue on the plates, slowly diminishing the conductivity. In this article you'll find useful information for choosing, installing, and maintaining your next motorcycle battery.

Choosing the correct size:

In order to choose the right size motorcycle battery, you'll need to know the cold cranking amps (CCA) of your bike. Technically speaking, CCA is the number of amps a lead-acid battery at 0ºF can deliver for 30 seconds and maintain at least 1.2 volts per cell. Once you determine the required CCA, you'll need to measure the length, width, and height of the cavity to ensure a correct fit.

Removal and installation basics:

When the time comes to replace your motorcycle battery, never remove the battery while the engine is running. If for reason it does not have a charge, always remove the negative cable before the positive. When installing the new battery, reverse the order and connect the positive cable first before connecting the negative. Take extra caution to identify the positive and negative terminals before attaching the cables. Accidentally reversing the polarity can cause the battery to explode or inflict a great deal of damage to your bike's electrical system.

Recharging:

If the battery won't start or seems dull, you may only need to recharge it. Always check the voltage of your motorcycle battery before recharging and never charge your battery at an amperage more than 1/6 the rated capacity of your battery. For example, it you have a 7 amp-hour battery, you should not charge it at an amperage of more than 1 amps. If you have an 18 amp-hour battery, you can charge it at a maximum of 3 amps. Therefore, most battery tenders offer charging amperage of from 1/2 amp up to 2 amps. NOTE: NEVER USE AN AUTOMOBILE BATTERY CHARGER ON YOUR POWERSPORT SEALED BATTERY. Although recharging seems like a simple process, as a general rule of thumb always wear protective eye wear and refrain from smoking as you are working with explosive gasses.

You'll also want to ensure that there is no electrolyte covering the plates before adding water or recharging. Once you add the water, make sure that the vent caps are reinstalled before charging. Never recharge a motorcycle battery or any type of vehicle battery with the vent caps open. When you've finished charging, turn off the charger before removing the charger cables from the motorcycle battery.

Activating your new battery:

If you recently purchased a conventional battery, you may need to activate your motorcycle battery. Activating a non-sealed battery is the process of adding acid and charging the battery to the point of optimum functionality. To do this, remove the sealing tube and filling plugs, fill the battery with electrolyte, let the battery stand for about 30 minutes, then charge the battery for 3 to 5 hours at approximately 1/6 of the rated capacity. Sealed motorcycle batteries require much less maintenance and never require additional electrolyte.

If you find yourself needing to recharge your battery on a consistent basis, it's probably time to replace it to avoid getting stuck when you're ready to ride. To ensure that your new battery has a long life, it's imperative to find the right size for your bike and not to overcharge. Using a battery that is too large for your bike or overcharging the battery are the two most common causes reducing a battery's lifespan. Spending a little time choosing the right battery now means enjoying years of enjoyable, stress-free motorcycle rides in the future..

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/motorcycles-articles/choosing-and-installing-a-motorcycle-battery-47798.html

About the Author:

Author is a writer for Ebatteries who specialize in motorcycle
batteries and more. For more information you can visit http://www.EBatteriesToGo.com

Introduction of Electric Scooter Maintenance

2007-10-17T09:41:00.000-07:00

Introduction of Electric Scooter Maintenance

Author: Barney Garcia

A scooter, which is considered lightweight, and yet sturdy, is the Buzzaround scooter. This is a type of scooter, which is a bit new on the market. The Buzzaround is manufactured by Golden Technologies manufactures. Some people also call it the Golden Buzzaround.

Gasoline power scooters, being around for a longer period have grown more familiar to mass; however, when it's an electric scooter in question, often the owners find themselves flabbergasted when their little pets grow disobedient. Little do they realize that certain little measures can get rid of the problems that cause botheration every now and then. Read on to find out more…

What should be done?

To keep an electric scooter up an running:

One should keep the tires inflated properly since smaller tires lose air pressure fast. This may result in the tube rotating inside the tire during both braking and acceleration; as a result, the valve stem may get destroyed. Also, this shall require the motor to work harder resulting in burnt armatures or brushes.

The battery must be charged frequently and after it returns to the room temperature. Heat damages batteries, hence, cooling it is recommended before charging.

Tension on the drive belt/chain must match the manufacturer's specification. Looseness causes slippage and shortens the life of the chain/belt, therefore, move the rear tire forward or backward to leave approximately one-half to one-quarter inch gap while pressing against the middle of the span. A center position is also much required; if it does not ride against the side of the belt hubs on the motor or rear tire, it may jump up on the edge and can lock the wheel.

Throttle and brake linkages require light (or right) lubrication to prevent binding.

It's foolish to ride electric scooters through wet surfaces; the water or mud can damage the electrical components.

To get rid of minor problems like:

Interrupted power: It can be a loose or broken connection or a battery with low charge. The second case is not that troublesome; however, if it's a broken connection, then expose the wiring from the top and check for the broken linkage; it can also be a failed controller box or a malfunctioning master switch. Except for the controller box, the rest should be made subject to replacement. Apart from the above-mentioned points, it can also be that the wires behind fuse assembly are subjected to a loose connection to the battery.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/motorcycles-articles/introduction-of-electric-scooter-maintenance-62842.html

About the Author:

Jason Uvios enjoys Writing about on Maintainance of Electric Scooter like Battery, Chain and Belts
Visit:
Electric Scooter,scooter repair guide

Maintaining The Seat Of A Scooter

2007-10-17T09:31:00.000-07:00

Maintaining The Seat Of A Scooter

Author: Barney Garcia

The seat, or the chair of the scooter is a very vital part of the scooter. No matter what type of scooter you own, or that you are considering to purchase, the seat will be important to how the rider enjoys the scooter, or how long the rider will be able to use the scooter. The seat could be leather; plastic, vinyl, breathable cotton or it could also be a molded plastic.

Caring For The Molded Plastic Scooter Seat

The molded plastic scooter seat is one that will wash down nicely with hot water and soap. You want to be careful not to use too much excess water, to avoid putting water on any electric items.

Caring For The Breathable Cotton Seat

The cotton material type seat is one that you can spot clean using Shout, or Oxyclean spray. Spay just a dab on spots, and then wipe clean with a wet paper towel. Cleaning the cotton seat weekly is going to keep ahead of having to replace the seat. For example, grease from your hands will soak into the material, but spot cleaning can leave it looking as good as new.

Caring For The Leather Scooter Chair

The leather scooter chair is one that will require less effort. The leather can be wiped down with a soft cloth to keep dirt and grease from building up on the leather. Soap and water should be avoided if possible. Avoid leaving the scooter sits in direct sunlight for long periods to keep the leather soft and for additional prevention of cracks of the leather seat area.

Plastic Or Vinyl Scooter Seat Covers

The plastic or vinyl seat cover can be wiped down with any type of soap and water. Drying off the seat after washing it is going to prevent soap build up and will prevent streaks while drying. You can easily using sprays such as 409, or bleach mixtures on vinyl and plastics to get off tough sticky stains and grease marks from hands.

If you live alone, and you are disabled, it is easier to get around the house using a scooter. A scooter is going to help you prevent falls, and breaking a bone, because you will be relying on the scooter to get from room to room. When you are home alone, you feel safe, secure and able to do just about anything in your scooter. A scooter is a personal mobility chair that will ease the stress on your body, and on your mind because you will be able to do more things for yourself.

The seat of the scooter is an item, which can be replaced when broken, or when it is cracking. Seats are available through most all-major retailers where scooters are sold. If you purchase a scooter, and the seat is not comfortable, does not fit your body, you can change the seat to one that fits your personal body size.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/motorcycles-articles/maintaining-the-seat-of-a-scooter-61630.html

About the Author:

Jason Uvios enjoys Writing about on Maintaining The Seat Of A Scooter to Visit :- scooter parts and accessories, Mobility Scooter and scooter repair guides

Everything Kazuma!

2007-10-17T09:06:00.000-07:00

Everything Kazuma!

Author: Ray Martin

Everything Kazuma!

Everyone’s talking about ATV riding these days – from the young to the old, it’s ATV riding here and ATV riding there. You’d be amazed to hear that the name Kazuma when people are talking about ATVs. The brand Kazuma, we believe, has become a household brand for ATVs and dirt bikes. At www.kazumausa.com you are assured of the most affordable ATVs with excellent ATV performance.

If you didn’t already know, the 2007 line up of Kazuma ATVs feature engines with the latest ATV technology – and all of Kazuma ATVs come with 4-stroke with electric start complete with a number of safety features too. What’s more, the 110 Kazuma ATV also comes with reverse and there are great colors for this model to choose from as well. ATV fans know that Kazuma is one name that equals to adventure and it is one of the top names in ATVs and dirt bikes for kids and adults alike. From having the latest ATV technology to great looking ATV models (and a wonderful selection of colors too, mind you), to fantastic quality and reliable service, you can find it all at www.kazumausa.com!

Safety is a great priority with Kazuma brand ATVs that their Youth Kazumas are quad machines with lower CCs for a safer operation. Surely, if you are a parent, you will not regret getting your kid a Youth Kazuma ATV. The great thing about Kazuma ATVs is that it is able to cater to the needs of different types of riders – the young, the adults and yes, even the adventurous ones!

With the ATV market that’s being bombarded with so many Chinese ATVs, the Kazuma branded ATVs stands out in the crowd with their dedication to the quality and reliability of their ATVs as well as providing excellent service that you deserve. You can even order your Kazuma ATV parts online – beats the hassle of having to drive to the dealer, don’t you agree?

Kazuma USA is definitely your No. 1 ATV source for ATV parts, kids ATVs and yes, even Kazuma dealership opportunities. Kazuma USA is well known in the ATV industry for being the oldest and most experienced importer, distributor and dealer of Kazuma ATVS, parts, and accessories in the United States of America. With Kazuma USA, you can be sure that whatever your needs are for your Kazuma ATV, it will be taken care of. If you need any part for your Kazuma ATV all you need to do is just give them a call anytime at 1-888-529-8626.

By the way, Kazuma USA also offers dealership opportunities to interested individuals or companies – so, if you want to be part of this dynamic team, don’t just sit there – click on www.kazumausa.com and see for yourself how you can be a part of this ever-growing industry!

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/motorcycles-articles/everything-kazuma-140741.html

About the Author:

For more information about kids atvs and products relating to your needs feel free to contact Jackel Motorsports toll free at 1-888-529-8629 or on the web at www.jackel.com ; www.kidatv.com ; www.atvoutdoors.com ;

Team Jackel 1-888-529-8629

http://www.jackel.com

http://www.kidatv.com

http://www.atvoutdoors.com

Triumph Exhaust System

2007-10-17T08:49:00.000-07:00

Triumph Exhaust Systems

Author: james A

Quill Exhausts Limited & JB Racing, offer a full range of TRIUMPH exhaust, including the Quill EVO2, Quill T3, Quill Tri-Oval, in stainless steel, carbon fiber, titanium, in bolt-on or with a link pipes. Quill offer a full range bike accessories (accessory) including. Quill TRIUMPH motorcycle (motor bike) exhaust, / Quill headers / Quill Full systems. available in 100% stainless steel, with an exclusive range of 100% titanium silencers and full TRIUMPH motorcycle (motor bike) TRIUMPH exhaust, systems for performance bikes. JB Racing offer a large range of TRIUMPH motorcycle accessories including the following products: Micron, Yoshimura, Arrow Exhausts, headers, Full Systems. Dynojet, Power Commander, K&N, K & N, Motad, Ohilns, PFM Brakes, DP Brakes. The Quill EVO2, Quill T3, Quill Tri-Oval, in stainless steel, carbon fiber, titanium, in bolt-on or with a link pipes. Quill offer a full range bike accessories (accessory) including. Quill Exhausts / Quill headers / Quill Full systems.

To meet demand, we have recently developed a new Quill exhaust silencer – the EVO2 - based on the same principle as the original full race silencer......but it’s just got bigger and better. available in 100% stainless steel, with an exclusive range of 100% titanium silencers and full exhaust systems for performance bikes.

To meet demand, we have recently developed a new Quill exhaust silencer – the EVO2 - based on the same principle as the original full race silencer......but it’s just got bigger and better. available in 100% stainless steel, with an exclusive range of 100% titanium silencers and full exhaust systems for performance bikes.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/motorcycles-articles/triumph-exhaust-systems-172296.html

About the Author:

Getting Parts For A Motorcycle

2007-10-15T10:23:00.000-07:00

Getting Parts For A Motorcycle

Author: Victor Epand

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/motorcycles-articles/getting-parts-for-a-motorcycle-195175.html

About the Author:

Other Important Elements In Riding

2007-10-14T13:08:00.001-07:00

Other Important Elements In Riding

Author: Faye Bautista

Turning is the second most important element of safely riding a motorcycle besides braking and accelerating. It requires a solid understanding of other elements including grip, dynamics, education, and a good dose of mental rationality.

The ability to choose the right line through a corner, how to get through the apex effectively, and a basic understanding of counter-steering are all key components to successfully and effectively wrapping around a corner.

When you approach the corner, never over-ride your line of sight. In other words, don't drive faster than you can see to stop in case of an emergency. Determine a safe cornering speed before you initiate the turn, braking hardest before you start counter-steering, then letting off the brake as you lean the bike in to the corner. By the time you reach the apex, you should be ready to start accelerating again.

Perhaps as much as 1/3 of all motorcycle accidents are single bike accidents where the bike ran off the road because the rider "just couldn't make the turn." In many of those cases, proper cornering technique may have played an important part in preventing the accident. Knowing how far your bike can lean in a turn is key to knowing how quickly you can make a corner. On todays sport bikes, if you're not scraping parts on the ground in a lean, you're not leaned over all the way.

Your tires are the only thing that separates you from the pavement. On an average sport bike, there are only a few square inches of rubber "contact patch" for each tire. Good grip is determined by things like tire condition, road conditions, dynamics, and sudden inputs.

You don't have much holding you up, so every aspect of grip is important and must be considered when riding. If you take even one aspect of grip out of the equation, you put yourself at great risk of falling. You can't control the road conditions, but you can keep yourself in the area of the road where more grip is available. Riding in the tracks from car tires will usually provide you with the best traction. This is because the car's tires are constantly cleaning the surface as they roll over it. Try to keep your bike in the area of the road where the car tires typically travel.

Some of the worst times for traction are the first few hours of (or after) rain, when oil and debris floats to the top. Extra care should be taken to eliminate sudden inputs, sharp turns or hard braking/acceleration when conditions are poor.

Unlike a car, you only have two tires on your bike. If you lose one tire due to a flat or because you run into dirt, oil etc, especially in the front, you will almost surely fall if you're not ready for it. Don't take your tires for granted. Make sure they're in good condition, and keep them at the proper air pressure. When they're worn or damaged, replace them immediately.

The dynamics of a motorcycle related to the physics involved in keeping it upright are pretty interesting. They're also handy to know in case of an emergency. By its very nature, a motorcycle in motion is more likely to stay upright than when it's not moving, or when it's moving slowly.

The faster you're going, the harder it is to fall over, and the more violent it will be if you do. The reason for this is gyration. The major moving parts on a motorcycle, (tires and engine), create stability while in motion. If you are riding slowly and are 'bumped' by an outside force, less pressure is required to knock you over than if you were moving faster.

The Important Elements in Riding:

1. Acceleration and Braking

2. Turning

3. Grip

4. Dynamics

5. Assertive Predictability

6. Sudden Inputs

7. Mental Conditioning

8. Education

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/motorcycles-articles/other-important-elements-in-riding-190637.html

About the Author:

The author writes about Yamaha Raptor 700 Review and blogs at http://www.undermyhelmet.com/.

How to Choose Motorcycle Luggage?

2007-10-14T12:52:00.000-07:00

How to Choose Motorcycle Luggage?

Author: pisan

For many of you who love travel by motorcycle may absolutely understand the importance of motorcycle luggage which makes you a lot comfortable during the trip. Travel by motorcycle is completely different from travel by any other kind of transportation. This is because you will have very limited space to keep travel luggage as well as you need some kind of extra security to make sure that luggage will not be lost when you carry them and ride motorcycle. According to reason described above, now there are luggage that specially made only for motorcycle trips. Of course you need this kind of luggage to keep the personal things in a safe and comfort.

Motorcycle luggage today is not only limited on one or two function and design, but there are hundreds of them available for you to choose from. They are available in both hard case and soft case materials. Generally, you may find that hard material is usually more expensive than the soft luggage. Even though the soft motorcycle luggage may cheaper than the hard type, but soft luggage also has limited space and capacity. They may be suitable for some of you who has not many stuff to carry and has limited budget. But for those who may be able to afford hard luggage and bigger luggage, you may buy hard luggage as they can serve you needs very well in a long run. The most common type of motorcycle luggage are tank luggage, side luggage, roll-tool bags and cruiser cases.

When choosing motorcycle luggage, there are some key criteria that you need to consider. One is you need to decide about the size and capacity that you need. This is very important factor, because it relates to the budget. Choosing as large as you budget can afford to make sure that you gain maximum value of money. The second thing is you have to know what kind of motorcycle that you have whether it could support which kind of motorcycle luggage it should fit perfectly with the type of the luggage so you can use it effective. In may case I found that there are many people who just bought the motorcycle luggage that could not be used with the bike and they have to ask for refund. However, the motorcycle luggage available today, most of them can be fit to any type of motorcycle so you may do not have to worry about this too much, but just to make sure that the luggage could be fully fix to the bike and locked securely. The last criteria that you have to consider are whether the luggage that you buy is easy to install. This is because sometimes installation can cause trouble and take a lot of time to complete if you choose the type that not easy to install.

Generally, motorcycle luggage require very low care and maintenance but you still have to look after them from time to time, especially if you have leather motorcycle luggage, which you have to keep them away from chemicals and scratch and you have to polish the surface sometimes. If you have luggage that made from other material, then you can rest assure that they require much less care than leather and this is strongly suggest having ones.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/motorcycles-articles/how-to-choose-motorcycle-luggage-192665.html

About the Author:

PisanK is the owner of http://www.luggageformotorcycle.com site, if you see this information useful,please visit us to get more information.

Which Type Of Helmet Will Save Your Head

2007-10-14T12:34:00.000-07:00

Which Type Of Helmet Will Save Your Head

Author: Jim Brown

When you start the sport of motorcycling, one of the most important pieces of safety gear is your helmet. Your helmet is the only thing between you and the pavement, a tree, or any other object, be it moving or stationary, and with the proper helmet, you have a good chance of coming out of an accident alive.

The Four Basic Types Of Helmets

The first helmet we will discuss is the "no helmet." Yes there are still places where you can ride free if not die free without a helmet. Wearing a helmet is not a national law, it is up to the individual states, and so if you live in a state that doesn't require a helmet, you have to make an important decision. If wearing a helmet doesn't fit into your idea of biking, at least make sure to wear some kind of protective eyewear. Just think you'll be flying down the road, around 45-50 miles per hour, and splat, big, fat, juicy bug in the eye. That's the kind of stuff you want to keep in mind, beside the fact that you will be a lot safer on the road when you can actually see.

A particular type of helmet that is pretty popular with riders who consider themselves cruisers. They are the dome helmet/skill cap. Skull caps provide the rider with the barest minimum of protection and are usually worn by those who would rather not be wearing one, but for the law demanding they do. You entire face is exposed and should you fall, you may have to fall directly on top of your head to escape serious injuries. Fall on the side and you may become an organ donor, with this type of helmet.

We then have our next level of protection called open face helmet/half helmet. This open face helmet will protect the sides, the tops and the back of your head, should you take a fall. It is considered nearly as good protection as the full face helmet except for the fact it has no eye protection. If you buy some goggles as eye protection, you may find that the half helmet is the most comfortable in regards to temperature and when you wear the safety goggles; your eyes will be fairly well protected.

The Big Kahuna of the world of helmets is the full face helmet. This helmet has all the safety features a nervous rider will enjoy. You will enjoy full head protection from one of these types of helmets. There is also a face shield that is made of some pretty sturdy material that will help you avoid contact with flying bugs and asphalt. It is said by some that wearing a full face helmet makes you look cooler. And who knows, maybe they are right.

When you shop online for motorcycle accessories, you can find many places where you can purchase some high quality name brand full face helmets at prices far below those you would pay in a conventional motorcycle shop. When you shop online for your motorcycle accessories you will have access to more styles and designs, as well as a wider range of prices. You can quickly and easily compare prices and decide in no time which helmet will be the one you roar down the road with.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/motorcycles-articles/which-type-of-helmet-will-save-your-head-208565.html

About the Author:

James Brown writes about Tire Rack coupon codes, AutoAnything.com discount codes and Stylin' Concepts discount codes

Use And Tune Harley Carburetor

2007-10-11T14:00:00.000-07:00

Use And Tune Harley Carburetor For Smooth Ride

Author: Thomas MacIntosh

Harley, the name is not new in the domain of automobile accessories and devices. The carburetor from Harley Davidson is exclusively meant for a smooth ride on your bike. The Harley carburetor has a long life provided you tune it from time to time. You won't face any kind of hassle in driving your bike if the tuning is done properly.

The process of tuning for better performance

Don't think you won't be able to do it and dump your bike in a garage. It is nothing like that. Things are rather simple and you can yourself conduct the process of tuning the Harley carburetor. The tuning becomes important for the maintenance of the carburetor.

Well to begin with remove the Harley carburetor from the main body of the engine. You cannot just open and remove it as if opening your shirt. A particular technique has to be followed. The fuel has to be removed from the carburetor bowl and only then you can clean the thing. The backing plate and the bolts are to be removed in parts and the choke cable has to be also taken off.

The throttle cables are next put down. Therefore one by one the individual parts are disassembled. You need not entirely open the throttle cables. When the carburetor bowl is cleaned with the carburetor cleaner and you set down to reset the arrangement, adjust the throttle cables in the right location.

Resetting of the cables and reinstallation of the carburetor

The final round of tuning is the process of reassembling and fixing up the cables along with the clean carburetor bowl. The problem you face while riding a bike in simple terms is the heating up of the engine. And you fail to judge that the problem lies with the carburetor. Most of the times you even decide to change the whole unit of the carburetor.

Such changes are not required in Haley's carburetor. Simple tuning brings it back to the original performance. While tuning there is a chance of misplacing a cable or it can also be so that you cannot fix the exact cables in the right place. It is always suggested to tag or mark the cables used in a Harley carburetor. This will create no fuss either at the times of removal or at the times of resetting.

The wiring system attached to the cables of the carburetor is to be handled with care. Don't damage the fine metal wires or else you will have to replace them and get new ones fixed up. After tuning your bike or specifically the Harley carburetor, take a short trip and enjoy the difference. You won't complain any more about the engine.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/motorcycles-articles/use-and-tune-harley-carburetor-for-smooth-ride-78768.html

About the Author:

Thomas MacIntosh writes about on Use and tune Harley carburetor for smooth ride to visit :- carburetors

building a custom chopper

2007-10-11T12:26:00.000-07:00

Building a Custom Chopper, Where Do you Start?

Author: Ian Parish

by, Ian Parish

So you want to build a custom chopper? I do too, so the first question I asked myself, is where do I start. Should I make a business plan, a schedule, a financial statement, or should I just buy my wife some flowers and blindly proceed? I guess I should do all of the above but not necessarily in that order.

I will start by trying to justify this purchase and or endeavor, to do this I will make a list of my reasons? 1) I want to ride a custom chopper, a totally cool stretched out, fire breathing, gas eating, pavement pounding, old lady scaring, 2 wheel monster. 2) I want to be able to say \"I built that\" when someone asks me where I got that totally sick bike. 3) I want to be able to customize the bike beyond the standard add on parts I can get for my current bike a Harley Davidson Fatboy. 4) I want to be able to make this dream come true, meaning I need to be able to pay for it. A $35,000 chopper is out of my current budget. 5) I have been talking about this for 5 years so why don\'t I get to it and stop doing all the talking and start doing some building.

Now I have a few reasons on paper a will look at my options, then make a plan, a schedule, and find some extra money.

Let\'s start with a my build options, and plan on a slow and steady approach. I realize I will need to do a lot of research before I start. I have 4 basic options, a kit bike, a rolling chassis, a start from zero build, or an extreme makeover of a current motorcycle.

Option 1) If I start with a motorcycle kit I maybe the farthest ahead from a mechanical perspective, and farthest behind from a financial point of view. What do I mean by this, well a kit bike has all the parts it just needs paint, labor, gas, oil and some love. The problem a complete kit bike will cost me $12,000 dollars right up front. This is a bit out of my spend a ton of money now then not be able to ride a bike for a year or two thinking. If I get a kit, I maybe able to get it together faster, as I will be motivated and have all the parts ready to go. As a first bike I think this is a very good option, when you consider all the expensive mistakes I may make along that way. One drawback to this option is the amount of customization I can do to the bike as it is put together. Because all the parts are in the kit, I may resist the urge to get new bars or different sheet metal, or other parts.

Option 2) Start with a Rolling chassis, this is the middle of the road option, spend a lump sum of money, about 1/2 of what the overall bike will cost and get a basic setup that all works together.

A Rolling chassis kit consists of a Frame, 2 wheels, the forks, and triple clamps and bars, all build and configured to work together. Add a motor and a transmission and all the major workings of the bike are in place. This setup helps avoid some of the major work needed to mix match and fit these items together. This option also allows for a ton of customization in the parts that people see and the parts that give a bike it\'s personality. For me this is a very serious option to consider. I would only have 1/2 the cost and 1/2 the parts sitting around and gathering dust until I get time to get it together.

Option 3) Find each and every part one at a time and build a completely custom motorcycle. I know I could do this, but I also know I will encounter more unexpected and possibly expensive issues with this type of build. This option would give me a bike that no one would ever duplicate. This could be very good or this could be very bad. What if some possible combination of frame, motor, forks, or wheels didn\'t work together? It would not be discovered until the motorcycle was all together. I think this option is better left to the serious professional who build bike all night long, as the are working on other peoples bikes, and running businesses during the day. I may consider this for my second custom chopper.

Option 4) Take an existing bike and start cutting and changing it. This is maybe as involved as chopping and re-welding the frame to create a new rake and angles. Or it could mean just getting a new frame and using the engine, transmission, and various other part to build a new machine. I like this idea, and I think it would be a lower cost alternative to all new custom parts. With this option you are also able to keep the current registration and title if the frame is not replaced. This is also a lower cost option because a lot of the miscellaneous parts can be reused.

I know that in one page all the possible combinations of Custom Chopper build can\'t be completely explained, I just hope this information give you something to start with and build on. It has help steer me in the direction of a rolling chassis, so I better get shopping.

Ian Parish is an avid motorcyclists and Jeeper. He has been involved with both sports for the past 20 years. He has jumped into building a custom chopper full force and is assembling that parts and the plan, on his website MyChopperBlog.com. Check out the website as I need all the help I can get. He is aslo the owner of RedJeepClub.com

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/motorcycles-articles/building-a-custom-chopper-where-do-you-start-165972.html

About the Author:

Ian Parish is an avid motorcyclists and Jeeper. He has been involved with both sports for the past 20 years. He has jumped into building a custom chopper full force and is assembling that parts and the plan, on his website MyChopperBlog.com. Check out the website as I need all the help I can get.

Buying A Motorcycle FAQ

2007-10-11T11:39:00.001-07:00

Buying A Motorcycle FAQ

Author: Terry Parker

You can also purchase used motorcycles from a dealership, although the price there will likely be much higher than what a private party would charge. Make sure that the dealership drains and replaces the fluids in the motorcycles that it sells, and that they give each bike a check over before sale and replace parts as needed. Honda and Kawasaki bikes are generally the least inexpensive types to purchase used.

If you must buy a new motorcycle, you should know that any reputable motorcycle dealer will generally stock new bikes, and most of these dealers specialize in (Harley Davidson, Buell) or two brands of bikes (like a Yamaha/Suzuki). Also some will have the major Japanese brands) and European bikes on display. Visit a few dealers to learn the types of motorcycles that each one sells, and feel free to examine each bike closely. Dont forget that you must also factor in the cost of maintenance, even though most new bikes do come with limited warranties.

FAQ) What are some different types of motorcycles?

A) There are many different types of motorcycles, each one designed for a different purpose. Here are some of the more common types

Choppers. These types of bikes, made famous via film, have very raked forks, showy chrome, and reclined seats. Choppers are made primarily by Harley Davidson.

Dirt Bikes: Dirt bikes are motorcycles designed for off road riding and as such feature long suspension travel, minimalistic body work and frames, and knobby tires.

Adventure/ Touring Dual Sports Bikes: These rugged dirt bikes are preferred by long distance riders and feature upright postures designed for lengthy rides, as well as lots and lots of suspension travel.

Scooters. these are small motorcycles with engine sizes as little as 50cc and are inspired primarily by Italian made Vespas.

Sport Bikes. These are designed for performance purposes only, and usually require arms forward riding posture, tight handling, and powerful engines.

Trials Bikes. These are specialized completion bikes tailor made for specific trail events, during which motorcycles are maneuvered around off-road or man made obstacles, and riders are penalized in the event that their feet touch the ground.

Regardless of the type of bike you choose, be sure that you select one that you are excited to ride. Many people purchase motorcycles on impulse and ride them only a few times, but by putting good planning and careful thought into your motorcycle purchase, you can make sure that you arent one of them.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/motorcycles-articles/buying-a-motorcycle-faq-193138.html

About the Author:

Terry Parker is an avid motorcycle rider and recommends http://www.SuperSportsRacing.com for all products like Suzuki Bikes