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Pre-ride Motorcycle Safety Checks Are Important

It is funny how bikers will select just the right motorcycle helmet, motorcycle chaps or motorcycle jacket to protect their head, skin and feet before they ever think about getting on a motorbike. Nevertheless, they will just hope on their bike with out a thought of doing a pre-ride safety check.

Pre-ride motorbike safety checks are important. They insure that you make it to where you are going and back again safely and help prevent brake downs.

Over the years, I have heard horror stories about terrible motorcycle accidents because of a blown tire or a brake or suspension malfunction. Fortunately, this has never happened to anybody that I know.

On the other hand, my wife did have a break down one day because we didn’t give the bikes a good once over before we went for a long ride .

My wife Sherry rides what a lot of women motorcyclist are riding these days, a Harley Sportster 883 Low and I ride a Honda VTX1300R. Sherry didn’t like the feel of the center controls so we had forward control’s put on her motorcycle . She loved the way her Harley rode after we added the forward controls.

All was good, so one warm Sunday morning we decided to go for a motorbike ride in the country. It was a beautiful day and the ride was great . We had ridden the back roads for about 90 miles or so and then decided to head back home for lunch .

The shortest way home was to take the freeway .

As we turned down the ramp towards home it was a good thing I looked in my rear view mirror because my wife was stopped buy the side of the freeway onramp flashing her high beams like crazy .

I stopped, parked my VTX, and walked back to her to see what had happend .

As it turned out, the linkage that connects the foot shifter, to the transfer case had fallen off and Sherry had no way of riding her motorcycle .

This was a serious problem. We were ninety miles in the middle of nowhere, we didn’t want to leave a brand new Harley Davidson sitting on the side of the road and I could not leave my wife there alone sitting on her Harley while I went to try and find linkage. Although that would have been impossible because it was Sunday and none of the motorcycle shops are open on Sunday where we live.

Not all was lost though. I asked Sherry if she remembered the last time she had changed gears . She told me she had changed gears just before we turned onto the on ramp of the highway . Therefore, I went on a quest up the ramp to see if I could find the linkage and the two bolts that held the linkage in place.

“Awesome!” About half way up the ramp, I found the linkage. I was almost home. I still needed to find the two bolts that fastened the linkage on to the sportster so Sherry could shift and we could continue our ride home.

I went up one side of the highway onramp and down the other looking for the ever so elusive linkage bolts. Frustration was setting in, as I looked and I looked again for those bolts.

It didn’t help matters that two half drunk rednecks in an old 1953 faded red colored flat bed truck had stopped by Sherry and started to bother her. I think they thought better of it when Sherry told them to go do something with themselves that I am sure neither one of them had done with a women in years and they saw me walking up the ramp scowling. They drove off gesturing, I guess they though that we were number one or something.

Back to the problem at hand, I had the linkage but no bolts to put it on with . I had my motorcycle, however, it is a metric bike and Sherry’s sportster is good old American standard.

If you know anything about metric and standard bolts, they do not fit. The threads will not match up. Anyway , that didn’t stop me. I found out that the seat bolts on my VTX are just about the same size as the bolts that hold the shifter linkage for the forward controls on a Harley Davidson. The difference is the thread pattern is a bit larger. They did fit just enough though; I just didn’t crank them in.

After my discovery, it did not take long and we were back on the road heading home.

I guess the reason for this story is not to take doing a pre ride check for granted.

You would have thought that having work done on your new motorcycle by a certified Harley dealer would insure that the work would be done correctly . Well as it turned out, the mechanic that switched the controls on Sherry’s motorcycle didn’t put lock tight on the linkage bolts and after a few months of riding the bolts vibrated out.

Could the problem have been eliminated if the mechanic had changed the linkage correctly? Of course , it could have. However, it could have also been eliminated if we had taken the time and done a pre ride check.

We were fortunate that it was just a linkage that failed and not something that could have caused injury or death.

For your safety and others that might ride with you, take the extra time and do a pre ride safety check. It will save your life some day.

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Posted on July 13, 2010 by , Reply

BMW K1600 announced – video

German manufacturer BMW has today released the first information on its future touring models equipped with new high-tech six-cylinder in-line, K 1600 GT and K  1600 GTL.

Both models will be true showcases new technology and are powered by 6 cylinder engine 1.600cmc line, only this kind of market that will develop 160 hp at 7500 rpm and 175 Nm of torque huge at 5,000 rpm, 70 % of which is available from 1,500 rpm. The new engine benefits from the huge experience in the construction of the German manufacturer of engines with six cylinders in line engines that have made a great reputation due to great refinement and dynamic behavior.

 

K 1600 GT will be a touring model, as a concept similar to the current K 1300 GT, very comfortable and well equipped technologically and settings but with a slightly more sporty position than GTL model that still offers a high comfort level for long trips . 1600GT will have many features as standard such as xenon (HID), sleeves and heated board computer and cruise control.
K 1600 TWG will be touring the new high end BMW’s touring version of Super GT, with a more relaxing driving position designed to compete with the model of GL 1800 Goldwing Japanese manufacturer Honda. Scaritele are lowered and positioned forward, the handlebars is more elongated toward the pilot and passengers will also enjoy a very comfortable position, the standard Topcem taking place backrest. Standard will also include xenon headlights (HID), sleeves and heating, cruise control, trip computer, audio system and more.
In both models will come standard: three selectable injection maps (Rain, Road, Dynamic), BMW Integral ABS, ride-by-wire chassis and suspension Duolever Paralever, Multi-controller board and TFT.
The list will find optional: traction control system, ESA II electronically adjustable suspension and adaptive headlights (see video below), for the first time on a motorcycle. They have an electronic system that will adjust the beam of light depending on the angle of inclination and better illumination in turns.
Release date is still unknown but it is expected that new models make their first appearance at the EICMA Show in Milan, in the autumn.

 

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Posted on July 9, 2010 by , Reply

Extended Drain Intervals in your car to save money

 

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Recently FORD came out with new press releases dismissing the validity of changing oil every 3,000 miles. We’ve all5W-20DominatorRacingOil heard the saying “Change your oil every 3,000 miles.” If you hear it enough you start to believe it; that is what ads do. If you are using the same oil as your grandpa, you should be changing it but today we have better alternatives. Lubrication technology has experienced the same advances as cars, motorcycles, and other technology. Synthetic oil is becoming more and more popular, with many high performance cars coming from the factory with synthetic oils installed when new. Some cars that are delivered with synthetics include; Acura RDX, Aston Martin, Bentley, Cadillac, Corvette, Mercedes AMG, Mercedes SLR, Mitsubishi Evolution, Solstice GXP, Porsche, Saturn Red Line, Dodge Viper, and more. Educate yourself and you’ll learn that Amsoil  synthetic oil beat all others in testing. Many manufacturers are also promoting extended drain intervals, something Amsoil has been advocating for decades.

Most European manufacturers suggest 9,000 mile drain intervals and are considering doubling it. Big Oil is the main remaining supporter of 3,000 mile oil changes; it helps them sell more oil. Unnecessary oil changes use 300-400 million gallons of oil annually, and over 1.5 billion dollars annually in U.S. consumer costs. There is also environmental impact; all that old oil has to go somewhere The solution? Use a quality synthetic oil like  Amsoil and extended drain intervals of 7,500, 25,000, or 35,000 miles as recommended by Amsoil. This will reduce your oil changes from 4-5 per year to 1-2 per year. The 3000-mile oil change is a conservative approach to maintaining your vehicle that, according to General Motors, dates back to 1968. It’s also an oil change interval that the automotive oil change industry and quick lube shops continue to encourage because it helps them sell more oil. Automobile manufacturers cite modern oil and engine technology as the reasons why oil change intervals can be extended. Some of these reasons include better oil filters, better air filters, and the availability of oil analysis to offer the benefit of the extended drain intervals.

Understanding the Oil Life Monitoring System

Many new cars also have a oil life monitoring system. This does not really monitor the oil at all, it simply times how long the engine has been running and calculates suggestions for oil changes. There is no actual oil condition sensor. No chemical analysis of the oil takes place. In fact, you could drain the oil and replace it with any fluid and the oil change monitor would have no way of knowing it. Additionally, the oil life monitor does not check how well your oil filter is filtering the oil in your system. Contaminated oil is just as, if not more, harmful than oxidized motor oil. The bottom line is that an oil life monitor is a useful tool that should be used in conjunction with common sense and good judgment. Whether or not you have an oil change monitor, if your car is still under warranty, continue to follow the car manufacturer’s recommended oil change intervals. Face it, the auto dealers also want to train you to bring your car back to them on a regular basis so they can continue to upsell you more products. Extend Your Oil Changes by Upgrading to Amsoil Synthetic Oil Synthetic oil does not impact any car warranty and you are free to pursue extended drain intervals if you want to enjoy the convenience of fewer oil changes. You can extend your oil change intervals by upgrading to synthetic oil. This will reduce the number of oil changes saving you time and money, and reducing the amount of oil purchased and disposed. There are a number of quality Amsoil products available to choose from. Most lubricant manufacturers will give a recommended number of miles you can drive between oil changes under normal conditions. The number of miles you can allow between oil changes will depend on the way you drive and the oxidation stability (useful oil life) of the motor oil.

Upgrade Your Oil Filter with Your Upgraded Oil

EaO

If you elect to upgrade your motor oil, you should also upgrade your oil filter. Low quality filters are often made with the 3,000 mile interval in mind and may go into ‘bypass’ mode shortly thereafter. Amsoil carries a complete line of filters that include the original AMSOIL EaO Filters that are guaranteed for 25,000 miles or one year, whichever comes first, when used in conjunction with AMSOIL synthetic motor oil in normal service. Amsoil also carries MANN filters (cheaper than BMW) and Donaldson filters.

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Posted on July 7, 2010 by , Reply

Aftermarket Porsche Boxter Body Kit

The Porsche Boxster was introduced to the market in the late 1990s and brought with it a new era of more reasonably priced Porsche convertible cars. It soon featured amongst the best selling cars in the luxury roadster class thanks to its meticulously balanced mid-engine layout, smooth handling and steering and an engine which was a tested and consistent in delivering good performances, amongst other things. It seamlessly fit into the Porsche image of great cars with a respectable reputation. The Porsche Boxster sport brings style, power, grace, and a ride that is not only smooth but easily handled.

Even though there is an array of big companies vying to bite into the Boxster market, the car is able to maintain its niche because of its brilliant overall performance. The company makes sure that the car is up to date with the latest technological evolutions that have taken place over time by introducing upgraded versions of the car with attention to the minutest of details. This gives it an edge over its rivals.

It is a strong, purposeful sports car whose designing intended it to be used for hard and fast driving. It might sometimes demand the driver’s full attention but is equally rewarding in the experience which is nothing short of exhilarating with sharp feedback and control. The Boxster is styled very polished but after more than a decade in production, the car has proved to be more than just a looker. To make your car personalized you can use the Porsche Boxster body kits. Body kits are basically components which are used to modify the car’s exterior. This helps you to reflect your own style and personality in the car by making changes to it. This can be done by choosing a different color other than the ones already made available by the manufacturers and also by adding external features such as front grills, spoilers and side skirting, to name a few.

Body kits are a very affordable and easy way of rejuvenating your car and restoring the pride you once had in owning it. Some specialized body kits can also be used to improve the performance of your car. The Porsche Boxster body kits are available in a wide range of options so that you do not have to settle for anything less than what you want. They are also very reasonably priced. You can transform the mass produced image of the car and make it something completely different and unique just like you. More elaborate makeovers can also be made like changing the seating arrangement or increasing the length or height of the car. The latter are enhancements left for the more professionals.

Author: Bill V. of Affordable Automotive Equipment, Inc. – Sale of car lifts and motorcycle lifts.

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Posted on July 7, 2010 by , 2 comments

4 Great Ways To Find Customers For Your Moving Truck Business

A moving truck business is one of the most profitable types of trucking business. Aside from the fact that people are moving all the time, there are also always lots of things to move—from furniture to electrical appliances to even loads of food and beverages. It is not a surprise that many people who enter the trucking industry prefer this specific type of trade.

If you are in this kind of business and you have around 5 to 10 trucks you wish to expand, here are four great ways on how to find more customers for your business that will help it grow in no time.

Great Way # 1 – Advertise the Traditional Way
The first thing you need to do to get customers for your company is of course, to let people know you exist! Raising awareness about your company is surely the first crucial step in this endeavor. And one of the best ways to do that is through traditional advertisement.

A press release regarding your company’s expansion published in the local newspaper will certainly start making waves. Then you can work on to have fliers, brochures, calling cards, and posters distributed to your target audience to let people know about your business. And if you’re willing to spend more (and reap more in return), it would also be a great idea to advertise with radio stations, yellow page advertisings, and even ads on billboards.

All of these tactics would surely bring more customers to your doorstep. The power of advertising is truly immeasurable to businesses.

Great Way # 2 – Advertise Online
Another fantastic way to advertise your moving truck business is via the online route. Not only is this technique high-tech, it also costs considerably less. First, you need to put up a professional website that would inform people about your company, services, rates, special offers, contact information, and so on.

But it does not end here, you also need to drive traffic to your site to ensure that people are coming to your site. How do you do this? This is where SEO comes in. SEO, which stands for Search Engine Optimization can help boost your company’s website and drive traffic to it.

For one, you can hire SEO writers to create SEO optimized articles to be distributed all over the Internet that will link back to your website. Now, if this is too much work for you or you decide you are not Internet-savvy at all, you can still take advantage of the online world by posting free advertisements on online classified ads. Yes, many people now use this to search for moving truck rentals.

Great Way # 3 – Expand your Network
Just like with any business, you can get more customers simply by expanding your network. How do you do this? A conversation with a client would go a long way. Be sure to establish good working relations with your customers. You can also further expand your network by joining communities and organizations on trucking businesses.

Great Way # 4 – Use Marketing Strategies
Marketing strategies would not only keep your current customers happy but also attract new customers. For example, you can offer discounts on current customers with increased freight loads or new customers trying your business for the first time.

You can also give away items that have your company’s name or logo on it such as t-shirts, coffee mugs, pencils, bags, and many others. Just make sure that the items you choose are everyday items that customers are likely to use, as this would give more exposure to your company. Printing your logo on a figurine does not make any sense, as this would only accumulate dust in the corner of your customer’s living room.

A moving truck business can surely be rewarding for you, especially in terms of the profits. However, you should not just sit back and relax, you should always be on the lookout for new customers to further grow and expand your business.

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Posted on July 7, 2010 by , Reply
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