Motoriding

Archive for July, 2010

Winter Motorcycle Storage Tips

It’s that time of year again the nights are drawing in the roads are covered with wet leaves and you’re starting to think a canoe would be more practical than a motorcycle right now. It may only be the start of winter but we’ve already had floods and our first snow. As reluctant as you may be to admit it it’s probably time to put the motorcycle into hibernation for the winter.

However before you shut it away in the garage for the next few months it may be worth taking a little time just making sure its comfy and more importantly going to be goodtogo as soon as the weather picks up. Here are just a few simple tips to ensure that your motorcycle will be ready to go the second you are.

First up take it for one last ride. Any niggling noises you’ve been ignoring or anything that doesnt feel right should be addressed now. Once the motorcycle is warmed up any condensation from the exhaust will evaporate too. On your way back top up the fuel tank. Half empty tanks are a great place for moisture to build up which coupled with any exposed metal could damage your bike. Once you’re back home top the engine up with some fuel stabilizer and run the motorcycle for a few minutes to allow it to work its way round even if your motorcycle doesnt have carburettors a fuel stabilizer will stop any compounds from the fuel tank breaking up and damaging your engine.

Changing the oil and filter is very important too; any acid compounds developed by the oil will need to be flushed out. As this oil will need to be drained before you next ride it doesnt need to be the most expensive oil on the market. Submerging some of the more sensitive parts of your motorcycle like the bearings in oil will help prevent corrosion. Remember that any excess oil has to be drained before starting the engine as too much oil can damage the engine just as much as too little oil. You will also need to top up the antifreeze. If you’re able; drain the float plugs. Alternatively if a stabilizer is added to the fuel and run through the system this should work just as well. Before you put your motorcycle into storage you will also need to lube the chain if left; the chain can corrode and rust. Remember to keep any lubricants away from the breaks or tyres assuming you want to stop without the aid of a tree next time you try to break. Any other exposed metal is going to need some WD40 to prevent any rust and corrosion.

It may sound obvious but give the bike a good clean. This will enable you to notice anything out of the ordinary as well as removing any dirt or grime which could damage the motorcycle over the winter months just remember not to put it away whilst it’s still wet. If there’s anything worth repairing or maintaining this is a great time to get it out of the way so that in the spring the motorcycle will be ready to go as soon as the weather permits. Chances are with most motorcycles these days everything will be ok but your motorcycle maybe close to a valve adjustment or something similar and now is a great time to get that done.

Next you’ll have to remove the battery especially if your motorcycle is going to be left to brave the elements outside all winter. Batteries contain water which can freeze and expand this can cause the battery to crack and once it melts it can then leak. If you can leave your battery hooked up to a small charge for the winter. A battery tender will give it just the charge it needs without letting it over charge. If you leave your battery alone to stand in your bike all winter you’ll have trouble even getting to the shop to buy a new one!

All that’s left now is to find somewhere nice and dry to store you motorcycle. Ideally your bike would prefer to be left in a garage but if that’s not possible try and make sure it’s covered. It is worth bearing in mind though if its left with a cover outside condensation could build up and you’ll have a very impressive pile of rust to take on your first ride out in the spring. If you’re going to have to leave your motorcycle outside make sure it’s secure and preferably out of sight. Nothing says challenge like an unattended motorcycle with nothing more than a glorified keychain round it. If you can leave your motorcycle on a stand as this will take any weight from the suspension.

Well that’s it time to relegate yourself to the car for the next few months. Next time you’re at a loose end on a bright clear Sunday afternoon refrain yourself from taking your bike for a quick mid winter spin you’ll only end up creating condensation in the engine instead get on with a bit of routine maintenance.

About the writer:nbsp;nbsp;http://www.racelubricants.co.uk/prodtype.asp?strParents=CAT_ID=91numRecordPosition=1

Race Lubricants is a great online shop which stocks every lubricant you could possibly need to keep your engine in peak condition. All their prices are very competitive and they’ll even give discounts to clubs. As well as their extensive range they also offer free technical advice to anyone who needs it. So if you’re not quite sure what product will be best for your machine just ask and they’ll give you helpful and impartial advice.
www.racelubricants.co.uk

Wintering Your Motorcycle

Motorcycles are great summer and fair weather transportation ways to get around. They are usually quite fast and save more than a little on gas when compared to driving a car. When the weather changes however and the street surfaces are no longer dry and clear wintering your motorcycle in self storage is an excellent way to keep it safe clean and protected from the winter elements.

In many starts winter comes every year. During the winter temperatures drop sometimes to below freezing and are a hazard just to be out in if you are not dressed properly. When winter comes the grounds are often covered with snow and ice conditions that make it impossible to ride a motorcycle safely. This means that for the most part motorcycles cannot be driven in the winter in climates where snow and other road conditions make the roads a danger to motorcycles.

If you life in a state where winter is significantly different that summer spring and fall and you own a motorcycle you have a definite need to store your bike every year to protect it. Self storage may be the best option for storing your motorcycle. Many self storage facilities offer drive up units so that you can drive your bike right to the unit if you need and back it straight into the unit. These facilities understand the special needs of motorcyclists and usually have drive up units that are sized to hold your motorcycle and little more. In exchange for the smaller unit you can be sure that your rental price will not be as costly as if you had to rent an entire large storage unit.

Another option for self storage is if you belong to a biker’s club. One of the benefits may be that in exchange for paying annual dues there is a place such as a warehouse where all of the bikers can store their motorcycles for the year. This is an excellent option to choose if you want to have access to your bike indoors for winter repairs. Some warehouses that are large enough may even allow you to ride your motorcycle indoors at safe slower speeds.

Although you may have a garage it doesn’t mean there’s space in there for your car. Even a larger garage can be needed for other things and vehicles that you use during the winter. This means that self storage can be a wise choice to get your motorcycle off the street and into a dry unit that will keep it protected from the elements until the winter season has passed.

Wintering your motorcycle in self storage involves a few basic steps if you plan to leave it sitting for several months without running it. You should have an oil change done and be sure that the appropriate oil is replaced in the engine. Even though you are not going to be driving it the wrong type of oil sitting in the engine without use all winter can be hazardous in the engine’s internal cylinders.

Even when you have a great place to store your motorcycle for the winter you should be sure to have a way to cover it such as with a heavy duty motorcycle cover or a tarp. The motorcycle covered is the preferred way because it will be designed specifically for a motorcycle and will not scratch the painted surfaces where pin striping and other items may be on the top layer.

You can check with auto garages as a place to winter your motor cycle. Some of these self storage garages do require you to pay your entire winter fee in advance. If so it is sometimes because you will be storing your motorcycle in an elevated area that is not conducive to being moved or is stored behind other vehicles or motorcycles and cannot be moved. If you decide to use a garage they are safe places but you need to be sure that you won’t need to move your motorcycle or have access to it during the winter storage period because changes are you wont be able to do anything more than look at it where it stands.

No matter what type of self storage you choose for your motorcycle give yourself the peace of mind by selecting a self storage facility that you trust that has a reputation of keeping things organized that you can afford and where your motorcycle will be stored safely.

About the writer:nbsp;nbsp;Simply Self Storage What Could be Easier than Simply?
Simply Self Storage is the largest privately owned self storage company in the United States and Puerto Rico. We own and/or operate over 228 facilities with over 16.1 million square feet of storage space.

Why To Use An Electric Bicycle?

It is sometimes very hard to drive your car to the nearby market place and hunt for a parking space to get a small thing like a milk bottle or say a bread packet. Instead you or your son/daughter could go by the electric bicycle and get such thing and come back within less than the time it would take you to return home by your car. The electric bicycle can be used for local errands instead of using your car for which. Some people even use electric bicycle to go to work and the students enjoying riding to the college to the tennis court. You and your children can even go for a joy ride around town or parks.

An electric bicycle can really do most of your trips as well as or even faster than your car. If you calculate the cost of the fuel and time you spend doing small errands on daily basis except going on long drive for a picnic during the weekends you will surely come to the conclusion that the electric bicycles are cheaper convenient reliable and faster than your car because the electric bicycles requires less space to store and can pass through between two parallel cars during the traffic jams. Moreover it runs on a battery which has to be charged after about 6070 kms. You may get a used car for 500 to 1000 but then your would need regular checkup oil changing and regular service. Whereas the electric bicycles would cost you for less than the six months amount you spend on the maintenance of your car. There is either no or very less maintenance cost of 5 worth of electricity a year for the electric bicycle.

Electric bicycles are the best options for your car bus or train ride for all those shorter distance commutes. Normally an electric bicycles travel at around 2530 kmph which is much better than walking and traveling by car in bumper to bumper moving traffic. The electric bicycles are now available worldwide through the internet. You can visit the website www.bernsonev.com where you can find the details of electric bicycles. Also you can check various designs styles and colours and buy one from Bernsonev E.V. remaining at home and get the home delivery of the electric bicycle.

About the writer:nbsp;nbsp;Economical Quiet Clean Green and No Gasoline. Electric Bikes And Scooters at Bernson EV

Bernson EV Electric Vehicles has been in the business of selling and repairing Electric Bikes and Electric Scooters since 2001. Our primary focus is offering the best selection of Electric Bicycles Electric Scooters and Electric Conversion Kits from Crystalite and Wilderness Energy. With customer satisfaction second to none. Authorized Reseller of Electric Bikes Scooters and Conversion Kits.