By admin, on September 29th, 2010%
The first thing to do before purchasing a bicycle for any reason is to know what your primary riding is going to be. Most people initially purchase a dual use bike, something that can be ridden on road and off road. Eventually, when the bug bites big it’ll be time to invest in a bike that is all muscle for the mountains.
One of the ways that mountain bikes differ from other bikes is that they have very strong, lightweight frames, multiple gears, powerful breaks and wide tires. A comfort bike, or recreational weekend bike, touring bikes and cruiser bikes are built more for comfort than durability. WIthin the mountain bike category there are several types of bikes available; the cross country bike, the trials bike, the downhill bike and the jumpslalom bike.
Generally the largest percentage of mountain bikes sold are in the cross country, or XC classification. These are good dual purpose bikes. They are lightweight and good for riding over tough terrain, but they are also comfortable for road riding.
Jumpslalom bikes are also good dual purpose bikes. They are very strong and have an excellent front suspension.
Downhill and trial bikes are for serious mountain bikers. The downhill bikes have both front and rear suspension, disc breaks and are very strong. A trial bike is for a very skilled rider. Trail riding itself is a very competitive sport demanding a lot of precision. Most riders of downhill and trail bikes build their bikes from scratch, choosing each component individually.
You will want to do a lot of reading about different types of bikes, and you’ll want to visit many bike shops. A cross country mountain bike can cost between 600 and 800 or more. Some bikers say that your first bike should be the best bike you can possibly afford, even if you think that it’s too much bike for you. If you buy a low-end bike initially and then find you want to change components later it can get costly. Before choosing a bike you will want to ride it. Most dealers allow for a 15 to 20 minute test ride. If you do a test ride make sure you go “off road” if you can, even if it’s over curbs and grass. You want to get a feel for the bike.
By admin, on September 22nd, 2010%
Choppers came into being in the 1960’s and 1970’s. They were the next step in motorcycle evolution after the “bobber”. The bobber came about after American soldiers returned home from World War II. While they remained loyal to the Harley Davidson company, riders that had served oversees just weren’t quite satisfied with the machines the company was producing. These riders remembered the motorcycles they had seen in Europe that were more lightweight and more exciting. Most hade been trained to work on motorcycles and automobiles in the service. They began to get together and talk about improvements.
To make the bike lighter, riders began removing or shortening the fenders. The front fender was usually removed completely, while the back fender was made short enough to just protect the passenger from mud and water thrown up by the rear tire. This is where the term bobber came from. Riders continued to make changes or customizing their bikes and eventually the “chopper” was born. Their original purpose was for dirt track racing.
The term chopper comes from the process of chopping. Riders began chopping off any part they felt was unnecessary. This included windshields, front fenders, big headlights, crash bars and big seats. The standard large footrests were replaced with forward-mounted foot pegs. The fuel tank was made smaller. This made the bike lighter.
Next, riders began raking the front end of their choppers so that the angle of the fork to the ground decreased allowing for an increase in the wheelbase. They also raised the handlebars and called them ape hangers.
Anything that was thought too big or unnecessary was either made smaller or removed. The front tire was made small; the rear tire was made fat. Each rider created the bike he wanted to ride.
As always, as soon as this rage caught on, enterprising individuals began designing and creating custom bikes to sell to other riders so they didn’t have to do the work themselves. Choppers began to be built, not just chopped. While this trend slowed for a few years, it seems to have made a comeback. Custom built choppers created by top designers are greatly prized and sought after.
The Shovelhead FX Super Glide was one such Harley Davidson model to come out of the chopper evolution. Choppers became especially popular after the film Easy Rider, starring Peter Fonda, was released in 1969.
By admin, on September 15th, 2010%
In the last part of the Get To Know Your Mini Moto series, I will explain how further components of the mini moto contribute to this great little machines.
Throttle
The throttle on your new mini moto is a ‘twist grip’ style throttle. When you twist the throttle the throttle cable is pulled back revving the engine. It is important to keep this cable free from obstacles and clean. If the throttle begins to feel ‘loose’ of ‘gives’, the tension of the cable can be adjusted via the adjusting screw.
Brakes
The brake system comprises of brake levers, brake cables, brake calipers and brake discs.
The brakes on your mini moto are operated by levers found on the handle bars. The right hand brake controls the front brake, and the left controls the back brake. Pulling on the handle pulls the brake cable which in turn pulls the lever located on the bake caliper. This action pushes the brake discs towards each other. This creates friction on the brake disc which slows down or stops the bike.
The brakes can be adjusted in the following ways.
The brake cable can be tensioned using the adjustment screw found on the brake lever. Unscrew the locking nut; twist the screw to reach the desired tension. Re screw the locking nut.
This is a two person job. Adjust the screw on the hand brake so that is at the end of its travel. Undo the clamp that holds the brake cable on the lever located on the brake caliper. One person needs to push the lever forward as far as it will, the second person needs to pull back on the brake cable and re fasten the clamp. The crake cable will now be highly tensioned.
Pull Start
To start the mini moto pull slowly to turn the fly wheel. This pumps some fuel around the engine, which lubricates the moving parts. Pull the pull start firmly in order to start the engine. Important, do not pull the cord to the end of its run as it can break. If the mini moto does not start check the choke and the throttle cable.
Choke
The choke controls the amount of air that is allowed into the airfuel mix. The choke is adjusted via a lever located on the side and back of the engine. The choke is off when the lever is down, and on when the lever is up. When you start the mini moto the choke should be on, when the mini moto is warm and ready to ride the choke needs to be off.
Carburetor
It is recommended that any adjustments to the carburetor are made by a professional. The carburetor pumps and mixes the fuel and air. The small diaphragms, orifices and ports mix the air and fuel very precisely, this process demands clean fresh fuel.
Jet
The jet can be adjusted by the screw located in the access hole to the right of the choke lever. The jet is adjusted by the manufacture however the conditions of where you wish to ride may be different, which means that you will need to make adjustments. Turning the screw clockwise will make the bike run with a leaner mixture, and counter clockwise will richen the mixture. Only adjust the screw 1 tern at a time and then test the mini moto, this is trail and error. Please note that it is best to find the optimum setting for performance and then run a slightly richer mixture as a mix that is too lean can seize the engine.
By admin, on September 8th, 2010%
The second part of Get To Know Your Mini Moto will delve further into the many components that contribute to a mini moto, namely the clutch and spark plug, and explain how each plays its part in these remarkable machines.
Clutch
The mini moto uses a centrifugal clutch to power the drive the sprocket, which in turn drives the back wheel of your mini moto.
When you start your mini moto the clutch spins as the engine ticks over. The clutch is engaged when you pull back on the throttle. The increase in speed of revolution of the clutch makes the clutch expand and grip the inside of the clutch bell which turns the sprocket that drives the back wheel of your pocket bike.
The clutch can be set up in different ways depending on the type of performance that you want from your minimoto. Adjustable clutches are not standard on mini moto’s but an after market Polani or Blata style adjustable clutch can be used in your new mini moto. These allow the rider to adjust the mini moto’s set up in according to their preference. Setting the clutch to engage too late when the engine has built up too much power may cause the clutch to slip and never fully engage. This can result in excessive wearing. However setting the clutch to engage too early, before the power has built up in the engine can cause your pocket bike to ‘bog down’, resulting in slow acceleration. The perfect set up is to get the clutch to engage just as the engine has built enough power to rocket the mini moto away, but without making the clutch slip, this is achievable through trial and error.
Spark Plug
Making sure that your spark plug is fresh is important in a two stroke mini moto engine. You can tell a lot from the color of the spark plug. The top part of your spark plug is covered in ceramic insulator which, when brand new is white. This part of the spark plug can change color according to how your engine is running. The plug should appear as a nice tan color when the engine is running perfectly, this indicates complete combustion. A grayish or white color indicates that the engine is running too lean which can result in engine damage. In this case you should clean and check your fuel system for any obstruction, check your fuel mixture, check for loose intake manifold bolts and carburetor mounting leeks, faulty gaskets and leaking crank seals. Anywhere that your engine could potentially leek and suck in fresh air can be the source of a lean condition.
A blackened or oily spark plug indicates improper combustion and is the result of running too rich. This can be caused by too much oil in the mixture or the spark plug could be faulty and misfiring. Check the fuel mixture and replace the spark plug.
By admin, on September 1st, 2010%
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.
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