Category Archives: Motorcycle

Motorcycle Repair: Four Common Bike Problems That Need Fixing

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For bikers, motorcycle repair is an essential aspect of owning a hog. Your machine is constantly exposed to the elements and undergoes a lot of wear and tear that has to be kept in check. In order to enjoy every ride and extend the life of your vehicle, it helps to have a good working knowledge of its parts and operation, as well as a thorough understanding of common problems you might encounter.

Let’s look at four common issues your motorcycle may have that require professional repair jobs.

1. Fuel Contamination

If a bike sits unused with fuel in the tank, that fuel can become contaminated and prevent the machine from starting. The gas goes stale and clogs the fuel system. If you plan to retire your vehicle for the winter, buy a fuel additive solution that can prevent the gas from expiring and clogging the engine. When this doesn’t work, bring the bike to a motorcycle repair center to clear away fuel contamination and get the motor running again.

2. Blown, Punctured, or Worn Out Tires

New bikes tend to come with fairly low-grade tires. Even though these tires are functional, they wear out fairly quickly and are more susceptible to blowouts. When you buy a new hog, plan to upgrade your tires in order to prevent trouble out on the road. Aside from that, have a mechanic replace your tires every couple years, or according to the schedule recommended by your service manual. When you do experience blowouts or tire punctures, trust a professional to replace the damaged tire rather than doing it yourself. He or she will know how to fit the tire on the wheel to ensure the highest possible performance and prevent further issues.

3. Poorly Lubricated Chains

Your motorcycle’s drive train consists of a chain, which, powered by energy from the motor, forces the rear tire to spin. Don’t neglect your chain. It’s crucial to your bike’s performance. A poorly oiled chain can break or slip, causing a skid and putting riders at risk of a serious accident. This is why you need to regularly check and oil the bike’s chain. Your service manual should tell you what kind of chain grease works best for your model, but you should also ask your mechanic about the most industry-trusted greases.

4. General Uncleanliness

Regular riding causes debris to collect on your bike’s interior and exterior. Too much gunk and grime can slow you down, and can even lead to serious mechanical problems if left unchecked. Bring your hog in for regularly scheduled maintenance or diagnostic tests in order to detect these issues, clean out soiled parts, and prevent serious trouble.

The best way to prevent problems before they happen is to be your own mechanic, at least in spirit. Knowing and understanding the mechanics of your vehicle will allow you to maintain it and keep it performing at its highest level. But when it comes time to make a motorcycle repair, professional mechanics have the tools and know-how needed to disassemble and reassemble your vehicle, make clean fixes, and get you back on the road.

The Top Three Reasons to Buy Or Sell a Motorcycle Online

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There is a saying in the boating crowd that goes something like this, the two happiest days in my life were the day I bought my boat and the day I sold my boat. That saying does not hold true when it comes to motorcycles. We love our bikes. Some of us love them so much that we buy and own several at a time. I still have regrets about selling some of the bikes I have owned. In fact, I have regrets about selling most of them. When the time comes to buy or sell a motorcycle, online ads have surpassed the old fashioned ways of newspaper ads and visiting a dealer. Let’s explore the top three reasons for that.

1.   Buying or selling a motorcycle online is more proactive. There are almost unlimited resources for classified ads online. You can decide what you want to buy and know within fifteen minutes how much should pay for a particular bike and where to find the closest one. If you are selling, you can list your bike in hundreds of places for free and begin to get responses immediately. Craigslist is the most popular place and is extremely user friendly. eBay is also extremely popular but since I have no experience I cannot comment on it’s ease of use. If you want to go beyond the big two, simply use Google to search for other online classified advertising sites. 

2.   Whether you are buying or selling, you want to get the best price you can.  By spending some time researching, you can easily determine the value of any motorcycle. Archimedes wrote extensively about leverage in the scientific realm. It also has applications in many areas of our daily existence. When I am buying or selling a motorcycle I can use my knowledge of value to strike the best deal. That is true leverage.  

3. The third reason to use the internet to buy or sell a motorcycle is because it is so much fun. Every time I look for information about a specific motorcycle, I get pulled in wondrous directions. I used to own a 1979 Honda CBX. I sold it 8 years ago and still regret it. I can jump online and find a half dozen of them and fantasize about owning and riding one again. You can research to your heart’s content and never leave your home.

I have been buying and selling motorcycles since 1967. It has never been easier or more fun. It used to be somewhat of a chore running around looking at bikes and waiting until the bike you want shows up in the condition and in the price range you think is right. Now you just do a little research and the bike you want will magically appear.