Archive for ATBs, MTBs, etc.

04.03.09

Motorcycle Towing

Posted in ATBs, MTBs, etc. at 2:12 pm by admin

There is a common misconception that towing a trailer by motorcycle is a self-defeating and pointless pursuit. After all, a motorcycle is not a “beast of burden,” and how much can one really pull behind a two-wheeler? That may have been true in the past - in these days of aerodynamically and space-optimized trailers, motorcycle camping has become a popular diversion.

When properly chosen and attached, motorcycle trailers can be towed with the greatest of ease and few complications. Many people even tow small canoes all across the country with their motorcycles. The secret lies in lightweight, highly maneuverable, yet sturdy trailers. An open cargo trailer can be used to transport almost anything under the sun. And, while customized motorcycle camping trailers are available, most enthusiasts prefer the open cargo kind for its versatility.

It takes approximately forty-five minutes to install a hitch under the rear fender of a motorcycle. The hitch and trailer should be so designed as not to interfere with a pillion rider’s comfort or the driver’s ability to handle the bike. In most cases (and especially when one is just beginning to learn the ropes of motorcycle towing), it is advisable to go camping with a buddy. This not only provides an extra pair of hands in case of mechanical trouble but also extra stability on the road.

A diametrically opposite variant of motorcycle towing is where motorcycles themselves have to be transported over large distances, such as from the manufacturing plant to retail outlets. This is usually done with flatbed transporters and is a rather specialized operation, since the motorcycles in question are usually brand new. Motorcycle towing companies are usually heavily insured against transport mishaps. Individual motorcycles also tend to get stranded on highways, in which case towing units are usually available just as they are for other vehicles.

Towing provides detailed information on Towing, Car Towing, Trailer Towing, Truck Towing and more. Towing is affiliated with Windshield Repair Experts.

Building a Bike from a Custom Motorcycle Kit

Posted in ATBs, MTBs, etc. at 6:51 am by admin

For many, off the shelf bikes just won’t cut it and a custom bike is the only way to go. For years, the idea of having a custom bike was out of the range of most budgets and most custom motorcycle kits were poor quality. However with the rise in interest in customized choppers, the custom motor cycle kit has become a great option for those who won’t settle for any thing but a custom bike but either can’t afford a Jessie James or desire a more intimate connection with their bike.

Choosing the overall style
The chassis is what truly sets the overall style of the bike. When searching for a custom motorcycle kit, focus on the shape and design of the chassis to find one that fits your style. Try not to let the paint designs on the photos sway your decision on chassis style as the paint can be completely customized later.

Customizing details
With a custom bike kit you don’t need to settle for a mass-produced shelf option, you can build a chopper that is completely unique to any other bike. There are literally thousands of nuts and bolts and hoses and tubes that come with a custom bike kit, giving you the very important base design of the bike. Items like mirrors, foot pegs, gas caps, etc can be purchased individually to create a completely custom flair.

Weighing the cost
The cost of a motorcycle can be valued in dollars or time. For some people, money is less of a problem than time and others have the opposite dilemma. Still others may have the funds to purchase a customized bike from a bike builder, but would rather build their machine themselves for the experience and to understand every aspect of its design and inner workings.

Repair and maintenance
Because you’ll have an intimate knowledge of the bike’s design and function with a customized motorcycle kit, future repair and maintenance won’t be a costly issue. When something isn’t working correctly, you’ll know how to troubleshoot the problem and if something needs to be replaced, you’ll know exactly how to do it. When you build your chopper from the ground up with a custom motorcycle kit, there is no need to depend on any costly repair shop.

Today, custom built motorcycles reign supreme on the road. A custom motorcycle kit is the perfect way to get all of the essentials you need to build your bike and then customize it with a slick paint job and unique chrome accessories. Unless you’ve got more money than time and aren’t interested in the craft of bike building, a custom motorcycle kit is the way to go for building a custom bike.

Author is a small business internet marketing consultant and the cofounder of nGenuity Solutions.

For additional information on parts for a custom motorcycle kit, please visit http://www.JirehCycles.com

03.09.09

Why the Ugliness of Cycling Shorts is Surpassed Only by Their Importance

Posted in ATBs, MTBs, etc. at 11:17 am by admin

Non-riders have a tendency to laugh at the shiny, often gaudy cycling clothes worn by even casual bicyclists, but if they rode even a few miles, they would understand that cycling shorts are second only to a helmet in crucial importance to the rider. Cycling shorts may not be made for fashion, but they provide a critical element of comfort to any kind of bicycling effort.

The first cycling shorts were nearly more work than worth. Made of wool, with a leather chamois stitched for padding in the crotch of each pair, they were hot and they were nearly impossible to launder. The wool took forever to dry, and the leather became so stiff it often hurt more than it helped. Today’s cycling shorts are as far from these old models as our laptops are from main frames. They weigh next to nothing, they dry in no time, and their padding stays soft and supple, just as it’s supposed to be. With or without straps (the so-called “bib” style), a pair of cycling shorts is essential for any bike rider.

Really, the only thing today’s cycling shorts have in common with their ancestors is their style. With the exception of some of the models made for mountain biking, cycling shorts are still long enough to cover most of the rider’s thigh and basic black is still the predominant color. However, any ride through a town with a sizable population of road riders will also reveal what passes for fashion sense among bicyclists: the basic black cycling short is now frequently festooned with so many advertisements for events and products and companies in the most garish colors on the spectrum that the black is all but unseen! For some reason, road riders seem to thrive on clashing colors and excessive advertising. And the more devoted a cyclist you observe, the more logos and screaming slogans you are likely to observe!

Still, there is a real reason to wear cycling shorts, no matter what they look like: their padding. It, especially if combined with a good bicycle seat, will vastly increase your comfort level as a rider. It, rather than a particularly delicate area of your anatomy, will absorb a lot of the shock of bike riding. Cycling shorts are made as they are for good reason. They absorb shock, let perspiration evaporate, and keep you aerodynamic on your bike. Being aerodynamic matters to speed, of course, but also to safety. Loose fitting clothing can get stuck in a bicycle’s moving parts as well as making your form more resistant to any wind you encounter.

Find further information on cycling shorts at http://www.bike-cycling-reviews.com, your online resource on road and mountain biking reviews, the hub of cycling information.