Customizing Baja Minibikes

Easily customized bikes is a hot deal for enthusiasts of "choppers" or bikes that have been optimized for performance. That is why many bike manufacturers make it a point to design models that are exclusively customizable. Makers of the more famous brands of bikes, minibikes, have even gone the extra mile to create customizable models. But it is well-known that Baja minibikes are not among them.

Customizing Baja Minibikes

Customizing Baja Minibikes

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Customizing Baja Minibikes

Customizing Baja Minibikes

It is not easy to customize Baja minibikes, given that they are specially designed for off-road and trail use. As such, they are endowed with large Tires and huge, clunky engines. This makes them difficult to style for looks and speed.

However, "difficult" does not mean "impossible"! Certain parts of Baja mini bikes are already easy to customize, such as the lamps, which canbe changed into fog lights, for easier traveling at night. There is also the saddle, which can be modified, but already usually comes straight from the factory with the intent of maximizing comfort while riding. Baja pocket bike saddles are already wider and larger than those found in other small-scale bikes.

These are much too basic, however, for the real chopper enthusiasts-what one really wants to change is the engine, perhaps to add more power to the machine, or simply to apply a different look to the bike. Of course, changing the engine may also require that other parts of the bike be changed also, such as the exhaust system. This is needed in order to better manage the Air flow of a more powerful engine. The standard size for a 50cc minibike engine is, although manymodern pocket bikes come with custom-fitted engines enhanced with superchargers.

Changing the engine may be difficult, and certainly expensive. The customization effort may take a lot of repainting and fitting, so be prepared to shell out a few bucks. But for the glory of owning a customized Baja minibike, the price is certainly worth it! Few pocket bike collectors would be able to boast of such an accomplishMent.

Customizing Baja Minibikes

Are Thumpstar Pit Bikes Reliable?

There was a time when the only small sized motorcycles also now known as pit bikes were made by Japanese companies such as Honda and Kawasaki. In the past few years these pit bikes have become more and more popular, which has created quite a demand for them. Well now the Chinese manufacturers and others are stepping in to fill the void. So called knock offs Thumpstar pit bikes such as Sikk pit bikes and bikes are built with Chinese engines and frames. The big question is can these bikes stand up to the old faithful Honda and Kawasaki models?

Are Thumpstar Pit Bikes Reliable?

Are Thumpstar Pit Bikes Reliable?

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Are Thumpstar Pit Bikes Reliable?

Are Thumpstar Pit Bikes Reliable?

Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha, and Suzuki have been the staple when it comes to dirt bikes for years, and banned in so. These motorcycles are very competent and reliable. Recently a host of Chinese made motorcycles have entered the scene inthe form of mini bikes or pit bikes. Why would people buy a motorcycle from China when they can't be sure on the reliability? The reason is simple, they are much cheaper than their Japanese counterparts.

You can buy a completely tricked out Thumpstar pit bike for around $ 1500 brand new. When it comes to the new CRF100 tricked out by BBR you are looking at around 00. This is quite a difference in price. There are many other brand names of so called knock off pit bikes such as Pittster, Sikk, Thunder Pro, and the list goes on and on. All of them are priced similarly and the quality is about the same depending on who you ask. I currently own 2 Thumpstar pit bikes, and I know some people who have the other so called knock off brands such as Sikk so I can speak personally on thequality of these motorcycles.

Are they as good as Honda or Kawasaki? The simple answer is no. These bikes still have quite a way to go to stand up to the quality and performance of the Japanese brands when they are all tricked out. There is only one problem. When you buy a Honda 50cc, it comes bone stock. You need to upgrade everything from suspension, exhaust, tune the motor and this will add up to thousands of Dollars. Well I don't know about you, but I am not spending 00 on pitbike to tiny. This is the reason why bikes made with Chinese parts Thumpstar pit bikes such as have become so popular. They come stock with a nice race exhaust, the suspension is better than stock Honda, some even now as standard with Japanese Mikuni carburetor logo. I personally thinkmost of the knock off bikes look much nicer than the Honda or Kawasaki as well. As time has gone by these motorcycles have become better and better.

Isn't it impossible to find parts for pit bikes with Chinese parts? Surprisingly not. There are many suppliers now supporting these motorcycles, and with the internet it has become easier to find parts for nearly anything. There are many places to find aftermarket parts and upgrades for Thumpstar pit bikes and many others.

I know how 2 have my Thumpstar pit bikes stood up to the punishMent of hard riding season? Well I have to say that they have been just great. The engine was a pleasant surprise "delivering smooth power through all 4 gears. The suspension although quite stiff was still better than stock so I was happy with that. Theframes have been durable, and overall the bikes have been very reliable. The only problems I can say I had were that the chain dug the swingarm pivot in the back of one of my Thumpstars, some bolts rattled off, replaced the levers, and some plastic cosmetic damage. The engines run a little hot so I am currently looking into getting oil coolers for my Thumpstar pit bikes, I have seen a number of them for sale online.

If you are currently in the market for a pit bike it is up to you. Do you want to pay 00 for the very best or would you rather pay around $ 1500 for a comparable motorcycle? It was a no-brainer for me. I'm sure the shelf life for my Thumpstar pit bike is less than a Honda, but who cares I'll just get another one in a few years and still have spent less money!

Are Thumpstar Pit Bikes Reliable?

How to Improve Your Motorcycle's Start and Warm Up, Idling and Acceleration

After years of listening to customer complaints about their inability to cope with poor Gold Wing performance symptoms and the ruthless exploitation by many repAir shops back in the Eighties, we were compelled to study the problem. In 1990, a solution was presented in writing that was handed out to my customers without any obligation on the part of the reader to buy anything. We received hundreds of thank yous from customers and those who never purchased parts from us but took time to write. Those who made the replaceMent based on our solution and tuned up their engines, eliminated a whole series of problems, including the burning out of head gaskets and, over the years, we received many declarations of greatly improved gas mileage and overall performance.

How to Improve Your Motorcycle's Start and Warm Up, Idling and Acceleration

How to Improve Your Motorcycle's Start and Warm Up, Idling and Acceleration

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How to Improve Your Motorcycle's Start and Warm Up, Idling and Acceleration

How to Improve Your Motorcycle's Start and Warm Up, Idling and Acceleration

AirCUT-OFF VALVE

The Air cut-off Valve is an extremely important part of the fuel/air intake system that is frequently missed even by competent mechanics, most of whom are not even aware of its existence or how it functions. Over time, air cutoff valves will harden up, punched and/or disintegrate leaving your motorcycle in a permanently lean, low RPM range (0-2200).

Most early model Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha motorcycles use air cut-off valves. Every Honda CB650, CB900 GL1000 own CB750, and has one, located in the air intake tube between the air cleaner box and the manifold. The GL1100 has four, located in the top air intake passage of each carburetor logo, and every GL1200 has one located in the plenum box below the air cleaner box similar to the GL1000.

Thesevalves are "air blockers", along with the carburetor logo o-rings, serving to restrict air flow, increasing the fuel-air mixture ratio when the carb slides are in the lower RPM range, up to closed so that the machine will start and idle smoothly with virtually no choking and accelerated rapidly, with no stumble or hesitation.

When typical starting requires heavy and prolonged choking to keep the bike running, when stalling and hesitation occurs even while "warmed up" and when backfiring pops while the throttle is shut off while cruising, most people will start fooling with the air screws to try to overcome the problem, only making it worse along with reducing their gas mileage.

Running with dysfunctional air cut-off valves can cause severe engine damage or failure. When the valvesare dysfunctional, the engine pulls air into the nearly total low RPM range through the carbs and on to the combustion chamber. The fuel-air ratio is extremely poor with pre-ignition long before the normal 38 to 40 degree firing point, generating an enormous amount of heat, with no power, which is trapped in the longer period of time in the cylinder before the exhaust valve opens.

This heat goes mostly up through the cylinder head, incinerating the head gaskets gradually and allowing engine coolant (antifreeze) to seep into the engine. You can easily spot when you are in trouble by a puff of bluish-white or white smoke on first starting the engine. Don't leave it alone. Change the head gaskets immediately or you could take out your bottom end bearings, ruining theengine.

For those of you installing new exhaust systems, you will discolor your head pipes, either blue (lean) or gold (rich state) if the signs are ignored. You an destain your pipes using Blueway or Blue-Off but be careful not to rub the chrome, just dab gently. These method protocol compounds are usually found at a dealer or Harley Harley-oriented aftermarket shop.

Honda genuine pipes, like many Yamaha pipes, have a double wall for a portion of the head pipe which masks discoloration-but also masks in bad state of tune. Even if your pipes are original and still in good shape, don't think you're safe if your motorcycle has any or all of the dysfunctional air cut-off valve running and performingcharacteristics.

If your Gold Wing 1975 to 1987 is not getting 50 to 58 miles per gallon (20-23 kiloMeters per liter), you have one of the most obvious signs of trouble. It is likely your air screws have been backed out to try to overcome the effects of the poor running, stumbling, starting, stalling and quitting.

INSTALLATION GUIDELINES

Refer to your Haynes or Clymer Honda Workshop manual for location and installation procedures.

Replace your air cut-off valve/s then attempts to resynchronize all four carburetors to the # 3 carburetor logo vacuum level using a mercury carb sync tool (carb stick) or vacuum gauge synchronizer tool. The number 3 is the constant carb fixed flow carburetor logo set at the factory.

DO NOT attempt to set by ear or just by guessing as the results can beanywhere from pathetic to disastrous.

DO NOT deviate from the book settings of your Honda, Clymer or Haynes manual. Wiser people than all of us designed this very effective and efficient intake and carburetion system.

To further insure against any additional vacuum loss, replace your inexpensive manifold carburetor logo o-rings. Vacuum loss can occur there and mimic the effect of a bad air cut-off valve. Paste a new set with vaseline and make sure they are sealed with an ether check.

© Saber Cycle ®

How to Improve Your Motorcycle's Start and Warm Up, Idling and Acceleration

Building Your Own Custom Chopper Kits Motorcycle-Make it Cheap and Easy

Do you want to build a custom chopper that is unique but don't have the time or money available? Then have you ever thought about getting yourself one of the many custom bike kits which are now available. Certainly if this is the first time you are going to be building a custom bike then this will help you to get started and understand everything that goes into building one.

Building Your Own Custom Chopper Kits Motorcycle-Make it Cheap and Easy

Building Your Own Custom Chopper Kits Motorcycle-Make it Cheap and Easy

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Building Your Own Custom Chopper Kits Motorcycle-Make it Cheap and Easy

Building Your Own Custom Chopper Kits Motorcycle-Make it Cheap and Easy

When deciding which custom bike kits to buy you need to look at more than just how much it costs. Although you won't spend so much on custom bike kits as you would on a bike that is ready made the cheaper one's are unlikely to give you a good quality bike. I know it is far better if one actually spends time comparing the various ones available. Certainly it is worth spending a little more to save you a lotof heartache in the future.

After you have completed your research and chosen the custom bike kit for you, then you are on the first rung of the ladder to creating something that is unique. Through using such kits one can learn everything that goes into constructing a custom bike and over the years you can then add to it as you wish. The one thing that will bring you satisfaction in the end is knowing that as you cruise around on it you are the one that has lovingly created it from the ground upwards.

But the great thing about custom bike kits is that they don't take any of the fun or enjoyMent out of being able to build a motorcycle for yourself. Instead what they do is provide you with all the pieces that are needed to put it together. Certainly when you are doing any DIYproject at home and find you have run out of something and need to go to the hardware store to get it, you generally decides to give up. However, with a custom bike kits, this is something that need concern you.

Plus just because you use a custom bike kits, it does not mean that you won't be add to include custom chrome or Harley aftermarket parts onto yours. In fact you have the opportunity to include these on yours if you so wish. You can if you want rather than use certain parts such as the seat or mirrors provided with the kit replace them with others that you prefer. Also you don't need to stick with the standard paint Job that is suggested for your bike, but instead get something that really says who you are. This way what started as a standard custom bike will turn intosomething truly special.

Before when people wished to build their own custom bikes they needed to use various tools in order to create some custom parts. However, because custom bike kits have become increasingly popular so company's like Harley produces aftermarket parts such as wheels, seats, exhaust systems that can be used with them. Also no longer do you have to spend lots of money buying equipMent such as blow torches or saws in order to create a one off piece of machinery.

Building Your Own Custom Chopper Kits Motorcycle-Make it Cheap and Easy

Protect Your Health With Motorcycle Rain Gear

Imagine for a moMent, that you are flying along a road out on your yearly motorcycle road trip. You have 250 miles to go before you stop for the night, and you see a thunderstorm rolling in. As it looms closer you begin to wonder what to do. A contributing factor in all of this is that you forgot to pack your rain gear. Should you pull over and wait out the storm? Or ride on through to your next stop, and tough it out. You decide to for the latter, and end up spending the rest of your trip miserable, because you have gotten a cold mixed with a sinus infection. If only you had packed your motorcycle rain gear.

Protect Your Health With Motorcycle Rain Gear

Protect Your Health With Motorcycle Rain Gear

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Protect Your Health With Motorcycle Rain Gear

Protect Your Health With Motorcycle Rain Gear

The miracles of modern textiles could have saved you the trouble and hassle of a cold. Quality motorcycle rain suits are made from an advanced waterproof technology, 600 Denier nylon. They will have several pockets with full enclosed flaps and Velcro, and even an inner pocket to keep your wallet nice and dry.

With numerous styles and colors to choose from, you can find one that matches your tastes, and still have a comfortable fit. You can purchase a rain suit in either a one piece style or two piece style. The legs should have Velcro and zippers to accommodate the wearing of boots, and the sleeves should have Velcro and zippers as well to help facilitate the wearing of a leather jacket. There should also be a durable heat resistant inner leg lining to protect the rain suit from becoming melted due to high engine and exhaust temperatures. Finding a motorcycle rain suit that has reflective material is also important. This helps to ensure that other drivers see you in bad weather.

When riding in the rain remember to take it slower than normal. Try to keep the turns to a minimum, as you only have two wheels touching the ground, and a condition called hydroplaning can occur very much easier than in a passenger vehicle. Hydroplaning occurs when the water underneath a Tire causes the Tire to actually float on the water, causing the Tire to loose traction and stability. Be sure to observe the amount of rain on the road, as even a couple of inches of rain can cause hydroplaning.

Finally when you arrive at your destination, be sure to treat all of your leather products with a good polish and leather preserver like, Skidmore's Biker Motorcycle Edition Leather Cream that helps preserve and restore a soft durable quality to the leather. The best time to do this actually is after every rainy ride, or at least once a month.

Whatever the weather that you are riding in, always be sure to stay safe, and have fun. The art of motorcycle riding can be dangerous, but you can help keep it safe if you follow the rules of the road. Be sure to help out your fellow bikers, and always wear head protection.

Protect Your Health With Motorcycle Rain Gear

How To - Motorcycle Chroming and Chrome Restoration

Chromium is a hard blue white metal, has a brilliant luster used as a plating on other metals. Chrome bumpers, car body trim, motorcycles, Bicycles, Boats rigging's, Bath and Tap ware as well as tons of kitchen appliances are all examples of chrome plating.

The chrome is a think layer protecting a much thicker layer of Nickel, which makes Chrome appear Silver. Indeed it's not always easy to tell chrome plating from other finishes if the items are not side by side. When a decorative chrome electroplated finish sits right next to another bright finish, however, the other finish usually won't compare very favorably.

Chrome can be restored to a beautiful lustre and shine. Here's some what tos and what not tos to help you make your chrome shine like the professionals.

Clean your chrome first

Always wash in sudsy water. Rinse and wipe to restore the shine

Don't scour your chrome

Never use abrasive cleaners, wire wall, sandpaper or scouring pads to restore your chrome as it will scratch and dull the surface revealing the Nickel below. If your chrome is scoured or worn back to Nickel or bare metal you will have to take it to a reputable chrome plating shop there see below.

Make surface rust spots disappear in seconds!

If your chrome has surface rust marks try using kitchen foil dampened with Coke, the rust will disappear before your eyes! If your part has too much rust or the rust has eaten into the chrome and even the metal below you will need to take it to a reputable chrome plating shop - see list below.

Remove grease and grime in seconds

Try using soft Cloth dipped in un-diluted White Vinegar or Cider Vinegar to restore your chrome. For worse deposits of grease of gummy residue soak in a bucket or small tub, remove and rub with a Cloth, or paper towel.

How to remove swirl marks

After you have cleaned your chrome, if it is hazy, has swirl marks or residue try using a soft cloth and baking soda or Lime to colour it and shine. Flower works well too.

Baby Oil can give your Chrome a Show Glow!

Baby oil can also be used to get your chrome shinning! Put some on a soft cloth and polish to a glow. Make sure you polish the residue off to limit it's ability to attract dust and dirt.

Fabric softener sheets will also work wonders on chrome!

Use new or used fabric softener sheets to restore the chrome-plated fixtures in your bathroom and kitchen. The chrome will sparkle like new!

Use a professional Chrome Polish and Restorer

There are some very good polishes made especially for chrome. If you can't find any locally try searching on Google for Chrome Polish.

Getting your chrome restored by a professional chrome plating shop

If you still can't get the world class shine your looking for, go to a reputable chrome plating or chroming company. They will strip your old chrome, polish up your parts to a flawless mirror and then give it a triple coat of copper, nickel and chrome giving your part that show like finish your looking for. Getting your chrome work re-plated before it gets too eroded by the eleMents in key to getting a great re-plating finish. Although many Chroming shops will take your rusty, Tired and eroded chrome work often more than not the final results can sometimes be displeasing. Chrome Plating is a science to its own. Any no matter how many coats of copper or chrome they apply chemical reactions caused by oxidization deep in the metal from letting the chrome work go to far can cause all sorts of nasty pits in your finished results. If you want great results get your chrome work re-done as soon as it starts to fade and before the rust takes hold.

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When Hawgs Could Fly: The Harley-Davidson Tri-Hawk

Yes, the legendary manufacturer of the classic Harley-Davidson motorcycle now long past celebrating its 100th Anniversary did indeed sell an automobile... well, kind of.

For many years in addition to its Big Twin cruisers and lighter weight Sportsters. Harley-Davidson made three-wheelers in the form of utility and police "trikes," but they were Barney Rubble lumps compared to the svelte Mirage Fighter looks of the short-lived, but Fast-paced Tri-Hawk, circa 1984. Chances are you didn't ogle one in your local Harley dealer's showroom for they appeared only briefly, and were chalked up to a marketing miscalculation and rather rapidly deselected from the Milwaukee line-up.

The two-passenger Tri-Hawk had already been in limited production before the Motor Factory decided to take it on as their own ostensibly to fill some exotic niche which had no name. In the previous year, H-D had made a deal with the Austrian Rotax company for engine-gearbox racing units destined for 500 cc short track racing, so maybe it was in this euphoria of internationalism that Milwaukee opted for a three-wheeled machine powered by a French-built Citroen four-banger. And yes, "Citroen" does seem to loosely translate as "lemon." But this lightweight, knife-edge handling bird-of-prey was no bit of sour citrus.

Decades earlier the fuel-economical, albeit quirky German Messerschmidt "car", a recycled bit of Luftwaffe fighter plane, had carried two passengers around post-WWII Germany. Since then all kinds of other motorcycle engine-powered three-wheeled car/bike hybrids have been born in Dr. Frankenstein's lab, but none ever caught on. In the early '80s, the Tri-Hawk appeared at a time when experiMenters were again looking for alternative designs and better power to weight options. The Tri-Hawk was a product of this enthusiasm, the design conjured up by race car engineer Robert McKee while the deep pockets underwriting the project was millionAire sportsman Lou Richards. The finished product was assembled in a small plant located in a beachside town called Dana Point that basks in the SoCal sun betwixt Los Angeles and San Diego. The 1299 cubic inch flat four Air-cooled engine rode up front while the frame and suspension echoed McKee's racecar experience. Again borrowing from French technology, the builders incorporated a hydraulic braking system manufactured by Renault.

Tipping the scales at 1300 lbs., and powered by 80 horsepower through a 5-speed transaxle transmission, theTri-Hawk has what could be called "exhilarating performance characteristics." Also it was not shy in the exhaust note departMent, a snarling Formula One rapture issuing from the pipes.

If you wanted to buy a Tri-Hawk back in the autumn of 1984 at the time of Harley-Davidson's acquireMent of the company, you had to cough up ,000 which today will buy only about two-thirds of a Big Twin. Back then 12K seemed a lot for a vehicle with no top and only three wheels. Yet it had appeal, and substance, both in performance and in the looks department. It coulda, shoulda...but the Factory game plan was lacking in the area of infrastructure to support sales. Milwaukee decided not to sell them through their dealers, leaving only the factory in Dana Point and three other franchise locations to sell the Tri-Hawk... not exactly universal availability nor were there Super Bowl ad spots in the way of promotion. Even then, only about eleven Tri-Hawks were leaving the factory nest on a monthly basis, again not exactly flying out of the assembly door into the waiting arms of the motoring public. So like many endangered species, the Tri-Hawk died not from intrinsic design flaws, but from neglect.

Bottom line, the Tri-Hawk is an intelligently designed, seriously made sports machine that shares much of the adrenaline producing qualities of the Cobra's eyeball sucking performance and the Lotus car's nimble handling, but with motorcycling licensing and insurance perks, plus a bit of jetfighter tossed in. It could carry two in relative comfort, and safety thanks to the integral roll bar and safety belts. And you didn't need to know French to drive one. They weren't delicate or temperamental, gave good gas mileage, and were easy to park. And in the curvies, they ate big Beemers and Benz's for breakFast. Today 12 grand seems a bargain, except the last Tri-Hawk this author knows about sold for ,000. You might catch it near Los Angeles flying around the Malibu Canyons piloted by a guy with a big grin.

harley exhaust tips

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