Motorcycle tyre checks

Posted by Howard Trott on Thursday, October 22, 2015 In : Motorcycle Maintenance

Motorcycle tyres must be checked when cold, not immediately after riding. Low tyre pressure may cause the tyre to slip on the rim or come off. High tyre pressures will cause abnormal tread wear and unsafe handling.

Use an accurate pressure gauge, many garage forecourt gauges are wildly inaccurate. If you buy your own spend as much as you can justify on a quality gauge.

Correct air pressure will increase tyre life and provide maximum stability, handling capability and ride comfort.

Tyre Care

Ch...
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Beryl Swain

Posted by Howard Trott on Friday, June 5, 2015 In : Female Motorcycle Riders

In an era when riding a motorcycle was not thought to be a terribly ladylike occupation, Beryl Swain became, in 1962, the first woman solo rider to negotiate the notorious Isle of Man Tourist Trophy course in an official event. That year she rode her Italian Itom 50cc Racer into 22nd place in a field of 25 in a TT race around the notorious 37-mile mountain road course, which has claimed many lives and inflicted fearful injuries over the years. It was the first year in which the 50cc Ultra Lig...
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Ducati

Posted by Howard Trott on Saturday, March 7, 2015 In : Italian Motorcycles

Ducati Italy 1946 -

Ducati, one of the most evocative names in motorcycling, whose fast, exotic, temperamental V-twins respond to lavish care and attention. At least that is most riders conception of the bikes from Bologna. But until recently the name was hardly known outside two wheel circles. Success in World Superbike competition has brought this the Ferrari of motorcycles to mainstream attention. In the early 1990's when it had gained seven WSB Championships this decade and for the first t...
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Hesketh

Posted by Howard Trott on Wednesday, March 4, 2015 In : British Motorcycles

Hesketh England 1980 - 82

Hesketh, the new British superbike was announced to a delighted press and public in April 1980. They were delighted because deep down almost everyone wanted to see a new British superbike. There were one or two sceptics, such as the national daily which described the new V-twin as just another folly of the English aristocracy, but they were the minority. Two years later when the whole enterprise collapsed in a highly public and embarrassing manner, there were no short...
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Security Devices

Posted by Howard Trott on Sunday, January 25, 2015 In : Motorcycle Security

Motorcycles are very commonly not secured properly so they can be easy for thieves. By taking some appropriate precautions and using good quality security products and using them well, should help you to keep your motorcycle safe.

Security devices generally come in different categories ranging from 1 to 5 (1 being the best and most expensive). Below is a list of the category description:

Cat 1: Electronic alarm and immobiliser combined system

Cat 2: Electronic immobiliser (Upgradeable to Cat...

Harley-Davidson Motorcycles

Posted by Howard Trott on Sunday, January 25, 2015 In : American Motorcycles

Harley-Davidson Motorcycles U.S.A 1903 -

It was by a series of happy coincidences that the Harley family moved from Manchester, England and the Davidsons from Scotland both emigrated to North America in the late 19th century, and settled in Milwaukee. And that two of their sons, Bill Harley and Arthur Davidson, should end up working at the same engineering establishment, became firm friends, and began experimentation with the internal combustion engine. Arthur was the outgoing one, a patternm...
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Barigo 599cc

Posted by Howard Trott on Friday, December 5, 2014 In : French Motorcycles

Patrick Barigo builds limited numbers of motorcycles using single-cylinder, four-stroke engines supplied by the Austrian Rotax company. This 1992 road bike is based on Barigo's super motard competition machines. Premium quality suspension and brake components are used in its construction, and low weight, good handling, and a tractable engine offer impressive performance. Proven in the gruelling Paris-Dakar rally and other testing events, Barigo was the only motorcycle manufacturer operating i...
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Buell RR1000

Posted by Howard Trott on Monday, November 3, 2014 In : American Motorcycles

The first RR1000 prototype was built in 1984 by Eric Buell, a former Harley-Davidson employee, as a commission from the Vetter fairing company although Buell was still independent of Harley-Davidson at this point, the company would soon be incorporated into the Harley fold. The RR1000 used an engine from a Harley XR1000 fitted into Buell's patented Uniplanar chassis, which restricted engine vibration by using a system of rods, joints, and rubber mountings. Only 50 RR1000's were built before t...
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Britten V1000

Posted by Howard Trott on Monday, September 22, 2014 In : New Zealand Motorcycles

The Britten is an extraordinary bike built by an extraordinary man. John Britten ignored convention when he built this motorcycle and came up with an elegant and inspired machine. The 60 degree v-twin engine is an integral part of the chassis to which the front and rear suspension are bolted. In fact, almost every part of the Britten performs at least two functions. If also looks brilliant. The Britten performed well in International Battle of the Twins racing and in the early nineties was pr...
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Norton Commando Interstate MKIII 850 ES

Posted by Howard Trott on Monday, September 22, 2014 In : British Motorcycles

Norton was on the verge of bankruptcy by 1975 when this motorcycle, the final version of the Commando was produced. Based on 1973's MKI 850, the MKIII was fitted with an electric starter in addition to the kick-starter. It had tuned silencers, lockheed disc brakes front and rear, left hand gearchange, halogen lightening, and a full compliment of accessories. Nothing could conceal the age of the design and compared to the increasingly sophisticated Japanese opposition it was very dated, though...
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BSA Rocket 3

Posted by Howard Trott on Monday, September 22, 2014 In : British Motorcycles

The three cylinder Rocket 3 or A75 was launched in Britain in 1969. The BSA/Triumph group had to act quickly to catch up with Honda, which was known to be developing a four. The Rocket 3 and Triumph Trident were similar, though BSA's engine design had its cylinder block tilted forward where the Triumph's was vertical. This bike is from 1970, BSA ceased production the following year.

Forest Heritage Scenic Byway – Asheville Best for Motorcycle Ride

Posted by Dewayne Jasper on Monday, April 7, 2014 In : Guest Motorcycle Articles

If you've ever had the pleasure of passing through or even visiting Asheville, NC, you'll understand that the surrounding mountains and scenery are simply magnificent. For thousands of years, the area has hosted a plethora of vegetation and wildlife in its natural state. Once the town of Asheville was established, neighboring communities began to immediately offer travelers a multitude of activities, from mountain biking and skiing to rock climbing and hiking. But you don't have to leave your...

Motorcycle Courier Work

Posted by Howard Trott on Sunday, March 9, 2014 In : Motorcycle Couriers

The nice weather is nearly upon us and as usual we are starting to receive phone calls and emails from people wanting to work as motorcycle couriers. We have stated on the website that we are not looking for any staff due to the fact that we undertake all the work ourselves. Motorcycle courier work is not seasonal, we have delivered consignments with thick ice and snow covering the roads which makes riding interesting to say the least especially when your in the countryside scaling a steep hi...
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Moto Guzzi V7 Special

Posted by Howard Trott on Friday, February 28, 2014 In : Italian Motorcycles

Although Moto Guzzi first developed its V-twin motor in the 1950's, motorcycle interest in Italy was at a low ebb and the motor was used in a three-wheeled military vehicle. The V-twin motorcycle was built to fulfil an order from the Italian police. Overseas interest created a need for a civilian version. The 703cc V7 came out in 1967. In 1969 the bore was enlarged by 3mm, increasing the capacity to 757cc and called the V7 special. It ran until 1971 and had many features seen on modern Guzzi ...
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Honda Goldwing GL1500

Posted by Howard Trott on Friday, February 28, 2014 In : Japanese Motorcycles

The symbol of the Golden wing was already a familiar Honda trademark when the model was christened in 1975. At the time of its launch, the 1000cc four-cylinder machine was simply the biggest, most complex motorcycle ever produced in Japan. By the 1980's, Honda was an established car-maker, with car and motorcycle assembly plants around the world. In 1981, Goldwing production moved from Japan to Ohio, the biggest market for the motorcycle was in America, but it was exported all over the world,...
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Honda CB350

Posted by Howard Trott on Friday, February 28, 2014 In : Japanese Motorcycles

The CB350 was the smallest of the 1970's road going, four cylinder, S.O.H.C machines. Never officially imported into Britain, and failing to gain support in the USA, Honda looked to Europe, where some countries import tax laws favour sub-350cc motorcycles. Police versions were offered in France and Holland. Even so, the CB350 had a short life. Introduced in 1972, it was replaced in the markets by the CB400F, which appeared in 1974. Capacity of the 400 four was increased to 408cc. It was resty...
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Harley-Davidson Hill Climber

Posted by Howard Trott on Friday, February 28, 2014 In : American Motorcycles

The ingredients of an American hill-climb motorcycle appear simple, even if the reality is rather more complicated. The essential element is power, and in the case of this machine a methanol-burning eight-valve engine was enough in 1930 to make it a competitive motorcycle. A long wheelbase and weight at the front to prevent the motorcycle tipping over backwards are both essential, as is grip, which is why the motorcycles rear tyre is wrapped in chains. A good level of expertise was involved i...
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Ducati 851

Posted by Howard Trott on Friday, February 28, 2014 In : Italian Motorcycles

The 851 was the most complex Ducati road bike ever built when introduced in 1987. It retained desmodromic valve operation and the 90 degree V-twin engine layout, but also incorporated four camshafts, eight valves, water cooling, and petrol injection, all first for a road Ducati and introduced to meet increasingly strict emissions and noise legislation. These features were also brought in to meet World Superbike race rules, and the 851 was the basis for Ducati's successful 888 Superbike racer.

The risks of incorrectly fitting Suzuki saddlebags

Posted by Dewayne Jasper on Friday, January 31, 2014 In : Guest Motorcycle Articles

Some bikers might be under the impression that they can just slap on their Suzuki hard saddlebags and be on their way. However, as is the case with any bike part or accessory, much care needs to be taken when fitting them. Incorrect fitting of any kind of saddlebag can have disastrous consequences for everyone concerned. It is vital for bikers to understand that even the smallest decisions they make before mounting their trusty steed can impact them as well as other travelers.

Safely securing ...

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