Storing Your Bike to Avoid Costly Motorcycle Service

Unless you're lucky enough to live somewhere with perfect driving conditions year-round, it's likely that your motorcycle ends up in the shed or garage during the winter months. Unfortunately, it's not as simple as just rolling the machine onto some blocks and closing the garage door until the ground thaws. Without proper preparation, you put your pride and joy at the risk of corrosion, fuel rot, and rust, often resulting in extra hassle and cost when all you want to do is get out on the road for your first ride of the season. Next time you're packing in your ride for the cold, make sure to follow these tips to increase your chances of getting the engine going in the spring with minimal fuss.

1. See to your gas tank:

If left sitting idle too long, fuel will rot and cause costly damage. Motorcycle service options, once this occurs, tend to be limited to replacing the tank. Make sure you pour in fuel stabilizer and run the engine long enough to work the liquid into your carbs. From there, you can either drain the tank and coat the inside with gas-soluble oil, or fill up the tank with oxygenated fuel. Fuel starts breaking down after about 60 days, so don't forget to go through this process any time you plan on leaving your bike in the garage for an extended period.

2. Take the battery out:

Your battery contacts are another likely target for corrosion, especially if your storage area isn't kept completely free of moisture. If damage spreads to the bike itself, you're in for a trip to the motorcycle service shop- so take the time to remove your battery and wipe down both it and the battery box with a mixture of water and baking soda. Store the battery somewhere cool and dry, and take it out once a month to charge it back up to full on a low-amp setting. Most automotive battery chargers should give you a variety of options.

3. Don't forget plastic, rubber, and aluminum:

Even though these parts of your machine may not be affected by rust as much as the rest of the bike, they are still sensitive to the effects of light, temperature, and moisture. There are few things things you can do, however, to avoid costly motorcycle service down the line. To start, spray down plastic and rubber with a polymer preservative when you are getting your ride ready for winter. There are a variety of brands to choose from, but some DIY-oriented riders will use simple Vaseline or brake fluid- both have anti-corrosive properties. To protect these sensitive materials from UV light, though, you'll need to either store your bike in an unlit part of your home, or keep it under wraps with a breathable fabric cover. Plastic will trap moisture close to the metal, causing more harm than good, so avoid using that old tarp lying in the corner! You can keep your aluminum shining throughout the year by applying spray wax to those shiny surfaces.

To learn more about their options for motorcycle service, Blue Springs residents should visit http://www.bluespringsharleydavidson.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9157114

4 Tips for Performance Engine Building

Are you ready to take your motorcycle or ATV to the next level? Whether you are a casual rider or a serious competitor, increasing the performance of your motorcycle or ATV's engine is a thrill like no other. To feel the full power of your machine's capabilities is a dream come true for many motorcycle and ATV owners. Yet, performance engine building is not a simple task. As such, it is a process that needs to be taken seriously and done with precision in order to guarantee the best results. If you are ready to increase the performance of your motorcycle or ATV, here are a few simple tips to consider.

Tip #1: Replace the Camshafts

If fuel is the lifeblood of an engine, the camshaft is the heart. Therefore, giving your machine a stronger will help determine the amount of power your engine produces. The camshaft also affects where within the RPM range the maximum power will be achieved. Replacing the camshafts with higher-quality parts is generally the easiest and least expensive way to increase an engine's performance, though it can become more costly if you replace other parts and do a little machining along the way.

Tip #2: Increase Compression

Increasing the compression ratio in your engine involves changing the ratio of the maximum piston volume to the minimum compressed volume of the fuel and air mixture in your engine. As a result of the increased compression, the fuel and air burn faster. In turn, this increases both horsepower and torque across the entire RPM range. As a secondary benefit, it also helps your engine burn more cleanly and efficiently. Some methods for increasing compression include surfacing the head, installing a thinner head or base gasket, decking the cylinder or using pistons with a different profile. When raising compression, the goal should be to increase it to the point just before detonation. Keep in mind that you may need to raise the octane of your fuel after increasing compression.

Tip #3: Install Titanium Valves

If your engine came with steel valves, you can increase red line by upgrading to titanium. Not only are titanium valves stronger, but they are also more lightweight. When it comes to increasing performance, reducing weight is always beneficial.

Tip #4: Reduce Friction

Reducing friction within your engine will help your engine achieve its full horsepower potential. To reduce friction, use ceramic bearings and Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) coatings. Ceramic bearings are also available for front and rear wheel bearings.

APCycle.com is where you can find a Phoenix motorcycle mechanic. We specialize in performance engine building and Dyno tuning for the greater Phoenix Arizona valley. Contact us today for your phoenix motorcycle and ATV repair and tuning. Call Today: 520-252-3566

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9150127

Safely Shopping for Used Motorcycles

There's nothing like going to a dealership, finding the perfect brand-new motorcycle, and being the first person to ride it off the lot without having to worry about who owned it before you and how they treated it. That can be a very expensive feeling, though. For a lot of people, buying new is just out of the budget. Used motorcycles are more affordable than new ones and, with some research, you can find one that's just as nice as a brand new bike.

Price is usually the biggest factor in deciding whether to buy new or used. Used motorcycles are cheaper than new bikes, even if they're in the same condition. When you buy used, you can avoid the setup, delivery, and dealer fees. Besides that, any vehicle loses a chunk of value as soon as it's driven off the lot. While many pre-owned bikes need some work done, there's not always a guarantee that a new one won't need any work done either.

What to Avoid

- History of Stunting: Unless you plan on doing some stunts yourself, it's probably best to avoid anything with a history of stunting. Stunts can be really hard on the transmission, engine, and the bike as a whole.

- Salvage Title: A motorcycle usually has a salvage title if the cost to repair the bike is more than it's worth. If you know a lot about mechanics and engines, feel confident fixing it up, and enjoy a challenge, then you might not mind a salvage title. If you're just looking for something to start riding right away, you might want to steer clear.

What to Look For

- Low Mileage: Like cars, you want a motorcycle with a lower mileage, if possible.

- Clean Title: A bike with a clean title is a bike with no major issues. A clean title indicates that a motorcycle should be good to go without any major repairs.

- Trustworthy Seller: While you can find good deals online and in classified sections, you generally want to find a seller or dealer who knows what they're talking about. Plenty of dealerships have huge inventories that you can browse on the computer.

The most important thing to remember when looking at used motorcycles is that it takes time. Be careful not to get too attached to anything without looking it over for damage, and don't be afraid to ask any questions you might have. While it may seem riskier to buy used, remember that buying new doesn't guarantee no trouble. Sometimes a bike with a warranty will require considerable time in a shop waiting for warranty approval or waiting for parts. Plenty of used motorcycles are in the same condition as new ones. If you take the time to find a bike in good shape with a clean title, you can get a great deal that will serve you for a long time if treated right.

To learn more about their options for used motorcycles, Blue Springs residents should visit http://www.bluespringsharleydavidson.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9155875