Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Choosing The Right Custom Motorcycle

Author: Raul Kinney

This involves tassels on the deal with bars, and murals on the gasoline tank.

After you have made the decision to spruce up your hog, get started gathering tips. You can examine the bikes passing you by on road trips, browse through bike catalogues, view motorbike displays on Television, or do a search on the web. Quite a few outlets offering custom motorcycle painting will have pictures of their operate posted on their web page. Check out them out. You will quickly notice that there are three distinctive sorts of custom made motorcycle painting.

1. Classic - Sure types are identified as 'traditional' mainly because they have been about for a prolonged time. A variety of pin stripes and flames belong in this category. Even if the flames are hand painted and have a three-D effect, they will however be labeled as standard.
two. Detailed - Elaborate custom motorcycle painting is normally accomplished by hand. This category involves graphic painting and air brushing. The detail on these styles is wonderful and will appeal to a lot of interest when you are on the street. You personally can choose on the layout, or you can leave it up to the artist to come up with a photo fitting your temperament, as nicely as your bicycle.
three. Distinctive paints - These custom made motorcycle painting creations are distinct since of the paint employed by the painter. Strange paints are extra expensive than normal automotive paint. For instance, chameleon paint improvements color once it has been applied. It may possibly search blue or green from a single angle, and purple from yet another. The result is super awesome, but will price tag additional. If you have the funds... why not?

Customized bicycle painting is an art type. For people who individual a motorcycle, there are a lot of people out there who say they can do the best career in motorbike custom made painting, but picking the improper individual to the occupation can price additional cash than it's well worth. If the customized bicycle painting shop picked doesn't do it appropriate the initially time, not only does a motorbike operator have to shell out that bill, there is the expense of having to pay a person else to do the position yet again. Motorcycles are a substantial portion of American existence. Motorcycles are a indicator of independence on the open street. Make confident that the one paid to set a new glimpse on a chopper, or basically fix chips in the existing paint career, is trustworthy, very educated, and proud of what they do.

Motorbike customized painting is usually accomplished by taking the cruising machine to a store and leaving it there for many days. This can be stressful on an proprietor who may perhaps be troubled burglars will steal their ride when it's stored in a shop. Still, there are some that are so passionate about customized bike painting that they will be additional than joyful to arrive to the owner's property. This is a good touch to a globe where by no one tends to make "household calls" any much more. When operator of a custom bicycle painting store will consider the time to check out a client at their household, it's confident to be the same custom made bike painting professional called back when the need to have arrives up again.

Motorcycles are not only a sign of American freedom they are also terrific on gasoline mileage.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/automotive-articles/choosing-the-right-custom-motorcycle-4718356.html

About the Author

As a lover of the open street and the wind blowing by way of my hair, there is absolutely nothing more gratifying that seeing a customized motorbike come into existence. Go to my web site currently to see these custom bikes in all of their splendor. Replacing OEM Parts To Customize Your Motorcycle

Thursday, November 27, 2008

How To Choose Motorcycle Protective Gear

Riding a motorcycle is one of the more exhilarating methods of traveling, but it's also more dangerous than being in a car, especially if you don't have the right protective gear. You can significantly reduce the risk of severe injury if you take the time to pick out some safety gear to wear while on your motorcycle.

There are a lot of different options in protective gear, so it's a good idea to know what you're looking at. Here, we'll go over some of the more popular types of protective gear to help you make the right choices and get the gear that will best protect you.

Helmets

The variety of motorcycle helmets on the market is staggering. Aside from the visual factor, choosing a helmet that you like the looks of, there are a few other things to keep in mind. Size is very important. Your head should fit snugly within the helmet. If you can slip it over your head, then it's too big, it should need to be pulled on. The soft foam inside will form to fit your head as you wear it, to provide greater protection.

Look for a helmet that starts right above the eyebrows when on. Anything higher up will not give adequate protection. You have a choice between a full face helmet, which offers the best protection, a three quarters helmet and a flip up helmet, which allows you to move the faceplate up to expose the face. This last one may be more expensive, but it does offer the advantage of being able to simply lift the faceplate rather than remove the entire helmet to speak or drink something.

Gloves

There are two main reasons to wear gloves while riding. The first is to keep your hands warm, particularly while riding during winter, when the icy wind can quickly numb them and prevent the proper sensations needed to control the motorcycle. The second is protection should you take a tumble. Fingers and the flesh on the hands are very fragile and you need as much protection as possible.

The best gloves for motorcycle riding include Kevlar pads on the backs, with extra grip on the palms for maximum control. You will probably need a lighter pair for summer use and heavier ones for winter, or opt to wear a light pair of cotton gloves under the Kevlar ones.

Boots

When shopping for boots to use on your motorcycle, keep in mind whether you'll need to walk or not. The best protection comes at a price, limited mobility. If you'll be walking as well as riding, then look for heavy duty boots that are built for cross-country endurance. These will give strong ankle support and have thick, resistant soles to protect your feet should an accident occur.

For motocross riding, consider using specialized boots that protect as much of the leg as possible, with rigidity. These are definitely not practical for walking in, however, so keep that in mind.

Pants

There is much more to your body than simply head, hands and feet and it pays to protect the rest of it as well. Your legs will be at risk, as they are so close to the bike, so proper pants can help protect them.

Finding a pair of pants that looks good, is comfortable to wear in summer and still provides enough protection for sliding across the road is next to impossible. It really all comes down to what type of riding you'll be doing. For the riskier rides, Kevlar padded pants are probably your best bet. These usually come with extra pads on exposed areas like the knees which aren't exactly visually pleasing, but do offer extra protection.

For more formal rides, there are now jeans with Kevlar fibers woven into them that provide extra protection should you be dumped off the bike. Other options include leather pants and motocross pants, both of which tend to be quite hot in warmer weather. You may also opt for leather chaps, which cover and protect the legs, but allow for maximum movement.

Jackets

Choosing a good jacket is also very important. This is what will keep your torso and arms protected. You'll find that there are two main options, synthetic and leather. Each has its advantages and disadvantages.

Leather jackets tend to be well built and last for a long time, decades, even. They are the classic protective wear associated with motorcycles, so many more traditional motorcyclists prefer leather. These tend to be quite protective and are made more so by protective pads sewn to the inside of the jackets. However, they aren't very reliable under rain and tend not to protect as well as synthetic from the cold. The darker colors of leather tend to prevent visibility, which can be an added danger, particularly in the evening.

Synthetic jackets are usually more expensive, but offer better protection. Unfortunately, despite the higher protective rate, they tend to wear out faster than leather. Synthetic fibers make these jackets warmer in the winter and ensure that they are completely waterproof, which is a major bonus if you are planning on a long trip. The brighter colors of synthetic jackets also mean that you will be more visible on the road.

Choosing your protective gear for motorcycle riding is one of the most important steps you can take toward staying safe. Make sure that you take the time to research and try the various types of protective gear. Everything should fit well and be comfortable, but still offer the highest level of protection possible.

No one wants to think about having an accident, but these things do happen and with a motorcycle, you simply don't have the same protection around you as you would in a more substantial vehicle. That doesn't mean taking unnecessary risks is required, however. There is plenty of gear that can be used to keep your body and skin intact as you enjoy riding.

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About the Author: Jay Gaulard writes for a wide selection of websites on various topics. He is a veteran of the internet and has come to be respected in his many areas of expertise. This article was written on behalf of MyCycleMarket, a popular motorcycle parts and accessories website.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Some Incredible Harleys Were Introduced From 1964 To 1966

During the years between 1964 and 1966, Harley Davidson really built some great motorcycles that had some really impressive features that consumers have continured to enjoy.

The 1964 Harley-Davidson XLCH Sportster motorcycle's impressive 883-cc V-twin engine out- powered most competitors during that era. The 1965 Harley-Davidson FL Electra-Glide motorcycle was the last Harley fitted with the venerable pan-head engine and the first big Harley with an electric start, which made this combo a highly coveted collectible. For Harley Davidson, 1965 marked the end of an era.

The Electra-Glide, with its electric starter, made its debut, but it would be the last year for the famous pan-head V-twin that was introduced in 1948. That engine had received some modifications over the years, a significant one coming in 1963 with external oil lines that improved lubrication to the cylinder heads. Along with the electric starter came the twelve-volt electrics to replace the previous six-volt system, which in turn brought a bigger battery hidden beneath a large battery case on the right side. That, along with the bold "Electra Glide" script on the front fender, makes it easy to distinguish this model from earlier FLs.

Some Electra-Glides had the standard exhaust system that had both cylinders exhausting to the right into a single muffler. This was optional as a dual-muffler system where the exhaust from the front cylinder exited to the right, while that from the rear cylinder exited to the left, both terminating in their own distinctive "fishtail" muffler. Also optional was the old hand-shift and foot-clutch arrangement that was so popular with police departments. Though a curb weight of more than seven hundred pounds restricted performance somewhat, the Electra-Glide was a popular touring mount in its day, as the electric starter alleviated the problem of having to kick start the big V-twin, which had become no easy task.

The 1966 Harley-Davidson FLH Electra-Glide motorcycle's smoother-running, more powerful shovel-head engine replaced the pan-head engine, which gave this motorcycle sixty horsepower. In 1965, Harley-Davidson introduced an electric-start version of the big FL series, dubbing it the Electra-Glide, which was still powered by the pan-head engine. This big Harley was now carrying not only the additional weight of the inevitable factory and owner installed accessories, which made it more plentiful by a switch from six-volt electrics to twelve volt, but also the pounds added by the new starting hardware.

Although the pan-head engine had served well during its lengthy tenure, owners were begging for more power. For 1966, Harley released an updated version of the 74-cubic-inch V-twin by mating new aluminum shovel-head cylinder heads to the iron barrels, horsepower increased by five. The smoother, running, more powerful shovel-head engine was a welcome relief. The weight of the FLs had crept up to nearly eight hundred pounds, and the extra power was appreciated by owners. Yet, despite the greater power and escalating heft, FLs were still slowed by drum brakes front and rear; it would not be until 1972 that a front disc would appear.

About the Author
Victor Epand is an expert consultant for sweatpants, sweatshirts, outdoor gear, sports clothing, and model motorcycles. Click here when you want to find sweatpants, sweatshirts, outdoor gear, sports clothing, and great motorcycles.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

The Harley-Davidson Story By : Alan Liptrot

William Harley was 21 when he drew up plans for an 116cc engine, which was built and fitted to a pedal cycle. That was in 1901. He was joined by his friend Arthur Davidson, and together they worked on what was really a motor-bicycle. With the help of Arthur's brother, Walter, they completed the project in 1903, however the boys were so dissatisfied with their first attempt, they scrapped the bike, but not without gaining valuable experience along the way.

The second machine, with a 405cc engine is classed by many as the first real Harley. The bigger engine and frame design meant this machine was something other than a motor-bicycle, and was a forerunner of the modern motorcycle. The prototype was built in a ten by fifteen feet shed belonging to the Davidson family, although the engine parts were said to be built at the West Milwaukee Railshops, where older brother William Davidson worked as a foreman. By 1905 this motorcycle was been offered to the public on a very limited basis. Three were sold that year.

The shed was eventually moved to the Juneau Avenue factory to serve as a reminder of the company's humble beginnings, but sadly was accidentally demolished by contractors during the 1970's.

By 1907 production had reached 150 motorcycles, and in that year they began selling their machines to police departments. Also in that same year, a prototype 880cc, V-twin engine was developed and displayed at the Chicago Automobile show, although very few V-twin motorcycles were sold before 1910. By 1909 well over 1,000 motorcycles were being produced, a tribute not only to the boys' engineering skills, but also to their entrepreneurial attributes.

In 1917, when the USA entered the arena of World War 1, new demands were placed on the company, as the military needed a robust, reliable machine. Harley-Davidson rose to the challenge and produced 20,000 motorcycles for the war machine. This no doubt helped the company take their place as the World's largest motorcycle manufacturer, and by 1920 they were producing over 28,000 units which were sold in 67 countries.

The depression of the Thirties hit the company hard and production fell to less than 4,000 in 1933. Through necessity, they produced a three-wheeled delivery vehicle which was named the 'Servi-car', a design that stood the test of time and only ceased production in 1973.

As war came again, Harley-Davidson copied the design of the BMWR71, and produced the XA model, as once again the company answered the demands of the United States Army and produced large numbers of motorcycles. They also built the WLC for the Canadian military, and sent more than 30,000 units to the Soviet Union.

After the war, the company flourished and the 'Super 10' and 'Topper' scooter were produced. In 1960 they bought fifty percent of Aeronautica Macchi's motorcycle division and the importation of the 250cc horizontal single began. This bike wore the Harley-Davidson badge and was marketed as the 'Harley-Davidson Sprint'. The company became sole owners of Aermacchi in 1974.

Hollywood too has played a part in the development of Harley-Davidson, sadly tarnishing the company's image and leading the brand to be associated with groups such as 'Hell's Angels'. In 1969 AMF bought the company, decimated the workforce and began to produce a machine which was much inferior to its Japanese rivals. Sales slumped and the company was on the edge of the abyss. The company's reputation became almost irredeemable.

Under pressure from Harley-Davidson, the US government introduced a 45% tariff on imported motorcycles over 700cc, but instead of going head to head with the Japanese, they concentrated on the 'Retro' style of bike. Many of the components for these machines were built overseas, and the quality of the finished article took a turn for the better.

In 2008, a Harley-Davidson Museum opened in Milwaukee. The three building complex contains a large collection of motorcycles and other Harley-Davidson memorabilia. This represents a huge leap from the shed in the Davidson's backyard and the austere years of the Great Depression. Proof enough that Harley-Davidson is more than a motorcycle, more than a company; it has become a way of life for motorcyclists all over the world. William and Arthur would be delighted.

Article Source: http://articlestoreprint.com

Information about the Author: The original article, along with other motorcycle articles can be seen at motorbike-tours.co.uk The website is dedicated to motorcycle touring in Europe. The tours can be seen at www.motorbike-tours.co.uk/tour.htm