Great Tips For Preparing Your Motorcycle Fairing For the Winter

Great Tips For Preparing Your Motorcycle Fairing For a Fun Summer of Riding

When spring fever hits, it’s hard to restrain the excitement and urge to get outside and enjoy the outdoors, especially for bikers who have been able to enjoy their favorite pastime during winter. Although you may be anxious to hug the open road on your motorcycle right away, if you take the proper precautions when removing your bike from winter storage, it can save you time and money, as well as increase your safety.

Inspect your fuel tank – Basem Wasef, an expert author on motorcycle topics for About.com, provides some great insight into preparing your motorcycle for summer riding. Wasef recommends that you inspect your fuel tank by opening the cap and determining whether the fuel is clean or not. If you notice any decay or buildup of residue, drain the tank, and then clean the carburetor and fuel lines before running the engine.

Kevin Crockett, an expert author for Ezine.com and motorcycle enthusiast confirms the inherent risk that old fuel can cause by claiming, “old fuel can cause your fuel lines and carburetor to clog from gum.” He also recommends checking the tank for rust. “If the tank has rusted, you will need to clean and seal it to prevent flakes of rust from clogging the carburetor jets.” Finish this step by adding a fresh tank of fuel before you ride your motorcycle.

Change your fluids – Drain old engine oil, replace the filter, and then replenish the engine with new oil before you ride your motorcycle this summer. Other fluids you need to check include transmission fluid, brake fluid and coolant. Lubricate cylinders – Wasef claims that by removing the spark plugs and pouring two tablespoons of oil into the spark plug ports, you can lubricate the top portion of the cylinder walls. This can be useful if you failed to spray fogging oil on the top of the cylinder when you prepared your motorcycle for winter storage. Examine the chain and lubricate it, if necessary.

Charge your battery – Inspect the battery leads for corrosion. Wasef advises topping off each battery cell with distilled water before charging. Make certain the battery is fully charged before going on your first motorcycle ride. Otherwise, you run the risk of becoming stranded because of a depleted battery. Inflate your tires and shocks – Inspect the tires for hairline cracks, bubbles, weak spots or stress marks and address each issue separately. Inflate each tire to the specified quantity of air pressure. Continue by inspecting the shocks. Give the kickstand a few trial kicks, and lubricate it if uncooperative.

Wash and wax your motorcycle – Thoroughly clean the exterior of your motorcycle using a gentle cloth, and then protect it with a thin coat of wax. Use a safety checklist – The Motorcycle Safety Foundation offers a free safety checklist that you should use every time you ride. The T-CLOCS checklist, which stands for tires and wheels, controls, motorcycle headlights, taillights, oil, chassis and stands, covers every critical safety aspect on your motorcycle. Finally, don’t get caught in the rain without your rain gear! Protect yourself and your motorcycle against theft, damage from collision, vandalism and more with affordable motorcycle insurance. Nationwide can tailor a motorcycle insurance policy to fit your unique needs, even if you have a custom bike. Contact an expert Nationwide agent today for your free quote, and ask how you can qualify for an auto insurance discount when you choose to insure your motorcycle with Nationwide, too.

Used auto parts, used parts bring big savings

Everybody’s looking to save money these days, and for good reason. There’s also plenty of encouragement to make things last as long as possible, even opting to keep current vehicles and maintain them with good used auto parts. Fortunately, Auto Parts Fair has a wide inventory of used parts to serve almost any kind of vehicle.

Ever since automobiles were first developed in the late 1890s, mechanics have seen the wisdom of installing used auto parts when it’s time for repair or maintenance. Used parts work just as well as new parts if they’ve been properly kept up, plus there’s the added benefit of a used auto part needing less time to “settle in.”

Today, putting quality used auto parts into vehicles is both economically and ecologically sound. It’s far better to place still-functioning used parts into cars, trucks, vans and SUVs than it is to toss them out in the junkyard to rust. In other words, installing good used auto parts saves both the planet and the pocketbook.

Trouble is, finding quality used parts can be quite a search without some expert help. After all, it’s hard to find used parts for a Ford truck in an auto parts store that specializes in GM vehicles. And it’s not likely to find good used auto parts for BMW from a store that likes Toyota and Nissan. Even in a store that tries to keep up with most models, it can still be hard to find a quality used part for a Hyundai or a Subaru. No store can stock everything.

Thankfully Auto Parts Fair can take the hassle out of finding used auto parts through its easy-to-use online catalogs. Auto Parts Fair has a nationwide network of auto parts suppliers, which gives it access to an inventory of nearly 4 million new and used auto parts.

Searching through such a vast inventory could be daunting, but the customers’ needs come first at Auto Parts Fair’s online store. The company knows that its customers want to save both time and money when they’re looking for good used auto parts, so the online store is designed with those priorities in mind. A step-by-step process takes buyers quickly through a search for the right used parts, whether for a car, truck, van or SUV. It’s as easy as “point and click” to find the right used auto part. Customers can either use convenient menus or work through handy picture guides showing various popular auto parts.

Plus, Auto Parts Fair keeps an online catalog is devoted solely to helping customers locate the right used parts for their vehicles. Thanks to the superior organization of its online site, customers can locate the exact used auto part they need with little effort. The used parts catalog also helps customers request used auto parts if the right isn’t immediately available.

In addition to easy-to-use catalogs, Auto Parts Fair gives customers the reassurance of satisfaction guarantees and warehouse pricing on the used auto parts they buy.

Thanks to its nationwide network of auto parts suppliers, Auto Parts Fair can offer warehouse pricing on used parts that’s as much as 70 percent off recommend list prices. Plus, with Auto Parts Fairs complete customer satisfaction warranty, ranging from 12 months to a lifetime, customers never lose money on used parts.

Add up these advantages, and it’s easy to see why so many customers are turning to Auto Parts Fair for good used auto parts.

Finding BMW Car Parts

Many people are beginning to see the advantages of repairing their vehicles. With the way the economy is running today, we all could use to save a little money here and there. Along with other ways, attempting to do easy car repairs on your own is a great method to save a few dollars. If your vehicle is BMW, it is your time to find BMW car parts.

But everyone ought to keep in mind that those with absolutely no car repair experience could end up costing themselves more money in the long run if they attempt and fail at a repair on their car. It’s not something that could be an enjoyable experience for anyone. For your BMW, you will need the right BMW car parts.

Perhaps for some people, taking their vehicle to the mechanic is their perfect bet since they have no real experience. But for those who have a lot or even a little experience in car repair, taking on a repair job is better for them. Not only does the person need to know how to determine what is going wrong, they also need to know where to have their parts from. BMW car parts aren’t always readily available whenever you need them so this is something to keep in mind before ripping the car apart.

Getting BMW Car Parts

Where you want to choose your BMW car parts will depend on whether you want to go with a new or used part. While most persons would assume new parts are the only method to go that is simply not the case as many used parts are still good. Plus, BMW car parts can be costly in their price since the car itself was a costly car to start with. If you are looking for used parts, the Internet is a great place to find some deals. Additionally, always keep your local paper in mind as you may find some great deals on used parts there.

If you’re looking for new BMW car parts, the best choice would probably be the BMW dealership as a lot of parts can sometimes only be purchased through the dealer. These days, remember about the costs because BMW car parts from the dealer are generally going to be a lot more expensive than you may expect. Several parts you may be able to find in a car part store but there are a lot of parts which are strictly dealer parts, which means if you want it new, you should go through the dealer.

When searching for auto body parts, you should also consider purchasing radar detector for your auto. It is a great idea for you to visit particular website on cordless radar detectors to find beneficial information about top radar detectors you need.

Motorcycle Parts And Accessories: The Basics

Purchasing a plain motorcycle is fine for some people, yet others prefer to customize their ride to suit their individual style, and to meet safety standards. This can be accomplished by adding extra motorcycle parts and accessories. Although many do not consider them to be true accessories, helmets are an important piece of motorcycle apparel that must be part of any biker’s gear. You can choose from many different styles or even have one custom made, but be sure that the one you choose fits well to get the most protection.

Some motorcycle owners feel that the turn signals ruin the entire shape and form of bikes, so they opt for custom motorcycle indicators that complement the total overall look of their ride. There are also speed custom accessories, such as suspension parts that can be purchased and added to the bike; however, be sure that the ones you decide on are compatible with your bike’s specifications. Try to purchase the better known brands, as they normally are better made and have longer warranties.

Other motorcycle accessories and parts that you can use to change the appearance of your bike are the motorcycle tires. The type of tires on your bike is important depending upon the terrain where you will be riding. If you are going to be traveling over rocky or rough roads, then normal tires may not be your best bet. For that scenario you may want to consider changing to all weather tires. Be sure that the ones you choose are compatible with your bike’s specifications.

Additional motorcycle gear that can make the bike more “you” includes different audio accessories, as they can make your ride really stand out from the crowd. Ordinarily, motorcycles are not really built to provide any kind of audio entertainment, so you will more than likely have to make several modifications to the bike when you install any kind of audio equipment. Front, rear and windshields fairing assemblies can also be added to make a bike more customized.

There are safety related motorcycle parts and accessories that you can add to your bike as well. They can be as simple as good grips for the handle bars or leather motorcycle accessories such as a good pair of riding gloves. Also available are special boots made to grip the pedals in order to reduce the chance of your feet slipping off. You may also want to consider installing some kind of alarm in order to discourage theft.

Interesting Facts About Honda CR 80

Honda CR 80 is one of the most popular Honda CR-series, which revolutionized the world of motorcycling in most of the years 1980 and 1990, but Honda has production in 2008.

The name of the Honda CR-80 is probably made on the model of the year, the first motorcycle related his debut on the market that was in 1980. It was a phenomenal machine in those days, and he does not have the most of his life.

Aesthetically, all colors, the CR 80 between the “hot” colors except white. The other named colors in which Honda CR 80 between, by the way, including the Red Flash called nuclear red, and the so-called “fight against the red. This bike is orange, white, and of course, as mentioned above.

CR 80 is not too heavy machine. He only weighs about 143 pounds, is a machine of a strong man can raise it to his hands. In relation to the car, this low weight resulting in handling and good fuel efficiency, finding that much fuel in heavy duty bikes “to what is wasted, in essence, the weight of useless metal. But the fact that CR 80 is a relatively light bike does not mean it is not robust. In so Honda engineers seem to have really broken to get his brain with a material, the strength and light weight package that in the Honda CR 80 is united. For a bike of its weight is the Honda CR-80 also remarkably stable.

CR 80 is one that mention the needs of the runner in mind – something that escaped the designers of the other models of motorcycles, not the fact that most tend to motorcycle fans actually seem designed more people. This consideration for the top riders are in the shape of his head, which rises to more than 33 inches – and a great runner can completely relaxed before the benefit of this machine.

Also of note is the fact that Honda CR 80 engine, the most important motorcycle part, is a six-speed transmission of power. When the Honda CR 80 First has debuted on the market, it was a feat of engineering genius, and he remains to this day, when most bikes are five-speed transmission business.

The brakes on the RC 80 are considered to have been on the mechanics of a single disk, but as a safe and effective braking. For the comfort of the driver, is Honda CR 80 with a “real” front and rear suspension, which has much more sophisticated.

The tank on the Honda CR-80 is about 1.5 liters of fuel, probably comfortable enough to switch a person from a town with a gas station to another, without having to worry about implementing adjacent to an “alternative fuel.” The speed, the Honda CR-80 are 70-80 miles per hour, which puts him somewhere near the high end speed drive as far as riding a bicycle.

Car Maintenance : How to Sell Car Parts

Selling car parts, whether they are new, used or found, can be done by advertising in the local newspaper or by photographing the part, posting it on eBay and waiting for buyers all over the country to place their bids. Sell car parts on the Internet with information from a certified master mechanic in this free video on car maintenance and repairs. Expert: Thomas Brintzenhofe Bio: Thomas Brintzenhofe has been a certified mechanic for the past 14 years, and a certified master mechanic for the past eight years. Filmmaker: Reel Media LLC

Maruti Skids 12 pct as Profit Outlook Worsens

Shares in Maruti Suzuki tumbled as much as 12 percent as India's top carmaker spooked investors with a surprise rise in royalty payments to its parent, forcing analysts to slash growth estimates for the company.

On Saturday, Maruti unexpectedly reported a 20 percent fall in net profit in April-June, hit by high raw material costs, an increase in royalty payments, and a weakening of the euro which hurt export revenues.

Analysts had expected a 20 percent rise in earnings.

Maruti, 54.2 percent owned by Suzuki Motor<7269.t>, has also seen competitors such as Hyundai Motors and Ford Motor Co eat into its dominant market share.

"As it is, the market is worried about the rising competition in Maruti's core product group. The royalty issue took people by surprise," said Sandip Sabharwal, chief executive of portfolio management services at Prabhudas Lilladher.

Maruti's market share in India, where the growth rate is tapering, slipped to 56 percent in April-June from 61 percent a year ago.

About two months ago, India scrapped a ceiling on royalty payments by local companies to their overseas partners. The cap had been at 5 percent of sales on domestic revenues and 8 percent on export revenues.

Following the rule change, Maruti entered into a new royalty agreement with Suzuki Motor.

Sabharwal, who doesn't hold Maruti shares for his clients, said he plans to avoid the stock until clarity emerges about the royalty issue.

Ahead of the results, 22 analysts had a buy or strong buy on Maruti, while 14 had a hold, sell or strong sell rating.

India's robust economy is boosting demand for vehicles, but companies expanding their operations and higher costs linked to tougher emission rules and rising prices of raw materials such as steel are worries for the sector.

"Raw material costs have been easing but the effect of higher royalty payments will be there in the next few quarters," said Jatin Chawla, auto analyst with the institutional desk of India Infoline.

NEGATIVE OUTLOOK

Shares in Maruti, with a market value of $8.3 billion, slumped as much as 12.1 percent in their biggest intraday fall in more than 6 years as brokerages such as UBS, Bank of America Merrill Lynch and Macquarie downgraded the stock.

By 0745 GMT, its shares had fallen 10.7 percent to 1,213.5 rupees in a broader market down 0.4 percent and a 2.5 percent drop in the auto sector index.

Trading volume in Maruti shares, viewed by some investors as a proxy for the fast-growing Indian auto sector, surged to 1.06 million shares, 12 times its average full-day volume traded over the past 30 days.

Maruti stock has fallen 16.6 percent so far this year, lagging a sector index which has risen nearly 11 percent, while the main index has gained about 3.8 percent.

Other auto firms in India which have an overseas partner are also expected to be hit by the change in royalty fees.

Shares in India's largest motorcycle maker, Hero Honda, 26 percent owned by Honda Motor Corp, fell nearly 7 percent, analysts said.

"I would expect that Hero Honda would be subject to a higher royalty because it is doing very well in India," said Deepesh Rathore, analyst with IHS GlobalInsight.

"Honda has been using Hero (Honda) as a cash cow for its other ventures in India, and I would think a re-working of royalty arrangements there would also be expected," he said.

Honda said on Monday it had no intention of selling any part of its stake in Hero Honda , denying a media report. Honda has a wholly owned unit, Honda Motorcycle and Scooters India Ltd, as well as a joint venture that makes passenger cars called Honda Siel Cars.

2011 Ford Explorer makes its debut as an evolved SUV

DEARBORN, Mich. — It never became a symbol of excess, like the Hummer, but the once wildly popular Ford Explorer had become a relic of days when gas was cheap, housing prices were rising and the idea of driving a big, truck-based SUV to the suburban supermarket was rarely questioned.
But Ford unveils its new-generation 2011 Explorer today in a different world, where unemployment is still painfully high and people are questioning the costs of everything: gas, food, college degrees.

The new car-based crossover Explorer is very different, but Ford faces a marketing challenge in a name many people link to gas-guzzlers. Jim Farley, Ford's head of marketing, says his No. 1 job will be to break down barriers people have built up against SUVs.

"My job is really to myth-bust, to really tell the story authentically and re-engage those people who lost the dream of the category," he says.

Ford is rolling out the new Explorer today in an unusual fashion, eschewing auto shows and Super Bowl ads to instead show the vehicle at a number of events around the country and on Facebook.

It hearkens back to car rollouts of the 1950s and '60s, when people would line up outside a car dealer to see the tarp pulled of the newest model.

"We really wanted to pick a day and make it Explorer day," Farley says. "We wanted to make it bigger than just an auto show."

Getting the Explorer right could extend Ford's recent winning streak. Last week, it reported $2.6 billion in earnings for the second quarter, based primarily on sales of its car models. SUVs and trucks traditionally have been far more profitable for automakers, so if Ford can woo Americans back to Explorers, it could mean even higher profits. Pricing has not been announced for the 2011.

"It is an incredibly important launch for them, between the brand recognition and the general impact on the bottom line that this vehicle could make," says Rebecca Lindland, an analyst at IHS Automotive.

During Explorer's heyday in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Ford sold about 400,000 a year. Last year, it sold just 52,000. Granted, 2009 was a terrible year for car sales, but even in 2008, sales were not much better.

About 96% of American consumers know the Explorer brand name, says Mark Fields, Ford's executive vice president and president of The Americas. But the primary reason they've said "no" to buying one is fuel economy, he says.

"We really want to take away the reasons people have to not buy SUVs," he says.

Ford spent a lot of time working on improving the Explorer's fuel economy. The new version weighs 100 pounds less than the last Explorer, and it's more aerodynamic.

Official fuel-economy numbers are not yet out, but Ford says the 2011 will get 20% to 30% better government mileage ratings. Lindland says she expects ratings to come in even better: She thinks engineers will find a way for at least one engine option to get more than 30 mpg on the highway. "Thirty mpg is the new mantra. Everyone is looking for that 30 mpg threshold. I hope they get it."

In creating the new model, the company studied customers' needs. Amy Marentic, Ford's large cars and crossover marketing manager, said marketing folks went out and stayed in the homes of 20 or so Explorer owners. The marketing executives went through their closets, went with them on their errand runs and ate dinner with them.

"We spent time with them so we could anticipate their needs," she says.

They found folks still yearned for a vehicle they could take off-road occasionally, holding onto the fantasy of an adventure vehicle, but needed a vehicle that could carry seven people and a lot of stuff.

Also from the research came the idea of a terrain-management system that adjusts the four-wheel-drive characteristics based on the driver simply turning a knob to select road conditions, such as sand, snow and mud. They also improved the company's signature SYNC voice-controlled entertainment system and expanded it into a system they now are calling MyFord Touch.

Based on the Taurus platform, the 2011 Explorer should have a more car-like ride.

"Customers have evolved, but the SUV has not evolved," she said. "We want to change that."

Car parts and car accessories

2012 BMW 6-series Rendered – Future Cars

BMW’s next big coupe will correct the sins of the past—and get more power.

Along with the X3, the 6-series is the oldest BMW on the market. Launched at the Frankfurt auto show in the fall of 2003, the current car has carried on for seven years, supported by a convertible version launched in 2004 and a very modest face lift in late 2007. Now it’s time to move on, and this is what we believe the next-generation 6-series will look like. It will be launched in late 2010 or early 2011 and draw heavily from the Gran Coupé concept car BMW unveiled at the Beijing auto show earlier this year.

Shop for cheap BMW car parts online

AUDI RS7 CONCEPT CAR

Designed by Adriano Mudri.

Click HERE for more pics and info…

The Audi RS7 Concept is a design study of a sportscar that adopts and combines several styling cues from the Audi Group models, from the R8-inspired rear end to the Lamborghini-trademark scissor doors. The author is Austrian Adriano Mudri.

Shop online the cheap car parts

Replacing Car Parts in Inexpensive Way

Have a need for replacement parts for your car? Well it seems that replacing some parts of our car needs some finances too and when you’re not ready for the expenses might as well look for alternative solution. Maintaining a car is expensive and as they say it’s like having another baby in the family. You have to take care of it or you’ll suffer if the car suddenly stopped in the middle of the highway. Well this will not happen to you if all the parts of your car is in good condition and checked regularly. Maintenance should always have regularity in checkups and conditioning just like humans. You always have to check your car engine, car battery, car lights, oil, car brakes and your car tires whenever you travel especially if you’re travelling to distant locations.

When it comes to parts replacement you can replace it with used auto body parts as long as you have a supplier that you can trust to sell you high quality products like EverDrive which is committed to give their clients quality used auto parts. You can be assured you’re getting the right part, right quality and right price for your car. Well they can guarantee all their products with a 3-year warranty and with a price of up to 50% lower than new part prices. That’s a good deal to resist so try their products and enjoy replacing your car parts with less expenses.

Honda To Launch Plug-In Hybrid Car in 2013, A Year After Toyota

It's been a time of turmoil for Honda lately, with the company doubling down on hybrids and pulling back on its clean-diesel efforts.

Now, according to a Reuters report, the company will introduce both a plug-in hybrid and a fully electric car for the 2013 model year. The electric car will be offered in the U.S. market first, to compete against such upcoming entries as the 2011 Nissan Leaf.

By 2013, the company plans to have no fewer than five hybrids for sale. It now offers the 2010 Honda Civic Hybrid sedan and the Insight dedicated hybrid hatchback. Its 2011 CR-Z hybrid two-seat sports car arrives this summer.

The fourth model is expected to be a hybrid version of the Fit subcompact, but no details have come to light yet on the fifth and final hybrid.

Honda is also considering manufacturing the Insight in one of its U.S. plants, most likely to reduce costs so it can lower the price below its current $20,400 level.

It may make two other hybrids in the U.S. too, one of them most probably the Civic Hybrid, since Civics are already built in North America.

Honda's proposed plug-in would compete against a plug-in model of the Toyota Prius hybrid. That vehicle, currently known by the cumbersome name of 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid, will hit dealers in very early 2012. Honda's plug-in would trail it by roughly a year.

Tomorrow, Honda's president Takanobu Ito will hold a news conference to provide some details of the new models and the results of its sweeping reshuffle of its portfolio, according to Japanese business daily Nikkei.