Fixing a Flat Tire, Among Other Things

Ok. Winter is on its way out, and most of us have already gone out for a ride or two. In the coming months, as the weather begins to warm, our rides will be getting longer and hopefully more adventurous. The best riding in the spring is near bodies of water, and in Maryland we don’t lack those. The reason behind this is that the mountains can still get a cold stinging rain in the Spring, but also because the wildlife and plants are always at their finest along bodies of water after a long winter. All that being said, with more rides and longer rides you will be increasing the likelihood that you’ll get a flat tire.

So, here’s what to do. If the object is still sticking out of your tire, and you are only losing air slowly, leave it in. Watch it closely, and ride slowly, putting air in the tire whenever you can. If you are needing to put in air every hour or so, it is best to stick to the more popular roads, or at least ensure you will be riding through towns on your way home. If you pull the object out, you are surely stuck, but if you can manage to get home or another place before it goes completely flat then that is the best option.

If the leak is quick, and the above option isn’t an option, you need to either get a tow or pull out the patch kit. To do the latter, pull out the nail and ream the hole with the tools in your kit. Next, remove the backing from the plug material and thread through your insertion tool. Cover all material with glue. Insert the plug until it’s through all the way, and then slowly pull the tool out. The plug should be flush with the tire. Also, as a warning, you have to greatly reduce your speed if you are using a tire plug. Remember it is for emergencies only. Also, if you do use a plug, once you are at home or a shop you need to replace the tire, since you cannot continue to ride on a tire with a plug.

Check out this video for a visual. Also, we have plenty of tire repair kits at all of our Pete’s Cycles locations, so come pay us a visit.

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The Race for the World's Most Expensive Motorcycle is Underway

I figured since so many people are making handcrafted, custom bikes that sell for a lot of money, it would be fun to try and find the world's most expensive motorcycle. What I found was this--the official title of the world's most expensive motorcycle will vary according to who you are talking to. 

And also, there is a difference between custom cycles and ones you can buy in a showroom. But this does not mean that there are not agreed upon contenders for either category. So, as promised, here are the front runners for World's Most Expensive Motorcycle. 

First up is the special edition, gold-plated Harley Davidson custom made by Lauge Jensen, a Danish motorcycle manufacturer. Hailed by many to be the world's most expensive bike, this cycle has a price tag of around $880,000. This bike was just recently shown in Hamburg at a 2014 Motorcycle expo, and details for this bike are hard to come by. But stay posted.

Next up is another custom bike, but this time with a solid-gold frame muted so as to not have that gaudy shine. This bike was commissioned by Turkish motorcycle enthusiast Tarhan Telli, and comes equipped with a 1801cc RevTech V-Twin. It also boasts 125 horsepower, six gears and weighs close to 700 pounds. Though the exact price of this bike is a secret, the frame itself is rumored to be worth 1 million. See a short article and video here.

In terms of stock cycles, you cannot pass over the Ecosse Titanium Series FE Ti XX, with a price tag of a cool $300,000. The FE Ti XX has a 2,409cc billet engine and comes stock with 225 horses, the highest number of horses Ecosse has put into an engine. The leather saddle is crafted by Berluti, an Italian leather maker. Even more, only 13 of these bikes will be produced.

Last but not least comes from the vintage category, the ultra-rare 1954 AJS E95 Porcupine. Costing at least $750,000 (which was a previous sale price) this collectors item is one of four bikes of its kind. The 1954 Porcupine was made by the British during WWII, and now remains in the National Motorcycle Museum in Coventry.

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Modern, Muscular and Affordable—The New 2014 Yamaha Bolt 950

Every once in a while at Pete's Cycle we get a bike that excites us. The new 2014 Yamaha Bolt 950 is one such bike.

 

For starters, the Bolt 950 is an excellent entry level bike, and, what is more, it’s affordable at around $7,990. So, you’re probably asking what makes a good entry level bike? That’s a tough question, and better answered by actually sitting on the bike and taking it for a spin. Come and stop by one of three Pete's Cycle stores and give it a test ride.

 

What the Bolt 950 has going for it is a low seat height, which gives the rider a natural upright position and more reactive maneuvering, since their weight is closer to the ground. The bike is remarkably light and agile considering it’s a midsize bike. When tested for fuel economy, the numbers averaged 50/mpg.

 

In terms of hardware, this machine is powered by a fuel-injected, 4-valve, V-Star 950 engine. The design of the bike is striking, beginning with a muscular design married to a sleek minimalism that seems to go in another direction than spectacular chrome and flash.

 

John Bayliss, Yamaha Motor Canada Motorcycle Product Manager, put its Bolt 950 design in context with trends in the motorcycle design: “A new ‘back to basics’ trend is emerging in the motorcycle world. Designers and custom builders are stepping back to a time when the mechanical beauty of a motorcycle was highlighted in its design. The Bolt’s simple design, compact styling and V-twin power combine to offer an incredibly fun riding experience.”

 

The best way to learn about this bike is to actually see it. Pete's Cycle has three locations in the Baltimore area, so come to the shop and see one for yourself.

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Get Your Motorcycle Ready for Spring with these Tips

For all of you in the mid-Atlantic region--which includes myself--it’s been a brutal winter. We’ve had snow, sleet, freezing rain, and more snow. Hopefully, you’ve been able to get a few rides in this winter, or at least take the atv out for a winter romp. Whether you have or haven’t been able to start up the bike, spring is indeed coming, and there are a few things you need to do to get your machine spring ready.

To begin, when gas sits too long in an engine, parts of the gasoline mixture can evaporate. This means that what is left behind is called varnish, a brown viscous substance that can be very damaging to an engine. The best way to deal with varnish is to empty out all the gas, drop the float bowls on the carbs, and remove any residue with a proper carb cleaner. Also remove the jets and clean them out as well as any air passages inside the carb. and  It goes without saying that if you don't have these tools, call Pete's Cycle and set up a service appointment. We do offer pick up and delivery of your motorcycle.

 

If by chance you used some fuel stabilizer before winter, and was sure to run your bike for a couple minutes with the stabilizer in it, they you may be ready to go, at least as far as your gasoline is concerned. As always after winter, replace/refresh the oil.

 

Of course, there is the usual tire pressure check. Most likely they lost air over the winter. Also ensure that your tires are not cracking and that they don’t have any flat spots, which is common when they sit for a long period of time, such as over the winter. Ideally, you moved the bike this winter a few times to rotate the tires. Check your brakes and their fluid levels, and be assured your filter is clean and chain lubed. It is also a good idea to check your turn signals, cables and lights to ensure they made it through the winter undamaged. Chances are there are a few items that need work.

 

There’s a good chance your battery needs some attention. If needed, try using distilled water to replenish any cells that need it, but do not over fill the battery. Go to the high mark only. If you don’t have a trickle charger, get one. Battery Tender makes a great charger and you can even get the one that has the leads you install on the battery. This way you just have to plug in the charger without removing the seat.

 

Every bike is different, which means that in addition to the steps I have listed, you should read your bike’s manual and make sure you are not missing anything. And remember this: T-CLOCK. This acronym stands for the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s checklist that should be done prior to every ride-- tires, controls, lights, oil, chassis, kickstand. Going through T-CLOCK before each ride is an excellent habit to start.

And finally, if your bike has been sitting all winter, then it may be as rusty as your riding skills. So start off easy on the first ride and be safe.

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