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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Winterizing a Motorcycle

Winter is coming fast! And it’s time to start thinking about how to store your machine over the snowy season. Remember that an engine’s biggest enemy is moisture on its inside. In other words—corrosion. Especially vulnerable are the piston rings, cylinder walls, and valve seats.

Click here for some great advice and steps you need to take to winterize your machine. Anyone can do it. And, believe me, it’s worth it. Be sure your machine runs perfectly in Spring!

Before you begin, you’ll need a few items, such as cleaning cloths, spark plug wrench, a trickle battery charger, four or five quarts of high quality oil, new oil filter, oil can, and so on. Definitely make a trip to any one of three Pete’s Cycle locations—Baltimore, Bel Air, Severna Park—and we would be happy to keep you up-to-date with all the right information and prepared in keeping you and your cycles safe through the winter. Or visit our home page by clicking here.

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Fall is a Great Time to go Off Road Riding

It doesn’t matter whether you prefer your tires to spit up mud or dirt, Fall brings with it the best riding weather mother nature has to offer. With the off road area’s offering better views as the leaves are blown to the ground, and the crisp air beckoning us to take the trails less traveled, it is the time of year that motorcycles and atv’s are designed for.

Be sure to  visit the link below for some info on great trail riding spots in our area. And don't forget to stop in at Pete's for all your off road riding needs from boots to jackets to goggles and gloves!

Here's a link with a few places to hit the dirt in Maryland. http://www.enduro.4t.com/riding.htm

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Tips for Cool Weather Bike Riding

You didn’t buy that bike so that it would stay in the garage the first time the temperatures begin to dip.  Fall is perhaps one of the greatest times of the year to jump on the back of your motorcycle and hit the open road, but to fully enjoy that next road trip you need to properly gear up for that next adventure.  As anyone who has ever logged some cold weather miles can tell you, cold weather makes for an uncomfortable ride which can quickly sour you on the process.  That need not be the case.

Gearing up properly for a fall ride requires staying insulated and beating the wind.  Happily, there are a number of both low tech and high tech solutions designed to make that next riding experience pleasurable.  There is no shortage of high tech solutions that may filter the wind at the risk of straining your bank account.  Towards that end, the truly die-hard can outfit themselves with heated gear that plugs into their clothing and is run off the bike’s battery.  While it’s certainly a nice way to travel, a snug fitting jacket, scarves, gloves, and hats are an excellent way to extend the riding season into the colder seasons.   

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