Halloween Driving tips

Halloween is now upon us, and it is good to go out and enjoy it, but remember Halloween is a holiday for fun activities and candy, not for tragedies. We have a few tips that will make your Halloween experience fun and safe for you and for others.

Refrain from using your phone or any other electronic devices while driving, and even while waiting on lights. Costumes might distract your eyes from the road on occasion, but please pay attention to the road at all times. Doing this keeps you from accidentally running over a trick-or-treater, or crashing into another vehicle.

Watch out for the monsters and ghouls walking by. Pay attention to crosswalks, stop signs, and intersections these creatures of the night might be walking across. Hey, this is not a Stephen King movie! Time doesn’t slow down or speed up on this auspicious of holidays. So abide by the speed limit, and monitor the flow of traffic at all times. At twilight, and later in the evening, watch out for kids who might be wearing all black or dark colored clothing, some costumes reduce the visibility of pedestrians.

Turn on your headlights for easy visibility. Be extremely cautious in rural areas with parked or standing cars, since parents tend to drive their kids around the blocks, but wait in convenient locations as they continue to trick-or-treat.

It may prove trying at times, but please be patient with people crossing the street. Some children may not be accompanied by parents, and will want to scour over their loot while walking to the next location. And others still might have costumes that make it difficult for them to move around at all.

Just remember, it is Halloween, and some kids will be too excited to abide by the old "stop, look, and listen" techniques. Have fun, be safe, and above all be courteous.

Motorcycle sales fluctuate

WILLIAMSTOWN - As gasoline prices fluctuate from around $4 per gallon and fall to $3.70 per gallon, many people have been looking for ways to save money, but not by purchasing a motorcycle.

"A lot of people are coming in to buy bikes, but we haven't heard much from customers about gas prices," said Patsy Hardy, co-owner of S&P Harley Davidson in Williamstown.

Kenny Hardy, general manager of the Thunder Road facility, said that the store has seen a surge in motorcycle sales, but fuel savings is not a main factor.

The average motorcycle gets anywhere from 35 to 60 miles per gallon, while the average midsize car gets roughly 20 to 30 miles per gallon, according to Environmental Protection Agency 2009 gas mileage statistics. Combine fuel economy with increased motorcycle publicity and that helps explain why more people have turned to this two-wheeled form of transportation, Kenny Hardy said.

Hardy continued that gas mileage for a motorcycle is the same as for mileage for a vehicle.

"Gas mileage depends on the model of the bike and the riding style," he said. "You could have a bike that gets 60 miles per gallon and only average 40 miles per gallon because of the way it is being ridden."

Other motorcycle enthusiasts are warning potential buyers that while the fuel savings will draw you in, there are costs in bikes.

"People who enjoy riding and the sport of motorcycles are more likely to get their money's worth out of the purchase than someone who buys a bike for fuel economy," said Mike Radcliff, sales manager at Lemon and Barrett's ATV and Cycle in Mineral Wells.

Radcliff said his store has not seen an increase in motorcycle sales at all, let alone due to increased gasoline prices.

"A few years ago when gas initially spiked and prices reached $4 per gallon, we saw a huge increase in sales and people realized they could save some money in gas if they rode a motorcycle," Radcliff said. "Unfortunately, it ended up costing them more because they don't love to ride."

Radcliff said that unless you enjoy motorcycles and are passionate about riding them, you will end up losing money on the cost of the bike's purchase, safety equipment and insurance than you will save on fuel.

"I have seen it 100 times," he said. "A guy comes in and buys a bike to save money and he loses money because he doesn't ride the bike enough to offset the cost.

"Unless you are someone who just loves to ride, don't invest in a bike for savings," Radcliff added.

___________________
Source: News and Sentinel (Craig, 10/21)

How to Store Your Motorcycle for the Winter

Winter is just around the corner. Not many riders ride their motorcycles during this season, so here are a few tips to properly store your bike from the harsh weather.

Things you'll need: 

•  Cleaning items, including water, soap and towels for the exterior, and chain degreaser, engine   cleaner, and WD-40.
• Fuel stabilizer, such as any manufacturer recommended brand or Sta-Bil.
• If you'll be changing your oil, the items listed in the oil change article.
• A battery tender or trickle charger.
• Wax for paint finishes.
• A bike cover or breathable fabric sheet.
• If your chain needs cleaning and/or lubrication, the items listed in the chain maintenance article.
• If you're willing to go the extra mile, so to speak, wood blocks or devices to lift the tires off the ground if your motorcycle isn't equipped with a center stand.

Prepare Your Engine, Exhaust, and Battery for Long Term Storage

The first thing you'll want to do to prepare your engine for storage is make sure the engine oil is clean. Old oil can trap contaminants which damage rubber seals, and performing an oil and filter change before long term storage will help preserve your engine.

If you won't be riding your motorcycle for several weeks (if it's carbureted) or several months (if it's fuel injected), you'll want to make sure your fuel delivery systems are ready for inactivity. With a carbureted engine, you should turn the petcock into the "off" position, loosen the float-bowl drain screw, and catch the fuel in a container. If draining it isn't possible, you can run the engine with the petcock in the "off" position until it dies. Because moisture can accumulate in half-empty tanks, fill up with gas and top it off with a manufacturer-recommended fuel stabilizer or Sta-Bil. Some believe draining the float plugs isn't necessary if stabilizer is added to the fuel and properly run through the fuel system; do whichever process you feel most comfortable with.

If you're storing your bike for more than six months, you might want to protect your piston and cylinder rings from potentially rusting. To do so, remove each spark plug and pour a tablespoon of fresh engine oil or spray fogging oil inside. Ground the ignition leads and turn the engine several times to spread the oil before replacing the spark plugs.

Spray some WD40 into the exhaust pipe(s) in order to keep water away; the "WD" stands for water displacement, and keeping moisture out will prevent rust. You can also keep water and critters out by stuffing intake and exhaust with crumpled plastic bags.

Clean battery leads and attach a battery tender to your battery to keep it charged and ready to go when you're ready to bring the bike out of storage; if you don't have a tender, a trickle charger is better than nothing.

Cleaning Your Motorcycle for Long Term Winter Storage

Dirt and grime will damage motorcycles, both cosmetically and mechanically, so use these tips to preserve your bike during long term storage:

Wash your motorcycle before storage; check out our How to Wash a Motorcycle tutorial, and be sure to let your bike completely dry before covering it, as trapped condensation can cause rust.

In order to ensure that your chain doesn't corrode, follow our Chain Maintenance Step-by-Step tutorial.
Use a degreaser to clean sludge from the outside of the engine.

After washing your bike, apply wax to any paint surfaces, and chrome polish to chrome; this will keep moisture away.

Hopefully you'll be able to keep your bike out of the weather; if you do, use a breathable piece of fabric or a bike cover to keep dust off.

If you can't avoid leaving your bike exposed to the elements, you might not want to cover it since covers can trap moisture and do more harm than good.

Brake, Clutch, and Coolant Fluids

If your brake fluid is in need of changing, do so before long-term storage. Similarly, hydraulic clutch fluid should be changed before you store your bike; both systems may suffer failure if moisture gets in.

Also make sure your coolant is fresh, as deposits can form from old fluid. For service intervals, consult your owner's manual.

Unload the Suspension

If your motorcycle has a center stand, use it for long term storage.

If you're not riding for several weeks and don't have a center stand, you may want to consider carefully propping up the bike using blocks. Don't do more harm than good by dropping your bike while attempting to prop it up! If done correctly, lifting your motorcycle will alleviate stress on the suspension and tires.

Inflate your tires to the maximum recommended pressure will maintain their shape, since cooling temperatures will make the pressurized air contract. If the ground might potentially freeze, try to keep the tires off the ground using wood blocks.

____________________
Source: About (Wasef)

10 Ways to Avoid Looking Like a Squid

A motorcycle is more than a fashion statement, it is a taste of freedom, danger, and responsibility. Here are ten ways to avoid looking like a squid (noob).

Your First Bike Should be a Tool, Not a Fashion Accessory

Bikes are inherently cool— which is one of the many reasons we ride— and we all want to exploit that fact when we're on a motorcycle. But your bike choice— whether you're a first time, intermediate, or advanced rider— should be chosen to make you a better motorcyclist, not make you look like you blew your 401K on a race-ready literbike, a custom paint job, and a matching helmet. Besides, you can always step up to your dream bike after you've cut your teeth on something more manageable.

Save Bare Skin for Bikini Models

One of the telltale ways to spot a squid a mile away is their blatant disregard for safety gear and their decision to wear shorts, flip-flops, and t-shirts; as any experienced rider will tell you, it's not yourself you want to look out for, it's other people on the road. Grab a DOT-approved helmet, a solid jacket, gloves and boots; if anything, going to the trouble of gearing up just might uphold Murphy's Law and ensure you keep the rubber side down.

Turn Off That Blinker!

Veteran riders can be just as guilty of this visual (and potential safety) offense as newbies. Unless your bike's equipped with self-cancelling signals, switch your blinkers off after you've completed your turn or changed lanes. Nobody, especially a new rider, wants the look like a blue-haired permablinker.

Batten Down the Hatches

Saddlebags can be lifesavers when it comes to carrying cargo. But if they're not fastened properly, they can end up bouncing across the highway like a pinball. Learn how your saddlebag latches lock into place, and give them a good shakedown before starting your ride—otherwise, you might not be the only thing hitting the road.

Get to Know Your Kickstand

Kickstands are squirrelly little contraptions. Their spring-loaded mechanisms can make them trickier to operate than you might think, and if they're not completely deployed, all it takes is a light graze of a boot to quietly load them back into a stowed position. Few things are as disconcerting as the slow-motion horizontal parking maneuver, and making sure your kickstand is all the way down will help you avoid that fate.

Resist the Urge to Showboat

Adrenaline's pumping, the engine is eager, and the light just turned green. You may be tempted to pound the throttle, drop the clutch and wheelie your way through the next quarter mile, but don’t get suckered into showing off your misguided motorcycle prowess; chances are you don't have the chops to pull off that mind-blowing maneuver, especially if you're a new rider. Resist the urge to impersonate pros like Jason Britton, and you'll save yourself the dishonor of looking like a chump.

Work on Getting Slow Speed Maneuvers Right

Going fast is easy; it's slow speed maneuvers that take serious skill. Practice parking lot drills like figure 8's and slaloms, and you'll sharpen your balance and bike control, which will eventually help you become better at more delicate moves like u-turns. A squid focuses only on speed, while a serious motorcyclist can make an 800 pound bike move with the grace of a bicycle.

Focus, Grasshopper

Your early experiences aboard a motorcycle usually involve a boatload of distracted thoughts: "Which one's the clutch again? Did I leave my blinker on? Am I going to die today?" Manage your mindcloud and think like a Buddhist monk by breathing calmly and focusing on only the purest essentials; practice this discipline enough, and everything else will fall into place.

Don't Be a Jerk

A squid gives himself (or herself) away by grabbing the front brake and making the fork dive, yanking the throttle and lurching ahead, and taking a turn by cutting four imaginary apexes when only one is necessary. Learn the art of smooth controls, and you'll up your cool quotient exponentially while also becoming a better rider.

Ride Within Your Limits

This relates to the "No showboating" tip, but applies towards the general dynamics of everyday riding. Cross the line, and the consequences usually aren't pretty; learn how to master proper braking, smooth shifting and speed management, and you'll soon taste the sweet challenge of becoming a better, more controlled, and ultimately safer rider.

_____________________________
Source: About. (Wasef)

Happy Almost S.R.V. Day!

October 3 is considered Stevie Ray Vaughan Day, so what better thing to do than to come celebrate the life and music of Texas' one and only Stevie Ray Vaughan with the 18th annual S.T.V. Remembrance Ride and Concert, October 7. It will be held in the world's largest Hooters 11:15 sharp in the heart of West End Dallas.

The Stevie Ray Vaughan Remembrance Ride & Concert was started in the early 90's as a way of honoring the life and music of Stevie, who passed away in a tragic helicopter accident during the late 80's. All the proceeds from the concert will be going to the S.R.V. Memorial Scholarship Fund.

There will be various parties being held before and after the Remembrance ride and concert . A day before the big day there will be a pre-party held at Rick Fairless' Strokers Dallas and the day of the parade and concert, which will be held in the Cowboys Dance Hall in Arlington from 12-6:30pm, there will be an after party at All Star Diamond Jim's Saloon from 7pm to 2am.

Concert will showcase both famous and local talent blues bands like the Ian Moore Band, Kayla Reeves, Van Wilks, and the Harles Brothers, just to name a few. Pre-ordered tickets cost $20 and $25 at the door. All tickets are general admission and all seats are considered great seats. Parking is free.

So join in on the fun and the endless hours of music this October 7!

___________________________
Source: Stevie Ray Vaughan Remembrance Ride and Concert