Archive for September, 2011
When you’ve just shelled out thousands on a motorcycle or scooter, finding a new scratch on your bodywork can be heartbreaking. As a bike or scoot goes through life the odd scuff or scratch is inevitable, but there’s plenty you can do to ensure they’re few and far between, and kept to an absolute minimum.
First things first, if you’ve got a motorcycle fit a tank protector. With motorcycle styling going the way it has over the past 20 years, where once your bike’s tank was low and level with your thighs, its now often right up against your crotch – and in constant danger of scratching from belt buckles, zips and buttons.
The solution is to fit a tank protector. They range from relatively inexpensive, inconspicuous minimalist designs to carbonfibre works of art, but they all do the same thing, in that they protect the area on your bike that’s most likely to cop a hiding. Get ‘em at just about any bike shop, and fit them yourself in seconds.
Other areas prone to scratching on bikes or scooters include anywhere close to where you’re loading soft luggage. For bikes, tank bags in particular are a big offender, which is why Bagster-type tank bag and bra arrangements are popular – providing a firm mount for your bag, while the tank remains protected by a custom-fit, often colour-coordinated bra.
For other tank bags, slipping an old T-shirt between the bag and your tank can work wonders. Beware of magnetic tank bags – they’re convenient, but put them down by the side of the road and they’ll pick up all sorts of stones and metals with iron content. Put that tank bag back on and ride for a bit, and you may as well have taken to your tank with coarse gauge sandpaper… Old T-shirts are also the go underneath soft panniers, between the panniers and the side panels/tail section of your bike. It mightn’t look great, but your bike will love you for it.
And then we come to the travelling bike or scooter rider’s best mate – gaffer tape. This stuff is brilliant – anywhere you can see potential for your luggage to rub your bodywork, stick on a section or two to nip it in the bud. It also makes a great makeshift motorcycle tank pad, if for some reason you don’t already have one fitted. It can leave a fine line of adhesive when you remove it, but this comes off in seconds with a bit of rag dipped in petrol.
Is your stereo still living in the past? But you don’t want too many confusing gadgets or ‘add ons’ on your new stereo? Today, there are still a variety of more basic stereo models on the market, which will allow you to listen to your CD’s, as well as connect to a mp3 player.
A CD and Mp3 stereo offers the best of both worlds as you can listen to the high quality sounds of the CD, or conveniently connect a mp3 player – It’s your choice. An Mp3 connection enables you to listen to your music, without you lugging around with you your whole CD collection. But if you still wish to listen to a CD, the option is still there.
This stereo is also great for those who burn mp3 or wma files off the internet, as it is capable of playing CD-R/RW’s. Downloading music is now one of the easiest, fastest and often cheapest ways of getting that much wanted album, making a CD R/RW option in a stereo highly desirable.
Of course, CD and Mp3 compatible stereos still provide you with the radio. So if you enjoy listening to a radio show after work, you certainly won’t miss out on it in the car. You may notice that with this stereo that a number of radio tuner improvements will expand the number of shows you can listen to and improve the quality of signal.
A new stereo will also provide you with better sound quality overall, enabling you to listen to the radio, a CD or an Mp3 player, without much distortion from the sound of the car. Extraneous ware, such as amplifiers and sub-woofers can also be connected to improve the listening experience.
A Salvage car auction is a great place to purchase cars. The cars are generally of good quality and well maintained. A lot of people are hesitant when it comes to purchasing cars from salvage car auctions but that is only because they don’t know the proper way of bidding for the items that catch their fancy. Being careful about certain aspects and being cautious at the auction can get you a great deal and leave you feeling satisfied and pleased.
There are certain things you should be extremely particular about. The first is that you should reach the salvage auto auction venue on time. In fact, being slightly before time will only help you make a good deal. Reaching after everyone else has already settled in is not a great idea because by then most people have already seen the displays and made up their minds about what to bid for and there is hardly any time for you to do the same. Being early will also help you in getting expert advice and also good tips from seasoned salvage car bidders. You get more time to inspect various vehicles, talk to dealers, other participants and other experts.
The next important step is to decide what price range and model you are looking for. Be sure and resolute about the kind of car you want to purchase and stick to that. Because after stepping into the auction, you will surely get confused seeing so many models and types of automobiles. So make up your mind beforehand about the kind of car you want to buy and go for the auction keeping that in mind.
Another and perhaps the most important technique is to inspect the car models horoughly. Reach the salvage auto auction early and take a good look at all the models that are within your price range. Do not go by exterior looks alone. A lot of salvage cars are at the auction because they were in accidents or wrecked and. This however does not mean that it is a bad car not worth bidding for.
In order to make a correct assessment of whether the car is worth bidding for or not, and to strike a good deal inspect the engine, the brakes and the clutch of the car properly. If you want to be absolutely thorough then bring a mechanic with you to the auction. He will be able to give proper inputs regarding which car you should bid for in general.
Also important is not to believe everything you are told at a salvage car auction. All other participants are competitors and everyone is there to get the best deal they possibly can. So, don’t listen to each and everyone. Take advice from the experts at the auction and if possible take someone knowledgeable with you so that he can guide you properly. Be focused and bid on only that which you really need.
Lastly, it is important that you stay calm and focused during the auction. Do not let your surroundings overwhelm you. Do not bid for something above your reach and you will surely have an amazing experience in a salvage auto auction.
Well-known self storage providers, such as Concord Storage, offer you car storage spaces that meet all your needs. You have researched hard and finally found the best place to park your car. However, is this all that you need to know? Remember, if you are planning for long-term car storage, just driving in and parking your car is not all. You need to prepare your car before you keep it in storage. After all you want your precious vehicle to remain in the same condition when you return to retrieve it. Here are some important tips that will help you make your car ready for long-term storage.
*Keep your gas tank full. A full tank will reduce the space of air above it, and this, in turn, will eliminate moisture absorption by gasoline. It helps mix certain additives to gasoline that act as corrosion inhibitors. If you do not know which brand to mix, a good idea is to ask the staff of Concord Car Storage, who will be very eager to help you.
*Replace the engine oil of your car. Dirty oil can play havoc with your car. Contaminants, such as water and oil, can cause early problems.
*If you do not have plans to take out your car frequently, it will do well to remove the spark plugs, spray a good upper cylinder lubricant on the cylinder, and replace the plugs.
*Keep the brake and master cylinders full with brake oil. Less exposed surface means less moisture absorption.
*It is important to prevent rust in the engine area. To do this, use an appropriate lubricant spray to all exposed metal surfaces. The volatile elements in the spray evaporate, leaving behind a protective film.
*You will certainly like to see your car look elegantly parked in Concord Storage. Wash your car beforehand and apply wax to give your car a polished look.
*Give your car a good run before you drive it to the car storage. This helps moisture to evaporate from the exhaust channels. Concord Storage staff will recommend that you keep the hand brakes “off” and leave the gears in position.
*Over inflating the tires will help prevent flat spots.
*Disconnect the battery.
Concord Storage Units suggest that you take out the car occasionally for short drives. This helps in the upkeep of the car. The Following Are Some Other Important Points:
*Check the expiry date of your car’s registration to ensure that it will not expire when you are away.
*See to it that all aspects of insurance are taken care of while you are away. The staff of Concord Storage may assist you in insurance issues. Nevertheless, it helps doing your homework well in advance.
If your car is stored well in a dependable storage unit, it will ensure great peace of mind. Concord Storage fortunately is well geared to meet all your needs. It is not surprising that Concord Self Storage and Concord RV Storage have made a name for itself for dependability, efficiency, and reassuring service.
In the year 1925, Henry Ford introduced the first, factory assembled pickup truck in the automobile market. Its purpose was that a vehicle should also be able to help carry big loads in everyday use.
Basically, a pickup is an assembly of two parts, the cabin and the bed. The cabin houses the engine and driving cockpit. The bed or the rear is separated from the front. This reduces the load on the chassis when carrying heavy loads.
Trucks, especially chevy pickup trucks, have gained a lot of popularity in the past ten years. This is because of the benefits that a pickup truck brings to its owner. Here are a few reasons why pickup sales have risen recently.
- Trucks are powerful vehicles. They are the best way for hauling and transporting heavy items, such as machinery, refrigerators, furniture and logs etc. They have become a source of the livelihood of many people.
- Pickups have a spacious tailgate and are most suitable for carrying large objects.
- They have heavy duty suspensions so weighty but fragile items, like sensitive machinery or electronic items like big screen TVs etc can also be loaded and transported with minimal risk of damage.
- Up to 6 people can be comfortably seated in a pickup, especially the chevy pickup.
- Trucks are safe. Most have AWD (All Wheel Drive) which give the driver a lot more control on the car, especially during bad weather like thunderstorms and snow etc.
- Women find lighter pickup trucks attractive because they are easy to navigate and adapt to a day full of chores.
- Pickups have got great road grip and are equally efficient both on and off the road.
- Most trucks have fuel economy systems. This makes them more cost efficient than normal cars.
- Pickup trucks come in a wide variety of sizes. Standard, extended and crew cab size. So you have the freedom to choose as per your requirement.
- Styles are like a status symbol with pickup trucks these days. Compact, Midsized, Full-sized, Sports Utility or Muscle. They all have powerful looks. You can choose the one that makes you feel the best.
The bottom line is that pickup trucks are powerful, efficient, laboriously helpful and fast. And definitely sexy! Wouldn’t you want one?