Hurt Report

A study of 900 motorcycle crashes titled Motorcycle Accident Cause Factors and Identification of Countermeasures, authored by H.H. Hurt et al., in 1981. Conducted in the late 1970s, it is considered the most comprehensive study of motorcycle crash causation to date.

Fairing

Frontal bodywork on a motorcycle intended to make the vehicle more aerodynamic and/or reduce wind pressure on the rider. Common types of fairings include flyscreens (very small shields placed over the headlight), bikini fairings (small fairings that fit completely around the headlight), half fairings and full fairings. In the 1950s roadrace motorcycles used what were called dustbin fairings that covered virtually the entire motorcycle, but these were outlawed due to the danger of cross winds blowing the motorcycle off of the racetrack!

Café-racer

Customized motorcycle built in the style currently categorized as a sportbike; popular in the 1960s, 1970s and early 1980s. The term originated in England when it was popular to modify a motorcycle for better performance and riders would race from cafe to cafe. Sometimes a jukebox would be started to play a particular song at a cafe and riders would race around a prescribed route to see if they could make it back to the cafe before the song was over.

Body Armor

Padding, hard-shelled material or other impact-absorbing material fitted to a motorcyclist’s apparel. Usually placed in high impact areas such as shoulders, elbows, back and knees. Also common in sport bike gloves and boots.

Antilock Braking System (ABS)

A motorcycle braking system that prevents the wheels from locking during braking, causing a loss of control and possible accident. Sensors determine front and rear wheel speed and when either wheel is about to lock up hydraulic pressure is slightly reduced to prevent the wheel from completely locking up. Especially useful in poor traction conditions such as sand or loose gravel, wet roads or icy conditions.

Storing your Motorcycle

If you motorcycle is going to be sitting for over a month without use you can perform some preventive maintenance to protect it from deterioration.

Clean the motorcycle. Do not underestimate the effects that grease, grime and dirt have on a motorcycle. Dirt attracts moisture which causes rust. A clean, well polished motorcycle will stand up to the elements of storage better than one that is neglected.

Drain the fuel tank, fuel lines, and carburetor float bowl(s). New gasoline formulas are very corrosive and can destroy a fuel system if they are left to sit. If you must leave fuel in your gas tank for whatever reason, make sure you add a fuel stabilizer.

If your gas tank is metal, remove the empty tank and pour a cup of engine oil into the tank. Flip the tank around to coat the inner surfaces thoroughly and drain off excess oil. Reinstall the tank.

Remove the spark plug(s) and pour about one tablespoon of engine oil into the spark plug hole(s) - reinstall the spark plugs. Kick the engine over several times (with ignition off) to coat the cylinder walls with oil.

Remove the drive chain. Clean the chain thoroughly with solvent and lubricate the chain with chain lubricant. Reinstall the chain or store in a plastic bag (you can tie it to the frame for safe-keeping).

Lubricate all control cables and pivot points.

Remove the battery and put it on a trickle charger. Store it in a cool, dry place. Do not store a battery in an excessively hot or cold place (less than 32° F or more than 90°F).

Block up the motorcycle frame to raise both wheels off ground. You can use your center stand if your motorcycle is equipped with one.

Deflate the tires to 15psi.

Tie a plastic bag over the exhaust pipe outlet(s) to prevent moisture from entering. You can also use a exhaust plug available from any motorcycle dealership.

If you are storing your motorcycle in a humid or salt-air atmosphere, coat all exposed metal surfaces with a light film of oil. Do not apply oil to rubber parts or seat cover.

Every 15 — 20 days, kick the engine over several times (with the ignition off) to redistribute oil film to all moving parts. If you motorcycle does not have a kick starter you can turn the rear wheel with the vehicle in gear.

Spend the money and get yourself a good motorcycle cover.

Cleaning Your Motorcycle

Want to keep your motorcycle looking and working great? Frequently cleaning your motorcycle will not only enhance its appearance but will also improve the general performance and extend the useful life of many critical components. Follow these simple tips for cleaning your motorcycle.

Before cleaning your motorcycle be sure to block off the end of the exhaust pipe(s) to prevent water from entering. A plastic bag and strong rubber band may be used if you don’t have an exhaust plug. Universal Exhaust plugs are available from most motorcycle dealers.

Remove the air filter or protect it from water with a plastic bag - if the air filter is due for a cleaning now is a good time to clean and re-oil it. See your service manual for your specific oil filter servicing procedure.

Make sure the spark plug(s), gas cap, oil filler cap, engine oil level gauge cap and battery caps are properly installed so that no water can enter the engine.

If the engine cases are excessively greasy, apply engine degreaser with a brush - an old tooth brush works great. Do not apply degreaser to the chain, sprockets, or wheel axles as it can destroy the seals and strip out the lubricant.

Rinse all dirt and de-greaser off with a garden hose, using only enough water pressure to do the job. Be careful if you are using a pressure washer as water that is forced into the wheel bearings, front forks, brake or engine transmission seals will contaminate these assemblies and may rust them out. I had a good friend that would clean his bike at the car wash and would go through wheel bearings on a regular basis. His bike was clean but he spent allot of money on bearings until he wised up.

When the bulk of the dirt and grim has been hosed off, wash all surfaces with warm water and mild, detergent-type soap. Again, an old tooth brush is great for reaching those hard-to-get-to places.

Rinse the motorcycle off immediately with clean water and dry all surfaces with a chamois skin, clean towel, or soft absorbent cloth.

Immediately after washing, remove excess moisture from chain and lubricate it with chain lube to prevent rust.

Chrome-plated parts such as handlebars, rims, spokes, forks, and accessories may be further cleaned with automotive chrome polish.

Clean the seat with a vinyl upholstery cleaner to keep the cover pliable and glossy.

Automotive-type wax may be applied to all painted and chrome-plated surfaces. Avoid combination cleaner-waxes. Many contain abrasives which may scratch paint or protective finishes on fuel and side covers.

After finishing, (be sure to re-install your air filter or remove any plastic bags covering it) start the engine immediately and allow it to idle for several minutes. This will allow excess water to vibrate free and the engine heat will dry any water hidden out of site. It’s a good idea to make sure the engine will run before leaving it to sit anyway.

Spend the money and get yourself a good motorcycle cover.

Cavitation

The mixing of air with a fluid. When air is allowed to enter the oil pump of a motorcycle engine it can cause a situation where the oil is displaced and unable to flow properly through the pump. A solution is often to bleed the air out of the lubrication system. Cavitation can also be a problem with personal watercraft when air mixes with the water in the pump drive system.

Screw Extractor

A screw or bolt extractor is a device used to remove broken bolts, screws and fasteners. They are available from most motorcycle and automotive stores.

Short Circuit

An electrical failure in which the current flow bypasses (takes a shortcut before) the resistance of the load and goes directly to ground. Short circuits can result in blown fuses, melted wires and damaged components.

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