Do You Need a Part for Your Harley Davidson Motorcycle?

Need a Harley Davidson Part for your ride?

<B>Where do you get a good quality Harley Davidson Part? Can I use an aftermarket part?

These questions are not easy to answer. It depends a lot on your situation, part you're looking for, and the money you want to spend.

The bottom line......... you have to decide.

I have a little information here that may be useful to you, so keep reading!

<B>An OEM part versus an aftermarket part.

An <B>OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) part are of course the genuine Harley Davidson Part you would find at an authorized Harley dealer.

These parts are original in that they have the exact same specifications that came with the original part.

These parts however many not have been manufactured by Harley Davidson themselves (at their physical location). Harley may get another company to manufacture these parts to Harley specs, and then they will sell them in the Harley box as OEM.

OEM parts are generally more expensive, and almost always recommended by the dealer. (They make their money by selling parts not bikes)

The dealer will most likely tell you that OEM parts are of a higher quality. This may or may not be true.

An <B>Aftermarket part should perform as well as an OEM but take note. These parts were made by a company other than the original manufacturer.

Sometimes after a certain time period the original manufacturer of a part will allow the company that physically manufactured the part to sell it at a reduced price and in their own packaging. The part now becomes an OEM aftermarket part.

Normally after a certain period of time, the manufacturer will allow the company that originally designed/produced the part to sell it in their own box at a considerably lower cost, making it: an Aftermarket OEM part

So what does this tell you about that Harley Davidson Part that you need?

If you cannot find the quality in an aftermarket part, then search for the OEM provided it is in your price range.

There is a lot of competition out there between vendors who want your dollar. An aftermarket Harley part, for your Harley Davidson are generally of good to excellent quality.

If you own a Harley, sooner or later you will have to buy parts for it. Buying online has its conveniences and you don't have to go downtown and fight traffic.

Keith Nivon is an avid Harley Davidson Motorcycle Enthusiast! His website contains information on all things Harley Davidson. <a target="_new" href="http://www.everything-harley-davidson.com">http://www.everything-harley-davidson.com</a> is a great article resource for anyone who shares a passion for Harley Davidson Motorcycles. Have a look at <a target="_new" href="http://www.everything-harley-davidson.com/harley-davidson-part.html">http://www.everything-harley-davidson.com/harley-davidson-part.html</a> for more info on parts.

Women and Motorcycles? You Bet!

To really understand the women and her ride, one needs to go back in history to explore the courageous women who defied the norm and road their horses in the freedom of the wind. Who could forget Joan of Arc or Annie Oakley. Two completely different women who followed their own council and fought for their right to ride in a man's world. Or the women warlords who fought while on horseback and brandished their swords with the best of them. (and yes, women really did that) What man could resist such a women?

Women's love affair with the motorcycle began with the bicycle back in the 1800's. They became hugely popular with women. Susan B. Anthony once said, &quot;A bicycle has done more for the emancipation of women more than any other thing in this world&quot;.

When the motorized bicycle was developed in the early 1900's, it opened up a whole new realm of adventure for the high-spirited woman of the day. Many women took to the open road not on horseback, but on the iron horse. Adventurous women enjoyed many long distance rides. Some were skilled enough to do stunt riding. No mean feat, especially on the earlier bikes.

The ride for men and women are uniquely different. A man on his ride is master of the iron muscle and his testosterone kicks in while he uses his arms and upper body to control the beast. He is lord and master of his ride. Women take a more subtle approach. They use their lower body and their curves to hug the open road. It's a sensual bond between the bike and the woman. She is also master of the ride but she controls it with more passion and finesse.

There is something about seeing a woman on a motorcycle that makes you take notice. You can see the iron muscle being controlled with femininity. It's the combination of power and aesthetics that make it an irresistible combination.

There is nothing like the open road for both men and women. To experience the freedom and the wind, the sites you see and people you meet along the way that fuel the spirit and feed the soul. This experience is something no one can take from you.

Enjoy!

About the author

Willie Jones <a target="_new" href="http://www.barneysmotorcycles.com">http://www.barneysmotorcycles.com</a>

Willie is a freelance writer, researcher and artist who's adventurous spirit loves to share with others. <a target="_new" href="http://www.barneysmotorcycles.com">Barneys Motorcycle</a>

People Are Crazy... and Everyone Is A Racer

?And everyone is a racer. If you doubt that, you've obviously never driven in New York City during rush hour. Look closely at the driver of that Japanese luxury car. He's just as miffed as you the racer is at having to drive fifty-five miles per hour when the speedometer on the car clearly reads one hundred and fifty. Why can't we drive it at that speed if the car can come close to it. Man, just look at him fiddling with the knobs pretending to be tuning the radio into a station. We racers know what he is really doing is setting the frequency of his imaginary laser beam roadblock remover system. You know the ones; they make little bomb sounds as we pretend we are obliterating our foes on the drive home.

If you really want to annoy him, honk your horn, tailgate him for a few seconds then cut in front of him. When he reaches his boiling point, slam on your brakes and drive slower than you were both going previously. then apply your brakes and drive slower than you were driving before you cut him off. His typical response will be one of anger, an anger borne of the pent-up frustrations of living in a high tech world and being legislated into a low-tech existence. Our driver will invariably stab the gas pedal and swerve out of the lane in an attempt to pass you back. You, in turn, speed up, knowing that his intent is to block pass you at the first opportunity, then brake check you just so you get the message.

And so this high-speed game of "chicken" unfolds on any highway others will graciously move over to let the two road-warriors carry on with the spectacle. I've participated in a more than a few such duels myself though lately I choose to be a bystander to other people's road rage. This emotionally charged ego-tripping could be very dangerous to anyone near the scene.

Society says we should be punished for breaking their law of a maximum velocity of fifty-five miles per hour (in New York at least). Most racers will try to get away with as much as we can, just like on the track and usually have the skills to pull it off. The typical driver lacks all of the needed skills and courage to indulge themselves and so after one or more two hundred dollar speeding tickets, the potential racer's lust for life is usually squashed flatter than Spongebob in the Arizona desert. They usually go home more frustrated, angrier, and two bills poorer. I'm glad I race motorcycles; I'm glad I have a family of people who know and think and feel exactly as I do... we are fortunate to be real racers.

Drivers aren't the only ones who are acting crazy either. Anyone who has walked or driven in Manhattan can attest to the fact that the craziest of all humans is not "Checkered Cabbus-Weavus"; that honor belongs to "Pedestrius Al-sue-yerbutt", the dreaded New York City pedestrian.

No other form of life on the planet is capable of staring into the eyes of the errant tractor-trailer driver and then stepping nonchalantly into the path of his serpentine behemoth. If you've never seen eighteen thousand pounds of truck with all the wheels locked up you don't know what you're missing. The puff of blue smoke in the distance alerts one to the presence of "Pedestrius Al-su-yerbutt."

While the truck driver shakes uncontrollably, trying to bring his heartbeat back below the three hundred mark, "Pedestrius Al-su-yerbutt" flashes an ear to ear grin. And why shouldn't they, they've just looked fear and death in the face and walked away unscathed. Others can only look on in amazement; children will point in their direction with wonder and awe. They are momentarily idolized as they relish fifteen seconds worth of their fifteen minutes of fame. They will be on the tongues of everyone who saw their gutsy moves,

"Holy cripes, did you see that?"

I'm glad I race motorcycles; I'm glad I have a family of people who know and think and feel exactly as I do... we are fortunate to be real racers and have our outlet.

Before we forget that this is a moto-cross story, let me get to the heart of the matter. The point is simply how much we as off road riders and racers have to be grateful for. Unlike the road-rager and "Pedestrius Al-sue-yerbutt," we don't have to drive our cars at one hundred and twenty miles per hour, nor do we have to tempt fate by stepping in front of speeding trucks just to feel that surge of adrenaline. Thank God we are real racers... I do. We aren't as unlucky as the folks who live out the two examples of non-racers.

We are the normal; we can take out our frustrations on machines that were designed to be the healers of our pressures and frustrations. We have moto-cross and the woods to keep us sane. How lucky we are indeed. I'm glad I race motorcycles; I'm glad I have a family of people who know and think and feel exactly as I do... I am fortunate to be among real racers. So when next you are privy to witness any of the afore mentioned dramas, you'll know? people are crazy, and everyone is a racer.

Michael James

*7 years covering professional motocross racing for Cycle News, mxlarge.com, motocross.com, and mxwired.com *amateur motocross racer *screenwriter - seeking representation- *8 year columnist for several motocross papers and magazines

Mini Moto Tips

These are some quick adjustments and tips for the B1 liquid cooled minimoto that I have found helpful.

Extra heat protection:

To protect the bike I've put some aluminium tape on the inside of the fairing at the closest point to the exhaust and on the underside of the fuel tank. I?ve done this because the engine gets so hot I wanted to protect the fairing from melting, and it doesn't hurt to protect the fuel tank for the same reasons!

My cooling system tips:

When you run out of cooling liquid for your B1 rep, use is distilled water which is available at your local garage, add some food colouring to it so that you can easily tell the level and away you go.

Only fill the reservoir to a quarter full, this is easily enough coolant and it leaves room for the pressure.

Once you have filled the coolant reservoir, there is often air locks in the system. To get rid of these start the bike and allow it to warm up, then bounce the bike (gently) on its back tyre with the bike vertical. Do this a few times, this should get rid of the air locks in the system and prevent overheating. The coolants level may need to be topped up now.

Where not to ride:

Hi just bought my new B1 air cooled from you guys. Thanks it's a great bike. A quick word of advice for your other customers. DO NOT RIDE YOUR MINI MOTO ON THE ROAD. My friend (who also rides a mini moto, but on tracks where they are supposed to be ridden!) is a police man (boooo!) and the law is very strict:

The driver or rider of a motorised board or cycle on a road could face heavy fines, endorsement of licence, disqualification and in the case of dangerous driving, up to 2 years imprisonment.

Remember that the term road includes not only a carriageway but also pavements and verges and also any highway which encompasses footpaths, bridleways and by-ways.

It can also include privately owned roads to which the public have access and has in some cases included car parks?

Car park warriors beware!!!???

Here's a good tip. Before riding your mini moto you will need to make sure that your wheels and chain are aligned. Here's how. Loosen the bolts on the back wheel so that you can move it. Place a piece of perfectly straight wood (I used a meter stick) up against the front wheel. When the front wheel is straight the meter stick should be flush against both the front of the tyre and the back. Then it's a simple case of lining up the back wheel. The chain should now also be straight.

Changing the gearing on your mini moto is simple. A bigger front sprocket combined with a smaller rear sprocket creates a smaller ratio, this means that the mini moto will have better accelelaration but less top spead. A smaller front sprocket with a bigger back sprocket will give your mini moto a better top speed but slower acceleration.

Here are the possible variations of gearing: The lower the ratio the faster acceleration. The higher ratio, the better the top speed.

8/54 6.75>1
8/56 7>1
8/58 7.25>1
8/60 7.5>1
7/54 7.714285714>1
8/62 7.75>1
7/56 8>1
8/64 8>1
7/56 8>1
8/66 8.25>1
7/58 8.285714286>1
8/68 8.5>1
7/60 8.571428571>1
8/70 8.75>1
7/62 8.857142857>1
8/72 9>1
6/54 9>1
7/64 9.142857143>1
8/74 9.25>1
6/56 9.333333333>1
7/66 9.428571429>1
8/76 9.5>1
6/58 9.666666667>1
7/68 9.714285714>1
8/78 9.75>1
6/60 10>1
7/70 10>1
7/72 10.28571429>1
6/62 10.33333333>1
7/74 10.57142857>1
6/64 10.66666667>1
7/76 10.85714286>1
6/66 11>1
7/78 11.14385714>1
6/68 11.33333333>1
6/70 11.66666667>1
6/72 12>1
6/74 12.33333333>1
6/76 12.66666667>1
6/78 13>1

I tried 7/56 with my B1 Rep at GP Karting, I think that this is just about right for that track as it has lotts of tight corners. Might go to Stretton soon so I can try my 7/68 setup. This should be good for the straights however it may take a while to get up to speed!!

Matt Tong has been importing and riding Mini Motos for two years. For expert advice and Mini Moto information please visit <a target="_new" href="http://www.minimotosandmore.com">http://www.minimotosandmore.com</a>

Motorcycle Radar Detectors

Standard radar detectors were not built for motorcycles and were never intended to be used on them. Most detectors use an audio device to inform the driver that radar had been detected, and are therefore inappropriate for motorcycle riders because they cannot be heard. Furthermore, most have long cords and poor mounting options, not to mention the fact that they are not weatherproof. As both motorcycles and radar detectors have become more popular, however, the demand for motorcycle radar detectors has increased dramatically.

Manufacturers now produce cordless detectors with an earphone jack so that the rider can hear alerts. For instance, BEL has released a model specifically for motorcycles, while Escort and Whistler make models with earphone jacks.

Important considerations when shopping for radar include band detection, distance of detection, ability to send a jamming signal, and, of course, price. In addition to these concerns, anyone interested in purchasing a motorcycle radar detector should keep the following in mind: Does the detector come with an ear jack? Is it weatherproof, or can it be enclosed in a weatherproof container? Is the detector mountable?

The Escort Passport 8500 X50 is popular for motorcycle riders. In addition to an ear phone jack, this model is highly sensitive to X-band, K-band and Ka-band radars. When set in its ""ExpertMeter"" mode, this model allows the rider to see up to eight radar signals, as well as their individual bands and strengths, simultaneously. In addition, the display brightness settings include a ""dark mode"" for stealth use. One method of installation for this model is to tie the 8500 into the rider's helmet speakers using a common universal stereo mini-plug patch cord. The unit can be mounted with suction cups to the windshield.

Although the niche for motorcycle radar detectors continues to grow, most models will still lack in at least one area. Thankfully, most detector retailers sell attachments that allow cordless models to be converted for use with motorcycles.

<a target="_new" href="http://www.e-radardetectors.com">Radar Detectors Info</a> provides comprehensive information on best wholesale and retail motorcycle and cordless radar detectors. Radar Detectors Info is the sister site of <a target="_new" href="http://www.e-defensivedriving.com">Defensive Driving Web</a>.

People Are Crazy... and Everyone Is A Racer

?And everyone is a racer. If you doubt that, you've obviously never driven in New York City during rush hour. Look closely at the driver of that Japanese luxury car. He's just as miffed as you the racer is at having to drive fifty-five miles per hour when the speedometer on the car clearly reads one hundred and fifty. Why can't we drive it at that speed if the car can come close to it. Man, just look at him fiddling with the knobs pretending to be tuning the radio into a station. We racers know what he is really doing is setting the frequency of his imaginary laser beam roadblock remover system. You know the ones; they make little bomb sounds as we pretend we are obliterating our foes on the drive home.

If you really want to annoy him, honk your horn, tailgate him for a few seconds then cut in front of him. When he reaches his boiling point, slam on your brakes and drive slower than you were both going previously. then apply your brakes and drive slower than you were driving before you cut him off. His typical response will be one of anger, an anger borne of the pent-up frustrations of living in a high tech world and being legislated into a low-tech existence. Our driver will invariably stab the gas pedal and swerve out of the lane in an attempt to pass you back. You, in turn, speed up, knowing that his intent is to block pass you at the first opportunity, then brake check you just so you get the message.

And so this high-speed game of "chicken" unfolds on any highway others will graciously move over to let the two road-warriors carry on with the spectacle. I've participated in a more than a few such duels myself though lately I choose to be a bystander to other people's road rage. This emotionally charged ego-tripping could be very dangerous to anyone near the scene.

Society says we should be punished for breaking their law of a maximum velocity of fifty-five miles per hour (in New York at least). Most racers will try to get away with as much as we can, just like on the track and usually have the skills to pull it off. The typical driver lacks all of the needed skills and courage to indulge themselves and so after one or more two hundred dollar speeding tickets, the potential racer's lust for life is usually squashed flatter than Spongebob in the Arizona desert. They usually go home more frustrated, angrier, and two bills poorer. I'm glad I race motorcycles; I'm glad I have a family of people who know and think and feel exactly as I do... we are fortunate to be real racers.

Drivers aren't the only ones who are acting crazy either. Anyone who has walked or driven in Manhattan can attest to the fact that the craziest of all humans is not "Checkered Cabbus-Weavus"; that honor belongs to "Pedestrius Al-sue-yerbutt", the dreaded New York City pedestrian.

No other form of life on the planet is capable of staring into the eyes of the errant tractor-trailer driver and then stepping nonchalantly into the path of his serpentine behemoth. If you've never seen eighteen thousand pounds of truck with all the wheels locked up you don't know what you're missing. The puff of blue smoke in the distance alerts one to the presence of "Pedestrius Al-su-yerbutt."

While the truck driver shakes uncontrollably, trying to bring his heartbeat back below the three hundred mark, "Pedestrius Al-su-yerbutt" flashes an ear to ear grin. And why shouldn't they, they've just looked fear and death in the face and walked away unscathed. Others can only look on in amazement; children will point in their direction with wonder and awe. They are momentarily idolized as they relish fifteen seconds worth of their fifteen minutes of fame. They will be on the tongues of everyone who saw their gutsy moves,

"Holy cripes, did you see that?"

I'm glad I race motorcycles; I'm glad I have a family of people who know and think and feel exactly as I do... we are fortunate to be real racers and have our outlet.

Before we forget that this is a moto-cross story, let me get to the heart of the matter. The point is simply how much we as off road riders and racers have to be grateful for. Unlike the road-rager and "Pedestrius Al-sue-yerbutt," we don't have to drive our cars at one hundred and twenty miles per hour, nor do we have to tempt fate by stepping in front of speeding trucks just to feel that surge of adrenaline. Thank God we are real racers... I do. We aren't as unlucky as the folks who live out the two examples of non-racers.

We are the normal; we can take out our frustrations on machines that were designed to be the healers of our pressures and frustrations. We have moto-cross and the woods to keep us sane. How lucky we are indeed. I'm glad I race motorcycles; I'm glad I have a family of people who know and think and feel exactly as I do... I am fortunate to be among real racers. So when next you are privy to witness any of the afore mentioned dramas, you'll know? people are crazy, and everyone is a racer.

Michael James

*7 years covering professional motocross racing for Cycle News, mxlarge.com, motocross.com, and mxwired.com *amateur motocross racer *screenwriter - seeking representation- *8 year columnist for several motocross papers and magazines

A Convenient Way to Slash Your Gas Bill

&quot;With oil prices spiraling higher almost every day, people are starting to look for alternative modes of transport,&quot; says Michael S. Milstead of Scootertronics. &quot;With scooters, commuters can slash their gas bills and still have an efficient, reliable mode of transport."

With the introduction of four stroke scooters into the market this year even larger savings can be had with these scooters getting 60 to 80 miles per gallon. Four Stroke Scooters are much easier to care for than two stroke scooters with oil added to an oil reserveb just like a car instead of being injected into carb for lubrication. This keeps the carb from getting clooged up plus eliminates the expense of two stroke oil and reduces smoke plus you get a quieter smoother running engine.

The larger 150cc scooters are also making a splach adding the power and speed to to keep up with fast moving traffic. Although150cc scooters are treated like motorcycles where you need a motorcyle license the 49.5cc scooters in most only require a regualr drivers license and no tags in most states.

So if you are looking to slash your gas bills consider a four stroke gas scooter to make your commute not only enjoyable but money saving also.

As the owner and sales rep for <a target="_new" href="http://www.scootertronics.com">www.scootertronics.com</a> Michael Milstead has been providing info and scooters to the public for all kinds of transportation that will give them great savings on thier gas bill each month paying for the scooter in a very short period of time.