Is it spring yet?

With the signs of fall all around and winter quickly approaching I am reminded that, with the exceptions of a few blessed souls living in the southern states, our riding is limited to a few days between now and spring.  I am also reminded that, even during the winter months, the Azusa StreetRiders is a ministry.  The motorcycle is simply a tool that is utilized in our ministry.  Even though we must endure the winter months with limited riding, our ministry can and must still flourish.  Here are just a few quick ideas to help retain our focus until spring.

Connect / follow up with contacts, acquaintances, and friends made during this past riding season.  Use the winter months to build a friendship and relationship with those that you have been able to meet over the last few months.  This is also the perfect time to teach Bible studies to these individuals.  Prepare them for continued fellowship throughout the upcoming riding season.  Remember that even as we use our motorcycles as the tool to connect with people, God desires to use US as the tool to lead them to Him!!

This is also a time that we can prepare our chapters for continued outreach during the next riding season.  This can be a time to brainstorm ways to improve and build upon the current ideas that were utilized during this past year.  It can also be a time of preparation to implement new ideas and strategies that will spur new growth and relationships this upcoming year.

Above all, we must remember that our walk with God supersedes our ministry.  It is of upmost importance that we remember that it is all about Him.  As we grow our relationship with Him, our personal ministry will be a byproduct of our love for Him.  We must allow Him to prepare us for our ministry by spending time with Him and becoming like Him.  Although this must be our primary focus year round, the winter months are a great time to spend a little “extra” time with Him while we don’t have the distractions of summer.

Although we may have to put the kickstands down for a few days, we can ill afford to allow this to be a time of dormancy for the ASR.  The ministry must continue strong through the winter months.  I encourage you to not limit your ministry within the ASR to the time that you are on your bike or to a specific season of the year.  There is still work to be done.  “The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few.”

Michael Luttrell
Secretary
Azusa StreetRiders International

Stay Safe During the Autumn Season

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Some bikers put their motorcycles away after Labor Day weekend, but many look forward to what can be some of the best riding weather. If you’re planning on riding during autumn, make sure your bike is safe and ready to handle the change of the season.

Here are a few safety reminders to help you stay safe and avoid a motorcycle accident, even as the leaves begin to change:

Check the Mechanics

After the summer riding season, your bike may need a tune-up. Check that all parts are functioning correctly and that you have good tread and air pressure in your tires. Make sure your fluid levels are good and that all controls are working properly.

Wear Proper Clothing

Autumn has many temperature changes. It can be quite chilly in the morning and still reach the mid-70’s or 80’s in the afternoon, depending on where you are. The best thing you can do to adjust to the changes is to dress in layers. You should never wear cotton as a base layer. Use thermal underwear or something with a synthetic blend as your base layer. On top of the base layer, wear comfortable riding attire. Don’t wear a hoodie, but rather a zip-up sweatshirt or shirt.

Beat the Wind With Leather

It might be too hot to wear leather during the summer, but it’s perfect for fall. Leather motorcycle jackets or chaps or leather pants can protect you from the wind and keep you more comfortable while riding. They usually also have removable liners.

You can wear riding boots with synthetic liners and wool socks. This combination will let your feet breathe in case they get warm.

Finally, it’s a good idea to wear a pair of synthetic glove liners underneath your leather biker gloves and pack fingerless leather gloves in a storage compartment. You’ll be able to switch in the afternoon when you get too warm. Heated gear is perfect for fall riding weather.

Also bring multiple pairs of gloves with you if you use your bike to commute. A thick pair could be ideal on a cold morning, but on your ride home, if the temperature has picked up, you might want something lighter or fingerless.

Switch to a Half- or Full-Visor Helmet

Cold air can be harsh on your eyes, so switch to a Department of Transportation-approved helmet.

Bring Your Rain Gear

A raw, chilling rain can cause hypothermia quickly, especially if you’re not wearing the best riding attire. Always pack your rain gear, just in case.  11 percent of all vehicle accidents are caused by rain. Make sure you’re prepared in every way you can be for it. I am part of that 11%.

Watch for Riding Hazards

Fallen leaves can be very slippery and cause accidents, and many deer are more active during autumn – especially during dawn and dusk. Keep your eyes out for any riding hazard so you have time to react.

Following these guidelines can help you make the most of your fall riding season and enjoy the weather before any snow sets in.

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Michael Theodore

National Road Captain

To Plug Or Not To Plug A Tire

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In October I ran over my second Nail of the riding season Of course both nails I ran over were on brand new tires of under 2,000 miles nice. So I thought why not post this.

Flats happen. But how to repair punctures in tubeless tires—and even if they should be repaired—is a tricky subject. It all depends on whom you ask. The truth is riders fix flats all the time.  Do you plug it or do you buy a new tire? You could be plugging away indiscriminately with limited knowledge of the proper repair process or the risks associated with riding on a repaired tire. We  will explore the issue from several angles so you can make a more informed decision if you “pick up a nail” on the road.

One of the reasons a concise answer on plugging punctures is so elusive is because each tire manufacturer, which every tire-plug manufacturer will ultimately defer to if pressed on the subject, has its own take on the topic.

Continental, Michelin, Pirelli position on dealing with punctures is clear as day: Don’t even bother carrying a plug kit. “Call a tow truck,” is how one VP of marketing replied when asked what to do when you get a flat. These tire manufacturers assert that there are too many variables involved, from the puncture to the repair, and that there is simply too much at risk in terms of rider safety and liability to condone it, even in an emergency. Most dealerships and repair shops share this sentiment. I agree on this. I have a very good friend who owns a motorcycle dealership and will not plug a tire period. Also My own Harley dealership will not plug a tire do to safety issues.  Of course other dealerships want your money and disregard  the safety factor. Ok with that said.

Fair enough. After all, your tires are the only part of your motorcycle that connects it to the road, and a rapid deflation resulting from an improper repair or unseen internal damage could cause a lot more parts of your motorcycle to make contact with the road. Even so, a canned “no” is not what riders want to hear when they just got a flat on a nearly new, $250 tire. Um I got my second nail in a new tire this summer. What are those odds two in one summer.

Ok other brands, specifically Avon, Bridgestone, Dunlop, and Metzeler, offer an opinion that’s more in line with what consumers would hope to hear: Yes, punctures can be plugged in an emergency situation, and a repair that both fills the wound (plug) and seals the damage (patch) that is installed by a professional can even be considered permanent if specific criteria are met.

While Avon, Bridgestone, Dunlop, Metzeler, and the RMA (the Rubber Manufacturer’s Association, the nation’s preeminent voice on the topic of tires) all agree that a combined plug/patch applied from the inside of the tire is the only acceptable permanent repair, each group has its own requirements and restrictions. Here are a few areas they all agree on.

Everyone who says that you can plug a tire (including tire-plug makers) agree that the repairable area is limited to the crown of the tire. “You cannot plug a sidewall because it doesn’t have the structure to hold the plug”. Not even the entire treaded area is fair game, since “closer to the sides the carcass flexes too much and the seal won’t take. The repair has to be within the belt package, which limits the repairable area to the center 50 percent of the tire. There must also be at least 1/32 inch (0.8mm) of tread remaining on the tire. Any less and the tire could flex too much to retain the repair.

The size and shape of the damage is another important factor. Tears or oblong punctures cannot be permanently repaired, and opinions on the size of round holes that can acceptably be repaired run the gamut from 3 mm (Avon) to 6.8mm (Dunlop). Assuming the puncture isn’t too big (research suggests that 90 percent of all punctures are the size of a 16-penny nail [4.1mm] or smaller) and was made in the right area, the tire will still need to be dismounted for inspection and have the appropriate plug/patch installed.

Beyond those very basic guidelines, opinions begin to diverge. As an example, Avon prohibits tires with “wound on” belting or tires with a speed rating higher than V (up to 149 mph) from being repaired, while Bridgestone contends that any repaired tire forfeits its speed rating and is limited to 80 mph. Dunlop says that any tire that’s previously seen a liquid sealant is excluded from repair, while Metzeler simply defers to “your country’s regulations” to determine if repair is legal in the first place (in America it is). When it comes down to it, if you really want to know the specifics for your tires, your best bet is to contact the company embossed on the sidewall. Basically this is my own opinion here that all tire manufactures will sell you their tire but will not honor the warranty if you put a plug in it.

As stated, every manufacturer that permits permanent repairs says that an off-the-rim inspection is mandatory. Why? Since tubeless tires are unlikely to bleed all of their pressure at once when punctured, it’s possible for the rider to be unaware of a leak and cruise along on a deflating tire. This isn’t uncommon and leads to the possibility of internal tire damage, either from overheating or from the puncturing object gouging the tire’s inner surface after deflation has occurred. My opinion here is I do believe that with the tire heating up then cooling then heating up again causes the plug to work its way a little lose.

Additionally, escaping air can creep between the plies of the tire, encouraging tread separation. This scenario is of particular concern on steel-belted tires (the majority of motorcycle tires on the road today are steel belted) since any ingress of moisture can cause the steel strands to rust and eventually fail.

Any damage to the structure of the tire could lead to a catastrophic failure, and a thorough inspection of both surfaces of the tire is the best way to nip a catastrophe in the bud—that, or just replace the tire, which is always the first recommendation, regardless of who you ask.

Great, but what if you can’t replace the tire or dismount it for inspection and repair because, say, you’re in the middle of nowhere with no cell service and a descending sun? “If you need to get off the side of the road, you do what you have to do to get to a safer location.”

That’s where the myriad aftermarket tire-plug kits come into play. Common options include the ubiquitous rubber-impregnated ropes, Stop & Go’s mushroom plugs, Dynaplugs’ brass-tipped ropes, Gryyps’ screw-in “cargols,” and liquid products from Slime and Ride On. Each product has its own purported benefits, whether it be ease of use or affordability, but the underlying idea is that they’re all emergency repairs. Out of all the options, mushroom-style plugs like those sold by Stop & Go are the only form of temporary repair endorsed by manufacturers, namely Avon and Metzeler. And don’t forget that once you plug the tire, you’ll still need to inflate it.

If you began reading this piece with a firm stance on tire repair and now feel like you’re standing on shaky ground, I apologize.  As I said in the beginning of this post, how you should go about dealing with a flat really depends on who you ask. And, ultimately, the only person left to ask is yourself. Hopefully after reading this you are better equipped to make your own decision. As you know I’m all about safety and I do not plug a motorcycle tire. This is all up to you.

It used to be a solid no,“But opinions have evolved.” The original cause for concern was tire flex, which could cause the tube to overheat and rupture. However, today’s tubeless radials are more rigid and unlikely to cause issues when used with an appropriate-size inner tube as an emergency repair, but other manufacturers, including Bridgestone and Metzeler, still prohibit it.

A tube may serve as an acceptable way to deal with a punctured tire, but if you are considering carrying a tube (and the tools needed to remove the wheel and tire), why not just carry the appropriate patch/plug and perform a more reliable, potentially permanent repair?

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AIRING UP

Because Sometimes You Want More Pressure In Your Life

There are numerous ways to plug a punctured tubeless tire and lots of methods to re-inflate it too. For side-of-the-road repairs, the three most common sources of pressure are CO 2 cartridges, compact electric compressors, and old-fashioned hand pumps.

A compressor that runs off your bike’s battery offers unlimited air supply anytime you need it, but these devices can be bulky and expensive. Manual pumps like those used for bicycles (high-volume pumps designed for mountain-bike tires are the way to go here) also offer unlimited fill-ups, but they also require a tremendous amount of elbow grease!

CO 2 cartridges are another popular option. They’re compact and easy to use, but it takes a lot of them to fill a tire (six 12-gram canisters will inflate a 180/55-17 tire to about 20 psi according to tests), and you can only use them once. When discharging CO 2, keep in mind that the gas exiting the canister is extremely cold (about -50 Fahrenheit), so protect your hands and remember that the tire pressure will rise quite a bit as the gas warms to ambient temperature; there’s no need to inflate to final pressure with the canisters.

Another option for airing up in an emergency is a parasitic hose with two clamp-on female ends. This device isn’t commercially available but should prove easy to assemble at home and will allow you to draw pressure from another vehicle’s tire in an emergency.

So do you Plug your tire or Not.

Michael Theodore

National Road Captain

 

A Big Welcome to our New Coordinators

The National Board of ASR is proud to announce the following new state coordinators.

Brother Mike Rohatch – Oklahoma

Sister Urissa Goodin – Texas

And Brother Jim Boyle – New Jersey

Please lift up these new coordinators in your prayers and if you know of any apostolic motorcycle riders or of any opportunities in these states please get a hold of these new coordinators.

Rev. Jim Curley
National Vice President
Azusa Streetriders

2016 UPCI General Conference

I had the privilege once again of attending the 2016 UPCI General Conference in Indianapolis Indiana

First of all a big thank you to Brother And Sister Diaz for all that they do. This simply could not have happened without them. Also a big thank you to everyone else who took time out of their conference to help work the booth.

The highlight for me this year was signing up six new members and also the opportunity that we had to meet some of our missionaries that we have provided motorcycles for. Meeting these ASR members from Russia and Japan and hearing about their mission work reminds me of what ASR is truly about.

General Conference is like a big family reunion. We see members that we haven’t seen in a long time. I absolutely love spending time with my ASR family.

Can’t wait until next year’s conference in Kansas City. Encouraging all members to take a little time out of their schedule and volunteer. It’s actually a lot of fun.

Rev. Jim Curley
National Vice President
Azusa Streetriders

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New Chapters/Members in 2016

Nearing the end of 2016 we need to reflect on our growth and how we are using this ministry to unite with one accord to reach the lost. We need to be available to new members for training and ideas on how to use our motorcycles to witness. If they don’t have a bike but were a biker we need to encourage them to be a part or continue to be a part of ASR by using their vehicles and putting ASR magnets on their doors.  We have had 88 new members sign up this year and I can’t wait to hear how many new souls they have brought to repentance by using the tools of this ministry.  We need to do whatever we can to be ambassadors for Jesus Christ and spread His amazing gospel throughout the world.

This is a list of the new chapters that have started this year:

Tuscarawas (OH) 04/16
Southern (IN) 08/16
Red Springs (NC) 09/16
Northwest (LA) 08/16
Hannibal (MO) 09/16
Evansville (IN) 05/16
Central (OK) 09/16
Cape Girardeau (MO) 01/16
Ball (LA) 05/16

Thank you for having a burden for souls!!!

Rev Lydia Diaz                                                                                                                         Treasurer–Azusa StreetRiders International

2017 motorcycles for missionaries

Praise the Lord Brethren,

Azusa StreetRiders is pleased to announce that it is teaming up with UPCI Global Missions and Missionary to Belize, Dwayne Abernathy, to help purchase motorcycles for use by local ministers who are under his direction. This is a UPCI 2016 Special Project Appeal (Code GMGP.158845.2405) and we, as the World’s Only Oneness Motorcycle Ministry, believe strongly that motorcycles on foreign fields are tremendously helpful in reaching the lost and want to help in any way we are able. To date, independently, we have provided funds to purchase 38 motorcycles for use around the world. If you are able to help us in this endeavor, please send whatever you are able to the address on the bottom of this page. 100% of the funds will go to this cause.

Thank you and God Bless,

Rev. Anthony Storey

President, Azusa StreetRiders International

 

A Note from Bro. Abernathy

Esteemed Brethren; Greetings in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ!

I am happy to inform you that the work in Belize is in a time of unprecedented growth and revival! At our recent General Assembly of ministers we had four new candidates receive ministers’ licenses and nine upgrade to the next level. In just a few short years we have increased from mid-twenties to 49 licensed ministers in Belize.

We receive reports on a regular basis of pastors baptizing people in Jesus’ name and new ones receiving the Holy Ghost! This is great news but with growth, unique problems arise; we cannot effectively minister to our new Saints due to transportation problems. We need motorcycles for our Supervisors and Presbyters. Some travel considerable distances for work and to visit their churches. Presently, they use unreliable public transportation and this takes too much time from ministry. Bus schedules greatly extend travel time and reduce ministry time. If our Supervisors and Presbyters had motorcycles, they could be much more efficient.

We have received an excellent quote of $2,650 US each from the local Honda dealer (one of our brethren) for 9 Honda XR150 motorcycles. This includes license and insurance for one year.

I am writing to solicit your help: If we could have 22 churches give $1,000 US each then the motorcycles can be purchased and delivered to our men. If you are unable to help at this level, any financial support and prayer is appreciated.

Thank you for taking time to read this letter. I ask you to please prayerfully consider helping us with the purchase of these motorcycles

Lord bless you and your church,

Dwayne Abernathy

Missionary to Belize

 

 

Rev. Anthony Storey

Motorcycles for Missionaries

835 main st

pleasureville KY 40057

 

 

Your help needed! ASR Travel & Expense Fund

Expense Reimbursements for Azusa StreetRiders Board Members

The following appeal and info comes from our founder, Brother Fred Beall:

As most everyone knows, since its inception in 1999, not a single penny has been taken from the Azusa StreetRiders account to pay for any expenses incurred by any of our members. This means that all travel expenses (gas, tolls, flights, food, hotels, etc.) have been the sole responsibility of the member. All funds received, without exception, have gone to purchase motorcycles for Oneness Apostolic missionaries or direct organizational expenses (postal charges, display booth costs, etc.) Additionally, even for the products we sell (t-shirts, flags, motorcycle paraphernalia, etc.), all profits are re-invested into ASR to help promote/recruit so that we can be more effective in our outreach efforts. Don’t you wish this was the case with all “charitable” organizations? No “sleazy” relationships lining the pockets of friends! 

Because of this mandate (included in our bylaws), to serve in any capacity with Azusa StreetRiders is both an honor and a privilege that sometimes carries a tremendous personal financial burden. All parties interested in serving on the board of directors are apprised of the fact that no reimbursements are permitted and for this reason, highly qualified individuals are sometimes not able to serve. This is unfortunate as we want the best of the best to be in leadership positions throughout Azusa StreetRiders. 

For these reasons, unbeknownst to the current and most recent past ASR board of directors, several members of ASR discussed a possible way to “help” with personal expenses so that the National Board of Directors of Azusa StreetRiders can be at least partially reimbursed. This concept was introduced at the ASR Business Meeting at the National Rally and received overwhelming approval. Essentially, a separate bank account is to be set up for “donations” from anyone to be used to offset personal expenses in ASR travel related situations. The membership approved the following to serve as the first Travel Advisory board/committee:

  • Brother Mike McGhghy
  • Pastor Doug Joseph
  • Brother Fred Beall

These were tasked with getting the “Travel & Expense Fund” underway and creating the necessary policy, documentation, and forms for the new fund. To this end, we (the advisory board members) submit the following:

ASR Travel & Expense Fund (info for ASR members) (PDF format, 86 KB).

Info: Please donate to the ASR Travel & Expense Fund, a separate account to help our national board members to fulfill their many duties. This fund is independent of all other ASR accounts and disbursements require pre-approval from the Travel Advisory Board. Click for more details about this fund.

ASR Travel & Expense Reimbursement Policy (info for ASR national board) (PDF format, 81 KB).

Info: This document establishes policies and procedures for the reimbursement of travel and expenses incurred during the conduct of outreach and other approved travel for a Board Member of the Azusa StreetRiders. Click for full details.

ASR Travel & Expense Report Form (for ASR national board to submit) (XLXS format, 19 KB).

This spreadsheet form provides an easy way for a Board Member of the Azusa StreetRiders to document the needed details of a request for reimbursement.

Top 10 Motorcycle Maintenance Fails

 

1. Not Maintaining Proper Tire Pressure

Motorcycles, cars, trucks, you name it—there are millions of vehicles out on the road with under-inflated tires, which reduces gas mileage and makes the tires run hot, shortening their life span. (You can also over-inflate tires, but it’s less common.) Some people check their tire pressure before every ride—not a bad idea, especially if you’re on a multi-day tour—but do it at least once a week or at every fill-up. Check your tires when cold, use your own tire gauge (keep one in your toolkit or saddlebag) and follow inflation guidelines printed on the VIN plate on your bike or in the owner’s manual. When checking tire pressure, also inspect for foreign objects that may be stuck in your tires and for signs of wear or other damage.

2. Wasting Money on Premium Fuel When Your Bike Doesn’t Need It

Your bike’s owner’s manual  or a sticker on the fuel tank will tell you the minimum octane fuel (PON, or pump octane number) that your motorcycle requires. Many of today’s motorcycles require premium fuel (typically 90 PON or higher), but some modern motorcycles and many older ones require only regular fuel (usually 86 or 87 PON). Running lower-than-recommended octane fuel is very bad; it can cause detonation (knocking) and potentially damage the engine. Running higher-than-recommended octane fuel wastes money at the pump (don’t fall for the gasoline companies’ marketing about high-octane fuel being “better”; it won’t boost performance and the EPA requires all fuel grades to have engine-cleaning detergent additives), and it can reduce gas mileage.

3. Not Regularly Checking and Changing the Oil

All internal combustion engines have reciprocating metal parts that require proper lubrication to reduce friction and heat. Some engines, especially older ones with worn seals, gaskets and piston rings, will consume oil, either by burning it up in the combustion chamber or simply leaking out. Get in the habit of checking your oil level—some motorcycles have sight glasses, others have dipsticks—every time you fill up the gas tank. And refer to your owner’s manual for the recommended oil change interval (in miles and/or months). Oil filters collect dirt, debris and metal particles, so make sure to install a new oil filter when you change the oil

4. Forgetting to Clean, Lube and Adjust the Chain

If your motorcycle has chain final drive, neglecting to clean, lubricate and adjust the chain is asking for trouble. (Drive belts don’t need to be lubricated, but they should be regularly inspected for wear and proper adjustment.) If you have an older bike it may have a non-sealed chain (which requires more care and maintenance), but most contemporary motorcycles have O-ring chains, which have small rubber O-rings between the link plates and rollers that help keep lube in and dirt out. Most owner’s manuals recommend lubricating the drive chain every 400-500 miles, but if you ride in wet or dirty conditions, you should lube the chain more often, perhaps every day. If possible, before adding lube, clean the chain with a non-wire brush and mild soap. Lubricate the chain after a ride, when the chain is warm, to help the lube penetrate the small spaces between the O-rings, plates and rollers, and use a dedicated motorcycle chain lube, such as Spectro Oils Z-Clean Chain Lube. With the bike in neutral and up on its centerstand or a rear-wheel paddock stand, spin the rear wheel forward and spray the lube on the top of the lower chain, just before it comes in contact with the rear sprocket. Wipe off any excess and spin the rear wheel a few more times to help the lube work its way in. Once the chain has been cleaned and lubed, check for proper chain tension, make any necessary adjustments and check the chain and sprockets for wear.

5. Not Using Fuel Stabilizer or Draining the Carbs During Short-Term Storage

Those of you with fuel-injected bikes, count yourselves lucky and move on. But if your motorcycle has carburetors and it sits for more than a couple of weeks between rides (hello, winter!), it’s teeny-tiny jets and other parts can become clogged or gummed-up by old fuel that breaks down over time and creates sticky varnish. Regularly using a fuel stabilizer such as StarTron and draining the carburetor’s float bowl after a ride when the bike will be parked for a while (the easiest way is to turn the fuel off and let the bike run in neutral until it conks out) are the best ways to protect your carbureted fuel system against the scourge of today’s ethanol-blended gasoline.

6. Forgetting to Lube and Adjust the Throttle, Clutch and Brake Cables

The control cables that actuate the throttle, clutch and brakes are absolutely critical components that are often overlooked, a simple matter of “out of sight, out of mind.” A sticky cable that doesn’t move back and forth properly can be dangerous, and a broken cable can leave you stranded in the middle of nowhere. According to Motion Pro, which makes a wide variety of motorcycle tools, cables and controls, motorcycle control cables should be lubricated and adjusted at least once per riding season and more frequently for dual-sport and off-road bikes that see much more wear and tear.

7. Not Using a Battery Maintenance Charger

Even if your bike is parked safely in the garage, over time its battery will self-discharge. Allowing the battery to discharge can lead to sulfation—the build-up of lead sulfate crystals—which can result in a loss of cranking power (your bike won’t start), longer charging times and, ultimately, shorter battery life. The best way to keep your motorcycle’s battery healthy is to use a smart maintenance charger such as a Deltran Battery Tender. It has “microprocessor controlled power electronic circuitry” which enables it to perform and control various charging functions, including battery testing, bulk charging and float/maintenance charging to keep the battery in optimal condition.

8. Not Checking and Changing the Final Drive Oil

Many touring riders love motorcycles with shaft final drive because of their cleanliness and low maintenance. Although heavier than chain final drive, shafties don’t fling chain lube onto the swingarm or rear fender and they don’t need to be adjusted or replaced like chains and sprockets. But the gears inside shaft drives are lubricated with oil that needs to be checked regularly (in case there are leaks or it has become contaminated) and changed according to the recommended service interval in the owner’s manual. Most riders go a long  interval to easily forget about or ignore Checking the final drive oil. The consequences can be very costly—replacing a damaged final drive is much more expensive than replacing a chain and sprockets.

9. Not Changing the Brake Fluid

This is another one that’s easy to overlook. Hydraulic brakes work extremely well, especially modern triple-disc systems with ABS, but for brakes to work properly the hydraulic fluid must be changed regularly. Glycol-ether (DOT 3, 4, and 5.1) brake fluids are hygroscopic, which means they absorb moisture, which contaminates the fluid over time. Most motorcycle owner’s manuals  recommend changing brake fluid every two years and replacing the brake hoses every four years. Sticking to these service intervals, as well as checking and replacing your brake pads as needed, are critical for the safe and optimal operation of your motorcycle.

10. Not Reading the Owner’s Manual

There are a lot of references to this list because your motorcycle owner’s manual is an important source of maintenance information. Very few people read their owner’s manual cover-to-cover, but it’s a good idea to at least flip through it and become familiar with its contents. Most owner’s manuals have sections on safety, general information, specifications, routine maintenance/adjustment, troubleshooting, warranty information and a maintenance/service log. Your owner’s manual contains information about proper tire pressure, fuel type, checking and changing oil, load capacity, suspension settings and much more. If possible, keep your owner’s manual on your bike (under the seat or in a saddlebag), sealed in a durable plastic bag. Buying the service manual for your particular model is also a good idea; keep it in your garage with your tools for handy reference.
Michael Theodore
National Road Captain

Ready Or Not Here Comes That Car.

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Will the car pull out and try to pass the line of bikes? How far will the driver make it before the passing zone runs out? Which riders will he try to squeeze between when it does?

It’s easy to become complacent when riding behind other riders. There doesn’t seem to be the same sense of urgency to actively scan the road or look to the mirrors as when we ride solo. Instead, while riding in a group, eyes tend to fixate on bikes ahead, and when we slip into “follow” mode, it’s easy to settle in, let down our guard and let others lead. That’s about the time, at the first hint of a passing zone or straightaway, an impatient driver from behind swoops out and passes, surprising the daylights out of us. That effect repeats one after another as the car blasts by each unsuspecting rider in line. It gets particularly interesting when the overtaking driver suddenly realizes he can’t pass all of the riders before the passing zone ends.

How can we minimize risk in these scenarios? By taking an active role and riding our own ride, even when following others. Make the dashed lines of every passing zone a mental trigger to consult the left mirror. Always know if there is a driver behind you. Pick up on aggressive behavior; if a vehicle approaches quickly or tailgates, expect them to abruptly overtake at the first opportunity as your first defense. When riding curves, make a point to check mirrors as you slow and at the moment the road straightens again, and look for that driver to pop out and pass. Is your group about to make a left turn? A mirror and head check could save your life if that driver pulls out to pass just as you all begin to exit left. Expect them, look for them and plan for them. Because, whether you’re ready or not, here they come!

Michael Theodore
National Road Captain