biker1

Chopper Motorcycles

Chopper Motorcycles

Big Dog k9 chopper

Big Dog k9 chopper

For many motorcycle riders, the chopper epitomizes individuality, sleek styling and naturally a true muscle machine. Choppers traditionally are not made for hairpin turns or acceleration off the line.

Choppers are made for in town-riding and cruising the highways usually no more than a couple of hundred miles from their garage. Now, with choppers being relatively just a couple of percent of the entire motorcycle population, their appearance on the highway, local motorcycle event or just the local biker bar always creates a lot of attention and admiration. (more…)

By biker1, ago

Y2K Jet Bike

Y2K Jet Bike

This jey bike has 350 horsepower and 475 lb-ft of torque, Jay Leno’s 1999 Y2K Jet Bike packs a lot of power, in a small package!

Coolest start-up sound. Needs to be in a superhero movie.

It’s not a jet (turbojet) engine, it’s a turboshaft engine. A jet engine produces thrust, this produces torque. Instead of the exhaust going through a nozzle and producing thrust, it drives a power turbine attached to an output shaft instead. (more…)

By biker1, ago

Harley-Davidson Engine History

Harley-Davidson Engine History

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:

The classic Harley-Davidson engines are V-twin engines, with a 45° angle between the cylinders. The crankshaft has a single pin, and both pistons are connected to this pin through their connecting rods.

This 45° angle is covered under several United States patents and is an engineering tradeoff that allows a large, high-torque engine in a relatively small space. It causes the cylinders to fire at uneven intervals and produces the choppy “potato-potato” sound so strongly linked to the Harley-Davidson brand.

To simplify the engine and reduce costs, the V-twin ignition was designed to operate with a single set of points and no distributor. This is known as a dual fire ignition system, causing both spark plugs to fire regardless of which cylinder was on its compression stroke, with the other spark plug firing on its cylinder’s exhaust stroke, effectively “wasting a spark”. The exhaust note is basically a throaty growling sound with some popping. The 45° design of the engine thus creates a plug firing sequencing as such: The first cylinder fires, the second (rear) cylinder fires 315° later, then there is a 405° gap until the first cylinder fires again, giving the engine its unique sound. (more…)

By biker1, ago

California Chopper Ride

California Chopper Ride

Chopper motorcycles ride to downtown San Diego’s GasLamp Quarter for the last day of Comic-Con. Yes, this is the place to be and be seen for comic book fans, cosplayers and pop culture lovers alike to assemble at the San Diego Convention Center.

California chopper motorcycles

California chopper motorcycles

We had Big Dog motorcycles, American Ironhorse motorcycles, Thunder Mountain and custom construction motorcycles on this ride to Fifth Avenue in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter for the last day of the annual Comic-Con convention. (more…)

By biker1, ago

Motorcycle Hazard

Motorcycle Hazard

There are many dangers motorcycle riders face.  But are you aware of tar snakes?

In Arizona riders call it “jello”. This crap, on 100 degree days acts more like jello than any tar I know of. Though not as bad as painted surfaces in cold rain, the jello is a problem. It’s such a subpar product and application. I hate when they use it on roads. It’s definitely less grip when it’s really hot or even when it’s raining and they eventually peel or break up exposing the crack again. The worst is when you see it on a straight road and there are hundreds of those. (more…)

By biker1, ago

Harley-Davidson M8 Engine Problems

Harley-Davidson M8 Engine Problems

Harley M8 engine with blown head gasket.

Thanks for the informative video, all makes sense to me. Those that disagree with your cause and effect explanation are going to do so regardless of what you say and show, that’s just the shitty side of human nature. This issue is fairly prevalent talking to Harley people. I really believe your theory is plausible or even probable. (more…)

By biker1, ago