A completely unplanned for upgrade took place last week. We had to get new tires on the Jeep.
This post has moved to https://ourjeepadventures.com/tires-on-the-jeep/
Pre-Ride Motorcycle Inspection
It’s a beautiful day, the sun is shining, the wind is hardly blowing, and you are ready to hit the open road for a day of riding. Before taking off there are a few things you need to do to ensure your motorcycle is as ready as you are to hit the road. [Read more…]
How to Choose the Best Motorcycle Gloves, Video Included
Finding the right glove can seem a bit confusing. I mean does it really matter what type of gloves you wear? Do they need to be specifically for riding a motorcycle? Do you even need to wear them?
First off, yes, you do need to wear them. If you’re not sure why head on over to my post ‘The Importance of Wearing Motorcycle Gloves‘. Now that we’ve established you need to wear motorcycle gloves let’s talk about how to choose the best motorcycle gloves. [Read more…]
How To Lubricate Steering Head Bearings on a Motorcycle
This is an updated post from the original one I did back in July 2014. This was actually one of the first maintenance tasks I completed as a video for this site. At the time our camera was pretty cheap and our lighting was pretty bad! Thankfully you all stuck with us and we’ve upgraded our equipment and lighting. Thank You! [Read more…]
The Importance of Wearing Motorcycle Gloves
Why You Should Wear Motorcycle Gloves
The Importance of Wearing Motorcycle Gloves. I know gear can be a controversial topic. If you don’t believe in wearing gloves that’s your choice. The purpose of this post and video is to simply share why I wear them. [Read more…]
Viking Cycle Ironborn Women’s Textile Motorcycle Jacket
This is my first textile riding jacket and I have to say I really do like it! I’ve always either worn leather when it’s really, really cold or a hoodie when it’s cold but not cold enough for my leather jacket. I’ve been looking for something else whenever Scott and I went to events or gear shops. I never could find a jacket that fit right and moved comfortably with me. I was reluctant to buy online because you can’t try it on. After being so pleased with the customer service I received from Viking when buying the saddle bags I decided to go ahead and try their sister site Viking Cycles for a jacket. I am so glad I did! [Read more…]
How To Replace The Visor On A Motorcycle Helmet
How To Replace The Visor On A Motorcycle Helmet
In this short video, I’ll show you how to quickly change the visor or shield on a motorcycle helmet. This is handy if you wish to switch from a tinted visor to the clear option. Given that different manufacturers of helmets make their visor or shield releases in different ways, the basic idea is the same for all. Each visor clips to the helmet with a release button or tab near the ear area of the helmet, and once found, this makes changing out your visors simple. Sometimes the release mechanism is concealed, so check out the owner’s manual for your helmet for specific instructions on locating it. [Read more…]
Why You Should Not Buy A Used Motorcycle Helmet
A motorcycle helmet is one of those essentials that will help save your life should you have an accident while riding your bike. This will protect your head from a damaging and even potentially fatal head injury. Motorcycle helmets are so important that in many states state lawmakers have even included a directive in the state laws that order all people riding the motorcycle to wear helmets.
Some people though do not understand the importance of this accessory. In fact, some people do not even like wearing it because it is too heavy and too suffocating. Others find it a killjoy to not be able to feel the wind on their faces when riding a motorbike. I’ve been riding for 4 years now and I’m on my 3rd helmet. It took several attempts to find the right fit but now that I have I really don’t notice it while I’m riding.
Motorcycle helmets are not really that expensive but they are also not cheap. Some who are not that well-informed will probably save all their money for the motorcycle leaving a really small budget for safety gear like the helmet. Some even buy used helmets instead of new ones. This, however, is one practice that should not be encouraged.
Why You Should Not Buy A Used Motorcycle Helmet
Using used helmets is extremely dangerous and impractical. Used helmets are actually worthless and what is more, you cannot really tell whether they are damaged or not. You won’t even be able to tell if they are relatively new ones or not. This is because the helmet is made from a hard outer shell that envelops a layer of expanded polystyrene. You will never be able to tell if the expanded polystyrene is already compressed or not unless you cut the outer shell. An already compressed polystyrene layer will not protect you from an accident.
Protecting Your Investment
Another thing that you should consider is the fact that polystyrene becomes brittle as it ages. This is the reason why old helmets should be exchanged for new ones in a couple of years as it may not be able to absorb much of the impact when an accident does happen. The polystyrene layer is also easily damaged by the sun and by chemicals such as gas vapors.
Riders who always place their helmet near the gas tank will also unknowingly damage the lining of the helmet. It is also not a good idea to always let the helmet sit under the heat of the sun. If you can, try to park your motorcycle in areas that are shaded. Pointed objects may also compromise the lifespan of the helmet by piercing through the polystyrene layer inside.
I like trying my helmets on but if you can’t find one you like or don’t have a local place to buy gear Amazon does have a great selection of helmets.
First On The Scene Of A Motorcycle Accident
First On The Scene Of A Motorcycle Accident: How To Help
Two weeks ago today while out riding Scott and I found out first hand how very important the Accident Scene Management class took was. We attended the 2-day class several years ago and learned a lot. You never want to think that you may have to use that knowledge but we had to.
Rider Down
We came upon a very bad bike accident on the curvy area of FM-51 by Glen Rose, TX. The rider went off the road on a curve and ended up wrapped around a road sign. His friend was calling 911 but didn’t know what else to do. We quickly got off the bikes, Scott and Steve pulled his motorcycle off of him so we could get him off the sign post and onto his back. Angie and I began rendering first aid and treatment for shock. Scott and Steve ran traffic control to provide safety from vehicles for the accident site. Eventually, local police and an ambulance arrived to take over.
He was so bad they didn’t want to move him in the ambulance so he was Care Flighted out. I am still feeling a bit off I guess you could say and can’t stop thinking about the situation. It really brings the reality of what can happen while riding to the forefront of your thoughts. The Accident Management Scene class was extremely helpful and gave us the knowledge we needed to take control of the accident and stabilize the rider until EMS arrived to take over.
Our prayers go out to him and his family for his recovery. A Go Fund Me has been set up to help them and can be found here:
Help for John Lusby
Keep A First Aid Kit On Each Motorcycle
Scott and I have each kept a first aid kit in our right saddle bag since we began riding which frequently come in handy. Often for simple things like bug bites and bee stings. On this day I was thankful for how well stocked they were. If you don’t have a first aid kit on your motorcycle get one. The kit below includes all the basic and more. You never know when having it may save a life.
Two Weeks Later
I am still feeling a bit uneasy and find myself frequently replaying the events over in my head. Yesterday was the first time we rode since the day of the accident and I’m not going to lie I felt a little uneasy at times. I know that staying alert and riding at my comfort level is a priority and I’m thankful for all the time Scott has spent encouraging me to be a better rider. I’m also thankful that he is great about planning out routes, advising me of situations in the road, he rides in the front and even pointing out ways I can improve as a rider. He is a great riding partner!
Accident Scene Management Class
ASM is the leading Motorcycle Trauma Training Organization in the world. It is the only accredited non-profit Bystander Program in the USA. The key to reducing injuries and fatalities to motorcyclists is education. Road Guardians encourages all motorcyclists to become lifelong learners and to do all they can to avoid a crash from occurring. We go one-step further than many other safety programs – we connect motorcycle trauma first response as part of the solution.
Out of the 18 million motorcyclists in the USA, ASM has taught 25,000. That leaves many more riders who need to know how to help a friend in a time of need.
What Can You Do?
I wrote this to encourage riders to take CPR, First Aid, and any other courses you can. The knowledge you gain from them could save someone’s life
A Go Fund Me has been set up to help them and can be found here:
Help for John Lusby
How to Change the Oil on a Harley Davidson Softail Deluxe
I can’t believe I am sharing a post on how to change the oil on a motorcycle! I love helping Scott work on the bikes but I don’t typically do much of the actual wrenching. I usually keep him company, pass tools to him and throw stuff away. The thing is the more I watched him work on the bikes the more I wanted to give it a try. After a few subtle hints he asked me if I wanted to do my next oil change. Even though I was a little nervous about it I said yes. Since then I have done my last three oil changes! I have also started doing more of the small maintenance type things on mine. You can view more of those post under the motorcycle maintenance tab.
I know I’m not the only one out there looking to get to know their motorcycle better and save a little cash so we decided to record me doing it.
Remember you don’t have to be a master mechanic or even be mechanically inclined. You just have to be willing to learn and try!
Changing the Oil and Oil Filter
Ride motorcycle until engine is at normal operating temperature.
Oil filter is located on an oil filter mount in front of the engine on the left side.
- Loosen oil filler cap and remove.
- Remove engine oil drain plug with O-ring. Allow oil to completely drain into a suitable container.
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Use an oil filter wrench for filter removal. This tool can prevent damage to crankshaft position sensor and/or sensor cable. |
- Remove the oil filter using the OIL FILTER WRENCH . Clean the oil filter mount flange of any old gasket material (surface should be smooth and free of any debris or old gasket material).
- Inspect O-ring for tears or damage. Replace if required. Wipe any foreign material from plug.
- Install O-ring and drain plug and tighten to torque specifications found in your owners manual.
- Apply a thin film of oil to gasket contact surface on mounting plate, gasket and new oil filter.
- Screw filter onto adapter until gasket contacts plate surface, then apply another three-quarter to one full turn.
- Refer to your owners manual for the correct amount of oil needed to fill your make and model.
- Install the filler cap.
- Start engine and carefully check for oil leaks around drain plug and oil filter.
- Check engine oil level. Install filler cap.
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Do not overfill oil tank. Doing so can result in oil carryover to the air cleaner leading to equipment damage and/or equipment malfunction.
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