Spring Tune Up Tips Product

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Spring Tune Up Tips at Affirmative Products



Spring Tune Up Tips

If you don't ride in the winter, you've probably spent the winter months on the couch eating chips and watching television. Before you know it, spring will be here and a new season of mountain biking will begin. Even though your body may not be in shape, these tips will ensure that your bike is.

Before you take your bike out, check the wear and tear on your components and adjust them if its necessary. Start off with your chain. If you haven't replaced it in a year or more, it's time to do so. Over time, the individual parts in the chain will get worn out, increasing its effective length.

As this happens, the chain is no longer able to conform to the cog and the teeth of the chain ring, so it wears those teeth out to fit the profile of the chain. If you can replace the chain before it stretches too much you'll save yourself from having to replace high priced cogs and chain rings.

Now, check the bearing surfaces. These include your bottom bracket, hubs, and the headset. Each of these should turn without a problem with no play in the system. Before checking the bottom bracket, make sure each cranking arm is snugged tight. Next, hold on to the crank arm (not the pedal) and wobble it back and forth. If you hear any clicking or if the crank arm binds, the bottom bracket needs to be adjusted.

Do the exact same thing with your hubs. Take the wheels off the bike, spin the hub axles, then feel for any free play or binding. If you feel play or binding, you need to make an adjustment. To check the headset, start off by putting the newly adjusted wheels back on the bike.

Now, grab the front brake and pull and push the handle bars back and forth. There shouldn't be any play. If you lift the front end off the ground, the fork should turn very smoothly. If it feels rough, it needs to be either adjusted or replaced.

While your looking, check the condition of your cables and housing. The cables should be rust free and the housing shouldn't be cracked or kinked. If you see any of this you should replace the offending device, as if you don't your shifting and braking will be sluggish.

Last, you should inspect your brake pads. Most pads will have ridges or indicator marks that will let you know when they need to be replaced. Brake pads that are worn out will comprimise both safety and braking efficiency.

Once you've got the tune ups out of the way, it's time to go for a ride. With your mountain bike running better than ever, all you have to do now is have fun!



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Spring Tune Up Tips Reports


Open Question: Will my parents be forced to accept a motorcycle?

I plan on learning to ride a motorcycle, I scheduled my riders course next month. My parents are both fully against it... however, i'm 18, responsible, and will fully be paying for the motorcycle, gear, and insurance. I do fine in school, i currently have a 4.0 GPA, and it's just something i want to do. It has its benefits (affordability, MPG, etc) but i do know that it is as dangerous as you can get on the road. I do NOT plan on riding it at night, or in bad weather until i have a couple of seasons under my belt, just to work, school, and whenever i feel like riding. I know how to work a clutch, and so on, i've been watching all the videos i can and i truly cant wait to be on it. My question is, when i purchase one, eventually they will have to accept it right? like i wont be forced to take it back or whatever the case is. Thank you P.S. by saying i know how to work a clutch, i didn't mean through videos on youtube... i drive a stick shift car. To all your ignorant people, I do have a job... it pays pretty well, actually. I pay for my own college education, which as an Air Traffic Control student, is about 1400 a semester... pretty affordable. I spend unnecessary money on guitar stuff, that i can cut out. The money isn't the issue, and neither is the possibility of getting kicked out. There's no way under the sun they will kick me out for getting a motorcycle, and if they do, they know where to find me, 2 houses down. To the people that answered my question, in a polite, orderly manner, thank you. I have decided. thanks to you guys. Can't wait to ride! and maybe i'll get experience riding in rain/night, i thought it was frowned upon at first, like getting a sport bike as your first bike lol. I don't get half you idiots on this site. I simply asked if it was legal, with me still living under their house. I didn't say I'm purposefully disrespecting them, and that i'm a wannabe stubborn rebel child that wants to disobey them for the hell of it... I have a tight relationship with both of them, soooo i dont know what you're trying to prove here... I'm just trying to ride

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Open Question: If a motorcycle jacket has CE approved armour built in, do I need to purchase separate body armour?

I'm looking to buy a motorcycle in the next few months and am looking to budget my gear (helmet, jacket, gloves, boots etc.) I found this two piece I like (http://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/content_prod/23959) and this armour I like (http://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/content_prod/59368). While I don't want to compromise on safety, I don't want to spend money unnecessarily. An overall guide to motorcycle gear, price, and safety is ideal! Thanks in advance.

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Open Question: Motorcycle wont shift past 2nd?

My bike will not shift past 2nd gear. 2007 zzr600. I have a wet clutch and I am way over due for an oil change. I will be changing it here in a few hours, but could this be the cause of this problem? When I pull in the clutch lever I hear a faint, pinging or grinding noise, not very loud, but its noticeable. It shifts into 1st, neutral, and 2nd just fine but the shift lever will not go up at all after 2nd. Thanks. What part of me mentioning that I have a wet clutch and that I'm over due for a change dont YOU understand? I was simply asking if this symptom could be caused by something else. No need to be mid 1960's alcoholic about it. no i cannot shift with the engine off, i can only do first and neutral with the engine off, its always been that way. a few days ago i was STRUGGLING to get the bike in neutral tho, took a good minute or two to get it in neutral. i changed the oil and it did nothing. Its still not shifting into 3rd, the shift lever wont even budge a tiny bit after 2nd. im taking it into the shop this weekend, I bought the kawasaki good times protection plan so I hope theres something they can do for me.

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Resolved Question: Can i finance a used motorcycle with a credit score of 688?

Im looking to buy a used ninja 250r. I only have half of what it costs (i have some money aside for gear and insurance). Can i jus put half as a down payment and finance the rest? Will interest be high? I dont would like to be able to pay it out right in cash but i probably wont be able to save up that much until mid-summer and that will only leave me a month or two to ride the bike

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Voting Question: is this a bad idea for a first date?

this girl in my class says she is scared of motorcycles and would never get on one. we have been flirting for a long time and i think if i asked her she just do it anyway. i don't want to pressure her or anything but i think if she did get on the back of mine she would feel really good afterwords. Plus it gives me an opportunity to make her feel protected when i put my gear on her. im thinking about just asking for if she wants to ride to the store (its the only destination within a short distance/3mi maybe all on safe backroads) and just get something to drink. it's not really a date but i think it would build a lot of comfort and rapport since it's new to her and would push out of her comfort zone. opinions? thanks in advance

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Voting Question: women- is this a bad idea for a mini date?

this girl in my class says she is scared of motorcycles and would never get on one. we have been flirting for a long time and i think if i asked her she just do it anyway. i don't want to pressure her or anything but i think if she did get on the back of mine she would feel really good afterwords. Plus it gives me an opportunity to make her feel protected when i put my gear on her. im thinking about just asking for if she wants to ride to the store (its the only destination within a short distance/3mi maybe all on safe backroads) and just get something to drink. it's not really a date but i think it would build a lot of comfort and rapport since it's new to her and would push out of her comfort zone. opinions? thanks in advance

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Voting Question: If I know how to ride a motorcycle will it be easy to learn a stick shift car?

I will soon be taking a motorcycle course and learning how to shift gears, etc. Once I get the hang of manually shifting on a motorcycle will shifting in a manual car be easy to learn? I've thought about buying a manual car of some sort but have never had the chance to learn how to drive stick.

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Voting Question: Motorcycle licence, Ireland, how do i get my Provisional A licence?

I got my A1 learner permit back in summer 2010. I currently ride a Suzuki Marauder 125, I turned 18 back in December and i am looking to get my Provisional A licence. Ive read the RSA's and MSA's websites but i keep getting confused. How do i go about getting up to the next level? Do i go and apply for my driving test, or do i have do do another theory? Is there anything specific i need to bring, besides my gear and helmet? What advice would you give for someone doing their driving test? Thanks in advance guys, Blake

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Voting Question: Honda Rebel Gear Shift Lever / Rod Replacement?

I have a 2009 Honda Rebel. The Gear Shift Lever and Rod are bent. Its causing a false neutral (I think) When shifting down to 1st it makes a sound 3 -5 times very fast like its not shifting all the way then does. It happens with more often with more weight. I know if you remove the ROD it can mess up the gears. I found a replacement part on ebay that comes with the whole set together. Could I just remove everything and replace it with the new one? I think the nut spacing between the rod is the important part because to adjust the lever height you just remove the rod attachment. Here is the part: http://www.ebay.com/itm/BRAND-NEW-GEAR-SHIFT-LEVER-HONDA-REBEL-CMX250-CA250-/330578681335?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item4cf8065df7#ht_3407wt_754 Since the rod is already adjusted on this part would it be easy? Thank you.

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Voting Question: 2003 mitsubishi outlander cylinder 2 misfire?

hi i got an 2003 mitsubishi outlander wit code misfire cylinder 2 i already change the spark plugs change the wires to different place and change my catalytic with a brand new and swap the ingectors to different place too and check compression and leak detector and i get the same problem i dont know how to check the pcm oh i change my battery (hahahah i know its crazy ) i get the same problem i turn the car on and star very good like new every day but when you try to push the gas a little bit more like to get into the freeway i fell like 2 cylinders shut of and like rugh idle coz the transsmission dont want to change to another gear ( IM SOOOO SORRY FOR MY ENGLISH) but if i dont push the gas to much it fell very good i know my transmission is in very good conditions so its just happen when i try to get more speed ...like two cylinders die ...likee baaaaaaaa boooooooo ba ba ba ba baaaaaaaaa but rugh hahaha thank u very much im motorcycle mechanic 0

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