Get To Know Your Mini Moto - Part IIII

In the last part of the Get To Know Your Mini Moto series, I will explain how further components of the mini moto contribute to this great little machines. Throttle The throttle on your new mini moto is a 'twist grip' style throttle. When you twist the throttle the throttle cable is pulled back revving the engine. It is important to keep this cable free from obstacles and clean. If the throttle begins to feel 'loose' of 'gives', the tension of the cable can be adjusted via the adjusting screw. Brakes The brake system comprises of brake levers, brake cables, brake calipers and brake discs. The brakes on your mini moto are operated by levers found on the handle bars. The right hand brake controls the front brake, and the left controls the back brake. Pulling on the handle pulls the brake cable which in turn pulls the lever located on the bake caliper. This action pushes the brake discs towards each other. This creates friction on the brake disc which slows down or stops the bike. The brakes can be adjusted in the following ways. The brake cable can be tensioned using the adjustment screw found on the brake lever. Unscrew the locking nut; twist the screw to reach the desired tension. Re screw the locking nut. This is a two person job. Adjust the screw on the hand brake so that is at the end of its travel. Undo the clamp that holds the brake cable on the lever located on the brake caliper. One person needs to push the lever forward as far as it will, the second person needs to pull back on the brake cable and re fasten the clamp. The crake cable will now be highly tensioned. Pull Start To start the mini moto pull slowly to turn the fly wheel. This pumps some fuel around the engine, which lubricates the moving parts. Pull the pull start firmly in order to start the engine. Important, do not pull the cord to the end of its run as it can break. If the mini moto does not start check the choke and the throttle cable. Choke The choke controls the amount of air that is allowed into the air/fuel mix. The choke is adjusted via a lever located on the side and back of the engine. The choke is off when the lever is down, and on when the lever is up. When you start the mini moto the choke should be on, when the mini moto is warm and ready to ride the choke needs to be off. Carburetor It is recommended that any adjustments to the carburetor are made by a professional. The carburetor pumps and mixes the fuel and air. The small diaphragms, orifices and ports mix the air and fuel very precisely, this process demands clean fresh fuel. Jet The jet can be adjusted by the screw located in the access hole to the right of the choke lever. The jet is adjusted by the manufacture however the conditions of where you wish to ride may be different, which means that you will need to make adjustments. Turning the screw clockwise will make the bike run with a leaner mixture, and counter clockwise will richen the mixture. Only adjust the screw 1 tern at a time and then test the mini moto, this is trail and error. Please note that it is best to find the optimum setting for performance and then run a slightly richer mixture as a mix that is too lean can seize the engine.

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Get To Know Your Mini Moto - Part III

This article explains some of the components that contribute to the make-up of the remarkable piece of engineering called the mini moto. Take a read through and discover how each component plays its part. Air Filter Your new mini moto is equipped with an air filter. Some bikes such as the B1 Origami rep liquid cooled and the Mini Dirt bike have a 'cone' style K and N style air filter. The 2005 mk2 mini moto and the B1 Origami Replica air cooled bikes have a standard mini moto air filter. Both air filters purify the intake of air that is sucked into the carburetor. This means that the air filter should be cleaned regularly as the mini moto's performance can begin to suffer as the engine can become starved of air if the air filter is choked with debris. To reach the air filter, remove the bikes bottom fairing, remove the protective cover by unscrewing the holding screws. Clean the air filter in petrol but make sure that the filter is dry before reattaching to you mini moto. Tires The tires on your mini moto are filled with air (pneumatic). Please consult your mini moto handbook for the appropriate psi. It is important to check the tire pressure regularly, an under inflated tire will affect the performance of your mini moto, acceleration can become sluggish and cornering can become dangerous. Chain Before riding your mini moto you need to make sure that the front and back sprockets are aligned and that the chain is perfectly straight running between them. Once you have established this make sure that the chain is tensioned correctly (please see your mini moto handbook). To test the tension of the chain you can manually push the pocket bike, if you hear a 'pinging' or 'popping' sound the chain is too loose. If the chain is noisy and starts to bind the chain is too tight. Make sure that the chain is well oiled. The chain needs to be oiled before every ride. Gearing The gearing of you mini moto is dictated by the number of the teeth on the front sprocket and on the back sprocket. The sprockets can be changed as an easy way to manipulate top end speed and acceleration, quite like changing gear on a mountain bike. A front sprocket with more teeth will improve acceleration; however the top end speed will be reduced. A larger rear sprocket will produce a higher top speed but acceleration will suffer. The gearing on your bike can be adjusted in accordance for the track you are intending to ride i.e. a small track with a lot of bends will suit gearing for improved acceleration, however a track with long straights will require a mini moto that is geared for a higher top speed.

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Get To Know Your Mini Moto - Part II

The second part of Get To Know Your Mini Moto will delve further into the many components that contribute to a mini moto, namely the clutch and spark plug, and explain how each plays its part in these remarkable machines. Clutch The mini moto uses a centrifugal clutch to power the drive the sprocket, which in turn drives the back wheel of your mini moto. When you start your mini moto the clutch spins as the engine ticks over. The clutch is engaged when you pull back on the throttle. The increase in speed of revolution of the clutch makes the clutch expand and grip the inside of the clutch bell which turns the sprocket that drives the back wheel of your pocket bike. The clutch can be set up in different ways depending on the type of performance that you want from your minimoto. Adjustable clutches are not standard on mini moto's but an after market Polani or Blata style adjustable clutch can be used in your new mini moto. These allow the rider to adjust the mini moto's set up in according to their preference. Setting the clutch to engage too late when the engine has built up too much power may cause the clutch to slip and never fully engage. This can result in excessive wearing. However setting the clutch to engage too early, before the power has built up in the engine can cause your pocket bike to 'bog down', resulting in slow acceleration. The perfect set up is to get the clutch to engage just as the engine has built enough power to rocket the mini moto away, but without making the clutch slip, this is achievable through trial and error. Spark Plug Making sure that your spark plug is fresh is important in a two stroke mini moto engine. You can tell a lot from the color of the spark plug. The top part of your spark plug is covered in ceramic insulator which, when brand new is white. This part of the spark plug can change color according to how your engine is running. The plug should appear as a nice tan color when the engine is running perfectly, this indicates complete combustion. A grayish or white color indicates that the engine is running too lean which can result in engine damage. In this case you should clean and check your fuel system for any obstruction, check your fuel mixture, check for loose intake manifold bolts and carburetor mounting leeks, faulty gaskets and leaking crank seals. Anywhere that your engine could potentially leek and suck in fresh air can be the source of a lean condition. A blackened or oily spark plug indicates improper combustion and is the result of running too rich. This can be caused by too much oil in the mixture or the spark plug could be faulty and misfiring. Check the fuel mixture and replace the spark plug.

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Get To Know Your Mini Moto - Part I

The Mini Moto is a small scale replica of the World Super Bikes used by the likes of Valentino Rossi and ex champion Carl Fogarty. The Mini Moto comes equipped with either a two stroke air or water cooled engine which are, depending on the model, capable of speeds of up to 60Mph. But how much do you know your mini moto? In this part I will underline the finer points of the components that make these speeds possible. The Two Stroke Engine The two stroke engine produces more hp per pound than the four stroke engine. The two stroke engine consists of three moving parts, the piston, the rod and the crank. The piston acts as valve that opens and closes the intake and exhaust ports that are located on the walls of the cylinder. Unlike the four stroke engine that fires only every other time of the pistons movement, the two stoke engine fires every time the piston reaches the top of its travel. This means that the time spent generating power is doubled in the two stroke engine than that of the four stroke engine, as there is no engine coasting during passive cycles. This is the main reason that the two stroke engine can rev more highly and produce more power (for its size) that the four stroke. Fuel The two stroke engine needs to be run on a mixture of petrol and two stroke oil. This is so that the engine is kept lubricated whilst in use. 99% of all starting problems are caused by fuel problems. These can stem from bad or old fuel and improperly mixed fuel (please see mixing chart). Do not use fuels that contain alcohol, as the can cause you bike to run 'lean'. Be advised some racing fuels contain alcohol and are best avoided... We recommend that you use normal petrol for a garage and quality two stroke oil. A mixture that is too lean i.e. not enough two stroke oil can damage your mini moto's engine as the moving parts are not properly lubricated. This can cause the engine to seize. However a mixture that is too rich can choke the engine and affect the performance and cause starting problems. You can tell if your mini moto is running too richly by the plumes of white smoke coming out of the exhaust and the lack of performance. A rich mixture (25:1) is needed to lubricate the engine during the 'run in' period; you may experience a lack of performance during this period. The pocket bike may run more slowly and acceleration can be sluggish, however when you change to a mixture of 50:1 you will really notice a difference. The leaner mix ignites in the combustion chamber faster and with a more explosive force than the richer mix. This means higher revs which mean more power and acceleration. We recommend that a fuel mixture of 25:1 is used to 'run in' you mini moto, and a mixture of 50:1 is used thereafter. 'Running in' Your mini moto should be 'run in' for the first 3-4 tanks of fuel. During this period we recommend that you use a fuel mixture of 25:1. This means a mixture that is made up of 25 parts petrol to 1 part of two stroke oil. During the 'running in' period be careful to not rev the engine to its maximum as this can damage the engine. The 'running in' period will allow the moving parts to become well oiled and the clutch and brakes to 'bed' themselves in. After you have run the minimoto on this fuel mixture for 3-4 tanks, check the chain and tighten accordingly, check the tire pressure, tighten the bolts on the brakes, forks and wheels. You may also need to readjust the throttle settings to allow for the higher revs that changing to a leaner fuel mix produces. The bike should now be ready for a fuel mixture of 50:1.

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Dirt Bikes Which Are Believed Sound For The Environment

Both of these are fairly simple to accomplish, depending upon whether you are paying attention or not, when you ride dirt bikes. Following a few themes in the heat of the instant, however, will land you safely without scares happening anywhere along the trail or in your mind. Go with a 4 stroke dirt bike If you have been considering moving up to a four stroke motor think about the environs and safety as a selling point. When a 2 stroke dirt bike careens up a jump it is prone to explosive bursts of power because of its fuel/oil mixing needs. A 4 stroke motor is a fair bit more sizeable and needs an oil pump to get everything lubed so the power ratios experienced are quite a bit smoother. Finally this gives the ground a bit of a breather because the nobby tires don't throw quite as much dirt and the air takes a breather because the power spikes are more efficient when you ask for the power. From a safety point of view going with a four stroke makes the bike easier to handle as you manage the bike because your more sure that you'll get the power you ask for and not the power that may show up unexpectedly. 4 stroke for the trails The power management aspects of a four stroke engine will help the environment when you are on the trails as well. If you have a fairly good idea of what power you are going to get when you ask for it you can back off and then reestablish it as trail conditions permit. If, for instance, you see a good sized puddle on the trail you could go flying through it at full throttle (which might be fun but environmentally irresponsible) or you could back off a bit and ride around the edges at a responsible speed to reestablish a strong position where the trail is a bit firmer. How much pressure Think about how much pressure you are using in your tires as you hit the trails. What sort of soil or substrate are you going to be riding on that particular day? Just because they call them dirt bikes doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re going to be riding on dirt all day every day. Now does it? If you are heading out to the sand dunes consider your tire pressure before during and after you ride that day. Reducing the pressure for that day may make the riding better for that day, but what about the nest day when you head for a firmer substrate? If you don’t stay on top of where and when you are riding you will not only destroy your tires but spend more on gas and send more pollutants into the air. Check out the gear Sure you want to look dope on the bike but safety is a good thing to. There is little use in looking good when you ride if the only person that is going to enjoy how you look is the ER nurse. When you pad up consider the materials that you are wearing. Polymer products do the job for joints and head nicely but they are after all oil based products. Heck, just about everything is a polymer base these days, but it doesn’t necessarily mean you have to always use it for safety protection. First, stick with the head gear that works, don’t skimp here or anywhere for that matter. When to look around and think, however, is in the ballistic and extremity areas. Here, think about spun fibers and what they offer instead of going for the hard polymer choice. These products are flexible and can give the protection you need if the right choices are made. The environment will thank you with one karma point.

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Dirt Bikes. Speed in the Dirt

There are various dirt bike competitions like Motocross and various trial events where variants of a large number of dirt bikes compete with each other. An interesting fact to note is that dirt bikes have no number plates. Every year the US Department of Motor Vehicles issues green stickers especially for dirt bikes. Another important fact to take care of is that dirt bikes are not allowed on city streets as they are only allowed to be ridden on off-road tracks. Different Types of Dirt Bikes Some of the bikes that you might see when it comes to dirt bikes are Yamaha YZ, Yamaha WR, Yamaha DT, Honda CRM, Honda CRX, Kawasaki KX, Kawasaki, KLR, and Suzuki RM, amongst various others. Though al these bikes have their own distinctive features they have one thing in common. They are light, strong, and have the ability to handle the roughest of tracks. The Composition of the Dirt Bike Dirt bikes are mainly built of either a two-stroke engine or a four- stroke engine. In a two stroke engine the mixture of oil and gas is ignited in the cylinder, and thus not only does the bike get powered up, but the engine is also lubricated in one go. The four stroke dirt bike engine is like a smaller version of the car engine wherein, the gas is ignited but the oil can also be used again. If you are looking for differences between a normal street bike and dirt bike then you have to look no further than the suspension of the dirt bike. They have a higher ground clearance and not only this; they are much lighter as well. Their tires are also different, and have deep treads in them, so as to; offer them a better amount of traction through, gravel, sand, dirt or mud. Moreover, the engine of the dirt bikes is also placed at a much higher level as compared to normal bikes, to protect it from various obstructions like rocks etc. Also, the gas tank installed in the mid-section offers it a better balance. Choice of a Dirt Bike There is a large amount of difference between what you want and what you really need. The one significant parameter that will determine the kind of dirt bike that you want to buy is dependant on your own skill sets. If you are a beginner it wouldn’t be a good idea for you to buy a mean machine that you have seen speeding its way to glory in a Motocross Race. The purpose of your purchase is also a key determinant of the kind of dirt bike that you purchase. If your objective is to have fun just riding with your friends and going out on trail rides then, you definitely do not want to buy a full blown racer dirt bike. On the other hand if you want to buy the bike, primarily for a racing purpose then you must surely get a true dirt bike racer. End Words Everyone is actually on a budget. Nobody wants to buy a dirt bike that is not within their means. Moreover, if you are on a minimal budget and cannot find a dirt bike to suit your purpose; then it’s best that you tone down your demands a little and think of a middle-weight, slightly used dirt bike. There are times when some of the best buys, in terms of dirt bikes, can turn out to be some of the most underrated bikes that are available in the market. Whatever the bike you buy, it’s important that your objective is to have some fun. Don’t think beyond having an exciting time, riding your bike!

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Dirt Bike Parts

Many advocates of dirt biking will tell you that half the fun of dirt biking is buying a slightly clapped out old 250 and doing it up with new and second hand dirt bike parts until you’ve got as much performance and speed out of it as possible. Obviously, the nature of the dirt biking beast is that you will suffer damage to your bike. A Motocross hurtling 30ft in the air and then crashing back down to earth will cause damage to most bikes. The advantage of dirt biking is that the vehicles themselves are quite simple and you can pick up good parts for little money. Be safe. As with any bike, you should always be careful when buying anything that you intend to trust with your life. Of course not all parts for your bike need to be about performance and the look of your pride and joy will probably be just as important to you as the performance. Be frugal. The parts for your dirt bike don’t need to cost you the earth, the advent of the Internet has brought with it masses of competition for all sorts of items and dirt bike parts are no exception. The problem with the advent of the internet has been the numerous sites that pertain to contain the information you want but are essentially banner farms leading to more banner farms. You should find yourself a trusted dealer, whether online or offline, and if they provide what you’re after then stick with them. Finding dealers you can rely on can be difficult but there are good and reliable sites you can keep using. Seek help. It is important that if you don’t fully understand what you are doing or exactly the parts you are looking for that you get someone with that knowledge to help you. Incorrectly fitting parts or fitting incorrect parts can lead to a bad accident. There is no substitute for safety or knowledge. Summary. A lot of the fun of dirt biking is in the buying and modification of the bike itself. Hunting down second hand parts in good condition and fitting them to your bike. Gaining those extra couple of horse power and then, of course, putting all your hard work to good use. However, you should always be careful when modifying your bike; if you don’t have the necessary knowledge consult someone who does to ensure safety. Dirt bike parts can be easy to come by, and shouldn’t cost you too much, but may make all the difference when you’re riding.

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Atv Accessories To Make That Next Ride Unforgettable

There are two aspects of ATV'ing that can really make your next ride an incredible adventure as opposed to just average. Better performance is the first and comfort is the second. To better aid you in enjoying your next ride we have assembled the top 8 atv accessory ideas to give you both an upgrade in atv performance and comfortabiltiy.

The bumper is the first part of the atv accessory list that has to be considered. Originally a bumper was a separate metal bar or blade at each end of a vehicle to prevent damaging the atv. The bumper is one of the more upgradable aspects of an atv. ATV bumpers com in different colors, shapes and materials. Which can give your atv a much more streamlined appearance and make your ride faster, thusly more enjoyable.

Another atv accessory is a cabin enclosure. What you use your atv for dictates which cab enclosure that you should purchase. If you use it for fishing expeditions. The weather becomes stormy and you are far from shelter. All you need is a atv cabin enclosure installed to make this atv problem go away. A good cabin enclosure has 3 windows, one entry door, and is made of a flame retardant material.

Another atv cabin enclosure is what is called a hunting blind. It is 5 zippered gun ports. Some hunting blind atv cabin enclosures have a zippered gun port in the roof for goose and duck hunting.

The third must have atv accessory can be broken down into several categories. This particular atv accessory is a holder for your spotting scope, camera, and 8mm and VHS camcorder.

Want to carry small things with you without losing them? A fender organizer atv accessory will do the trick. For bigger items think about purchasing a bucket hugger controlled cargo tray. The bucket hugger atv accessory securely holds two 50-gallon buckets and tools.

The next atv accessory no active ATV'er should be without is good grip. During a ride in the summer your hand may get slippery from the seat and you can easily lose control of the vehicle. You want grips that are made of non-slip soft rubber. Look at high-density foam. This can deaden vibration and prevents the dreaded "tingling" in your hands. Ask for anti-vibration pads, which minimize fatigue and prevent slippage.

Helmets are way to show your individuality. Helmets come in a multitude of styles, shapes and colors. But no matter what helmet you decide to purchase make sure have a lock for the helmet. A great atv accessory are slip through standard "D" rings which will help secure the helmet to your ATV.

Last but not least atv accessory which will give you the ultimate in comfortability while atving are handlebar mitts. Fitting easily over the handlebars they keep your hands warm and dry when the weather is not that favorable.

Just remember these are just suggestions to make your next trip enjoyable. An upgrade in both performance and comfortablity, increasing the chances of your next atv exprience one of the best yet.

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