Bikers Dictionary

Here's a little something I came across - a motorcycle bikers dictionary. What do you think about it?

http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/dictionary/A.htm

Done, done and done!

Hi everyone, I am finally done with my classes! Woohoo! Yippie! Hurrah!

It's been a long journey into the world of Motorcycle and Scooter Mechanics and I thank each and every one of you who helped me realize my dream.

To show how much I appreciate you I'm offering a 20% off coupon for the entire Month of December.

Enjoy and thanks!

Photos (Video & Music) from NHRA 2011

I know it's a little late, but I wanted to share my experience at NHRA 2011 :)

Photos were taken by me, and as such, I hold the exclusive copyright (2011) to them.

The Finish Line!

 I have officially finished my core classes and now I need a job or some business (I’ll take either…I’m not picky). I do however need another 200 hundred hours of practicum either at a job or at school before I receive my certificate. Yea me!

So, what is a girl to do? I am starting the application process with the usual suspects: Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha, Suzuki, Harley, Vespa…Vespa? Yes, you read right and why not? It was what I trained for, after all.

Chillax…my logo is still in the developmental stage…I’ll keep you all posted!

Peace,
:0)

Almost Finished!

After all this time, I can see the finish line and I’m frigging excited!

Last night we reviewed for the Final and Monday night is the test. After that, I need 230 practicum hours and I’m done! Woohoo!

Speaking of, you wouldn’t know of anyone hiring at this time, would you? I need to jump start my mechanic’s career ASAP. Don’t get me wrong, I’m definitely willing to work on your bike or scooter (moped) just give me a call or drop me a line.

Here’s a few updates:

I took down the pinup girl I had up because I found out she was copyrighted – BUMMER, right? Well, I have someone working on replacing the image. Soon, hopefully.

The 1989 Virago 1100 is coming along nicely. Frank (another student and someone I consider a friend) and I have teamed up to get this thing up and running so the owner can enjoy her.

We troubleshot and repaired the electrical last night. The headlight and instrument panel wouldn’t come on. Turned out to be a faulty starter switch. Yes, starter switch. Apparently Yamaha ran the power for the headlight and panel through the starter switch. ARG!!!

Tires (both front and back) and fork seals and oil were replaced. Next semester for our practicum, we’re going to tackle the carbs. The gas smells nasty and she’s been sitting for over a year. Hopefully very soon, we’ll get her done, out of the shop and onto the road where she belongs.

Oh yeah! Remember that Honda Ruckus I repaired? The one night I missed class the owner brought in a huge tray of cookies, as a token of his esteem, and the guys didn’t save me a single crumb. Jerks! LOL

Until next time,
MCM :0)

Cooler in summer

Well, I bought the BILT cooling vest and an underarmor heat gear shirt today. Tomorrow I'm going to give them both a proper trial by wearing it to my motorcycle safety training class.

2006 Tank Vision 250e

Last night a friend rolled a 2006 Tank Vision 250e that had been sitting a few years into the shop and to my surprise the darn thing started right up with a jump. Miracle of all miracles!


I have to admit, its a good looking bike from afar, but it's got major problems. Not only did the company close leaving everyone who owns a Tank belly up too, it’s virtually impossible to find a service manual or parts for this thing.

Cheap? You bet, at $1499.00 Some places are still trying to make their money back from such a bad investment.

Alas, we see it all at our school, the good, the bad, and the Epic Fails.

KTM 65SX

I’m at a stand still with the 1989 Virago until the owner brings in the Collar and the Countersunk Screw for the Starting Clutch.

In the meantime, I’m now disassembling a KTM 65 SX and let me tell you how small this mini is but it sure does pack a wallop! I’ve got the engine partially disassembled to check out the crankshaft. I’ll keep you posted as to what I find.

Oh, and have a safe and happy fourth!

Almost there

Slowly and ever so slowly I am setting into motion what I hope to be a successful business. By successful, I mean somewhere that provides excellent customer service with know-how and the good fortune of making an honest dollar. Yes, an honest dollar. I haven't forgotten what that is.

Here's the final draft for my company banner. Take a look and tell me whatcha think. :0)

2004 Honda Ruckus bogs down

Well, here it is the last semester of classes, and I'm totally stoked!

Apart from working on David's Harley last semester, this week, I got my hands on and successfully repaired a 2004 Honda Ruckus with some peculiar problems. The scooter, yes, scooter bogged down at full throttle. The scooter ran great providing you didn't want to do more than 5-10 miles an hour but when you opened her up, she fell flat on her face. After doing some internet searching I found that it was a common problem with the Ruckus but no one really posted a solution. So, here goes...

The very first thing I did was read the Fuel System section in the manual. From all the symptoms, the scooter behaved like it was running too lean. So, I checked was the filter and found a Briggs and Stratton Filter on it, not an OEM. Does it matter that it wasn't OEM? YES! Although the Briggs and Stratton filter looks similar it has LESS air flow restriction than the OEM. Remember I said it behaved like it was too lean? Walla! That was part of the problem. Don't be fooled by look-a-likes.

Moving on...I disassembled the carburetor and found the slow jet (the idle jet) clogged. I cleaned the carb and adjusted the idle because I thought it was idling too rough.

The next thing I did was reset the ECM input data. Reset the input data? Why would I do that? Because when you disconnect the TPS (Throttle Sensor Position) you must reset the ECM data. Don't believe me? Check it out yourself on page 6-8 of the manual. I know. It doesn't make any sense. Usually you only have a TPS when you have a Fuel Injector system. Well, not here folks and no, you can't conveniently bypass this step because the scooter isn't fuel injected.

Now that the Ruckus is in good working condition, I start working on a 1989 Virago. Yea me!
Keep you posted folks :0)

Oh, I didn't forget. Here's the info on resetting the ECM data:
(Taken directly from the Service Manual, page 17-10)

Hello and welcome

Hello everyone and welcome to my new Motor Chick Mechanic's blog.

You can visit my web page at http://www.motorchickmechanic.com/ or you can stay tuned here, where I will be updating most of the time.

Enjoy!