The Jeffrey And Tracey Info Emporium

We know that motorcycle enthusiasts out there are knowledgeable
enough in how to care for their bikes. Having a motorcycle and
considering it as a prized possession is indeed tedious work.
And here, we would like to share bits of information about
several things that you may find really important, especially if
you’re a motorcyclist from northern climates.

Northern climates motorcyclists experience dilemmas during the
winter season comes. Once winter approaches, they either take
the option of continuing their motorcycle riding, not wishing to
be apart from their motorcycles for the winter spell or they
winterize their motorcycles and put it away until spring comes.
Winter brings with it cold, icy, wet weather. These conditions
do not bode well for your motorcycle’s condition and neither is
it a great condition for riding your bike.

Every motorcyclist may have many different opinions on how to do
the process of winterizing their motorcycles. Doing it is a
matter of grave significance in order to restore the power and
built of your motorcycle in order for it to be sturdy during its
active lifespan. Once you have decided on putting away your bike
temporarily as the winter sets in, here are several basic steps
to winterize your bike and put your mind at ease for the rest of
the winter. •Even before the winter sets in, check over your
motorcycle for any mechanical problems. If you find something
wrong, put it in repair immediately. •The engine oil and oil
filter of your bike must be changed. After this, run the engine
briefly so that the oil can circulate completely through the
system. Try to avoid using used motor oil as it is contaminated
with acids. Drain your float bowls by running the engine,
shutting off the fuel or letting the engine use up the fuel in
the float bowls. •After the last ride of the season, top off
your gas tank. This will prevent water condensation in the tank.
You can treat your gas with a gasoline stabilizer for your fuel
to stay good through the winter. •Your motorcycle’s battery
should be checked. This entails cleaning the battery terminals
and connecting a Battery Tender or similar trickle charger. You
can also remove the battery and store it in a warm, dry place.
•Take time to clean and wax your bike. •After cleaning and
waxing it thoroughly, dry it up real good and cover it. Find a
nice and warm garage that’s safe from cold drafts in which to
store your bike. •Ooops! Before leaving your bike alone in its
cozy place, check your tires and inflate them to the proper
pressure. •Also, make sure the garage you found can be locked up
real tight and the registration and other papers are removed
from its case.

There’s no law saying not to drop in on your bike every couple
of weeks. This will remind you that once the winter is gone, you
and your bike will both be back in the road again! -30-

For comments and inquiries about the article visit
http://www.aftermarketmotorcyclepartsnow.com

More people in the United States are complaining about gas prices than ever before. There are people trading in their large vehicles for smaller options just so they can afford to drive to work and back. However, when you think about it, are SUVs and other large vehicles really that bad on gas?

The answer lies largely with the individual owner. It really depends on how much you love your car. Those SUV owners who really didn’t care to drive a smaller car would tell you that their larger vehicles are too expensive to drive. While it is true that they do cost more to fill up, they are not that much different in all actuality. That is, unless you are driving a four cylinder car that will drive you around the world on one tank of gas.

If you love your SUV however, you will likely think it is well worth the extra gas cost. No matter what you are driving right now, you are paying more than you are used to paying for gas. Therefore, no matter what you drive, you are feeling the negative impact from the high gas prices. So, while some think SUVs are hard on gas, others think of it as a normal part of life.

Ford Motor Company claims that it is unclear whether its cruise
control switches are the fault for over 560 reported fires and
explosions in Ford vehicles. Many of these fires broke out when
the vehicles were parked in family garages, destroying homes and
lives. In cases like this the numbers reported are only a
fraction of what has actually occurred, but Ford claims to be
doing its best to determine the cause of the fires and refuses
to declare the cruise control switch at fault. Here are the
facts:

More than 16 million Ford vehicles have rolled out of the lots
installed with a cruise control switch that is designed not to
switch off. This switch remains hot and powered, even when the
car is parked. Only a thin metal sheet separates the switch from
the brake fluid line, and only a little extra heat can cause the
switch to combust, dripping flaming fluid over all the plastic
components, resulting in a full-blown hood fire that is very
difficult to extinguish. Many owners have reported explosions,
both while driving Ford vehicles and after parking them.

In May of 1999, Ford issued a recall on Crown Victoria, Grand
Marquis, and Town Car models from 1992-1993. A second recall
issued in January of 2005 affected 800,000 vehicles including
all 2001 F-Series Super Crews and all the year 2000 Expeditions,
Navigators, and F-150 Pickups. Even these massive recalls have
not solved the problem. As recently as this month reports have
come in of vehicle fires in models not covered by the recall. A
1999 Expedition caught fire in a family garage after 3 Ford
dealerships refused to replace its cruise control switch.
Federal investigators are now looking at 3.7 million Ford trucks
and SUV’s to determine the extent of the danger. This Federal
investigation only covers a quarter of the vehicles that could
be affected.

A Ford document obtained by CNN showed that the same or similar
switch was installed in a total of 16 million vehicles,
including:

Mark VII/VIII from 1994-1998

Taurus/Sable and Taurus SHO 2.3 L 1993-1995

Econoline 1992-2003

F-Series 1993-2003

Windstar 1994-2003

Explorer without IVD 1995-2003

Explorer Sport/Sport Trac 2002-2003

Expedition 1997-2003

Ranger 1995-2003

The NHTSA says that of over 560 complaints of spontaneous,
non-collision fires, 253 involved unrecalled models. Some cruise
control switches that combust malfunction beforehand, but many
owners did not observe a problem until their trucks exploded in
the garage and burned down their homes. Because the power flows
to the switch when the vehicle is turned off, many of these
fires broke out in the middle of the night, hours after anybody
touched the Ford trucks.

Ford does not acknowledge any deaths that have occurred as a
result of the fires , but Ford Motor Company is also denying the
legitimacy of many claims. According to Ford, the explosions and
fires in the engines of unrecalled vehicles could be anything,
not necessarily the cruise control switch. Ford’s assertion is
hardly comforting, because these fires have broken out enough
times to reflect a solid trend. If all the reports of Ford fires
are not related to the cruise control switch, then the numbers
reflect a distressing trend of combustible Ford trucks.

This trend could very well be a reality, as this is not the only
recent case of Fords spontaneously combusting. As recently as
May of 2005 Ford announced a recall of 155,700 Crown Victoria
sedans used as police cars and taxi cabs because of a fire risk.
In these 2003-2005 models fires broke out when a sound insulator
under the dash slipped and overheated. A few reports of fires
have already been filed throughout the United States and Canada.

The long and short of it is that if you or somebody you love
owns a Ford in any of these models or years, you should take it
to a mechanic immediately. See a lawyer about covering the costs
of such an appointment. Park your Ford on the street. If you
have been injured or any of your property damaged by these
dangerous exploding trucks, see a lawyer immediately. Defective
product claims have a limited time period for filing and the
more people who come together to prosecute these dangerous
vehicles, the quicker Ford will be to accept responsibility for
damages and pull the affected vehicles off our roads GA

If you have more questions, please contact a href="http://www.hugesettlements.com/articles/Product_Liability.h
tm" target=_new rel="nofollow">Ford fire recall
attorney. For more information about another
href="http://www.hugesettlements.com/articles/defective-products-
lawyer.htm" target=_new rel="nofollow">Ford
recall or articles about href="http://www.hugesettlements.com/articles/defective-products-
lawyer.htm" target=_new rel="nofollow">defective product
lawyer cases, visit hugesettlements.com. If you
use this article, please include these links.

You don’t really need to be the ultimate car geek to figure out
the ins and outs of savings when buying a new car. You just need
some car buying tips, a calculator, a notepad and pen and mental
savvy to play the cost game with a couple of car dealers.

To set you on the road to the car that you’ve always wanted
without the burden of high costs, here are some car buying tips
guaranteed to lighten your path.

Car buying tip #1: Do your price homework.

In order to get the best deal, you have to first determine what
the fair price is for the car that you want and what the car
costs in various car dealers. Researching for the fair price can
be a bit tricky as all dealers would have different prices. One
way to do this is to log on to websites such as Cars.com,
InvoiceDealers.com, CarsDirect.com, AutoWeb, Edmunds.com,
Car.com and AutoUSA and see what their prices are. After
comparing, you will have a fairly good idea how it costs.

Car buying tip #2: Price is not everything

While price is the motor that would keep your car buying
running, it is not the only thing that you should consider. Most
car dealers would have a promo of some sort whether it be a free
service, free parts or lower interest rates in financing. Look
at this also along with the price. One may have lower prices but
may not offer the same package.

Car buying tip #3: Compare and tell

Having done your price homework, you can now use the data to
haggle with car dealers. Tell each of them that you are looking
at the prices of several dealers. Quote some prices to make them
believe you. Knowing this, they will give you their lowest
possible price and may even offer some good deals just to
prevent you from buying your car at their competitor.

Car buying tip #4: Budget. Budget. Budget

Knowing how much you can shell out and sticking to it can help
you in negotiating for a better price. This is one car buying
tip that most buyers forget. Remember, dealers can sense your
indecision and may not give you the best price that they have in
the house.

Car buying tip #5: Secure your finances

Car dealers are not the only ones who can offer great financial
deals. You can get a loan from your bank or even from online
lenders like Capital One Auto Finance and E-loan.

Car buying tip #6: Consider trade-in

When you have an old car and you will not be using it anymore,
consider trading it in to lessen the costs of the other car.
Figure its trade-in value and start from there. Some dealers
accept trade in but oftentimes, you can get a better deal
selling your old car privately.

Car buying tip #7: Allow for a time leeway

Buying a car at the last minute will not only cut off the
possibilities of doing research and waiting for better deals but
it will also make you quite desperate to buy one. Desperation in
any car dealers’ book equals high costs.

Car buying tip #8: Ask for rebates and rewards

When you pay in cash, car dealers offer special discounts,
rebates or rewards. Make sure that you ask your car dealer about
them as some can “conveniently” forget about them until after
you are out the door.

No matter what vehicle you drive, whether it is a passenger car,
a van, a Sport Utility Vehicle or a truck, it is subject to
common car problems from time to time. Volvo cars are no excuse.
Despite this car’s renowned safety features, durable and high
quality Volvo Parts, they are prone to wear and tear, especially
when abused. In order for your Volvo car to work always at its
best, it needs to be maintained. There are thousands of Volvo
Parts and Auto Parts stores that can help you do this with ease
and convenience, but only one gives you the most comprehensive
line of Volvo Parts and Volvo Car Parts store.

Starting problems are among the most common car problems you
might encounter while driving your Volvo car. If your engine
cranks normally despite low or high temperatures, there must be
a problem with the fuel injection system. As we all know, fuel
is the lifeblood of the vehicle so if there is insufficient
amount of fuel reaching the engine, your car won’t be able to
perform as it should. Having reliable Volvo diesel fuel
injection parts in your car can guarantee you more efficient
delivery of fuel to the engine.

There’s a big difference between a low quality fuel injection
than a first-class Volvo fuel injection. Although the latter may
be priced higher than the first, your driving satisfaction is
always guaranteed when you get a top quality product. Even fuel
injectors with slightly higher ignition power can significantly
improve engine performance and fuel emissions. Also, a
dependable brand of fuel injection prevents common injection
problems such as varnish deposits, clogging and fuel leakage. Of
course you don’t want to sacrifice your driving satisfaction by
getting low quality replacement auto parts so look for a Volvo
Parts dealer that can supply you with the most dependable
parts–new Vo
lvo Parts and Used Volvo Parts alike.

Compared to gasoline injectors, the diesel fuel injectors
operate at a higher pressure so they are required to meet higher
quality standards. Extreme heat can also cause wear and tear
faster than expected so your Volvo fuel injector must be highly
resistant to extreme temperatures. High quality fuel injectors
are usually made of high alloy chrome steel that can withstand
harsh conditions under the hood. You can get this and other
Volvo fuel injection parts at Vo
lvo Parts and Car Parts, a comprehensive Volvo auto parts
store specializing in selling highly durable and top quality
Volvo Parts.

Upgrading your Volvo car need not be a problem if you know where
to get the best replacement auto parts, whether you are looking
for new and high quality Volvo Parts for Volvo C70, Volvo Parts for Volvo 740, Volvo 940
parts, Volvo S70 parts, Volvo S90 parts, Volvo 960 parts and
others. Now it’s easier and faster with Volvo Parts and Auto
Parts, the leading source of outstanding quality and affordable
Volvo body parts and Volvo performance parts. The store offers
free shipping to all users across the country, so Volvo Atlanta
parts users and Volvo Seattle parts users alike can enjoy the
same privileges and excellent deals–from north to south, east
to west, Volvo Parts and Volvo Auto Parts is ready to provide
for your Volvo replacement parts needs.

Other Volvo Parts for Volvo 740 and Volvo Parts for Volvo C70
include air intake, body parts and Volvo Accessories, clutch parts, Volvo mechanical parts, brakes, Volvo electrical engine
parts, cooling system parts, suspension parts, Volvo transmission parts, exhaust
system parts and a whole lot more. Even Volvo service tools are
provided in this one-stop Volvo parts store so working on minor
car problems on your own would be a lot easier now. If you want
to replace busted Volvo lights, service tool kit can help you do
the job without a fuss. Check out their site and be a step
closer to making your Volvo car the best once again.

A funny thing happens when you start talking about jobs and money – people get a little weird. I recently experienced this when a visiting family member decided to talk ‘shop.’

Instead of the usual family chatter, they spent the better part of an hour telling us why they ‘deserved’ a pay raise, why they had a ‘right’ to more vacations, why they shouldn’t ‘have’ to work overtime and why they were ‘entitled’ to all this.

— So What Have You Done For “ME” Lately?

I smiled and simply asked them, “So what have you done lately for your employer to justify your claim to a larger share of their revenues? Did you sell more of their product? Did you save them thousands with some new system? And did you do more this year than last year?”

As you might imagine they were not impressed with my questions. They simply (like so many people often do when confronted with irrefutable logic) repeated themselves. They were entitled to it - the others were getting more so should they. I let it drop, but their attitude bothered me – that kind of thinking is counter productive and ultimately self-limiting.

— Me Incorporated

Now I’m not advocating taking advantage of people, however this continual expectation that all salaries should be “fair” and forever rising is simply unrealistic. People forget they’re like a micro business of one – they’re selling their service too. How they present and market themselves is up to the individual, and if they sell themselves for less than another, that’s their choice too.

Market conditions ultimately determine many of the variables in the compensation an employee ultimately receives. And let’s be honest, if you can hire one experienced person for less than you might pay another, then it’s only human nature to do so.

— Show Me The Money!

Business is ultimately about profits. It is about providing some product or service, usually in exchange for money. Businesses are always looking to manage their costs and improve their revenues and more often than not, staff salaries represents one-third of all business costs.

So what about your techs, what should you expect to pay them? Well according to the Government of Canada (at the time of writing this article) the National average hourly rate is $16.91 (approx $36,000 per year) Of course this is the average data across all of Canada and ignores experience, location, supply and demand, and a host of other factors - but it’s a start.

— It Meets The National Average

As to the amount that Techs get paid, well that varies – in most cases it is equal to the National average (adjusted for location and experience). On the low side, you may often see techs willing to accept $10 per hour – probably when they’re starting out. The midrange is approximately $17 per hour (at least here in Ontario) with the more experienced and in-demand technicians earning $26 per hour and sometimes more.

— Pay Your Techs This…

But what happens if you don’t pay enough? Well you know the answer to that – your Techs feel ‘taken advantage’ and will ultimately leave you. But you can’t simply give in every time someone asks you for a pay raise – you need to find balance.

I suggest you might consider tying your Techs overall success to that of your business, perhaps a bonus or incentive scheme in addition to their salary. Naturally, these participation programs need to be considered carefully to avoid enthusiastic overselling of unwanted client services.

Handled properly paying your Techs on a performance basis would give them the ability to write their own paychecks. Go ahead, pay them what you can to hire them and keep them happy, but then why not let them pay themselves whatever they want… It can make for very good business.

Author: http://www.JamesBurchill.com - James is a freelance writer and consultant

National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration says 71% of
fatal multi-vehicle crashes involving a large truck are caused
by the other vehicle. While it is true that you cannot predict
and totally stop an accident or a collision from happening, you
can do something to lessen the risk of meeting any misfortune on
the road. Having durable and high quality safety auto parts and
body parts in your vehicle can make a significant difference.

Today as we enter the busiest season of the year, Auto Parts Deal reminds every driver of his
responsibility to keep his vehicle safe as he drives down the
road. The store is offering this time the best deals on top
quality safety parts, performance auto parts and car accessories
including high class Ford fog lights, GMC bumpers, Dodge bumper covers, Chevy headlights, Jeep wheels and Toyota tail lights.

Among the auto parts that serve the greatest purpose are the
front and rear bumpers. These parts serve as shield to the
vehicle as well as the occupants in the event of a collision.
Bumpers may be made of steel, aluminum, rubber or plastic that
is capable of absorbing force from low-speed collisions so that
physical damage to the front and rear end of the vehicle may be
reduced. Although the NHTSA says bumpers are not a safety
feature intended to prevent or mitigate injury severity to
occupants in the passenger cars; nevertheless injuries are
lessened through bumpers and other safety parts in the car.

Bumpers found in trucks or SUVs are higher than those on
passenger cars. Ford bumpers, GMC bumpers, Chevrolet bumpers and those
of similar large vehicles are also sturdier since these vehicles
are used for more challenging tasks such as hauling and towing.
Truck and SUV bumpers are likewise higher to provide better
ground clearance for the vehicle to easily and conveniently
drive through steep grades, loading ramps, large rocks or any
road obstruction when driving off-road.

Ford bumpers are among Auto Parts Deal’s highest quality
products. They are designed to meet high Ford vehicle standards
and are perfect match to your truck’s tough and rugged look.
Ford bumpers available are made by the best Ford parts manufacturers so you
can be definite that they hold original Ford parts’ rigid
qualities and toughness. You can be sure that auto parts at the
front and rear end of your trunk such as the Ford hood, Ford grill, Ford trunk, Ford headlights, Ford fog
lights, Ford tail lights as well as
other auto parts in your fuel, engine, exhaust and cooling
systems are all secured in the event of a low-speed speed
collision.

To further prepare your vehicle against accidents, you can
install new and stylish auto lights from Auto Parts Deal. Lights
are also among the most essential safety equipments in your
vehicle since they provide illumination on the road and make
your car or truck visible to other drivers, passengers of other
cars, and pedestrians. Lights don’t usually get busted too
quickly but they also wear out and the light they emit grows
faint through time as well; hence, you also need to replace them
for maximum safety.

In addition to making your car safer especially during a harsh
weathered day, auto lights also enhance your vehicle’s styling.
Modern luxury cars can tell you how a simple set of headlamps
can make or unmake a statement about your car. For your old
Toyota car, BMW car, Nissan car or Mazda car, you can count on
Auto Parts Deal’s high quality and stylish Toyota headlights,
BMW tail lights, Nissan fog lights and so much more. Check out
the site and see for yourself the best it can offer.

If you are moving a standard passenger car and want to investigate different car transport trailer options there are many possibilities in today’s auto shipping industry offered to the discerning customer. Open multi-car transport is the most economical and popular option for moving unrestored collector vehicles or everyday cars.

In most situations, your car will be conveyed on an eight or 10-car carrier, the same kind of trucks used to deliver new cars. These trucks are 75 to 80 feet long and about 13 feet high. They can be difficult to maneuver and are limited to major roads that are free of low hanging trees and low clearance bridges. Make sure you are aware of this fact when directing the truck to the pick-up location or to your home.

When a transporter mentions pick up window they are referring to the time surrounding your pick up date. For instance some shippers may have a 14 day window - that way they can pick your vehicle up anywhere between seven days before and seven days after your pick up date. Lower priced carriers will not specify their pick up dates, you however may receive an outstanding price. The down side is that you may not see your vehicle for four or five weeks.

Make sure that the cheap car transport company you choose shows proof of their federal license and insurance requirements. There are many transport companies who do not carry the federal license, bond, or insurance requirements, and will move your car for a low fee, but this leaves you unprotected against theft and damage.

When you are shopping around for an inexpensive car transport service confirm what the total cost of the shipping will be right up front, this will help identify any hidden costs that may arise during the transport, like a fuel surcharge or extra road insurance. As you obtain quotes from several car transport and auto shipping companies, be prepared to provide: origin of pick-up destination, departure date, size and type of cars, type of car transport service you need like door-to-door car transport as opposed to terminal-to-terminal.

Terminal-to-terminal is almost always cheaper. Special car mover or auto shipping requests will usually incur additional costs. If your vehicle is not delivered within the agreed upon dates some cheaper auto transport companies will reimburse you some amount of cash per day towards the rental of an automobile, keep your receipts.

With today’s multitude of competing car transport businesses, your chances for finding cheap car transport services are excellent, you can be assured that your search for the best inexpensive car transport service will not go unrewarded.

Car Transport Info provides detailed information about car transport services and trailers, as well as advice on locating an cheap, domestic and international car transport company for your standard, classic, or exotic car. Car Transport Info is affiliated with Original Content.

The newest trend with radar detectors is devices that generate
laser lights using a semiconductor. This new technology far
surpasses the older radar detectors that uses radio signals to
detect police.

Detectors that use lasers, also known as “ladar,” are the
cutting edge and users experience fantastic success with the
newer models. Since police now use guns that are a combination
of laser and radar, these radar detectors work by picking up the
laser portion and transmitting a sound to warn the driver of
their speed. Some police and state patrols are now using narrow
laser beams, which are much more difficult to detect. The older
radar detectors are completely at a loss when it comes to these
narrow laser beams, but the new laser radar detectors can detect
these beams, although the advanced notification is severely
limited.

For the most part, laser detectors offer a faster lock-on time,
which averages around one-third of a second. The laser beams are
confined to a limited spread, usually around six feet for about
2,000 feet of space. This allows the beams to be recognized more
quickly, giving the driver more advanced notice.

However, laser detectors come with some drawbacks. For example,
particles, including dust and water, can limit the range and
confuse the system, so your laser radar detector may not work at
top capacity when it is raining or snowing outside. Furthermore,
some surfaces are unable to correctly read laser radar, so the
environment can potentially make all the difference.

Traditional radar detectors use radio waves to detect when a
radar gun is in use. Many police and state troopers still use
regular radio wave radar guns to patrol, so these detectors are
able to pick up these guns. However, radar detectors are unable
to pick up laser radar guns, so drivers will be at a
disadvantage when it comes to detecting the latest technology.
These traditional radar detectors can be easily confused by
other non-radar gun devices, so this may play a factor into your
purchase.

In the end, choosing a good quality detector is the key. A
traditional radar detector of good quality is a better choice
over a poor quality or cheaply made laser radar detector. Before
you decide to buy any type of radar detector, do the appropriate
research on a brand name and a type that will meet your needs. A
simple internet search will provide you with a wealth of
information regarding all different types and brands of
traditional radar detectors and laser radar detectors. Once you
have made your selection, visit your local electronics store or
favorite internet retailer to purchase a device that will be
backed up with an appropriate warranty that will protect your
purchase in case of accident.

The Mopar (Dodge/Chrysler/Plymouth) A-Body (Dart, Duster, Demon, Scamp, etc) engine compartment is rather small. A lot of the work to be done to an engine that is installed takes some tricky manuvering, or shifting the engine around.

Installing headers in an A-Body is a particularly complicated task.

Here’s the sequence to follow to complete this task:

This is easier to do if you have at least one other person assisting you, from the top of the engine.

1. Disconnect battery.
2. Jack up the driver’s side of the car, place a jack stand underneath the driver’s side front.
3. Unbolt the motor mounts (both sides).
4. Place a block of wood on your floor jack, position the jack underneath the oil pan.
5. The passenger’s side header should slide in from underneath without much of a problem. You might have to jack the motor up a bit to get it in, though.
6. Jack up the engine as far as it will go. You can remove the distributor cap to give you some added clearance. BE CAREFUL, the distributor will be pressing against the firewall at this point.
7. Take a break, have a beer.
8. Disconnect the center link from the steering box arm and driver’s side tie-rod.
9. Have a buddy stand on the driver’s side of the engine with a crow bar. Position the crow bar between the motor mount and the engine block.
10. As your buddy pushes the engine as far as he can towards the passenger side of the car, slide in the driver’s side header from underneath the car.
11. Lower the engine down off the jack.
12. Take a break, have a beer. Offer your friend a beer.
13. Bolt the headers up to the engine.
14. Unbolt the headers, you forgot to install the gaskets.
15. Take a break, have a beer. Offer your friend another.
16. Bolt the headers up to the engine.
17. Put the steering linkage back together.
18. Bolt up the motor mounts.
19. Have the front end aligned.

Copyright © 2005 by Mikel Beck. mikel.beck@elite-computing.net
Mikel Beck is the owner of a number of web sites, the latest being The Happy Hour Pub - http://www.happyhourpub.com. His racing web site is http://www.burwoodboysracing.com.