Motorcycles & Cars

Archive for December, 2009

The Ins And Outs Of Harley Exhaust Systems

Most of us like to turn heads with our bikes and the exhaust is a big part of that. A cool looking exhaust system can really enhance the appearance of your motorcycle. Plus the distinctive throaty roar of a HarleyDavidson engine comes from the exhaust.

But there is more to Harley exhaust systems than gleaming chrome and bestial growls. Understanding the function of your exhaust lets you choose the best one for your bike.

Dealing with Emissions

The full Harley exhaust is designed to deal with the output of an engine dealing with environmental aesthetic and legal issues.

The converter is designed to change harmful chemicals in the emissions into something less damaging to the environment. It uses a catalyst to convert dangerous gasses including carbon monoxide and unburned fuel into carbon dioxide water vapor and other innocuous compounds. Reducing harmful emissions is not only environmentally friendly it is also required by the EPA.

The muffler control sound and sparks. Although many Harley owners like the roar of their engine many communities have noise ordinances that limit how loud your bike can be. Mufflers don’t necessarily just suppress sound. They can also be used to control sound to get the noise you want from your bike.

Performance Enhancement

Your Harley exhaust system has a strong effect on engine performance and power. A clogged or poorly designed system restricts the flow of exhaust and reduces engine efficiency. Consider a path from the gas tank through the engine to the exhaust. If any part of that path is restricted the whole system slows down and that means less fuel to your engine and less power.

Most people understand that a clog in the fuel line reduces power but may not realize that a clogged exhaust can do the same. Clogs aren’t the only problem. An inefficient Harley exhaust restricts the flow from the engine and that creates a backup which cuts performance. Well designed systems with smooth curves rather than sharp corners allow the exhaust to vent more easily and the engine to run better.

High vs. Low Mounting

Where you put your exhaust a high vs. a low position will generally be determined by the bike’s use. Highmounted Harley exhausts are used for bikes that will be used on trails and offroad. These bikes get a lot of dirt and water coming their way and the pipes are mounted high to keep these contaminants from getting into the exhaust and clogging it.

The problem with highmounted exhausts is that they aren’t very passenger friendly. Street bikes are more likely to carry passengers and don’t need the protection of high mounts. These motorcycles are more likely to opt for lowmounted exhaust systems.

Choosing the right exhaust system is key to both the look and performance of your bike so consider all of your needs before making your choice.

About the writer:nbsp;nbsp;Author is a freelance writer. For more information on a Harleyexhaust please visit http://www.jirehcycles.com

The Incredible Electric Motorcycle-Latest Developments

Global warming high gasoline and oil prices have several companies and many experimenters working on battery powered Motorcycles. Advances in battery technology and super efficient motors have made the electric motorcycle practical. Also fuel cells have started to appear on some models. Thin film fuel cells and other fuel cell technology promise an exciting future.

The first mention of electric motorcycles in patents was in the 1860′s but we have come a long way since then. Modern electric motorcycles are super efficient have almost no emissions and require less maintenance.

The advantages of electrics are Lower fuel costs. It cost about one tenth as much to ride an electric. They are almost silent with almost no emissions and lower maintenance costs. The disadvantages are higher up front costs and shorter range.

Although Gas powered motorcycles get extraordinary gas mileagewith many getting more than 50 miles per gallonthey emit more pollution than even large SUVS because they aren’t equipped with equivalent emissionscontrol technology.

With new emissions standards SUVs are 95 percent cleaner than motorcycles according to the Environmental Protection Agency. While motorcycles could help reduce oil consumption and greenhousegas emissions these gains come at the price of dirtier air.

Electric motorcycles eliminate tailpipe emissions keeping pollution out of the city and they can be powered with clean sources of electricity. What’s more electricity costs less than gasoline. Most of the advances have been in battery technology.

Electric motorcycles are practical today because of advances in battery technology. Leadacid batteries which have been used in electric motorcycles in the past are very heavy provide a short range and last for only a couple of years.

Some of the commercial models uses nickel metal hydride batteries. This type of battery is lighter than leadacid batteries and more durable Lithiumion batteries in turn are lighter than nickel metal hydride and new chemistries have made them durable as well lasting as long as or longer than nickel metal hydride batteries.

These cycles are powerful and capable of high speed. In 2006 the word speed record for the quarter mile was set at 9.1 and 135 miles per hour. Later that year the record was broken again by the same team this time 8.9 seconds at 145 moles per hour.

Most of the production models are limited to 70 miles per hour or less. This is because they are set up for city riding. This helps extend the range which is one of the weak points now.

Major advances in fuel cells promise an exciting future for electric cycle and cars. In one university study shows that it should be possible to make thin skin fuel cells the size of a couple of cans of coke that would power a whole house.

Many companies are using hydrogen as a fuel but ethanol and many other substances can fuel them. The major thing that is holding back electrics right now is price. With some of the models selling for 15000 they’re not exactly for everyone.

But prices will drop batteries will improve and new technology in fuel cells will make the electric cycle and car a practical reality soon.

About the writer:nbsp;nbsp;The author has a long history in electronics. Spending several years as a Broadcast Engineer and a selfemployed communications technician.He has two online stores.A motorcycle leather clothing online store he also has Gutz LeatherLadies and mens leather clothing

The Harley Iron 883 Sportster

Trends can be interesting things to watch especially in the world of motorcycling. With the explosion of everything custom chopper in the middle and late 2000s and the proliferation of high end custom bike builders it looked as though the main stream media driven segment of the biker world was leaning towards flash and show over guts and go. Throw in the whirlwind of bike building based television shows such as Jesse James Billy Lane the guys at Orange County Choppers and more and many riders began to worry that the world of motorcycling was being flipped on its ear. Even with the immense popularity of the HarleyDavidson Motor Company over the years they of course have their detractors.

Those riders who feel that their bike is unique because of the work they have done to it got a bit irked with Harley. With the introduction of such bikes as the Crossbones the VRod the Custom Vehicle Operations CVO division and others many felt that the Motor Company was caving to the current trends and not sticking with it roots. Just give me a solid well running bike and leave the rest to me! was a common sentiment. Love it or hate it the Sportster line up of Harley bikes has been wildly popular and long lived.

First introduced in 1957 this model line has enjoyed over 50 years of continuous production and many many revisions and upgrades. Interestingly as the trend for bigger faster flashier chopper style machines seemed to be hitting its peak Harley introduced the most basic looking version of the Sportster the Iron 883. The look of this bike screams back to basics and in a good way. Its simple understated and ready for anything a rider may want to do to it.

With a price tag of under 8000 its cheap and comes with everything you need right off the showroom floor. The 3.3 gallon tank drag bars and midmounted foot pegs come standard. The true stand apart feature on this model is that pretty much everything on this machine is blacked out. About the only chrome youll find on this are the pipes and the forks. When choosing the Black Denim paint option the other is Brilliant Sliver youve got a blacked out machine with great looks. If you’re looking for an affordable ride without all the chrome and flash of the current trend take a look at the Iron 883. You might just find something you like a lot.

About the writer:  Bill has recently posted a Harley Sportster on his website. To see pictures of different Sportsters click HERE. Bill is a big fan of anything with wheels and a motor…especially Harley Bikes.Thanks!