27th October 2006

When to Buy…

This is a difficult question. But to boot, we are the ones who will decide when shopping for motorcycle parts. Thus, we must know how to choose cleverly. We have to do it after evaluating each of the possibilities available.

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The rule of thumb though is: if you are looking for a replacement or improvement part, first you consider the availability of the motorcycle parts. Second consideration is your budget. Finally, you can consider other aspects about the purchase.

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Some riders are confused and perplexed in deciding whether to buy OEM or aftermarket motorcycle parts. First, we have to know the difference between the two.

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Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) parts do not necessarily mean Original Manufacturer (OM) parts. Riders might have noticed that many motorcycle manufacturers do not manufacture every part of their motorcycle. They usually have the motorcycle parts designed and manufactured by other independent companies. However, these motorcycle manufacturers install them in their machines or put them in their own packaging to be sold as OEM motorcycle parts.

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Aftermarket motorcycle parts on the other hand, are replacement parts that can perform as well as OEM parts. In addition, they can be of equal, higher or lesser quality with OEM parts. They are produced by companies other than the original manufacturer.

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The latter are usually resorted to if used as replacement parts or if you want to customize your bike. What are the things that you must consider before purchasing the same? First, make sure that your guarantee period is over. There are states that render your guarantee void if you have an aftermarket motorcycle part installed by an unauthorized mechanic. Based on my observations, high performance parts and devices such as carbon fiber, titanium, aerospace aluminum parts and gizmos, can be had as aftermarket motorcycle parts. Another valuable observation I got was that equivalent aftermarket Suzuki motorcycle parts are cheaper than OEM parts. In addition, they can slash down the price to 70% compared to OEM price.

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When you are buying aftermarket motorcycle parts, be sure you are getting at least the same quality as that of its OEM counterparts. You can do this by probing up to date reviews about brands and performance. You can find some in the Internet. Moreover, you can consult your trusted mechanics and seasoned riders.

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27th October 2006

Chopper Parts

Few road vehicles look as unique and stunning as Choppers. These customized bikes epitomize all things wild and creative in the bike world. In simple terms, a chopper is a bike, usually a Harley Davidson or Indian, which has several of its parts ‘chopped off’. This is done in order to make the vehicle lighter, easier to maneuver and more eye-catching.

Choppers started appearing around World War II, when soldiers returning home desired lighter bikes, like the ones they had used in Europe. In order to get the desired effect, they began removing unwanted parts from their bikes back home, which resulted in the “ birth” of choppers. Over the years, the concept of choppers evolved and was not restricted to only chopping off parts from the vehicle. Several people started customizing their bikes in order to suit their personal tastes. Customized chopper parts soon became a craze and took the market by storm.

The most popular chopper parts that bike enthusiasts tend to fiddle around with are the handlebars, wheels and tires. In most choppers, the handlebars are extended to give the rider greater comfort, especially during long road-trips. The wheels are often customized to add that extra bit of style to the bike. While magnesium alloy wheels are growing in popularity, several still prefer the normal spoke wheels. The most exotic of these wheels are the classic 160 and 120 spoke wheels. Tires are another significant feature of choppers. In most cases, the front wheel is narrowed down while the rear one is broadened to provide extra grip and stability.

Other popular chopper parts include fuel tanks, body frames, seats and front and rear brakes. Several of these parts can be further customized upon the request of the owner. Before making the purchase, one must make sure the parts are from a genuine dealer and are compatible with the vehicle. Although some of them chopper parts would seem a bit pricey, they definitely serve to highlight the beauty and individuality of these lovely machines.

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27th October 2006

Making your Harley Faster, Louder, and more Powerful with Custom Motorcycle Parts

If you want to turn your average chopper into a loud, roaring, customized machine, there are a few custom motorcycle parts that can make a big impact. The aftermarket custom motorcycle parts listed here are generally in the $150 to $500 range and don’t require a degree from the Jesse James School of custom bike building to install. Take a look at these simple modifications that can make a big difference in sound, and performance of your Harley.

Big Growler Exhausts:
What’s a chopper if it doesn’t rumble? The Big Growler Exhaust system will turn the heads of even those sealed inside their super luxury cars, and make them wish they had the freedom a burley Harley. The long straight pipe makes this exhaust system “un-muffled” amplifying every hum and grind of the engine as it accelerates and cruises. When it comes to custom motorcycle parts, the couple hundred dollars for the exhaust is a great value.

Yost Power Tube:
One way to get a lot of power with custom motorcycle parts for a little cash is with the Yost Power Tube. More power comes from increased combustion efficiency and there’s no better way to achieve this than with the Power Tube. The kit from Yost includes a spacer for even greater power and throttle. The power tube works with all of the S&S Series B, E, & G Harleys and is one of the custom motorcycle parts that most weekend bike enthusiasts can install themselves.

Spyke Ignitions:
An ignition kit is another of the inexpensive custom motorcycle parts that makes a big impact. Spyke aftermarket ignitions have more power than the factory ignition, dyno-proven power gains, and aggressive ignition curves. This aftermarket part also reduces kickback and strain and allows for customized timing based on engine modifications.

Carburetors:
After market carburetors are another one of the first aftermarket parts people modify on their Harley. The job of the carburetor is to mix the right amount of gas with air to produce the torque that fuels the bike. Too little gas and the engine runs lean, too much gas and the engine will flood. The Mikuni is one of the most effective for pulling in air among the aftermarket carburators. More air flowing through means more peak power.

Once you get started modifying your bike with aftermarket custom motorcycle parts, you’ll most likely find scores of other projects to fill your time. In a lot of cases, the custom motorcycle parts produced by aftermarket companies surpass the look and performance of stock parts. Modifying the engine, ignition, and exhaust is a great place to start to make big changes to your stock bike. Later, with modifications to the handlebars, mirrors, gas tank, tires, and paint job can create a completely unique looking bike with a lot of power, speed, and noise.

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