Monthly Archives: November 2013

advrider.com The November Website of the Month

Posted on by motopsyco

This is one of the largest, craziest, motorcycling communities on the internet. I have actually joined this forum even though so far I have only made one post. But when I am researching a motorcycle, accessory, or gear advrider.com is my “go to first” resource. It’s all in there sometimes you may have to dig through layers of bullshit but the information I needed was always there. Beside a lot of the BS is amusing or interesting. The Shinko 705 tires on my scrambler were purchased based on reviews there. After consultation with another inmate I just ordered a Joe Rocket one piece suit to try.

Let me go ahead & clear one thing up. I am not an adventure rider (anymore & yet) but I do pose like one at the local coffee shop. I’m just another guy who loves motorcycles but puts in most of his mileage commuting with the occasional 50-100 mile weekend ride. I used to ride more & someday hope to do so again.

One thing you need to do right now is just open up the advrider.com home page and just sit there and watch the slide show of fantastic pictures that play on the screen. Since I am running multiple monitors I often just open the home page & let the slide show play. They do rotate in new pictures on a regular basis so check it often.

If you are a thin skinned politically correct wuss, you probably want to stay away from this site. This forum does not have members it has inmates. Down in the basement there a many things that are both disturbing and fun. You will find things that will offend you no matter who you are, so if you are not man or woman enough to suck it up & get over it, stay the hell out of this asylum.

As I said at the beginning this website there is more real motorcycle & gear related information at advrider.com than I have found anywhere else on the internet, but I must admit, being the garage rat that I am, that my favorite sub-forum is the “Some Assembly Required” section.

Just be careful, you can get sucked into this place, and next thing you know the sun is coming up and you haven’t been to bed yet. Some threads have had me laughing so hard that my wife was wondering what was wrong with me. If you are just browsing the site out of curiosity or to see what is new I recommend using a tablet or laptop so that when the battery goes dead you know it is time to take a break.

Peace Y’all

‘Psyco

Various Motorcycle Sounds

Posted on by motopsyco

I have made a few video clips of various motorcycles, and how they sound that are posted over on the Motopsyco.com Facebook page just in case you are interested. While there are not many now I will be adding more as time goes by. The first 3 vids I link to will be 3 different exhaust systems on 250 Ninjas.

The first video up is an older one of an EX250 with a mean sounding Yoshimura System on it. Click here to go directly to the video!

In the second video the bike has a pair of Emgo Dunstall Replica mufflers on it. This was shot as the owner was leaving work one day when the temperature was about 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Click here to go directly to the video!

The third video features one of the most earsplitting loud motorcycles I have ever heard. If I had not heard it with my own ears I would never have believed that 250cc could make that much noise. Thankfully it is done & I never have to hear it run again! Click here to go check it out. It does have a severe case of “megaphonitis” at low speed but once it gets “on the pipe” it pulls alright.

And just in case you were wondering how that Mac System on the Suburban Assault Scrambler sounded you can listen to it by clicking here.

There is also a video with the sound of a totally stock Honda CRF150 posted, just click here.

I’ll continue to add to this library of short clips as I get the chance so check back often, sign up for notifications on the right side of the page, like the Facebook page.

Good & Cheap! The Harbor Freight Motorcycle Rear Wheel Stand

Posted on by motopsyco

I’ve had this for a couple of weeks now and so far so good! What prompted me to buy this thing was believe it or not a craigslist ad. Some guy had a used one that he was trying to sell for $30, but it turns out a new one is only $35 bucks at the regular retail price (in October 2013) and since it is getting nearly impossible to find a motorcycle with a center stand on it I decided to try this one out. I wanted one with the paddles on it so that I could use it for the greatest variety of motorcycles possible.

<Motorcycle swingarm rear lift & stand>

Haul Master Model 65620

Here is how it came from the store, bubble wrap & packing tape.

<Motorcycle swingarm rear lift & stand>

It only took my lovely assistant a minute or two to unwrap it and put it together for me.

<Motorcycle swingarm rear lift & stand>

According to the paperwork that was taped to it it is rated at 1000 pounds capacity! If you have a thousand pound motorcycle don’t bring it to my shop, I don’t want to deal with it. It is obviously cheap and looks it. The only thing that really concerns me is the wheels are kind of lightweight looking but I guess as long as I don’t throw it against the wall or smack the wheels with a hammer they will be okay.

<Motorcycle swingarm rear tire lift >

For the first test lift I stuck it under just the kind of motorcycle it was designed for, a 2005 Kawasaki Ninja. Easy enough, to use and stable even outside on the grass.

<ex250 ninja on harbor freight swingarm stand>

An inexpensive motorcycle on a cheap stand!

<Motorcycle swingarm rear lift & stand>

Some exhaust systems can interfere with universal paddle stands. This is why most people whom have a single motorcycle, and race teams use stands with spools but for me there is no telling what I will be working on next so the most universal fit possible is what I am after.

<Motorcycle swingarm rear lift & stand>

A shot of the ground clearance with this bike.

If you have a vintage bike with round swing arm tubes this stand will work on those as well, if you have enough clearance around the exhaust system, such as the high mounted mufflers on this 1971 CL450.

<Motorcycle swingarm rear lift & stand>

Lets try this out with an old motorcycle.

Properly adjusted it is sturdy enough that I feel safe using it to work on motorcycles with.

<Motorcycle swingarm rear lift & stand>

If your vintage bike has low exhaust pipes this stand probably won’t work for you.

Just for shits & giggles I took a picture of it holding up an old dirt bike too.

<Motorcycle swingarm rear lift & stand>

It worked great for this old dirt bike.

Let’s be honest here, it is cheap, and as far as looks and finish go, it is not in the same ball park as some of the really expensive stands  out there, but to me function is king. It has turned out to be safe & useful so I really don’t care if the paint fades or if the rubber coating on the paddles gets a crack or two in it, just as long as it holds up motorcycles like it is supposed to. And if it ever fails at that job, I’ll be sure to come back here and let you know what happened.

Peace Y’all