Motorcycle FAQs

Now I both see this question and get asked in person. Boom Vader motorcycles are rare, less common than the few 125cc bikes I see on the road. Everyone thinks about Honda Groms when getting a small motorcycle like mine.  Most common question I get, is what type of bike is that, followed by where … Read more

Simple answer: A chain’s master link clip should go on such that it stays secure in the chain’s direction of travel. The master link clip should have the opening facing rearward as the chain is moving forward. Are Master Link Clip Directional? Yes, chain master link clip are directional. Before I started working on my motorcycles(TaoTao … Read more

Yes. Motorcycle LED Headlight Conversion Bulbs Many headlight bulb manufacturers now offer a drop-in LED upgrade to car and motorcycle headlights. These bulbs are often the same dimensions as the stock headlight bulbs, making them easy to install like a regular bulbs. My Upgrade Motorcycle Headlight Bulb LED Experience. One of the first upgrades I … Read more

Being a Dual-Sport motorcycle, the TaoTao TBR7 is designed to have good ground clearance, resulting in it being a tall bike. So the seat height is listed at a tall 34 inches(~864mm). TaoTao TBR7 Seat Height Is Too Tall? At 34 inches, it can be tall to some. I have about a 30-inch inseam so … Read more

Being a Dual-Sport motorcycle, the Hawk 250 is designed to have good ground clearance, resulting in it being a tall bike. So the seat height is listed at a real tall 34.5 inches(~876mm). Hawk 250’s Seat Height Is Too Tall? At 34.5 inches, it can be tall to some. I have about a 30-inch inseam … Read more

Per the Hawk 250 manual, the oil capacity is 1.1L, which 1.1 liters can be converted to 1.16 quarts. This capacity is the ‘total’ oil capacity from a dry motorcycle engine oil sump, and this capacity is not the amount needed for oil changes. When you get to the one litter amount for each oil … Read more

Meaning, All The Gear All The Time! The concept to best enjoy motorcycling is to first protect yourself from any injuries related to motorcycling by wearing all your protective motorcycle gear all the time. Motorcycle ATGATT! Accidents Might Not Be Prevented, But Injuries Can Be Prevented. Not going to go into a lecture here about … Read more

Now that I’ve bought two motorcycles(a TaoTao TBR7 dual-sport and a Grom-Clone Boom Vader motorcycle) direct from importers, I’ve had to deal with Manufacture’s Certificate Of Origins (MCO) and learned the difference between them and a motorcycle title. The manufacturer issues a Manufacturer’s Certificate Of Origin, essentially a vehicle’s birth certificate. Governing bodies don’t issue … Read more

What Is The Difference Between A Manufacture’s Certificate Of Origin (MCO) And A Title? – FAQ Now that I’ve bought two motorcycles(a TaoTao TBR7 dual-sport and a Grom-Clone Boom Vader motorcycle) direct from importers, I’ve had to deal with Manufacture’s Certificate Of Origins (MCO) and learned the difference between them and a motorcycle title. What … Read more

Everyone knows the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, but the Pennsylvania DMV dictates our motorcycle safety courses. Because Pennsylvania’s Motorcycle Safety Course it’s pre-paid with public dollars. You can read more about the program on the PennDot website: https://www.dmv.pa.gov/Driver-Services/Motorcyclists/PAMSP/ Under “locations,” you can find motorcycle safety course providers in your area. For me, I used Total Control. … Read more

So what do metal shavings in motorcycle oil look like? Generally, metal shavings are tiny, and one of two things have to occur to be truly visible to the naked eye:  How To See Metal Shavings In Motorcycle Oil Better. It is not unusual for used motorcycle oil to contain particles from normal wear and … Read more

This question was asked, and I wanted to cover this here. The conductor in the spark plug wire is very thin, and it is engineered to carry the high voltage to the spark plug boot and ultimately to the spark plug. This conductor wire is not designed for physical abuse. When you see how thin … Read more

You have two options in Pennsylvania: Use your Pa Motorcycle Learner’s permit to practice motorcycle riding and driver test stations on your own, schedule a road test at a PennDot DMV testing center, OR You can take a Pennsylvania-sanctioned motorcycle safety course and complete the course with a passing grade. On the final day, you … Read more

This question seems to also stem from, is my choke on or off on my Nibbi Carburetor, and How do I turn on the choke on my Nibbi Carburetor? So the plan is to cover this FAQ in one post, answering, What is the Nibbi carburetor choke is open or closed position? Just A Quick … Read more

I got my motorcycle learner’s permit by going to PennDot’s (website) and reading the motorcycle operator’s manual, and brought a completed Pennsylvania Motorcycle Learner’s Form (DL-5) with a check for $10. The form and payment allowed me to sit for the written exam, and a pass provided me with a Motorcycle (Class M) Learner’s Permit. With … Read more

Registering your motorcycle can be a process, and having your VIN information readily available is essential. This is what I found out. So, Where Is The VIN On A Motorcycle Located? My motorcycle’s VIN is located on the right side of the bike’s headtube(where stearing components pass through the bike’s frame) and on the motorcycle’s … Read more

I wanted a simple list here I can reference from my other posts, but these are good garage safety tips for everyone. Remember, Safety Is No Accident. 1. No Open Flames In My Garage. This rule includes smoking! I don’t smoke, so this rule applies to visitors to my garage. So if you smoke, no … Read more

The recommended RPMs for your Hawk 250 motorcycle engine is 1500 +/- 150 RPMs. Why Does The Hawk 250 Engine RPMs Change? The regular Hawk 250 motorcycle is a carburetor engine, and the settings on your carburetor might work well one moment and then not the next. Carbureted Motorcycle Engine RPM Normal Change Example: The … Read more