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The driveline plays a very important role in the transmission of power from the motorcycle engine to the road surface. Actual motorcycle performance will vary, depending on the specific physical characteristics of the chain and sprockets which make up the driveline. A brief overview of how the driveline functions is presented. Several tips on how to modify the driveline and get optimal motorcycle performance are provided., In addition to spinning wrenches for the past 35 years, Paul Wunsch was a nationally ranked roadracer back in the 'Cretaceous Era' as he terms it (Wunsch was ranked 7th [...]

Several pointers on the proper maintenance of brakes and the effective application of the principles of hydraulics are presented. The tips cover processes such as the right way to clean a brake or clutch system, bleeding the brake, using brake fluid and upgrading from DOT-3 or 4 to DOT-5, dealing with the common problem of brake drag in racing bikes and ensuring that floating disc rotors are working., The following Tricks, Tips & Tidbits 'Brain-Drizzles,' if you will, come from some 35 years of racetrack and wrench spinning experience. In drafting this written-word masterpiece, the author assumes the [...]

Most motorcycle maintenance and repair shops are using manufacturers' suggested 'flat rate' for estimating jobs. Flat rates do not reflect the total time a job is done in a shop setting but under a controlled environment. Since motorcycle maintenance and repair is a complicated task which requires a lot of time and patience, flat rates are a worthless tool that prevent shop owners from gaining profits and achieving business growth., Flat rate?! Your shop is actually using manufacturers' suggested 'flat rate' for job estimates, Alien pay and repair billing?! So when Honda says you can replace second gear in a [...]

Running a service department is not an easy task, as many managers have found out. However, it is possible to lessen the difficulty. Smooth operations can be ensured by putting together a good team of professionals. Most importantly, the manager should maintain a high degree of awareness as to what goes on in his department everyday. Several tips on how to keep track of the service department are presented., The service manager has to cope with constant pressure from all directions. It will never be easy to run a service department, but you can make your job less difficult [...]

Jawboning is the art of verbal communication which may be used by a mechanic to diagnose motorcycle problems. It is based on the idea that persons who cannot articulate their thoughts do not know anything about what they are talking about. To this end, mechanics are advised to 'keep their questioning direct, focused, simple, courteous' and refrain from talking down to a customer. In addition, they should minimize technical discussions so as not to confuse the customer., A Mechanic's Guide To J.T.F.s, Part II Wunschism #6 states, 'If you are unable to verbally communicate what it is you're thinking, then you obviously don't know a damn thing [...]

Tips for repairing motorcycle fuel tanks are presented. Loctite Instant Gas Tank epoxy sticks, for instance, is recommended for patching holes which can be applied wet and dries quickly. On the other hand, over the counter tank treatments and sealers are not recommended for rusty gas tanks since these can peel after six to eight months. Instead, motorcycles should be taken to specialty radiator shops that are equipped for motorcycle tank cleaning., Uncle Paul doesn't recommend patching holes in fuel tanks, but by golly 'tank patch' saved a race for us one weekend and any beginning race wrench needs to know this [...]

Motorcycle owners need to know about Texas-style winterization to keep their machines in top condition. Texas-style winterization involves keeping the machine in a good state and maintaining its battery and fuel system. Dealers can zero in on winterization and gain increased profit by distributing flyers or handbills instructing motorcyclists on what to do for winter. A suggested design and format of such flyers is provided., The following 'Brain-Drizzles' come from some 35 years of racetrack and wrench spinning experience. The only people that predict Texas weather are fools or foreigners,' Wunschism # 19(*). I have [...]