After months in development, MotorcycleGiftShop.com made its official debut earlier today. As the name might imply, the original purpose of the site was to help people sort through the overwhelming number of options and locate motorcycle related gifts for the motorcycle riders important to them. Ultimately, the site turned out to be so much more and is now a valuable resource for enthusiasts to learn about motorcycles and all the parts and gear that go with them.

?It became obvious that we couldn?t just provide product reviews and gift ideas without including certain basic information on motorcycles and motorcycle riding,? said the site?s owner, Jeff Chun. ?The site just grew from there.? MotorcycleGiftsShop.com now provides information on motorcycle parts, protective motorcycle riding gear, motorcycle maintenance and much more. ?Motorcycle riders rarely think of their bikes as just a way to get from point A to point B. People in the motorcycle community devote a lot of time and energy caring for and customizing their motorcycles. I think they deserve to have access to the information that will help them make smart decisions on the equipment they buy,? said Chun.

One unique feature of the site is that it encourages visitors to add their own contributions. MotorcycleGiftShop.com includes motorcycle photo and motorcycle video galleries where visitors can submit their own photos and videos for inclusion. The Featured Bike area highlights the hottest motorcycles and showcases their modifications and special features. When asked about this area of the site Chun said, ?So many riders have worked long and hard to make sure their bikes ride well and look good. I?m glad we are able to give them a channel to show off the motorcycles they are so proud of.?

The motorcycle industry is constantly evolving, developing new technology and innovations in both motorcycle parts and motorcycle riding gear. As new products hit the market, MotorcycleGiftShop.com will certainly grow also. When asked about future development of the site, Jeff replied, ?Ideally, I would like to see the online motorcycle world reflect the strong sense of community that surrounds motorcycle riders in the real world. Soon, we hope to add a forum to the site that will allow visitors to get to know each other and learn from the experience each rider brings.?

For more information:

Jeff Chun

For more information on MotorcycleGiftShop.com:

http://www. MotorcycleGiftShop.com/

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Russ Brown, Chuck Koro and Jim Romag of Russ Brown Motorcycle Attorneys, have been helping motorcyclists across the nation for over thirty years.

Russ Brown, the founder of Brown Koro & Romag, LLP, brings unmatched experience, leadership and personalized attention to every case the firm represents. As a biker himself, his passion for riding and injustice towards bikers, led him into a law career that allowed him to utilize his experience as a rider to represent the best interests of his fellow riders time and time again. As a rider, Russ knows the dynamic of a motorcycle accident and is all too familiar with the prejudice the biker faces on the road.

Russ created BAM, Free Breakdown and Legal Assistance for Motorcyclists, as another way to help out other motorcyclists stranded on the road. BAM members have access to a hotline with someone available on the phone ready to assist them, twenty-four hour a day, seven days a week, all provided by Russ Brown.

Chuck Koro, Chief of Litigation is revered by his peers as being an experienced hard hitting-litigator with an incredible track record for winning difficult cases. He has resolved thousands of motorcycle accident cases with recoveries totaling in the multi-millions.

And Jim Romag, a motorcycle enthusiast for many years. He has been fighting legal battles on behalf of motorcyclists who have had serious accidents since 1991. Like Russ and Chuck, Jim has recovered millions for his clients.

BAM will be hosting a special VIP party at the Legendary Buffalo Chip in Sturgis, South Dakota during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally for Russ Brown Motorcycle Attorneys in thanks of thirty years of protecting bikers on the road and in the courtroom.

Congratulations to Russ Brown, Chuck Koro and Jim Romag for thirty years of incredible leadership in the motorcycle industry.

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More than 200 automobiles, and only 18 select Italian motorcycles graced the 18th fairway at the 61st Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance Sunday, August 21. When motorcycles were called to the presentation stage for awards, machines from the National Motorcycle Museum, Anamosa, Iowa, won first and second places in the Italian Touring Motorcycles class competition. First place went to a 1957 Aermacchi Chimera, a striking blue and yellow “streamlined” machine, and second place went to a bright red 1956 Maserati 160 LM.

Two years ago the producers, of what is likely the world’s most prestigious Concours d’Elegance, decided to add motorcycles to the competition. First, came a round of British bikes, then American, and this year a carefully vetted group of Italian motorcycles were invited to the wonderful coastal setting near Carmel, California. “We feel extremely privileged to have been invited to attend then take such a high honor in the Concours d’Elegance world. To be among a group of such great motorcycles and take a double win is certainly among my life’s greatest experiences,” said John Parham, President of the Board of Directors of the National Motorcycle Museum and J&P Cycles President.

In addition to the Concours d’Elegance, all cars and motorcycles were invited to participate in the Thursday Tour d’Elegance, a 65 mile drive on the coast highway and the hilly winding roads nearby. The Aermacchi completed the Tour, a bit of a challenge for its 175cc power, barely staying up with the parading Ferrari GTOs and more than 100 other entries, but giving it bonus points in the Sunday Concours d’Elegance judging.

The Maserati and Aermacchi are on loan to the Museum by Parham, also President of J&P Cycles

THINGS YOU WILL NEED

*  Sharp Shop Machine
*  Inverter (8oo watts or better)
*  12 volt deep cycle battery
*  Battery charger
*  portable table or cabinet

STEP 1

Purchase a Sharp Shop Machine. Read instructions until you fully understand them. Purchase as many cheap knives as you can from thrift stores, yard sales, or anywhere else you can get them cheap, under . If you have any idea about knife quality, stat with the lowest quality knife you have. Now sharpen it, following instructions. When you think it is sharp,check it with a piece of receipt paper. Start with the base of the knife at the top of the paper, pull the knife through the paper in 1 smooth action. If it cuts clean all the way through the cut, you have achieved success.

STEP2

Continue to practice your sharpening skill. When you can consistently sharpen 30-50 knives without damaging the blade, it’s time to move on. Sharpen knives for friends for free. Tell them you plan to start a business sharpening knives. All you want is for them to tell their friends and co-workers if they like your sharpening. This gives you practice and free advertising.

STEP 3

Check your local classified ads for events like swap meets, community garage sales, motorcycle rallies, car shows and gun & knife shows. Ask if you can set up a stand to sharpen knives. Some events may charge a vendor’s fee. Check with your local government offices to see what type of license you need. Most of the time you might need a vendor’s license. Some events may not have electricity available. This is when you will need the inverter. An inverter and a good 12v deep cycle battery will last you at least a day of sharpening. Charge your battery after each day of events. Carry an extension cord. I like to have a 50′ cord. If the event has electricity, they might let you plug in. A lot of the time for free.

STEP 4

Advertise! Let people know where you will be, Invite people to attend the event if it is open to the public, and remind them to bring their knives. Hang flyers anywhere you can get people to read them. Run an ad in local free papers, newspapers, Radio ( If the event sponsor is advertising by radio, ask to be mentioned) is somewhat expensive, but could be profitable for a large event. You can even go door-to-door offering your services. Just be sure to get the word out to as many people as you can. Don’t forget business cards. If you work out of your house, put a sign out front. Check your local city ordinances for permits and other rules about signs.

STEP 5

Go to all of the restaurants in your area. Ask the manager if they have someone to sharpen their knives. You can offer to sharpen a couple of them for free so they can see what you can do for them. I charge restaurants per knife. Try to set up a sharpening schedule with your customers, once each month, every 2 weeks or every week. Schedule 1 day of the week at a time. when you think you have all that you can do in 1 day, start scheduling another day of the week. Try not to book restaurants for Friday, Saturday or Sunday. These are the days when most big events are scheduled.

STEP 6

Add more items to your booth. I sell new & vintage knives all the time, and I have motorcycle gear for the motorcycle events. These items also sell well at flea markets and swap meets. Try to set up events that you can attend every week, such as flea markets or swap meets that are open every week. People that come to these events regularly may only have a pocket knife with them,but if they know you will be there the next time they come, they might bring their kitchen knives too.

STEP 7

Be creative. If you think a lot of people will be at an event, try to set up a booth. If you try it several times, and your earnings don’t increase, find somewhere else. This business will only be as successful as you want it to be.

Build Your Own Bobber

I know you’ve seen this before and you’ve probably seen it here but I show it again for those who haven’t:

Definition of a Bobber:

A bobber is a motorcycle that usually has had the front fender removed and the rear fender “bobbed” or made smaller. This style of custom motorcycle took shape in the 1950s and continues to be built today. Bobbers are related to choppers in that they both represent a minimalistic approach where everything is stripped from a bike that is not readily needed. This includes the characteristics of a stock frame and shortened rear fender.

History of the Bobber

The bobber motorcycle came before any other type of custom motorcycle that we see today. When servicemen started returning to the United States from overseas after World War II, they wanted bikes more like the European bikes they had seen. Also, the men had learned many mechanical skills that they wanted to start putting to use. The men started forming biker clubs and eventually started tearing into their bikes and removing the fenders to make them seem lighter like the European bikes. Before there were any such thing as a chopper or even a chopper bobber there was a simple bike, the bobber.

These bikes became very custom and said a lot about the owner of the bike because they were the one doing the work on the bike. Usually the backyard mechanic started by taking off the fenders. As we know today the first customization of the bobber came from the average person and the WW II vets. Today there are many companies that will do the work for you and create beautiful choppers. They will also cost you more money than doing the work yourself.

Now that that’s out of the way lets move on. The first things you’ll need or need to decide on is a frame. What do you start with? A custom frame or a factory frame to twist up and make cool. Both have there goods and bads. If you use a custom frame paper work is an issue for some in some states and insurance rates are higher. If you use a stock frame you’ll have title and paper work but you’ll spend a lot on both materials and your labor, it has to be worth something right!?

Once you’ve nailed down the frame it’s time to think motor! Stick the motor in the frame and build around it. The motor should be the majority of your budget and it should be “Worth something” make sure you “invest” in a good vintage motor. Now you’re riding money.

The rest is bolt on and can actually be found all over the place. It’s not so much where you look but how. Find smaller dealers and one off shops. Make your bike cool and worth something. You going to ride it forever? No you’re going to build more and we both know it, build it so you can sell it. Always!

Want to buy one already done? Bobbers for Sale

Do you like nitrous? Nitrous Kits

Realize it’s a different language and all that might entail.. 

There are over 80 dialects within the Philippines, with each dialect being so different that it may as well be considered a different language rather than a dialect. There are completely different words for an object or action from one dialect to another. This can cause miscommunication and misunderstandings. 

These miscommunications can also occur if a native person speaks English. Consider that “English” often isn’t taught in many other countries exactly the same way that we learn it in Europe, Australia or America. Body language also has new meaning. Misunderstandings are common, even in my family.

Consider climate differences. 

Often there are different climates in different parts of the world. Are you really going to be comfortable where the winter temperatures are like summer in Los Angeles, but the air is much more humid? A little more culture shock for you.

Think about local transportation.

Driving patterns and habits can be more foreign than you might imagine.

Although accidents are rare, driving in The Philippines seems haphazard at best. Traffic laws are rarely enforced. 

The most common private vehicle in The Philippines is the small motorcycle. 

Then there’s the public transportation. This is how the vast majority of Filipinos get around.

Even if, like most, you choose to take that public transportation, you might learn that’s quite foreign as well.

For example, in The Philippines there are no taxis except in the largest cities and no local bus lines. For local transportation, you’ll find a tricycle is the norm. 

What? A tricycle? Yes, a tricycle. Remember, we’re talking about a third world country where poverty is pandemic. People cannot afford taxi rides here. 

In The Philippines a tricycle is a small, 100 to 150CC motorcycle with a welded-on sidecar for more passengers.

Often times a tricycle driver travels at a speed of about 10 to 20 M.P.H. so as to conserve gasoline and traverse the rough roads without throwing off any of his passengers. 

Many times some of those passengers are riding on the sides and top of the sidecar. There are usually 2 passengers behind the driver on the seat of the motorcycle. The fare to travel about 5 miles is the equivalent of roughly 14 cents American money.

Consider also the difference in Intermediate and Long Distance Transportation. 

You’ll accomplish this type of transportation on a Jeepney, a minivan or a bus if you opt for public land based transportation. 

A Jeepney is a converted 1940’s vintage diesel powered Jeep Troop Carrier, left behind in The Philippines after America defeated Japan in the Second World War. They were made for when the average American male was about 3” to 4” shorter and much slimmer; they are definitely not designed for the comfort of a modern day American or European.

You’ll learn that they can fit up to 10 people to a side of a Jeepney, with the passengers all sitting along the sides on 2 long bench seats facing each other. The seats are usually quite hard with little cushion. The “air conditioning” is nothing more than open windows so you can smell all the fumes from the smoke spewing from vehicles in front of you. There are no emission controls here. 

Then there are the 14 passenger minivans. This is a minivan with a back seat for 5, a middle seat for 3 and a seat behind the driver for 4. This seat behind the driver was obviously designed for 2 or 3 but here they seat 4 in that seat. Two passengers ride beside the driver. No seat belts are worn on any of these modes of transportation. 

Filipinos – and Filipinas – are quite accustomed to overcrowded trikes, Jeepneys and minivans. They are generally much smaller than Americans in body size and weight so fitting themselves inside is not as difficult as it might be for most Americans. The fare for a Jeepney? It’s 52 Filipino pesos, or a little over for a 30 mile trip. A van is a little more, but at least the vans offer air conditioned overcrowding.

The full sized buses aren’t much better and are more expensive than the Jeepneys or vans. Like all the other options, buses are also greatly overcrowded. Air conditioned and non-air conditioned buses are an option if you don’t mind paying the extra fare. I don’t know the fare, as I’ve bitten the bullet and used Jeepneys or vans to this point to conserve money.

Foods and Eating Habits are different – much different!

While fresh fruits and vegetables are home grown and quite plentiful, the main staple here in The Philippine Islands is white rice. Although white rice doesn’t offer much in the way of nutritional value, it does make the belly feel full. Even McDonald’s sells much more rice as a side dish in The Philippines than French Fries.

Rice is commonly grown here, while potatoes are a bit more scarce – and expensive.

Understand that the average Filipino or Filipina earns about ,000 to ,000 per year and you’ll begin to understand why they opt for a diet of cheaper foods rather than always the tastiest or most nutritious. When they can afford to eat, they eat what they can buy. Hamburger meat, like an “underprivileged” American might eat, is considered expensive and unattainable for many.

To be blunt, compared to the typical third world resident, there are no underprivileged Americans. 

There’s no welfare safety net in The Philippines. If you’re unemployed, you may starve. 

Regarding eating habits, most Filipinos shovel their food into a spoon with a fork, eating quickly and using both hands. Many of the poorer Filipinos use only their fingers.

Population Density is tough to comprehend, but you must if you really want to define culture shock. This is part of it.

The Philippine Islands is roughly the size of Colorado, but has over 10 times the population. There are hordes of people almost everywhere you go. Pedestrians are common on highways as well as side streets. Just one more part of culture shock.

Think about the physical appearance. 

That’s different, too, if you’re a Westerner. Original native Filipinos were – and still are – actually similar in appearance to the Aborigines of Australia. There are only a few of them left, but they do still exist. They are quite short, usually less than 5 feet tall, with very dark skin, flat noses and very curly or kinky hair. 

Over the centuries, many of them have mingled with Malaysians, Chinese, Spanish and Americans. The Americans occupied The Philippines for years, and the Spanish for centuries before that. The Chinese influence is strong.

You’ll usually find Filipinos (the males) and Filipinas (the females) offer a mix of a Polynesian appearance with a bit of an Asian look. There might also be a Mestiza look among the ones who mixed with the Spanish or Americans. The Mestizas are considered by most Filipinos to be the most beautiful of all.

Thanks to the short stature and the predominance of silky, black hair and almond shaped brown eyes of almost all the natives, Filipinos usually stare at Americans and Europeans out of sheer curiosity. Depending upon the individual, this can cause the foreigner to feel a bit awkward. Another aspect of culture shock in a third world country.

Understand the risk of crime. 

Along with poverty comes gambling, alcohol and drug abuse. If the poverty wasn’t bad enough on its own, the resulting vices mixed with the hunger results in plenty of theft. It’s often not safe to be alone for a foreigner in a third world country, and that’s also true in The Philippines. 

Westerners – particularly Americans – and Australians are all viewed as “rich”. The actual safety depends upon your location and attitude. Arrogance or flamboyance will make enemies and targets. 

Personally, I feel quite comfortable going into the nearest town for an errand during the day, but at night I’ll only go in the company of a family member. That being said, I still feel safer here in The Philippines than in many American cities.

Consider recreation. Unless you enjoy going to the beach or perhaps snorkeling, there really isn’t much to do.

Except in the big cities like Manila or Cebu, there’s very little recreation and few distractions to relieve the anxiety for many foreigners. For those who don’t handle culture shock well, living outside a major city in a third world country like The Philippines can be too difficult to handle. 

Where I am there are no movie houses. There’s one television and one radio station in my small city of around 100,000. Both are broadcast in the Filipino language. If you have enough money, depending upon your location, you might be able to get cable television which offers numerous English language stations.

Consider recreation. Unless you enjoy going to the beach or perhaps snorkeling, there really isn’t much to do.

Except in the big cities like Manila or Cebu, there’s very little recreation and few distractions to relieve the anxiety for many foreigners. For those who don’t handle culture shock well, living outside a major city in a third world country like The Philippines can be too difficult to handle. 

Where I am there are no movie houses. There’s one television and one radio station in my small city of around 100,000. Both are broadcast in the Filipino language. If you have enough money, depending upon your location, you might be able to get cable television which offers numerous English language stations.

Think about health care.

Realize that you might not be covered by your American Health Insurance if you visit The Philippins. Why? Because most insurers consider most if not all the medical facilities outside Manila to be less than adequate. Many medications are simply not available.

Consider religion, too. 

Most Filipinos are simply happy to be alive and to know Christ. This is truly a predominately Christian nation, but a poor one. Although I’ve become accustomed, culture shock for a Westerner really can be overwhelming. See the resources section for more information if you’re considering living in the Philippines.

So do you have a better understanding of what I mean by “culture shock” now? I hope so!

America has tons of highways and driving across the country on a motorcycle is a very rewarding and memorable experience. It’s sometime hard to pack a motorcycle with enough gear on it in order to prepare for a camping trip. There are a wide variety of National and State Parks to visit all across America. With a motorcycle, traveling across country can be a very enjoyable experience. You can camp, watch the stars at night and also have the opportunity to experience the beauty of watching the sunrise in the desert if you wish.

There are also a wide variety of camping grounds in America that can easily accommodate anyone no matter if they are traveling by motorcycle or by trailer. Most parks provide camping grounds for those who are in need of a place to stay for the night. Camping grounds also provide a wide list possibilities for those traveling with loved ones as well.

Adequate camping accommodations are also necessary for travelers in case the weather gets bad or the road becomes unsafe to drive on for the night.

If you are planning to see this country’s great cities, a motorcycle is a great way to go. This provides you a completely different experience than riding in a car, a great way to see the country like you’ve never seen it before. Nowadays, GPS systems provide a great way to navigate the country and if your really old school, you can still use a map. Most smart phones already have GPS systems built in them as well.

With gas prices that have gone through the roof, traveling by motorcycle can be much cheaper adventure. A motorcycles  compactness makes them fantastic for getting around, easy to park and the ability to squeeze in smaller areas. Riding give you endless ways to see the country, making riding under the night sky and into the sunset a truly memorable experience. If your a motorcycle owner, why not try traveling around the country and camping by night, it is sure to make one feel like very connected to their surroundings and a truly enjoyable experience.

This was a quick ride through Georgetown DC on a cloudy day. Weekend traffic on M Street can get pretty crazy.
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Man for his own convenience has come up with various alternatives. They invented vehicle to travel more quickly and in less time. We can say that the invention of vehicle has reduced the distance between people. They can travel anywhere around the world in less time. Motorcycle was also invented for this purpose. It is easy to ride and can pass between two cars easily. One cannot stick in traffic if they are riding the motorbike. It also a cost efficient way to travel as it consume less fuel and covers more distance. But, like every other thing in the world, it also has some drawbacks. The main drawback is that the rider is not well protected. It is more risky to ride on a motorcycle than on a car.

Some advices to ensure your safety while riding a motorcycle are as follows:

1-Dress code: A proper dress code when riding a motorbike helps in ensuring your protection. First you should have a good quality helmet. Helmet protects you skull from injury in case of any mishap. Lots of people ignore helmet when driving a motorcycle. People who wear helmets are less affected in accidents than those who do not. You also need to have a fine pair of gloves that helps in firm grip. Shoes should also be of good quality as footwork while riding is very important. Prefer buying Harley Davidson boots because they protect your feet and allow easy movement of feet. Also wear a jacket that is water proof.

2-Before riding on the motorcycle you should first check it that whether everything is functioning properly. Do not ignore monitoring your bike if you need to travel far. Many mishaps and time delays can be avoided this way.

3-Don’t try to ride at night times. This is because at night the rider is unable to see properly and this may result in accidents. If it is important to travel at night then make sure that the headlights are working properly. Do not over speed and drive it at the speed which you can handle.

4-Drive very carefully on slippery roads because the chances of accidents are higher and little mistake can lead to great consequences.

5-Do not over speed and drive the bike carefully. Don’t move if the light is red. Stay calm while riding and avoid races with other riders.

You cannot ignore the risks that are present on the road. Driving carefully is the key of safety and you can avoid lots of mishaps. Make sure that you wore proper dress. Do not wear anything that makes you uncomfortable while driving. Do not ignore weather. Wear rain coat if it’s raining. In winter season wear jacket and sweaters that keep you warm. Do not forget wearing helmet whenever you are riding on a bike.

Do not ignore your safety when you are riding because you may lose your life because of little mistake. Keep yourself calm while driving. Do not over speed and maintain a speed that you are comfortable with. Riding big bikes is more difficult than the ordinary one so you need to be very careful. By following these advices you will enjoy more and can minimize the risks. So follow them and enjoy your ride!

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