Top Ten Most Popular Motorcycles on uShip

If you’re an active buyer or seller on CycleTrader, you know it hosts the most diverse selection of bikes in the world. On any given day, CycleTrader features nearly 165,000 classified ads for motorcycles, personal watercraft and snowmobiles of every make and model – from the gnarliest of Harleys to the wildest customs.

But which makes and models are sold the most? Our friends at uShip put together a top ten list of the most popular motorcycle makes and models shipped across the United States over the past five years. It gives a clear indication of the most popular bikes bought and sold online.

Harley-Davidson has three moto models on the list, followed by two each for Suzuki, Yamaha and Honda. The only model on the list not still in production is the Honda CB750, which was produced between 1969 and 2003, then again for one year in 2007. Interestingly enough, the CB750 introduced and popularized the overhead camshaft inline four-cylinder engine that influenced countless sport bikes – including several on this list.

Without further ado, the top ten:

1.       Yamaha YZF-R6

2.       Suzuki GSX-R 600

3.       Honda CBR 600 RR

4.       Yamaha YZF-R6

5.       Suzuki GSX-R 750 and 1000

6.       Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R

7.       Harley-Davidson FLHR Road King

8.       Harley-Davidson FLHX Street Guide

9.       Harley-Davidson FLHTCUI Ultra Classic Electra Glide

10.   Honda CB 750 F

How to Prepare Your Motorcycle for Transport: A Checklist

If you need to move your prized (or newly purchased) motorcycle across the country but are unable to ride or transport it yourself, you’re in luck! Many companies specialize in motorcycle transport and can offer complete quotes for the shipment on sites like uShip.com. Here’s a quick guide to preparing your motorcycle for transport and preventing any problems along the way.

Before your motorcycle hauler arrives, be sure to check the entire bike for pre-existing damage. Documenting existing damage with your phone or camera can save a lot of hassle in case of an insurance claim. Be sure to check these tasks off your list as well:

       1.       Inflate the tires.

       2.       Fully charge the battery.

       3.       Fill the gas tank to ¼ to ½ full.

       4.       Check for and fix any fluid leaks.

       5.       Remove any loose items from the motorcycle.

This is an important step that is often forgotten by owners. Be sure to remove any personal items and travel accessories from the bike before it’s loaded for transport. Motorcycle transporters are not responsible for those items, and they won’t be covered by insurance if accessories are lost or damaged.

        6.       Thoroughly clean the motorcycle.

        7.       Take note of any scratches, chips, dings, or any other cosmetic damages.

        8.       Ride the motorcycle around the block and write down any mechanical issues or peculiarities.

        9.       Take photos of the cleaned bike from several angles, along with close-up shots of existing  
         damage.

       10.   Date all your records, and mention them to your mover when they arrive.

Thankfully, there is no need to drain your gas tank or remove the battery unless you’re moving your motorcycle specifically as freight with a freight carrier. If your bike will be exposed to the cold or will be stationary for a long period of time at its destination, you may want to consider a few additional steps listed here to protect it during storage.

With the exception of freight carriers, you also shouldn’t need to crate or package your motorcycle prior to transport. Your transporter should arrive with all the necessary trailers, tie-downs and coverings needed to protect your bike during its journey. If you’re unsure about the service quality of a transporter during or prior to pick-up, you are well within your rights to cancel the service, as well.

If you have any questions about motorcycle transport or uShip.com, reach us any time on Twitter at @uShip or on Facebook.com/uShip.

Written by Collin Bass, Content Manager for uShip.com. 

Arkansas' Bikes Blues and BBQ Delivers in 2012

Written By: Russ Brown Motorcycle Attorneys

Bikes, Blues, and BBQ Motorcycle Rally in Fayetteville Arkansas the last weekend in September did not disappoint this seasoned motorcycle rally goer. Arkansas' infamous Bikes, Blues, and BBQ Motorcycle Rally wrapped up shortly after midnight on Saturday September 29, 2012 and had over 32,000 bags of trash to prove that this event is truly awesome.

By everyone's account, Bikes, Blues, and BBQ Motorcycle Rally was an incredible success and a great time for all the motorcyclists who rode in. If riding the beautiful Ozarks isn't enough to get you there add to the rally mix the amazing aroma of the Kansas City BBQ Society Cook-off and Championship.  Not many people would turn away from the smell of 59 teams from 13 states competing for top BBQ spots in four categories brisket, pork, chicken and, of course, ribs.This year's winner was Getting' Sauced from Missouri! 

The main street for the rally is the legendary Dickson St.  Dickson St is packed and the place to be and be seen during Bikes Blues and BBQ.  The bars that line the street are packed to capacity and the streets are lined with people watching the beautiful procession of motorcycles that ride up and down Dickson.  There are vendors lining the streets and the Main Stage area complete with beer tent.  You could buy everything from Motorcycle gear to pulled pork (motorcycle rally staple) to cheesecake on a stick.  

Great bands would take to the Main Stage and so would those romantic motorcyclists who thought tying the knot at Bikes Blues and BBQ would make their nuptials all that more memorable.  Joe Giles, the organizer of the event, is a minister and he performed the ceremony for four couples over the weekend.  And to cap the Main Stage off was the Miss BBB (bikini) contest.  

The Bikes, Blues, and BBQ Motorcycle Rally was capped off by the Parade of Power. This year, over 600 motorcyclists rumbled their way from College Avenue to Dickson Street and passed thousands of spectators and families. The roar of the bikes was both deafening and thrilling for all who attended. 

I loved the area so much to get into the spirit and show my support I donned a Razorbacks tee for the game against Texas A&M - Texas thumped the Razorbacks 58 to 10.  

The motorcycle accident attorneys at Russ BrownMotorcycle Attorneys were proud to be a part of this year's festivities as sponsor and official motorcycle attorney of Bikes Blues and BBQ.  We know why you ride and we understand your passion for motorcycling—because we ARE motorcyclists too. If you are ever injured in a motorcycle accident, we will fight aggressively for you. We always pursue the maximum compensation for our clients to help pay for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Call us today at 1-800-4-BIKERS for a free consultation. We Ride—We Care—We Win!

CycleTrader.com Reaches 40,000 Facebook Fans, Launches Fan Appreciation Contest

In honor of CycleTrader’s fan page reaching 40,000 motorcyclists, we’re holding a fan appreciation contest to giveaway five $50 gift cards to help you get out and ride this Fall. Upload a photo of your motorcycle, or one you found on CycleTrader.com for your chance to win a free tank of gas.

Enter Your Bike Here

Simple Guide to Valve Adjustment

Written By: GearHead.com

So you just got a killer deal on a bike on CycleTrader and you want to make sure everything is in tip top shape before your big upcoming ride. Whether you know if your valves need adjusting or not, it’s a good idea to at least check them periodically, especially in bigger or high compression engines where valves need to be adjusted more frequently. This simple guide will get you started with the basics on how to check and adjust your valves. This guide is for most 4 stroke motorcycle engines, but does not cover every make and model, so consult a repair manual for specifics for your bike. Valve adjustment can seem intimidating but it’s fairly simple on most bikes and can save you lots of money in the long run instead of having to take it to a mechanic. 

What You Will Need:

·         Valve clearance specifications (Exhaust and Intake in mm)

·         Basic knowledge of your bike (how to get to TDC)

·         Feeler gauges – Feeler gauges that match the specs you need to measure. (Some automotive feeler gauges are too big) Any local auto or motorsports store should carry some.

·         Basic Tools – Basic tools like screwdriver, sockets, pliers, and wrenches to remove the valve cover, sparkplug, and turn over crankshaft nut.

·         Valve cover gasket – Just in case the old one is bad or gets damaged. (Always buy factory OEM gaskets)

How to check and adjust the valves:

1.        Remove spark plug(s).

2.        Take off valve cover and set aside. They may need a love tap from a rubber mallet to break loose. You should be able to see the rocker arms and valve stem/springs at this point.

3.        Crank the engine over so that the timing marks point to top dead center (TDC) and it’s at the top of the compression stroke. Rocker arms on intake and exhaust will usually have slight amount play in them since all the valves on the cylinder will be closed. There is usually a timing mark you can view through

4.        Check valve clearance by measuring the gap between the rocker arm and the valve stem with the feeler gauge. (see photo at right)

a.        If valve clearance is correct, there will be a slight drag felt on the correct feeler gauge. If the gap is incorrect, you’ll need to adjust the valves. If you have a shim type valve, you’ll most likely need to remove the rocker arm to replace the current shim with one of the correct size. This may mean more work to make sure that timing isn’t affected and trial and error to get the right shim size. Consult your bikes repair manual for specifics on your bike. If you have a screw and locknut style valve adjuster, then you can simply loosen the locknut and adjust the screw to the correct specs.

5.        Set valve clearance with adjusting screw and then tighten locknut. Check the clearances after the locknut is tightened then replace the valve cover (with new gasket if needed) and tighten in crisscross pattern. (Do not over tighten!)

6.        Do the same for all valves on that cylinder and then move on to other cylinder(s) using steps 2-5.

7.        Install spark plugs. (Do not over tighten!)

8.        That’s it! Now go out and ride that freshly tuned beast like you stole it.

If you run into or cause any broken parts along the way, (bolts, gaskets, etc) be sure to replace them with genuine factory OEM motorcycle parts. Gearhead.com offers free online parts diagrams and sells millions of OEM and aftermarket parts, gear and accessories for all major makes and models of motorcycles.

Note: For a more in depth guide on valve adjustment, please see our other article, “How to Adjust Valves on a Motorcycle or ATV.”

CycleTrader.com Announces Request a Quote Feature for Motorcycle Shipping

Motorcycle shipping is certainly an option worth considering when a bike has to be moved long distances. Visit the resource section of CycleTrader.com to understand what you need to know about motorcycle shipping services.  Also, be sure to test drive the brand new request a quote feature, powered by UShip.com.

Request a Quote for Motorcycle Shipping

Chain and Sprocket Service

Written by: RoadRUNNER Motorcycle Touring & Travel

Chains are simple and effective, but need regular maintenance. A neglected chain may severely damage the engine case, or wrap up in the wheel and sprocket, locking the rear wheel. The two major types of chain designs are O-ring chains and non-O-ring chains. O-ring chains employ rubber O-rings between their side plates to retain lubricants. These usually last much longer, but although internally lubricated, O-rings need to be kept clean and side plates require lubrication and rust protection.

Lube it or Lose It!

Good guidelines for O-ring chains suggest that street riders should lube about every 500 miles. If you ride in heavy dust, rain, or other extreme conditions, or have a non-O-ring chain, the interval should be even shorter. Also, be sure to lube the chain after washing the bike to prevent rust.

If the chain is dirty, avoid harsh or flammable solvents such as gasoline, which can ruin the O-rings or cause a fire. Instead, spray the chain with a cleaner like PJ1 Super Cleaner or WD-40. A Simple Solutions Grunge Brush cleans well, or an old toothbrush and rag will do.

There are many lubes available, and you may need to experiment to find a favorite. I’ve found waxes work best for me. Lube the chain while it’s still warm after riding, but never with the engine running. Engage neutral and use the centerstand (if equipped) turning the wheel by hand, or roll the bike. Apply the lube evenly. Automatic chain oilers are also available, which make it easier to keep chains lubed.

Chain Adjustment

Owner’s and shop manuals provide slack measurements and adjusting procedures. If you don’t have a manual, gauge about 1 to 1.5 inches of vertical slack, measured midway between sprockets. Too loose and the chain may grind at the swingarm and even jump the sprockets. Too tight and the chain may damage the countershaft and bearings, and even snap. Generally to adjust the chain, you remove the cotter pin and loosen the axle nut, then turn the adjusting bolts until the proper slack is achieved. Worn chains develop loose and tight portions, and slack varies, so it’s critical to check slack as you rotate the wheel and set it when the chain is at its tightest point. Recheck slack after tightening because it may change.

Most double-sided swingarms have alignment marks, but besides using markings, there are several ways to measure axle alignment. Motion Pro makes a chain alignment tool. Or you can also use a tape measure and measure from the centerline of the axle to the centerline of the swingarm pivot bolt on each side. Another method is to wrap a long piece of string around the front tire (set straight) and pull the string back on both sides toward the rear wheel, near and parallel to the floor. If the wheel is crooked, it will be quite obvious.

Time for Replacement?

As sprockets wear, the teeth develop sharper points and eventually become hook shaped. Pull straight back on the chain in the middle of the rear sprocket. If the chain pulls out so much that you can see the sprocket teeth, you’ll know it’s worn. If the chain resists pulling away from the sprocket, it isn’t worn out yet. Changing the rear sprocket requires rear-wheel removal, while changing a front sprocket usually involves removing the sprocket cover. Once the rear wheel is off you can change the rear sprocket. It may pull off with the damper hub, but you’ll have to unbolt the sprocket from its mounting. Install the new sprocket and tighten securely. Put the sprocket assembly back on the wheel and put the rear axle in. Follow the procedures in a shop manual if needed.

Many motorcycles come with continuous chains that are riveted together, whereas replacement chains are available with or without master links. Generally, because they’re stronger, high-horsepower bikes only come with riveted links, which may make it necessary to remove the swingarm for replacement. If you work on chains a lot, consider purchasing a chain breaking/riveting tool from a motorcycle shop or online; Emgo, Motion Pro, and RK Chain all make them. Otherwise, have a shop do the work.

To replace a master-link chain, remove the old link and connect the end of the new chain with the old one, using a new link. Loosen the rear axle to allow slack. Then pull the new chain past the countershaft sprocket. Pull and guide the new chain using the old one until both ends meet each other on the upper rear portion of the rear sprocket. Insert the master link through both new ends, and install the clip, or carefully rivet the new chain together. Follow the instructions that come with the tool. Or find a description online at www.canyonchasers.net/shop/generic/chain-rplc.php.

Chain Oilers

Hawke Oiler: www.hawkeoiler.com
Scottoiler & Acumen CL10 Electronic Chain Oiler: www.riderstation.com

Chains and Sprockets

Bike Bandit (888) 339-3888, www.bikebandit.com
Motorcycle Superstore (877) 668-6872, www.motorcycle-superstore.com