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All Nebraskans know that this is the real list of 35 things every Nebraskan has to do before they die. Read on to see if your favorite attraction made the list! What do real estate agents do when they don't have a client to work with? They blog apparently, well not exactly. The author of the article 35 Things Every Nebraskan Has To Do Before They Die is a freelance writer in Chicago for Motovoto (among other things) so the author is not a real estate agent, but why is an article like this on a real estate search aggregate website? I'll tell you why, web traffic, SEO (that is Search Engine Optimization) and site ranking, otherwise known as Click Bait. Now my beef is not with the author nor even with the click bait that this site (motovoto) has "bought" from the author. My beef is with these articles XX Things every (insert state name here) you must (see, do, eat, smell, touch) before you (insert future tense verb, usually Die). More often than not these come from sites that are really trying to sell something and use a click bait or other highly share-able blog posting that is relate-able to a demographic of people, in this case Nebraskans. Some quick internet stalking, that is code for a quick first page Google search, turns up no confirmation that this author even lived in Nebraska. As a native Nebraskan myself, I thought it would be fun to analyze (or over analyze) the 35 points brought up in the article and judge their merits as worthy, mediocre or blatant advertisement for a specific thing or place. Now this is MY opinion and yours may be different and that is great and by all means voice it in the comments if you dis-agree. Lets start shall we.
Well there you have it, my opinions on the choices presented in the original article and as you can see I question the validity or uniqueness of some of the choices. However I am perplexed as some major places are absent from the list. Below are a few that I think should replace some of the "paid advertisement" choices. My thinking is the author doesn't really know Nebraska outside of a google search.
Comments
The first step in cleaning the fuel system on any type of outdoor power equipment, motorcycle, or ATV that has been sitting for a while. Learn how to clean out the fuel tank and shut off valve which is the first step to a running engine. Click here for more information on how to clean the entire fuel system to get that engine running again. Winter driving. Does traction control and other driving assisting systems in cars today make for bad or inexperienced drivers in extreme conditions? Watch this latest installment of SkiVlog for some typical winter driving tips and thoughts about driving in adverse conditions which you could invariably experience on your next into the mountains. Don't rely on the auto manufacturers to ensure your safety. Usually accidents happen when the driver runs out of talent, that is assuming the driver had talent in the first place as a result of these computerized systems insulating the driver from what is happening even in mild conditions.  Check out this new series where The Junk Man talks about Young professionals and how expensive skiing can be. Let me know what you think of this series in the comments or myFacebook page. Remember you DO NOT have to register to comment on my site. Comment, share and subscribe!   Why buy a new car just to restore the engine? (sarcastic voice added)
The Yale Automotive Engine Overhaul Pellets, the magic beans of the automotive world. The $4.95 solution to the only automotive problem you will ever have. Famously advertised in such reputable publications as Popular Mechanics and sold through JC Whitney Co.
For the younger automotive enthusiast, and by that I mean anyone born after 2000 the idea of miracle products that make farcical claims like rebuilding your engine as you drive are not as prevalent as they once were. B.I. or Before Internet as I like to call it you would have to catch a late night/early morning 30 minute infomercial showing an engine running with no valve covers and no oil pan, and then shooting it with a fire hose while it is running. I guess this was to prove that in case your mechanic forgot to install some critical engine covers that you could still drive your car home in a monsoon. Older readers (us B.I.'ers) will know these by the names of Dura-Lube, Pro-Long, Long-Dong (ok I made that last one up). Now these oil additives are still around but they lack the sensationalized promotion and outrageous claims as in the late 90's the FTC got involved cracking down and even bringing judgments against these and other companies making these wild and largely false claims. However a trip down memory lane and cracking open some old Popular Mechanics magazines from the 50's-70's reveal some pretty notorious if not down right hilarious adverts for products that literally claim you will never have to "rebuild" your engine. Just $4.95 every 10,000 miles, or in the case of Yale Engine Overhaul pellets I want the ones they made on the left as you get an extra 5,000 miles free. Read on to see how these work...
 Magic engine serum with suppositories
Most people would remember this product being featured in the pages of Popular Mechanics, Car Craft and others while being sold though the ads (post paid) and through a gearheads favorite toilet reading material, the JC Whitney automotive parts and accessories catalog. A place where you can buy your engine rebuild in a can right along side your tail pipe whistler and musical horn.
My research shows that these pellets were merely balls of some sort of wax, possibly laced with other ingredients. I could not confirm this. Item of note parafinic waxes exist in most base stocks of conventional motor oils. By how the directions read the idea seems like it could work (and I use that term very loosely here) until you really think how a typical 4 stroke combustion engine works. Back when these were first marketed metallurgy for engine parts and engine oils themselves were adequate at best, so some types of additives were not all a bad thing because the oil itself didn't contain much of anything for an additive package like they do now. First, even though the cylinder temp would be hot enough after the initial start to melt wax I am not sure how the melted pellets are supposed to stay in the cylinder long enough to "re-plate the cylinder wall" and "seal the piston rings". Seems to me most of these melted beans would exit the cylinder via the exhaust valve and potentially solidify somewhere down the line in the exhaust, to then collect carbon and soot and maybe plug a muffler overtime. For the record these were marketed heavily before catalytic converters and EFI were required, but research shows they were sold up until about 2008 (source: internet lore, see below) It makes me wonder how catalytic converter safe these were considering over rich mixtures and oil burning can overtime degrade the catalysts and in extreme cases cause it to go into meltdown. 
source, INTERNET LORE: Even in this age of superior metallurgy and close engine tolerances, people still clamor for this product
 A similar type product that believe it or not scares me more than the magic beans.
Honorable mention Piston Seal. The way the advert reads it similar to the Yale pellets only in convenient squeezable tube form. You still have to remove spark plugs for injection directly in the cylinders atop the pistons. The advert does not specify the size of the tube. I question if the dosage is one tube per cylinder or does a whole tube "fix" up to an 8 cylinder engine?
Picture commentary; is it illegal if your car is doing the drinking and not you? Maybe this is like toothpaste for your car.
A closer look at the Yale Automotive Engine Overhaul pellets. Or magic beans as I call them. Listed below is the directions and some of the benefits claimed by the product.
Pretty small box for a complete engine overhaul. No gaskets required.
The directions for Yale Automotive Overhaul pellets
Yale automotive engine overhaul pellets, I wonder what the long rod is for?
Magic Beans and Energy Drink for your car!
It is hard to date this sell sheet below featuring some YALE automotive products. The contact info is still current forCustom Pak Illinois INC. which is the packaging and filling supplier. The two sizes of muffler cement are still available, but the pour in oil additive kit is not. Which is a shame. I have some ideas for some tests I would like to perform.
If you stumbled onto this blog posting doing a search for best meatloaf sandwich evar! Well there might be 2 things wrong with you. A) You skipped from page 1 to page 9900 on Google OR B) Your meatloaf sandwich standards really need to be improved. I guess it is possible for you to have clicked through via Facebook or Twitter I guess, but still who reads meatloaf sandwich reviews? Ok, maybe I should ask myself that question as I am the one writing about a meatloaf sandwich on a site that primarily deals with riding, fixing, and restoring motorcycles. Ok maybe we are all a little weird in our own way. I just wish the Arlen Barn existed outside the animated world of King of the Hill. (Geek Out!) Annnyways... I am a sucker for meatloaf, good meatloaf that is. My wife of The Craft Shed by Katie makes a very deluxe meatloaf that tops my list of fav's, but when I am out and about if I see meatloaf on a menu or in a package I try it. Well here is one that I would not have believed if I hadn't seen it myself. Great Value's (Wal-Mart's house brand) Meat Loaf sandwich. Usually Great Value just knocks off a more known brand, but in this case I don't know what that is so I don't have a comparison, other than a homemade version.
Lets break this down shall we? Presentation: Well I have to hand it to the packaging it is much better than most of Great Value's other products. It at least looks appetizing and I like the addition of the instant mashed potatoes in the back round. Once opened they look like something you would find at a gas station next to the 2000 watt microwaves. "I'm so hungry I could eat a sandwich from a gas station" - National Lampoons Vacation Taste: Well lets put it this way. I could assemble this entire sandwich out of other meals found in the frozen isle. The bun is like any other cheap bread, that is frozen, the patty or "loaf" tastes like the Salisbury steak minus the gravy out of a Banquet TV dinner. The ketchup or catsup (its a regional thing) might as well be tomato paste and a pinch of salt. It is edible and not the worst type of frozen food, but it could have been better. For about $3 (for 2!) it is better than the gas station sandwiches but I still wouldn't recommend it as an alternative. 
Hank Hill at the Arlen Barn, home of the meatloaf sandwich
 2013-2014 have been some good years for motorcycle enthusiast movies. First with Why We Ride (2013) and then later On Any Sunday, The Next Chapter (2014), like the title says two sides of the same coin. Both movies set out to say the same thing but do it in two totally different ways, yet they both end at the same conclusion. Motorcycles solve the world's problems-literally. On Any Sunday (1971) lit the torch and brought motorcycling to the masses, these films just keep the torch burning.  First up Why We Ride. In 2013 Director Bryan H. Carroll gave us a fresh take on the motorcycle documentary. Something that has not really been successfully attempted since Bruce Brown's On Any Sunday (1971). However rather than re-hash or try to be something it's not, Why We Ride took a look at motorcycling from a historical and sociological point of view. Why We Ride follows the history from the early days as a utilitarian vehicle that was once more practical and affordable than a car, through the "outlaw" period and into the modern, hobby era. The film focuses on the stories with in each motorcycle discipline through regular folk, or so it would seem, at the end is when they reveal who the commentators are which is a nice touch. Basically Why We Ride is a slow-mo epic with pacing to match, where much emotion is projected and explored. The main downside is your heart never gets much above a resting heart rate. All and all a must see for non-riders with a curiosity and established riders that want an ego boost.  Next up On Any Sunday, The next chapter. 2014 saw a release from Dana Brown, Bruce Brown's son. Motorcyclists will recognize both names, but will more recently recognize Dana's name from the epic documentary Dust to Glory (2005) about the Baja 1000. Dana Brown does it again with his updated version of his father's movie, and that is just what it is, a modern take on his father's legacy. One would think this is just a rehash, while the structure is somewhat similar the pacing is much more like Dust to Glory. Dana explores many motorcycle racing disciplines some from his dad's film and ones that didn't even exist back in 1971 and this is where the film really stands on its own. Unlike Why We Ride which is an emotional journey through the history of motorcycling, OAS-TNC gets the blood pumping right out of the gate with the first segment (spoiler alert) Robbie Madison jumping his motorcycle off an Olympic ski jump. OAS-TNC keeps this going meandering through other forms of motorcycle racing both new and old finishing off with the wholesome and inviting Day in the Dirt event. The conclusion is simple, two sides of the same coin. If you want an emotional, historical and artsy look at motorcycling from its humble beginnings to the present day, Why We Ride is your film. If your interest is more centered around racing and the prominent figures within each type of racing then On Any Sunday, The Next Chapter should fit the bill. In my opinion if there was a way to combine these two movies you would probably have the perfect motorcycle movie.
After On Any Sunday 1971, these are required watching for anyone even thinking about getting a motorcycle. Verdict: watch both! Each movie fulfills what the other is lacking.  The FIX, it only takes 15 minutes...and kinda dumb
The "dreaded" GM ignition switch recall that guarantees that it will fail and you will instantly fly off the road in a fiery crash. You have probably heard it on the news or read about it online either through a blog, a link in your facebook or twitter feed. You probably have read or heard about lawsuits related to ignition switch failures, funny though if you read the articles or listen to the commentary they seem to leave out the what really is the problem here (for this specific recall 14350) Here is this particular recall's definition.
"General Motors (GM) is recalling a total of 6,729,742 model-year 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo, 1997-2005 Chevrolet Malibu, 1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero, 1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am, and 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. This defect can affect the safe operation of the air bag system. If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring." Looks like the ignition switch and the subsequent lock cylinder is to blame here. Heavy keys have been known for years, even back into the 80's to cause potential problems over time, but the media and the recall's description seem to point that the ignition switch should be replaced with maybe a beefier unit or different design. Sweet! lets read through what GM (the dealer) will actually do. (paraphrased) "-your GM dealer will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys. This service will be performed for you at no charge" (it was bold in the recall letter) Wow, a new ignition sw... Wait, wha...??? Ok the fix is simply to modify the keys themselves to prevent the operator from being able to put 50 lbs (ok that is an exaggeration) of crap hanging off the keys, which in turn could make the keys flop enough when hitting a bump to turn the ignition switch enough to turn the car to "off" while driving. This is even mentioned in the owners manual that no one reads. So really the remedy is purely around making the operator of a simple ignition key fool proof. (facepalm) You can't fix stupid. At least with this recall (#14350) some mis-information is going around and at least in this situation people are getting their panties in a twist because the media is confusing different recalls and lumping them all into one thing, "the ignition switch" and it doesn't just happen to GM, remember the Toyota sudden acceleration, fixed by removing the floor mats.
UPDATE May 2015 I recently got a comment in the comments section below asking a very good question (Thanks "Bob")
Bob's question: "Do I myself bear any legal liability for not addressing this if there's an accident? I drive a 2004 grand am. Have had it for 10 years, 100,000 miles and no problems. Just got reminder about recall. I don't hang anything on my car key except the remote for the car itself. It's a pain in the neck to go to a specifically GM dealer. Especially now that I know what it actually is. One dealer I called said they only fix THAT recall monday-friday 10am-3pm! Bizarre. My response: "I cannot comment on the legality in the event of an accident. I am not a lawyer, just a casual DIY mechanic. I suggest conversing with someone from an auto injury law firm to answer that question if it really bothers you or you need piece of mind." OPINION AHEAD: Personally I think the "problem" specifically related to this particular recall (not other similar ones on other makes and models) is that the risk is very low that something will happen. I say this knowing good and well that just existing in this world is a risk to your health. This has been true since the beginning of time. The problem now is we have evolved so far that now we want to litigate the risks of existing. If the risk is too great in anyone's mind, there is an easy and free fix for that. Don't drive a car, ever. If you never drive a car you can never have an ignition problem that potentially kills you or someone else. The fix below is unrelated to the recall
The fix below is for an unrelated problem that some of these cars how for a "no start" situation. This is NOT related to the recall but I found it to be possibly an easy first solution if your 01-05 Chevy Impala has random "no start" situation. I have not personally had this problem no tried this solution so I can only present it as a possible fix. This was sent to me via a blog reader. Attempt at your own risk. Click to enlarge the photo.
Credit: http://www.carcomplaints.com/ submitted by RICHARD SLONAKER
Took a another new rider out to a trail called slaughterhouse gulch, here is the most difficult part of this trail. First video is of me going up and down this section showing some different line choices. The second video is the first attempt from a new rider. Not enough speed and a missed shift otherwise he would have had it. Be sure to subscribe toSuperWolf on Youtube!
Another point of view
Same section
It has started, the Bridgestone MK II 200 RS project. No turning back now. The disassembly starts now, removing the engine and evaluating what needs to be done. Watch the video for a Vlog style update on this casual restoration. Keep watching here, twitter and the facebook page for updates! To see where I found this bike CLICK HERE
If you follow my videos or my facebook page at all you will have seen this bike turn up just a little bit in either the backround on the case of this video I filmed how and where I found this motorcycle. Anyways I have finally got around to messing with this bike. Now at this point I have not 100% decided if I am going to film this for a series like my other BARN FRESH video series or do it more Vlog style and post video (and picture) updates along the way. I also have not completely decided how far I want to restore the bike either stip it to the frame and paint or just a light resto involving getting it running and fixing the major cosmetics. Either way there will be some "how to" videos coming out of it along the way. At this point I don't have a clear timeline for this project, so you will just have to follow this blog, my twitter and facebook pages to find out! Just some fun shooting some guns! Exercising out 2nd amendment right.
Just some photos on our ride along the Peak to Peak highway. A hidden gem that most outside the area don't really know about. Most people head to Estes Park and drive Trail Ridge Road, and don't get me wrong that drive is beautiful, however here is a drive that is just as scenic and filled with history but without the traffic and crowds. For more information and a map check out this link HERE. Are motorcycles worth the risk? You already know my answer. Here is a collaboration video that I had a small part in helping make. It is very cinematic and insightful and I think helps explain why, us as motorcyclist, get so much enjoyment out of riding. The footage that was volunteered is epic and I just had to share it on my site. Check out the video below and if you want to see more definitely check out eveRide's Youtube channel HERE Many props go to this motorcyclist for promoting responsible riding and creating very good ride videos. As your watching the video see if you can pick me out. Become a part of this community! Please check out the contributing channels (In order of appearance):
Holliday RIdes: https://www.youtube.com/user/Holliday... MrDuhFactor: https://www.youtube.com/user/mrduhfactor Canuckk61: https://www.youtube.com/user/canuckk61 BDSeidler: https://www.youtube.com/user/bdseidler West Side Ride: https://www.youtube.com/user/thewests... Dirt Diggler: https://www.youtube.com/user/iKLR650i RideVictoria: https://www.youtube.com/user/RideVict... GoatCabeza: https://www.youtube.com/user/GoatCabeza EnduroRider NM: https://www.youtube.com/user/r0nnie90 NessedUpProductions: https://www.youtube.com/user/NessedUp... TheJunkMan: https://www.youtube.com/user/thejunkman Legion of Old Motors: https://www.youtube.com/user/LegionOf... Sweety 76: https://www.youtube.com/user/MrSweetm... DaMotovlogga: https://www.youtube.com/user/DaMotoVl... XXXDeadHead: https://www.youtube.com/user/XXXDeadhead Neil's in... : https://www.youtube.com/user/Neilisin Vegas Romaniac: https://www.youtube.com/user/TwoWheel... RegularDan: https://www.youtube.com/user/regulardan TheMotorcycleVlogs: https://www.youtube.com/user/TheMotor... Piston Slap: https://www.youtube.com/user/PistonSl... MrSparkyAprilia: https://www.youtube.com/user/mrsparky... Greg Bazydlo: https://www.youtube.com/user/dtown240 Zack Rogers: (couldn't find the channel!) Dracati Ducati: https://www.youtube.com/user/Dracati Mendo: https://www.youtube.com/user/Mendo DGravatt: https://www.youtube.com/user/Dgravatt Dr. DualSport: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvox... Fak'n'NEUTRAL: https://www.youtube.com/user/ProbablyElk FrickinJim: https://www.youtube.com/user/frickinjim JoeJoeMoto: https://www.youtube.com/user/joejoeis MrAusAdventure: https://www.youtube.com/user/mrausadv... Rockin Rodney: https://www.youtube.com/user/R0CK1NR0... SpiritStrike.com: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqDl... ShadeTreeSurgeon: https://www.youtube.com/user/coondogg... Minitstop: https://www.youtube.com/user/minitstop (He also provided the thumbnail art!) My shop has needed re-organization since I revamped it about a year ago. I kinda just threw the random tools and extra parts where ever they would fit and deal with it later. Well it is now later. Read on for more. If you have not seen my initial shop tour video showing some of what I did you might want to view it first (video at the bottom). This video was just shortly after I got the layout the way I wanted. I had the painting done but not the flooring. That video can be seen by CLICKING HERE. To be honest what got me into the kick of re-organization was watching a podcast (on Youtube) from TESTED called Still Untitled: The Adam Savage Project The topics at hand can get a little wild and off topic but they always come full circle with Adam Savage (of Mythbusters) giving a bunch of helpful hints and tips he uses around his shop.  Nearly all of my metrics were in this box, not very convenient for retrieval Adam Savage is somewhat of a jack of all trades but specializes in prop and model making. His shop however contains a lot of tools that most typical hobbyist might have. And it is smaller than you might think. His insights on organization and methodology in how he positions things in his work space are universal to anyone who does little projects in an enclosed space. One of the tips I picked up on is something he calls, first order of retrievability, the idea that everything you use the most is within easy reach and you don't have to move anything to get to it. What I have found out after listening and watching these videos is, I have kinda been doing it wrong all along. Now everyone has different workflows and habits, but Adam inspired me to take an introspective look at how I organized and use my tools. What I found out is I practically hid my most used tools and some of my least used items are in plain view. Now there is a reason for this I assure you. See I grew up on a farm, the type of farm that rarely (if ever) took any piece of equipment into a professional shop. All repairs and maintenance was done on the premise by me and my family. Thus, we have/had a lot of tools stored in many places and in most cases doubles or triples of lots of things. Seconds and thirds were stored in portable tool boxes for easy transport to do remote repairs in the field with the main tools stored in the large shop building. When I grew up and got out on my own I bought my own sets of tools (metric and SAE) and because at the time I had no permanent shop or storage area my tools stayed in the portable boxes, they came with me on offroad rides, races, basically they needed to stay portable. When I finally bought a house with a garage that would eventually serve as a shop, I still stored my tools in portable boxes even though I had all the space I needed to make their storage more permanent. I guess old habits are hard to break. After listening to the podcasts it really made me think about how my tools I use the most were stored, still in boxes that I would have to dig out just for one socket or open end wrench. So onward with my organization, this will be a ongoing process that I will update here with pictures and video. I also plan on making a short series about tools you should have in your shop, no matter how large or small, if you are going to work on motorcycles. Keep checking back for more, and let me know if there are any questions you would like me to answer in a future video. Leave them in the comments.  On my way to better organization, it seems so easy but we are creatures of habit. Take a tour of Adam Savages Cave! He doesn't have a lot of room but he sure gets a lot done in there. His comments gave me the inspiration to re-think how I work in my space. You know you have made it if you start showing up in other peoples videos. I was flattered when these people already knew who I was. I have a very small niche, not too many people geek out discussing the subtle odors in gasoline that is about to go bad, or whether the hassle of tuning a Kehin FCR is worth the performance gains over the currently functioning somewhat trouble free Mikuni BS carburetor. Anyways this post is all about a few fellow dual sporters that I had the pleasure to take a ride with one fine afternoon. Here are two videos from a somewhat of a new rider (he says he has only been riding for 3 years, but his skills reflect a properly seasoned rider, fast learner I guess) The rider in question is a motovlogger, that is a blogger that uses video (vlogging) on a motorcycle, that goes by the name Hermit Da Vlog. An interesting fellow that doesn't get out too much socially, but somehow decided to shed his hermit ways and broadcast himself to the world. Anyways, I have a brief cameo in two of his recent videos. His videos are great and entertaining, give him a watch. Want to see pictures from this ride? Click Here
And if you want to see more from this ride you can check out my video below. You could consider this video the 2nd unit camera or a behind the scenes.  Riding season is upon us and of course we are all going to either participate in a group ride or organize a group ride ourselves. For the latter it is important to be a responsible trail or group leader. Leading riders into unfamiliar areas can be fun and rewarding. What follows are some helpful tips to make the group ride a success and everybody gets back to the staging area in one piece.
1. Communicate Before anyone loads a single piece of gear, have a get together and talk about the 3 W’s Who, What, Where. Who is all going with you on the ride, this is also a good time to get an idea of everyones skill level. The skill level of the riders involved leads into the next question. What type of terrain is the group going to be riding on? Depending on everyones skill level will depend on the terrain you will want to take the riders on. And lastly, Where are are the riders going to ride? The what somewhat dictates the where. For example, do the riders want a challenge or a leisurely ride. As the leader you will need to respect the riders skill levels and desires, especially if they are new to the area. Remember a trail that seems easy to you may be very difficult for others and vise-versa. 2. Bring the right gear As the leader you need to set a good example and at least require the bare minimum of safety gear before you allow anyone on the trail. Other than the obvious, be sure to take along extra specialty gear for the area or conditions you might face on the trail. For example, if your riding in an area that sees frequent afternoon showers, pack extra rain ponchos. Also even though the other riders might bring other gear, as the leader make sure you have a basic first-aid kit. Plenty of water is always a good idea as well. 3. Know your route Know the area well. Know where the parking is, how much parking and the route you will take to get to the trail head as well as the trails themselves. Especially with new riders to the area you want to instill confidence that you know your way around. Make sure if it is a complicated area be sure to provide maps for everyone just in case someone happens to get behind. Be sure to discuss how to read the map. 4. Don’t get too far ahead This one is simple. Keep track of your group. Stop at every fork in the trail and make sure everyone is accounted for and that everyone can see the proper turn. If there are difficult obstacles it might be a good idea to stop and make sure everyone clears the section before proceeding, this can also be a good time to take a break if people need it. 5. Action plan Have an action plan for the extreme case of someone getting lost, breaking down, or getting hurt. A good plan is to have everyone meet at a certain well known landmark or area at the end of the day. This way when someone comes up missing it is easier to plan your search of the trail to find that person. Every situation will warrant different tactics. These tips should only serve as introductory guidelines as the leader or organizer of a group ride.  Basic layout of a typical valve adjuster If your motorcycle makes a “tick-tick-tick” noise from the top of the engine, chances are that the intake and/or exhaust valves are out of adjustment. Here’s how to perform an motorcycle valve inspection. I did this job on a spare horizontal CRR/XR50 (pit bike) clone engine however the same principles apply to most other four-stroke-powered motorcycles with set screw and locking nut adjusters. Shim over/under bucket type adjustments are measured the same way but the procedure for determining the correct thickness of shims is a whole other process not covered here.
Gain access to the top of the engine as necessary. You might need to remove the fuel tank and or other bodywork. Then you’re almost ready to remove the valve cover, but first clear away any dirt and debris with compressed air or a small brush. Removing the valve cover without first cleaning the area will leave the engine’s top end vulnerable to dirt you might accidentally knock into the engine, and that could cause damage to internal components. Remove the spark plug and then remove the valve cover(s). Inspect the valve cover seals/gaskets for damage and replace them if necessary upon reassembly. Now you need to set the engine at top dead center (TDC) on the compression stroke so that you can get an accurate measurement of the valve clearances. For most engines you will have to remove the timing plug on the side engine’s crankcase. While looking through the timing hole, use a wrench or socket to slowly turn the flywheel. Turn over the engine until the line on the flywheel aligns with the the marker — usually an arrow or dot — on the engine case. (Make sure you don’t mistake the engine timing marks as the TDC indicators.) Now the engine is ready for the valve clearance check. Check the clearance of all valves with a feeler gauge. If the gauge won’t slide between the valve stem tips and the adjusting screws, rotate the engine one turn to put it on the compression stroke. There should be a slight drag against the feeler gauge as you slide it between the valve stem tips and adjuster screws. If the valves are outside of the motorcycle manufacturer’s specification, adjust them as necessary. For this engine, I just had to loosen the valve stem lock nut, slide the appropriate feeler gauge in place and adjust it with a wrench until it was in spec. Hold the adjuster with a tappet adjuster tool (available from Motion Pro) and re-tighten the jam nut. Re-check the clearance before moving on to adjust the next valve. Re-install the valve covers, check and set the spark plug gap and then install it in the engine.
Everyone has to start somewhere. This is a brand new rider I took out to show the ropes. I think he is hooked! Where are we riding at? Jones pass in Colorado of course. Still early in the season and a lot of snow so we could not go over the top and down the back side. We made several trips up and down to practice negotiating rocks, turns, bumps, braking, shifting, and anything else. It was a productive day. See the video below.
 Here is your chance to ask me ANYTHING. It doesn't have to be motorcycle or technical related. Ask a question in the comments below (you don't have to register to comment!) and I will make a video answering YOUR questions! If I get a good response from this you bet there will be more videos in the future.
You may also ask on my facebook page or my Twitter and hashtag #junkask |
 AuthorJon "the junk man" helping to promote responsible riding and recreation whether it be at the track or at the trail. Your source for motorcycle how to videos and much more! 
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