Tips For Cooling Motorcycle Exhausts

By Kevin McLaughlin

Motorcycles are not like cars and while someone can drive a car without knowing much about the engine it is recommended that anyone who owns or rides a motorcycle should have a basic understanding of the engine and how to perform minor and temporary repairs. The simple point behind this is that motorcycle engines will fail and being stuck on the side of the road is never much fun. Motorcycles tend to break down more often than cars and most bikers will tinker with their engine anyway to make custom adjustments and install performance parts. Knowing the basics of your motorcycle engine can lead to a quick or temporary fix to get you moving until you can find a trusted mechanic to perform a more thorough repair job.

Because of the job an exhaust does there are a number of problems that can occur with the part and the entire exhaust system. Remember, the exhaust is basically the trash chute for your bike’s reaction exhaust gasses and the insides and outsides of an exhaust can get extremely hot when riding. Your exhaust and drag pipes can experience a number of common problems including overheating which will cause a “bluing” effect on the tips of the pipes. Even with polished chrome finishes over time the heat will cause a bluish or black color on the pipes. Though this may appear to be only a cosmetic issue over time the excessive heat can cause parts to deteriorate which can lead to harmful gasses being released in every direction.

Since heat is your major concern consider the different ways you can maintain the temperature in the exhaust so it doesn’t overheat and what you can do should the system suffer deterioration or even punctures from excessive heat. One option for preparing bikes in advance is to install high quality chrome plated heat shields. Often double or triple-chrome plated heat shields are designed to fit most standard motorcycle drag pipes and come complete with clips for mounting. Heat shields will provide an extra few layers of protection to lessen the damaging effects from the heat and reduce bluing. Heat shields not only protect the exhaust system but also add a shiny chrome finish to your bike’s exterior.

Another tip for preserving the exhaust on your motorcycle is to periodically rotate the pipes if you have twin pipes. Gas doesn’t always distribute evenly and if you did a custom install with an aftermarket exhaust it is recommended that you rotate the exhaust pipes so if there is an excess of heat to one side you can moderate the effect it has on your pipes. You should check all motorcycle engine parts on a regular basis to achieve optimum performance but regulating the heat in the engine is your primary concern.

Other ideas for cooling a motorcycle exhaust are to install cooling clamps and to use either a liquid or air cooling system in the engine. You may also want to consider using a carbon fiber exhaust system with a carbon fiber exhaust cover since this material heats up much slower than metal.

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The Popular Men’s Leather Motorcycle Jacket

By Matt LeClair

When it comes to cool looking jackets, the Men’s Leather Motorcycle Jacket is on the top of the list among the competition for a number of reasons. This article will explain a couple of those reasons as well as outline a few things to look for when shopping for this jacket.

First, the jacket you select should appeal to you, not the mass audience that we are constantly compared to on a day to day basis. After all, what you like is what matters most right? If you don’t like it, why buy it? This jacket is designed to give you a traditional biker look with all of the silver hardware, and big leather flaps, buckles, and so on. If the traditional look is what you are looking for, then you’ll definitely want to consider a Men’s Leather Motorcycle Jacket.

Second, the Men’s Leather Motorcycle Jacket is made with top quality leather which is tough, durable, and made to last. The leather is 1.2 mm thick, which is considered to be part of the heavyweight leather category, so you know you’re getting a heavy duty jacket and not a paper thin coat. Also, the hardware that is present on this jacket is also built to last, and will hold up year after year as you wear your jacket on all of your motorcycle rides.

Make sure you are ordering the right size jacket. Make use of sizing charts, which are there for a reason. And don’t hesitate to order a size or two bigger because chances are you will be wearing the jacket in cooler weather so you may want extra layers underneath. Take a look at the return policy. Does it seem reasonable? Typically, you can expect to see a restock fee should you decide to return it, so this reinforces the fact that you need to make sure you have the right size. Most companies are willing to exchange without question. You may be responsible for shipping the jacket back.

When shopping for any men’s leather motorcycle jacket, it’s important to really make the decision of whether or not the jacket is right for you. If you don’t like something about the jacket, or if you find yourself second guessing yourself about purchasing it, then you probably shouldn’t purchase it and move on to find something else that suits you better.

The Men’s Leather Motorcycle Jacket is a great jacket and once you’ve decided that it is the jacket for you, review the simple steps mentioned above about shopping for a jacket. You’ll be completely satisfied with your purchase and you’ll have a much more pleasant shopping experience.

Read my other tips on Motorcycle Exhausts

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Motorcycle Exhausts - The Basics

By Kevin McLaughlin

Engines make noise. Even after a century of progress and new technology combustible engines (often found in street motorcycles, racing bikes and cruisers) still use exhausts, exhaust pipes and mufflers (or silencers) to reduce the amount of noise being emitted from an engine as well as to steer the exhaust gas away from the engine. There are several different types of exhausts that can be used for specific motorcycle models as well as a variety of metals and carbon fiber materials to make exhausts with.

Though an exhaust is an individual part of the engine it is usually attached to a system that can include mufflers, cylinder heads, exhaust manifolds, turbochargers, and catalytic converters and drag pipes. All of these parts act together to guide reaction exhaust gasses away from an engine. This helps to keep the engine cool and quiet and also protects riders from inhaling noxious carbon monoxide fumes while riding.

You will notice exhausts and drag pipes are always located underneath and slightly behind the rider’s seat and pointing away from the engine and bike. Depending on the bike you have you may adjust the height of your exhaust. Racing bikes that take close hairpin turns will often place their exhaust higher up on the bike to avoid scraping the part when turning.

Motorcycles will usually include one of the following exhaust types: a twin cylinder with separate exhausts or one that guides exhaust gas into a single section, also known as a two-in-one or 2-1; a 4-cylinder twin exhaust system that is often found on larger motorcycles and the full system exhaust also known as a four-to-one on 4-1.

Regulations limit the types of exhaust systems manufacturers can install on commercial motorcycles but aftermarket exhausts can be found in several high quality materials including aluminum, steel, titanium, carbon fiber and even Kevlar. Many motorcyclists will opt to swap out the OEM exhaust on their bike and install either a full system or slip-on exhaust to get better performance and in some cases to make the bike louder. There are laws limiting the noise decibels of motorcycles so if you are replacing a motorcycle exhaust know the laws of your state or town before tearing off in a big bang of noise that is sure to attract the authorities.

Fines can vary from state to state but generally speaking the laws against noise levels on bikes is mostly to keep large cruiser bikes and the infamous “crotch rockets” from roaring through neighborhoods and essentially disturbing the peace. The common complaint against loud motorcycles is that when they travel down a road with cars parked on the sides the roar and vibrations from the engine can easily set off car alarms and cause a ruckus. If you race on a track or have a designated area for motorcycle riding the sound of your exhaust should not be a problem.

Read my other review on Kawasaki Motorcycle Accessories

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