Land Rover LR3 Brakes

 

It's a disc brake! No, wait, it's a drum? What? It's both?

A Curious V-Strom

A curious V-strom, completely converted to ride from Paris to Dakar, which it obviously did. Different suspension, different brakes, wheels, tires, rear frame, saddle... well everything except main frame engine and front cowling I guess...

Objects at Rest...

The big black Vee, silently sleeping.

2012 Smart For-Us Concept

smart is turning the automotive world upside down once again and challenging ideas about what an urban pickup should look like. In a tongue-in-cheek manner the for-us signals that this is the right car for the young and young-at-heart with active lives who attach importance to low emissions and taking up minimum road space. The smart for-us translates the practical loading concept of a pickup to the reality of 21st century urban traffic for the first time.

With its exterior dimensions (length/width/height: 3547/1506/1701mm) it could almost go unnoticed on the loading area of a typical pickup, and it also anything but ordinary under the body. Thanks to the state-of-the-art electric drive with a55 kW magneto-electric motor the zero-emission smart for-us is agile and lively to drive. It will celebrate its world premiere at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit (14 - 22 January 2012).

2012 Smart For-Us Concept - Images, Specifications and Information

This little smart runabout reminds me of Suzuki's X-90, but with a small utility bed.

How to Lube Your Motorcycle Chain

It's a query almost as old as the Bard himself: When it comes to lubricating your chain, what is the right stuff?

Well, is the chain an O-ring type? (For practical purposes, we will use "O-ring chains" to refer to all the various cross-sections of such seals.) Or is it just a simple roller chain, with no rubber rings of any kind? Some manufacturers recommend using a lube specifically formulated for O-ring chains; others say these lubes can still harm the O-rings and that you should use 90-weight gear oil. Some OEMs and chain manufacturers insist you clean the chain first with kerosene, gasoline or a high-flash-point solvent (one that won't easily ignite).

To try and clarify the issue, we spoke with P.J. Harvey, president, chairman, CEO and founder of PJ1 Products. He's been in the business for almost four decades, and although he did not actually invent chain lube, he has certainly influenced its formulation for both plain roller and O-ring chains.

I personally prefer to use Bel-Ray's Blue Tac Chain Lube to reduce oxidation and maintain the chain life. In a pinch, I have used chain and bar oil for chainsaws or even 80W90 gear oil.

How to Lube Your Motorcycle Chain

Parisodigy - Smack My Bike Up

I'm not a fan of irresponsible riding on public roads. That being said, this is a great video.

Parisodigy-SmackMyBikeUp - YouTube

Dakar 2012 Rally

It's coming. The 2012 Dakar Rally. I'm getting excited already.