Top Market Cars

Archive for April, 2010

Build A Bike From Scratch Or Refurbish With Custom Chopper Parts?

There’s been a lot of publicity about custom built choppers but is building a motorcycle from the ground up the right thing for you? Building custom choppers from scratch or from custom bike kits can definitely be a gratifying journey but you must be certain that you’re prepared for the amount of work skill and perseverance it will take to build a bike from nuts and bolts. If you’re not sure you want to go the road of custom bike kits there is a middle ground between a complete build and a stock bike through refurbishing with custom parts.

Custom bike kits:
If you want full bragging rights or a really unique design custom bike kits are probably the best choice for you. With custom bike kits you can choose a frame and get all of the necessary parts in one package while still having full reign on every ounce of the customization.

Whether starting from scratch or from custom bike kits there really are no design limitations unlike when refurbishing a stock bike with custom parts. The more unique the bike the higher it’s resale value will be if you ever decide to part with it. Unlike stock bikes that are a dime a dozen and lose resale value custom bikes hold or even increase in value.

The potential downside is that even if you’re using custom bike kits building a motorcycle from the ground up is not as simple as many kit manufacturers and producers of DVD training guides make it out to be. Starting from custom bike kits and working your way up is going to be a challengewhich isn’t a bad thing but something you’ll want to be honest with yourself about. If you think you won’t see the project through for one reason or another you can still build a killer bike by customizing a stock bike with custom chopper parts.

Refurbish with custom chopper parts:
With the right custom chopper parts you can easily give an old bike a completely custom look without the time and frustration of building every single intricate element. Refurbishing with custom chopper parts also means that you’re going to experiencing the freedom of your bike a lot sooner than those who chose custom bike kits.

When choosing a bike to refurbish with custom parts the most important thing to look for is the frame style. There are chopper parts that can easily replace just about anything on an existing bike but the frame is essentially the backbone of the bike and won’t be easy to replace. The gas tank however is among the custom chopper parts that can be replaced and can make a big impact on the overall look and feel of your bike. Find a shop that will paint your tank with your design concept and you’re well on the way to owning a bike that reflects your personality.

Other chopper parts that make a major impact in the overall look and feel of the bike are the wheels tires mirrors exhaust pedals and handlebars. A brief look at the huge number of styles of custom chopper parts out there are you’ll soon realize that it’s feasible to completely change the personality of a stock bike with a few select custom chopper parts.

The decision to build from scratch from custom bike kits or to refurbish with custom parts is as unique as every individual is. If your goal is to get out there on the open highway and enjoy the freedom of riding you may want to spend less time in the garage and make your bike your own with a few select custom chopper parts. On the other hand if motorcycles are your life if you want to challenge yourself or if you desire to create a truly unique machine then building a bike from the ground up is probably the route you’ll want to take.

About the writer:nbsp;nbsp;Jim Sherard is a motorcycle enthusiast who has been riding for more than 20 years. For more information on the benefits of oilskin coats visit his website at http://www.jackaroohome.com/longrider.html

Riverside Motorcross Park To Be Closed!

Motocross enthusiasts from Riverside MX track in Dartford may be forced to switch off their engines indefinitely if an application to extend the term of the lease is denied.

A public meeting was held at the Joyce Green site on Saturday 22nd September to discuss the application for use as a riding track for three years temporarily. It has been recommended for refusal.

Alec Lauder Chairman and Development Control Manager opened the meeting in opposition to the proposal. He said: Recreational use is not appropriate in this location. He cited green belt and wildlife policies as the main reasons why the application had met with criticism.

The Bridge Development which is currently under construction and not due to complete for another five years was also considered to be a leading factor in the decision process. Mr Lauder said of the track: It affects the visual impact on the character of the area and conflicts with the longer aspirations of the site.

In support of the application Graham Simpkin consultant for the applicant explained why green belt land should be made available to the public: Open recreational needs are very important and is the purpose of keeping land available. All sections of the community should have access to enjoy recreational activities. Take for instance golf courses there are many in the borough but there has never been a requirement to justify a need for them. We only want a temporary application for three years. The track is only used two to three times a week the rest of the time it is completely open. This is not a justification for refusing the application.

Kent Wildlife had filed an objection to the proposal on the grounds that the use was harming the environment. Martin Townsend is an ecologist who has been monitoring the marsh land for the last three years. He said: In summary I can find no harmful effects. I have studied the birds in particular and they have become used to the activity. Wildlife coincists quite happily along side it.

Riverside MX has been a valuable resource for youth projects outside the borough as far as South East London. Joan McHardy spokesperson for The Young Lewisham Project attended the meeting to show the charities support. She said: We work with young people aged from 1319 who are not really succeeding in mainstream education. Through the open college network and facilities such as this track we can help these youths. The track is a low cost facility and without it they would have to go a long distance. The track focuses their attentions in different directions and teaches them responsibility.

Local police fear the closure of the track could result in more problems for the community and have shown their support for the application. In a letter Sergeant Pete Smith said: I was impressed with the facilities and the number of riders using it. Without sites such as these I am sure there would be many more nuisance bikes using land illegally and causing problems for local councils and police.

Andrew Wakefield 27 from Gravesend has been riding for ten years and is a frequent visitor to the track. He said: I have grown up in a community where there are not enough places to use off road motorcycles. The council are all too quick to have us prosecuted for riding on their land then when we finally find a track that we can use legally and safely they want to close it down. There is another smaller track nearby but it would not be able to cope with the extra number of riders. It has less challenges and safety measures most riders drive straight past it. This track has a great atmosphere and families meet here. Everyone is really responsible and I cant understand why they want to close it down.

About the writer:  Elisha Burberry is an online freelance journalist and keen moviegoer from Scotland. Her interests include travelling cooking and photography.

At a MSRP of $85,700, the 2010 BMW M5 is a 4-door, 5-passenger luxury sports sedan. The rear-wheel-drive luxury sedan is powered by a 5.0-liter V10 that produces 500 HP at 7,750 rpm and 383 pound-feet of torque at 6,100 rpm. The acceleration rate is 0 – 60 mph in 4.8 sec and the top speed is 155 mph. The fuel economy estimates is 11 mph city and 17mph highway.

Mechanical features of the 2010 BMW M5 include:4,941 cc 4.9 liters 8 V engine with 94 mm bore, 89 mm stroke, 11 compression ratio, double overhead cam, variable valve timing/camshaft and four valves per cylinder, Multi-point injection fuel system, and Main 70 liter premium unleaded fuel tank. The 2010 BMW M5 handling and braking features include: ABS, brake assist system, cornering brake control, four disc brakes including four ventilated discs, electronic brake distribution, electronic traction control via ABS and engine management, Immobilizer, rear limited slip differential, driver selectable responsive suspension electronic, stability control, and strut front suspension independent with stabilizer bar and coil springs, and a multi-link rear suspension independent with stabilizer bar and coil springs.

The 2010 BMW M5 exterior and aerodynamic features include: painted front and rear bumpers, day time running lights, driver power heated painted door mirrors with automatic operation, passenger power heated painted door mirrors with automatic and automatic operation, projector beam lens Bi-Xenon headlights, metallic paint, and a glass remote front sunroof.

The 2010 BMW M5 interior standard features include: air conditioning with fully automated climate control 2 and auto, diversity antenna, interior monitoring anti-lift anti-theft protection, RDS audio system with digital radio and CD player CD player reads MP3, coming home device, compass, computer with average speed, average fuel consumption, instantaneous fuel consumption and range for remaining fuel, cruise control, external temperature, driver front airbag with multi-stage deployment, passenger front airbag with occupant sensors and multi-stage deployment, sports heated electrically adjustable driver and passenger seat with height adjustment, lumbar adjustment, thigh support, eight adjustments and tilt adjustment memory, electric, memory and memory, headlight control with dusk sensor active, navigational systems : information type: 3D and voice DVD, color and 8.8, voice activating system includes radio settings, includes phone, includes navigation system and includes air conditioning, parking distance sensors front, rear and radar, smart cards, and central locking and memory seat adjustments. The cost for insuring the 2010 BMW M5 is approximately $2,020 per month. For information on getting the cheapest auto insurance quote you will have to shop around extensively and diligently to receive an affordable quote.