Mojo Garage Archives - Page 9 of 11

Replacing the Final Drive Chain

Consistent maintenance will increase the life of a final drive chain, but eventually you’ll need to replace it. To get the most out of a drive chain, you must regularly lubricate and adjust it....

Springs and Preload

Shocking information about suspension and ride height. Since we’ve recently covered different types of forks and how their damping systems work, it’s time to look at springs. Springs, whether in...

Cartridge Forks

The next step to better handling and a smoother ride. In the previous issue, we discussed the damper-rod-type fork and its limitations, mostly caused by the fixed-diameter damping holes, which...

Damper-Rod Forks

The most basic of modern damper-rod forks is all about holes and oil. The most common front suspension on a motorcycle is the telescopic fork. It’s designed to absorb the shocks produced when the...

Horsepower vs. Torque

Recent test rides on some high-power supersport machines got me thinking about horsepower and torque. The latest BMW S1000RR and Yamaha R1 each claim to produce close to 200 hp, and the Ducati 1299...

Tricks of the Trade

It’s always good to learn from others. Whether it’s plumbing, carpentry, mechanical, or what have you, every tradesperson has his or her tricks. You know, the little work-arounds that are passed...

The‌ ‌Home‌ ‌Tire‌ ‌Change‌

With the proper tools and a little mechanical know-how, you can save a few bucks and have the satisfaction of replacing your own rubber. Performing your own tire change isn’t that hard, but first...

Preparing for a Long Tour

A long-awaited bike trip can become an exercise in frustration without proper preparation. One thing I hate when taking a long motorcycle tour is having to work on my bike while on the road. Sure,...

Travelling Tools

Today’s technology is good but it’s not always perfect, so it’s best to have a backup plan. Motorcycles today are extremely reliable, which is why most manufacturers no longer include toolkits...

Crankshafts And Firing Orders

You’ll often read about how some manufacturers opt for one crankshaft design over another. Several crankpin layouts are used in multi-cylinder engines, but to simplify things, we’ll talk about...

The Damaging Qualities of E15

Remember when your mother told you to eat your broccoli and you fought tooth and nail not to She told you it was good for you, but to an eight-year-old, the stuff tasted like crap. Well, E15 is like...

Suspension Adjustments

Motorcycle suspension varies from the simplest oil-damped, non-adjustable fork and shock, to the latest electronically controlled active systems that sense road and riding conditions and, to a...