Automotive Blog

Of course you already know that it’s even more important than usual to drive safely when the weather is cold. In bad weather conditions, it’s necessary to pay attention to wet and icy roads, to make the riding experience as safe as possible.

Don’t forget to keep warm. Liners under helmets can help keep heat in, and of course don’t forget to dress properly—hopefully you have some cold weather riding gear. It’s much easier to drive, and keep your concentration sharp when your body is warm. Getting too cold can cause our body reactions to slow down, and if you start thinking about how cold you are, you might not notice the patch of ice that’s coming up. Especially keep your hands warm—a good pair of gloves are vital to ensuring an enjoyable ride in cold weather.

Continue reading ‘Riding in Cold Weather’ »

The Jaguar XK120 was first revealed to the public at the London Motor Show in 1948, and it reinvented the world of sports cars by providing a car with elegant curves, a fantastic chassis, and a remarkable price. It became the fastest production car at the time of launch, and was rivalled only by the V12 Ferrari which was 4 times the price.

This proved to be an unbeatable combination, and became a milestone for Jaguar whilst reviving the motor industry with much fanfare after the war. Interestingly, the XK120 was only really designed as test bed with which to show off the XK engine, but with orders flooding in Jaguar wasted no time and put the car into full production. Several versions were eventually released, with the Roadster version being a hit amongst Hollywood stars like Clark Gable. It is still a design classic today, and in 1999 the car featured in the box office hit Cruel Intentions, driven by Ryan Phillippe & Reese Witherspoon.

Continue reading ‘Classic Cars – Jaguar XK120’ »

All motorcycles are vulnerable to some wear and tear, depending on the conditions in which they are used. Dirt bikes are built to be durable and to take some punishment, but they too, sometimes need parts replacements. It’s important to conduct regular routine checks on parts to ensure that your bike is always in good running shape.

Regular Parts Checks

1. Bearings. To check bearings, you need to put your bike on a stand with the front wheel off the ground. Then try and move the forks. If there is movement besides the normal suspension travel, there is a good chance that you should replace the bearings.

1. Engine. First start up your bike. If you have a two stroke engine, listen for any odd sounds. If you hear slapping or snapping sounds, the piston may be worn and might need to be replaced. If your bike has a four stroke engine listen to the top of the engine motor for rhythmic noises, and make sure that there aren’t any rumbling or growling sounds coming from the bottom of the engine.

Continue reading ‘Checklist for Dirt Bike Parts’ »