Braking Techniques for beginners

Bikers have a 6^th sense, it is called logical sense.

Braking Techniques for beginners is an art that is best mastered early. Be it navigation, mechanics, riding skills or handling emergency situations, I believe if and when used effectively this gift from God can prove to be a Ram-Baan. Over a decade ago while riding to work on my CBZ back then, I started to slow down even after turning the fuel knob to reserve. All of a sudden the bike came to a grinding halt almost hurtling me to the ground in rush hour traffic.

To find the cause I tried to pull the bike to the side but it refused to budge. It had its front [disc] brakes jammed with the disc smoldering hot. With some help I parked the bike in a compound nearby. Then poured some water to cool it off. Later on, I took it to the hero Honda service station. Then I escalated the issue wherein it seemed like the brakes were “over serviced”. The brake overhaul was something recommended by the adviser. After a detailed conversation, the manager got the fault rectified to my satisfaction. Thus I figured that:

“Jo hazeer woh Vazir” –

Be present when the part/parts in question are being taken off the bike. Also, take pictures if necessary should the case of mitigation arise. Presence always gives you the edge whether you are an ace rider or technician. When it comes to ignorance or knowledge about your vehicle. On the other side desperation creates perspiration and haste makes obviously not BIRYANI. In an extreme case ride at a slow pace. But keep to the side of the roads if the vehicle is somewhat ride-able. The front discs have enough stopping power to lead you to the nearest safe house like a fuel bunk or police station if need be.

A to Z –

It’s a colloquially used term by locals in any area (well in a way) from Ace engineers to localised mechanics. There are those who do a thorough check. Before you give your vehicle to the service station, a check list made by you is helpful. In this case check for unusual brake pad wear, erosion of the discs, brake fluid leakage/air pockets and any other faults.

Second your notion –

When on a forum be it online or in friends circle check to see what they have to say. Show them your findings[as noted in 1. &2.] They may find the “photo bomber”/fault. I had changed the 1^st set of brake pads at about 7000 odd kms [too lazy to check my records]. I was like “Damn you Pulsar…” but let’s face it, it could just be incidental. In my case, instead of worn out brake pads a set of iron plates came off. But nothing like getting a 2^nd say from someone who has more experience in the matter.

Escalation –

For those of us who have had a sound education, am sure you would not be googling this term. Escalation with the authorities would have a proper channel. It’s OK to lose your cool. If the cooker never blew the prescribed number of whistles how would the cooks know whether our favourite dish is ready to serve? But then when it comes to serving they would follow a method, won’t they? Check with the resources available to you. Website, phone numbers, references etc. For the path between the customer care and consumer court, there will be a land of opportunities waiting to be explored. Do not just mudsling and a legal notice “Serve if you must”. But well decorate it with complete documentation. However whatever you do, leave the loud words and actions to the uncouth. You are a civilized lot – approach the situation in a tactful manner.

Do keep in mind these “Braking Techniques for beginners”.

Night Time Riding Tips – The Shadow rider

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The current state of roads is inversely proportionate to the taxes paid by the average breadwinner. While at some places it may be at par with international standards elsewhere apathy is only a compliment. While some of you reading this would be able to meander through the planet mars and reflection of the moon’s surface while jumping of a set of speed breakers that would catapult the average Joe higher than an X games jumper, the rest would be glad to have reached the parking lot!

Taking a cue from this thought about the road conditions I began to observe patterns that formed. I did this while giving complete disregard to all the jargon on the internet so and simplify it for anyone. I made few observations that would prove helpful for those having difficulty, particularly at night – a time when the chances of missing a road hazard are at its peak. Even at times speed breaker is visible on a poorly lit or dark road because of nighttime reflectors or white stripes on it. What do you do in case the speed breaker is not visible?

It is easy to follow the pattern shadow formed by the obstacle. The longer the shadow, the bigger the speed breaker and the shorter it is, the nastier it is for the rims of your bike. It is no daunting task to make this observation; its best practised on a daily route during the night so as to be able to acclimatise oneself to riding the wave of darkness thus created. While this will require a few nights of travel on the same route it is advisable to memorize the location of the speed breakers so as to slow down or break well before time and go over the obstacle.

While still continuing with the series, shadow riding aims to throw light on those times when we ride sans natural illumination or in simple terms – sunlight. While today’s topic is synonymous with the term clarity of thought, there is no denying that even the slightest misunderstanding can turn the sweetest of relationships sour.

Today we will talk about the headlamps of our vehicles. Irrespective of the wattage even the slightest speck of dust can render the rider blind in poor light or heavy fog conditions. Not all of us park indoors nor live in surroundings that are dust free. Once while riding back home on a clear yet dark night I realised that in areas of low lighting the high beam was not travelling as far as it should. Taking advantage of the riding glove’s fabric I lean forward and wiped the headlight. Lo behold, to my surprise the similar patches got significantly brighter. Nowadays, We certainly have more food on our plate than we can ask for in order to feed the ever-increasing appetite or our ambitions and careers so as to climb the rungs in our career and in doing so would then to ignore cleaning the head light of our two wheelers.

Also, please do ensure that while you may keep the visor up while you ride at times, it is clean before a ride out during or after sunset. With the visor down the dust that had settled inside will direct any light source on your eyes and take your attention off the road. I recommend that you clean not only the headlight but also the visor (preferably with a soft cloth) on both, the inner and out sides so as to avoid any light source to distract your attention when you are on the road.

Back seat pilot – pillion rider etiquette

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Originally published on our Facebook Page, here is a re-post keeping in mind the current state of issues of two wheelers and traffic conditions as on date..

Screwdriver – Not just a cocktail ..

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Screwdriver – Not just a cocktail

Screwdriver – Not just a cocktail, here’s why. On the way home last winter I saw a group of friends struggling to start their motorcycle. Since it seemed like something I faced in the past I volunteered. According to them the motorcycle was ok and then it suddenly died out. They were accelerating while getting the bike to start. Even after engaging the choke, in vain it did not start. So I backtracked and asked them:

When was the last time the motorcycle was parked?
Where they were coming from?

It turned out that the motorcycle was parked for an hour. With this information, the sudden drop in temperature in the evening and that there was a smell of petrol it was evident that the carburetor would have flooded.

Screwdriver - Not just a cocktail — The white arrow points to the screw and the orange arrow points to the overflow pipe.

Here is what I did:

I asked them for the toolkit, took out the screw driver (-) side. Then opened the lower most screw on the carburetor after ensuring that the main supply was in OFF position. After letting the petrol flow until the last drop and turned the screw all the way until it was securely tight. Opened the fuel flow on and fired the bike up revving, until the white smoke stopped emitting from the exhaust. Then let the motorcycle idle for about a minute and they were on their way.

Should the bike ever stop of fail to start in the monsoons or winter…

Avoid unnecessary acceleration in an attempt to start the bike. Simply shut the supply off open the lower most screw found on the carburetor. It is a good idea to ask your mechanic for the location of the overflow screw. An easy way to locate this screw is look for a pipe that runs from under the screw to the bottom of the motorcycle just inches from its ground clearance. Reach out to your tool kit.

Use the [-] side of the screw driver to open this screw

Be careful not to let this screw out of its socket. Then let the excess fuel out and turn it back till it is securely tight. If you feel that it is not tight enough let your mechanic tighten it for you later. However do not over do it as you may damage the socket. Position the fuel cork to ON or RESERVE (depending upon how much fuel is there) and start the bike. You may see white smoke, just let the bike idle until this smokes stops. Now you are ready to go. .

And there you have it, every Screwdriver is Not just a cocktail