Views: 49957 Send a Message manybikes's RSS feed Name: Kyle Bradshaw Ridesa
2003 VTX 1300 Retro
Member #: CC28131 Member Since: Apr 2003 Gender: M Age: 34 Sign: Sagittarius Birthday: Dec 17, 1975 Location: Escalon, CA Last Login: Mar 05, 2010 Last Update: Dec 01, 2009
Motorcycling has been a way of life in my family for the past four generations. My grandfather Ted began riding in the 60's on a 125cc Harley Davidson. Over the years he rode many bikes and at one point he was a motor cop for the the State of Utah. His last bike was a 1978 Honda CX500 which he rode until the late 80's before handing it down to my father before it was handed down to me, making it my first on-road motorcycle.
My Father has ridden motorcycles since he was old enough to hold on an balance. Over the years he has ridden / owned a Honda 350, 1979 Kawasaki KZ1000, 1978 Honda CX500, Suzuki GS 1100, Goldwings of all sizes including 1100, 1200, and 1500. Today he rides a dark blue 1998 GL1500.
My motorcycling began the day my father picked up his first ever brand new bike... the 1979 KZ1000. I still remember to this day picking out my ORANGE Bell full face helmet, being set in dads lap for the ride home from the dealership. At the age of 4 I was hooked for life! For the first year or two I rode up in front between dad and the tank. Eventually, I graduated to the back seat where I sought comfort in a pair of belt loops as my grab handles.
In 5th grade, my neighbor Guy Sherwood brought home a Honda CR80. For months I pestered Guy until he finally gave in. I rode that poor bike in first gear for hours on end, taching it out as I roared up and down the street. Later that day his girfriend came out and taught me how to shift. The day went well until I decided to flip a U-turn into the front grill of his truck! Oops. I continued to ride that bike for years.
My freshman year of high school, my buddy had a Yamaha YZ250 sitting in his backyard rotting away. I took it home, cleaned the carb, patched a hole in the gas tank, replaced the spark plugs, and changed the oil. Presto! The bike fired right up! I rode that YZ250 for three years.
At the age of 15, I was jonesing to ride on the street. After much harassment, my father rolled the CX 500 (yes same one!) into the street and said, "If you can pick it up - you can ride it." Come to learn later, that this was said only because he KNEW I would not be able to lift the beast.
Determined, I grunted and groaned... but was finally able to right the bike! Feeling victorious, I jumped up and down awaiting the key! Only until dad walked over to push the bike over on the other side! My draw hit the street! "That is not fair!" I exclaimed! I was then reasoned with ... and was told the bike could fall on either side. It was tough, but to my parents astonishment I was able to right the bike and had earned the right to learn how to ride on the street.
At 15 I got my motorcycle permit, at 16 my M1 motorcycle license, and I have been on 2 wheels since.
I have been riding for over 20 years and enjoy all genres of motorcycling. Over the years I have owned the following bikes: 1978 Honda CX 500, 1983 Suzuki GS1100L, 1988 Honda Shadow VT1100C, 2004 Yamaha FJR 1300tc, 2003 Kawasaki ZX12r and a Honda Magna V45.
Currently in my garage you will find Cruising, Touring, Sport, Dirt, and Enduro motorcycles. Love em all! These bikes are all ridden often and are loved for the specific purposes they serve. They are as follows: 2007 KTM 450 exc, 2007 Viva 200, 2006 Honda Goldwing GL1800, 2003 Honda VTX 1300S, 2003 Honda VFR 800Fi, and 2002 Suzuki DRZ400.
Riding motorcycles is my hobbie, my passion, my mode of transportation, my source of income, and my life... thus my handle "Manybikes"
Kyle Bradshaw, shows you how to save money by doing your own oil changes and air filter changes at home in your garage.
Click here to Watch the VIDEO!
Oftentimes dealerships charge $25 to $85 plus parts $25 to $55 for an oil change. Kyle suggests that the average oil change should cost about $25 to $45 and should take about half of an hour.
Oil Change Parts:
Motorcycle Oil: Repsol, Motorex, Mobil 1
Oil Filters: K&N, Chrome Filters, Show Chrome Accessories, Big Bike Parts, Emgo, HighFlo
A "necessity" for any V-star 650 or 1100 will be an Oil Filter Relocation Kit from Jardine or Barons!
Jardine Oil Filter Relocation Kit
Barons Oil Filter Relocation Kit
Other fun Additions:
Oil Filler Cap
Dip Stick
Air filters need to be changed at roughly 12,000 mile intervals and the stock paper filters cost between $30 and $70 depending on model. For just a few dollars more you can install a K&N serviceable filter, saving you the cost of a filter each service, while at the same time increasing your air flow, fuel mileage, and throttle response.
Here are a list of K&N OEM Replacement Filters
Both of these services are simple do-it-yourself procedures which will save you time, money, and a the same time improve your motorcycles performance. And... let's not forget the Quality Quiet Time you will have with your Baby!
Here are some common tools which will make the job eaiser:
Condor Motorcycle Stand (see it used in this video to hold the bike upright with no tie-downs.
Oil Pan & Rags
17mm open end wrench & socket w/ ratchet
Funnel
Thank you for watching this Cruiser Customizing Tip of the Week.
Kyle Bradshaw
aka: Manybikes
People have ask for details of the competitions being run in the Community.
Here they are again. I suggest you add this blog to your favourites
THE CRUISER CUSTOMIZING COMMUNITY VIDEO COMPETITION
THE GREATEST COMPETITION IN THE COMMUNITY HISTORY
OVER $2,000.00 IN PARTS & ACCESSORIES TO BE W0N
RULES
VIDEOS MUST BE MARKED ‘’CCC VIDEO COMP- MONTH - YOUR TITLE''
THE VIDEO MUST BE YOUR VIDEO. IT MUST BE ORIGINAL, FILMED BY EITHER YOURSELF OR A FRIEND. NO YOUTUBE VIDEOS OR THE LIKE.
YOU MUST APPEAR IN THE VIDEO.
NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENTS
.
HERE ARE 7 SUGGESTED CATAGORIES
INSTALLATION
BE PRODUCT SPECIFIC. ENSURE YOU QUOTE THE PART OR ACCESSORY. THIS WILL ALLOW OTHERS TO ACCESS THE PRODUCT EASILY.
TECH
PROVIDE TECHNICAL ADVICE ON SUCH THINGS AS TYRE PRESSURES, FUEL ADDITIVES, PREFERRED OILS
BIKE BUILDING
SHOW THE BEFORE AND AFTER OF A BIKE BUILD. THIS CAN BE AS SIMPLE AS THE INSTALLATION OF MULTIPLE PARTS AND THE REASONS WHY THOSE PARTS WERE CHOSEN. AGAIN, REFERENCE THE PARTS OR ACCESSORY NUMBERS.
PRODUCT REVIEW
REVIEW A PRODUCT. SHOW THE AUDIENCE THE PRODUCT. PROVIDE YOUR AUDIENCE WITH THE PROS CONS OF USING THAT PARTICULAR PART OR ACCESSORY.
RIDE VIDEO
A VIDEO OF A RIDE OR RIDES YOU HAVE BEEN ON. THIS IS YOUR OPPOPORTUNITY TO BE REALLY CREATIVE.
MATESHIP/FRIENDSHIP
A VIDEO BASED AROUND YOUR CLOSE MATE(S) OR FRIEND(S). THIS COULD EVEN BE ABOUT MEMBERS OF YOUR FAMILY.
HUMOUR
SOMETHING THAT GIVES THE COMMUNITY A GOOD LAUGH AND CREATES LIVELY DISCUSSION AND BANTER WITHIN THE COMMUNITY.
PRIZES – PRIZES - PRIZES
WIN OVER $2,000.00 IN PARTS & ACCESSORIES.
EACH MONTH 2 VIDEOS WILL BE CHOSEN BY THE CRUISER CUSTOMIZING COMMUNITY. THERE WILL BE MONTHLY PRIZE(S).
AFTER 6 MONTHS, THE 12 MONTHLY WINNERS WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO WIN A $500 CASH PRIZE. THIS WILL BE FOR THE VIDEO VOTED THE BEST IN THAT 6 MONTH PERIOD.
THIS WILL THEN BE REPEATED OVER THE NEXT 6 MONTHS.
AT THE END OF 12 MONTHS, THE 3 HIGHEST VOTED VIDEOS OF EACH OF THE TWO 6 MONTH PERIODS WILL BE VOTED ON BY THE CRUISER CUSTOMIZING COMMUNITY FOR THE GRAND PRIZE OF A $1,000.00 CRUISER CUSTOMIZING SHOPPING SPREE.
THAT’S RIGHT FOLKS, A $1,000.00 CRUISER CUSTOMIZING SPENDING SPREE.
GOOD LUCK
&
LET THE CAMERAS ROLL