30 Minute Motorcycling

It might seem like a lot of money, but getting a top box for your motorcycle or scooter comes with a lot of perks.I was on the fence for a while, and when I finally decided to get one, it was one of the best accessories I ever bought.So you're also on the fence about whether you should get a top box, this episode is for you.Tune in to discover:What makes a top box better than a cargo net or a pair of saddlebagsSomething that might make your bike more attractive if you decide to sell itResources:"2008 Honda SH300i - What's It Like?" - The Dual Wheel Journey Video" 5 Compelling Reasons to Invest in a Top Box for Your Motorcycle or Scooter" - The Dual Wheel Journey article

Yes, it can and does happen - and I'm living proof of that.That's right. I once lost one of my tire valve caps, and that was a bigger deal than you might think.Fortunately, I also managed to fix that problem, so if you've just made the same mistake, this episode is for you.Tune in to discover:The story of how I lost one of my tire caps after doing essential maintenanceWhy tire valve caps are just as important as the tire valve itselfWhat you do if you lose one of tire valve capsResources:"Tire Valve Caps - More Important Than You Think" - The Dual Wheel Journey article

No matter what kind of tires or wheels your bike has, they all rely on one thing - wheel alignment.If that goes "out of whack," you can expect big problems.But what causes wheel alignment to go "out of whack," so to speak? And what is wheel alignment, and why does it matter so much?Tune in to discover: A simple explanation of what wheel alignment is - and why it matters so much for handling and safety3 common issues that can happen if your wheel alignment is out of whack5 things that may cause your wheel alignment to go out of alignmentResources:Episode #17 - Motorcycle Wheels and Tires

It's a small part of your bike - so small you might not even see it that much.But despite its small size, a fork seal leak can cause HUGE issues - both for your bike and certainly for you.Tune in to discover:What a "fork seal" doesWhy a "fork seal leak" is such a huge issue3 nasty side effects of a fork seal leakResources:What Is a Fork Seal Leak, And Why Is It a HUGE Problem? - The Dual Wheel Journey article

60% of motorcycles are chain-driven - but whether it's a 65cc dirt bike or a huge 1000+cc crotch rocket, one thing remains:"The chain is only as strong as its weakest link."Some things can go wrong with the chain regardless of the size or the type of motorcycle you've got. Tune in to discover:5 common issues with chain drive - and why they happenResources: "5 Common Chain Drive Issues" - The Dual Wheel Journey article

Some lessons can't be told through books - only through a real-life experience.Even if that experience wasn't exactly a smashing success - failure can sometimes be the best teacher of them all.Case in point - the very first time I attempted anything mechanical (and which didn't require something more than a screwdriver).Even though it was an easy job, it turned out to be a real ordeal - but through that, something good came out of this experience. Tune in to discover:How my first attempt at changing brake pads "went a bit south"How I solved the issue I hadThe 2 invaluable lessons I had from this ordealResources:Ebook - "5 Mechanical Life-Lessons I Was Taught From Real-Life Experiences"

Depending on where you ride, your suspension travel needs to be set up for you to tackle the challenges of your riding environment.You might need short-suspension travel...or maybe you need a long-suspension travel setup?Tune in to discover:The differences between long vs. short suspension travel - and scenarios where you need one over the otherHow much travel your shock absorber should haveHow to check your suspension travelResources:The Dual Wheel Journey article - "Differences Between Long vs. Short Suspension Travel Demystified"30 Minute Motorcycling Podcast Episode #24 - "Introduction to Motorcycle Suspension & 6 Common Suspension Terms Explained"

The fact that you've run out of fuel ISN'T one of them - you've checked, and there's still fuel in your tank.So, if you've still got fuel, what's stopping it from getting to your engine?Tune in to discover:5 reasons why fuel isn't getting to your engine - whether your bike has fuel injection or a carburetorResources:The Dual Wheel Journey article - " No Fuel Going to Your Motorcycle's Engine? 5 Reasons Why "30 Minute Motorcycling Podcast Episode #29 - "Carburetor vs. Fuel Injection and Petcock Basics"

Some mechanical problems will cause your bike's engine to run poorly. Others will cause the entire engine to stop (or "seize", if you will). Case in point - the engine seizure. Tune in to discover:What an engine seizure is3 common reasons for an engine seizureDifferences between a soft vs. hard engine seizure Resources:The Dual Wheel Journey article - "Engine Seizure - What is It, And Why Does It Happen?"30 Minute Motorcycling Episode #45: " Some Common Overheating Problems for Liquid-Cooled and Air-Cooled Engines" 30 Minute Motorcycling Episode #34: "An Overview of an Engine Overhaul"

In short - YES, they do matter. Not only that, where you put them matters too.Tune in to discover:How a sprocket's size is determinedWhat a "sprocket ratio" is - and how to determine itHow sprocket sizes matterResources:The Dual Wheel Journey article - " Motorcycle Sprocket Sizes & Sprocket Ratio Demystified"30 Minute Motorcycling Episode #35: How a Motorcycle Transmission Works & Gear Ratios Demystified

There's no need for you to put everything and the kitchen sink with you inside your motorcycle tool kit. But which items are absolutely essential? Which items are the ones you never want to leave home without - whether you're popping off to the store, or all the way to the other side of the world?Tune in to discover:8 essential items any motorcycle tool kit should include - and what you can do with themWhat the difference is between a tool kit and a tool boxResources:30 Minute Motorcycling Episode #28 - What a Motorcycle Fuse Does and Fuse Color CodingThe Dual Wheel Journey blog post - "What Should Be In a Motorcycle Tool Kit?"

What may seem like a big piece of rubber sitting on top of your spark plugs is actually called an "ignition coil"And it's an essential item for making an internal combustion engine work. Tune in to discover:What makes an ignition coil workA very basic introduction to electromagnetism - and, more importantly, what it has to do with ignition coils2 different types of ignition coilsResources:National MagLab YouTube Video - "How Ignition Coils Work"The Dual Wheel Journey blog post - "What's An Ignition Coil?"

No matter if your bike has modern tubeless tires or old-fashioned tubed tires, you can still experience a blowout, or your tires wear down faster than normal. And it's not just because of bad luck - there are a few reasons why this happens.Tune in to discover:Some common reasons for tire blowouts and uneven tire tread wear (including one that ironically doesn't involve tires directly)Resources:Episode #52 - 6 Tire Pressure FAQs AnsweredEpisode #44 - What is Tire Dry Rot?The Dual Wheel Journey blog post "5 Common Reasons for a Tire Blowout Or Uneven Tire Tread Wear"

Unlike car engines, motorcycle engines don't rely on cam belts for their valve timing - instead, they use cam chains.And this episode is dedicated to demystifying not just cam chains but valve timing as well.Tune in to discover:What a cam chain does, and whether it's the same thing as a drive chainHow an incorrect valve timing can destroy your engine4 cam chain and valve timing FAQS - including whether a cam chain needs to be replacedResources:Mecholic.com article - "Port-Timing Diagram of Two-Stroke Engine"The Dual Wheel Journey article - "Cam Chains and Valve Timing Demystified"

It's a somewhat controversial thing that's talked about a lot, but what does it mean to "derestrict" a 50cc scooter (or moped, for that matter)?And if you're interested in trying it out for yourself, how is it done? Tune in to discover:What "derestriction" actually meansWhy 50cc scooters are restricted (and not their 125cc or 250+ counterparts)2 examples of derestriction methodsSomething CRUCIAL you must know if you're going to do thisResources:New Scooters 4 Less YouTube Video - "How To Derestrict Your Genuine Roughhouse Scooter"How to derestrict a 50cc scooter YouTube tutorial videoThe Dual Wheel Journey blog post - "What Does It Mean to “Derestrict” A 50 cc Scooter or Moped?"

Swingarms are exclusive to two-wheelers - but what do they do?And why do some motorcycles have just one swingarm while others have two? Are there any advantages to bikes with just one swingarm?Tune in to discover:What a swingarm is, and what it doesDifferences between "single-sided" and "double-sided" swingarmsHow the length of your swingarm mattersResources:The Dual Wheel Journey blog post "What Is The Swing Arm On a Motorcycle?"

Buying new socket handles for your socket wrench? Or are you considering whether it's worth investing in a specialty tool? Then this episode holds the answer - and more.Tune in to discover:6 MORE tips to help you when you're shopping for toolsOne tool that you're better off NOT gettingA genius tool you've probably never heard of beforeResources:30 Minute Motorcycling Episode #51 - Shopping For Tools? My 6 Tips to Get the Best Possible Tools for Your Money 30 Minute Motorcycling Episode #54 - What Are Specialty Tools?The Dual Wheel Journey - "Multimeter Tool Tutorial"

Whether your motorcycle, moped, or scooter uses a hydraulic or mechanical brake system, both can go wrong in one way or another.And in this episode, you're going to discover 5 of the most common ones - and, more importantly, what you can do to solve them.Tune in to discover:5 common brake problems - including one that affects BOTH hydraulic and mechanical brake systemsWhy water inside your brake fluid means troubleResources:30 Minute Motorcycling Podcast Episode 39 - "Hydraulic vs. Mechanical Brake Systems"Tomos America Youtube Video - "How To Tighten Moped Brakes"

Did you think that suspension terminology was complicated? How about terms related to electricity and electronics?For example, did you know that there's a difference between "electrical" and "electronic?"And above all, do you know what "ground" is? If you don't, this episode is for you.Tune in to discover: 9 common and often confusing electrical terms - translated into plain EnglishThe difference between "electrical" and "electronic"What "ground" really refers toResources:DWJ Motorcycle Terms and Biker Slang Dictionary EbookEpisode 41 - "What is CDI Ignition?"Dual Wheel Journey blog post - "9 Common (And Often Confusing) Electrical Terms Explained"

Whether you're aching to learn how to work on your scooter or are reluctant to touch anything mechanical, essential maintenance is a must.But if this is brand new territory for you, you might wonder about some easy maintenance jobs that anyone can figure out.Then, this episode is for you.Tune in to discover:4 examples of easy (and also essential) scooter maintenance jobs to get you started - no matter what your previous mechanical experience isResources:Scooter Maintenance for the Absolute Beginner Ebook