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I have read three magazines (motorcycle) in a row and they have all have been talking about alternators. So maybe we should too. There were many
people who were out on the road, most vacationing, that broke down with bad alternators.
Most of them are going to carry spares with them on any long distance trips that they plan in the future. I’m thinking that this might be a big mess.
Our service manual says nothing about routine maintenance. I’ll
be honest I never thought about it, however, that does make sense. You should
check the brushes for wear about every 25,000 miles and replace the brushes only if they are worn close to the wear marks
on the brushes.
The most common alternator failure on the 1500 Gold Wing is the brushes sticking in the brush holders. The sticking is caused by a buildup of brush dust between the brush and brush holder. Brush dust formulation is usually aggravated by they electrical loads.
The second most common failure is an open circuit in the rotor winding, usually caused by failure to repair
sticky brushes and regulator failure. Once the rotor fails, one might as well
replace the whole alternator because a new alternator costs about $25 more that a rotor.
The alternators on the Gold Wing are behind the battery. Basically
you have to feel if you have a gooey mess. If so, this is a sign that the alternator
needs to be replaced.
I know that my alternator was new when I bought the bike. I
have not put 25,000 miles on, so I’m safe. It will be added to my check
list. I would even dare to mention that I probably knew at one time to check
it also. It’s good that I’m old and have something to blame it on,
199 and still moving.
Have
a good one and be SAFE
AN ATTORNEY'S ADVICE
Read this and make a copy for your files in case you need to refer to it
someday. Maybe we should all take some of
his advice!
A corporate attorney sent the following out to the employees in
his company.
1. The next time you order checks have only your initials(instead of first name) and last name put on
them. If
someone takes your checkbook, they will not know if you sign your checks with just your initials or your first
name,
but your bank will know how you sign your checks.
2. When you are writing checks to pay on your credit card accounts,
DO NOT put the complete account number on
the "For" line. Instead, just put the last four numbers. The credit card company
knows the rest of the number,
and anyone who might be handling your check as it passes through all the check processing
channels won't have
access to it.
3. Put your work phone # on your checks instead of your home phone. If you have
a PO
Box use that instead of your
home address. If you do not have a PO Box, use your work address. Never have your SS# printed
on your checks.
(DUH!) You can add it if it is necessary. But if you have it printed, anyone can get it.
4. Place
the contents of your wallet on a photocopy machine. Do both sides of each license, credit card, etc You will know
what
you had in your wallet and all of the account numbers and phone numbers to call and cancel. Keep the photocopy
in a safe
place. I also carry a photocopy of my passport when I travel either here or abroad. We've all heard horror
stories about
fraud that's committed on us in stealing a name, address, Social Security number, credit cards.Unfortunately,
I, an attorney, have firsthand knowledge because my wallet was stolen last
month. Within a week, the thieve(s) ordered
an expensive monthly cell phone package, applied for a VISA credit card, had
a credit line approved to buy a
Gateway computer, received a PIN number from DMV to change my driving record information
online, and more.
But here's some critical information to limit the damage in case this happens to you or someone you know:
1.
We have been told we should cancel our credit cards immediately. But the key is having the toll free numbers
and your card
numbers handy so you know whom to call. Keep those where you can find them.
2. File a police report immediately in
the jurisdiction where your credit cards, etc. were stolen. This proves
to credit providers you were diligent, and this
is a first step toward an investigation (if there ever is one).
But here's what is perhaps most important of all :
(I never even thought to do this.)
3.Call the 3 national credit reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud
alert on your name and
Social Security number. I had never heard of doing that until advised by a bank that called to tell
me an
application for credit was made over the Internet in my name. The alert means any company that checks
your credit
knows your information was stolen, and they have to contact you by phone to authorize new
credit. By the time I was advised
to do this, almost two weeks after the theft, all the damage had been
done. There are records of all the credit checks
initiated by the thieves' purchases, none of which I
knew about before placing the alert. Since then, no additional damage
has been done, and the thieves
threw my wallet away. This weekend (someone turned it in). It seems to have stopped them
dead
in their tracks.
Now, here are the numbers you always need to contact about your wallet, etc. has been stolen:
1.)
Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
2.) Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742
3.) Trans Union:
1-800-680-7289
4.) Social Security Administration (fraud line):
1-800-269-0271
MIC Releases New Motorcycle/ATV
Owner Survey
“The industry’s
census for motorcycles”
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Irvine, Calif., Nov. 18, 2004 - The Motorcycle Industry Council has announced the release of its newest
Motorcycle/ATV Owner Survey, which is widely regarded as the powersport industry’s most comprehensive resource for information
on motorcycle ownership, usage, demographics, and trends.
Dr. Paul Leinberger of NOP World addressed key findings of the survey at the MIC’s annual communications
symposium, Inroads to the Future VI, and copies of the summary report were
distributed to attending MIC members. This report, which is among the MIC’s most popular membership benefits, is provided
at no charge to MIC member companies.
"This is essentially our industry’s census for motorcycles," said MIC President Tim Buche. "By examining
owner profiles and buying patterns, we’re able to identify significant trends, and our member companies put that information
to practical use in their day-to-day business strategies - all of which contribute to the industry’s continuing growth
and prosperity."
Key findings of the new Motorcycle/ATV Owner Survey include:
· Motorcycles are more mainstream than ever. Since 1998, there
has been a 34 percent increase in the number of motorcycles - estimated to be about 8.8 million motorcycles - in use in the
United States.
· You go girl. Women are increasingly becoming part of the
motorcycling landscape. Female motorcycle ownership is up to nearly 10% of the total motorcycle owner population. The percent
of female ownership increased from 6.4 percent in 1990 to 9.6 percent in 2003.
· Motorcyclists bring home the bacon, and then some. The median
household income of owners exceeds that of the U.S. population as a whole.
· To have and to hold on. More than half of motorcycle owners
are married.
· More people on two wheels than ever before. 24 million people
in the United States rode a motorcycle at least once in 2003.
· Bikes are shiny and new. Of all the motorcycles in use in
2003, 43% were purchased new, up from 33% in 1998.
· Riders are older and wiser. More motorcyclists today have
college degrees and work in "white collar" jobs. The median age of today’s rider is 42, up from 38 in 1998. 29% of today’s
riders have college degrees, compared to 23% in 1998.
· Who spends the most? Sportbike owners spend significantly
more on aftermarket purchases, including tires, repairs and maintenance, replacement parts, accessories and modifying equipment,
and riding apparel.
The report is based on a sweeping national telephone survey conducted on behalf of the MIC by Irwin Broh &
Associates. The firm surveys 2,000 households that own motorcycles/ATVs and 2,000 non-owning households. Trends are identified
by comparing this year’s data with that of surveys conducted in 1998, 1990, 1985, and 1980. The current report reflects
information gathered over 12 months, from October 2002 through September 2003. |
IRVINE, Calif., Jan. 21, 2005 – New motorcycle sales continued
to climb last year, rising through the one million mark and reaching levels not seen since the 1970s. The Motorcycle Industry
Council is currently estimating 2004 two-wheeler sales of nearly 1,050,000, and the upward trend continues as the industry
has sold increasing numbers of bikes for the 12th straight year.
Compared with 2003, sales of the major brands last year rose 4.7 percent. Among those 12 brands, cruiser models, sportbikes,
touring bikes, traditional (or “naked”) bikes, and dual-purpose bikes led the way in percentage increases. Cruisers
remained the top sellers, followed by sportbikes and touring bikes.
“The success of motorcycling over the past twelve years is amazing,” said Larry Little, chairman of the MIC
and vice president and publisher of Cycle World magazine. “Through years of economic challenges, veteran riders, new
riders, Americans from all walks of life have made motorcycling part of their lives. Our research tells us that today’s
motorcyclists tend to have a more optimistic view of life, and that’s played a role in new bike sales.”
“A wider range of Americans are becoming motorcyclists,” said Tim Buche, MIC president. “Women now account
for nearly ten percent of owners, more families with kids are out riding dirt bikes, and even more seniors are enjoying two-wheel
travel. As motorcycling becomes more and more part of the fabric of mainstream America, with overall consumer confidence on
the rise, and with more and more people taking a look at motorcycles as viable transportation and excellent recreation, we
are optimistic that the industry will continue its great ride.”
Sales in 2003 hovered at the one million mark, with the MIC reporting most of last year that the total was approximately
996,000. Last month’s final tally of 2003 sales indicated that just over one million units were sold, when small, independent
brands were factored in.
Year Total
1992 278,000
1993 293,000
1994 306,000
1995 309,000
1996 330,000
1997 356,000
1998 432,000
1999 546,000
2000 710,000
2001 850,000
2002 936,000
2003 1,001,000
U.S.
New Unit Motorcycle Sales – Source: Motorcycle Industry Council
The motorcycle industry last saw this level of success in the 1970s, when baby boomers and their children took to dirt
bikes and highly affordable imports, mostly from the major Japanese manufacturers. The year recognized by the MIC as having
the highest number of new bike sales is 1973, when Americans purchased more than 1.5 million motorcycles. Before 2003, the
last time that motorcycle sales eclipsed one million was 1979.
Sales tapered throughout the 1980s, and reached their nadir in 1992, when roughly 278,000 new motorcycles and scooters
found buyers. Today, the industry sells more than that number in dirt bikes alone. Annual motorcycle sales began their sustained
rise in 1993, and made huge gains in the latter part of the decade. In 1998, sales jumped 21 percent compared to the previous
twelve months. In 2000, the market skyrocketed by 30 percent. Motorcycling witnessed double-digit annual percentage increases
between 1998 and 2002.
“So many people at all levels in the motorcycle industry jump-started the business again,” said Ty van Hooydonk,
director of product communications for Discover Today’s Motorcycling. “And the motorcycles have greatly improved
over the past dozen years. The advances in technology applied to bikes has made them that much more enjoyable, really striking
a connection with their riders. Modern materials and methods have opened new doors for styling and design. We’re seeing
bikes on the road today that were dream stuff back in the seventies. And there’s a huge array of bikes on the market
that appeal to all of the expanding buyer segments. There’s a great bike available, and likely a choice of great bikes,
for anyone wanting to ride, regardless of skill level or the type of riding that’s of interest to them.”
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