The History of Kawasaki
by Edgar Burt
As with the story of many other motorcycle manufacturing companies, Kawasaki’s history began on entirely different lines. Although by 1949 they were producing engines that could be adapted for motorcycle use, the first real motorbike didn’t appear until 1954. Historically, the company had been involved in heavy industry, including the manufacture of aircraft, ships and trains.
The company’s first offerings were a 60cc two-stroke, and a150cc and 250cc four-stroke respectively, which were developed using German technology. Kawasaki and BMW had enjoyed a close relationship that stemmed from their days as aircraft builders. Meihatsu, a subsidiary of the Kawasaki Aircraft Company, gave its name to the first complete motorbike produced by the company. Around this time, an unsuccessful attempt was made to break into the scooter sector; the Fuji Rabbit and the Mitsubishi Silver Penguin proving too strong an opposition.
In 1960, the company signed a deal with the oldest motorcycle company in Japan, Meguro Motorcycles, whose fortunes had declined since being a major motorcycle manufacturer from their birth in 1937. Having once been regarded as ‘the senior make and king of four-strokes’, Meguro turned away from their British influence with disastrous results. By 1962, their name had disappeared.
Having initially produced low powered machines, Kawasaki, using the knowledge acquired from Meguro, turned their attention towards bigger bikes, and in 1966 produced the W1, a 650cc machine that was heavier and slower than its rivals, so enjoyed limited success. Lighter versions were developed in the shape of the 250cc Samurai and the 350cc A7 Avenger, but again, these machines didn’t capture the imagination of the public.
By 1969, Kawasaki were beginning to get things right, and the introduction of the 500cc H1 kick-started the company’s reputation of quality, high performance machines. Smaller versions were released; the 250cc and 350cc S1’s. A 748cc H2 became available in 1972 and stayed in production until the mid 70’s, when emission laws drew a curtain on the project.
The introduction of the Z1 in 1973, proved a milestone for Kawasaki. At first intended to have a 750cc power unit, the company eventually settled on a 903cc engine, after they had seen Honda reveal their CB750. The Z1, having great performance and a good price, became an instant success and soon became the Z900, with the Z1000 following hot on its heels.
In 1984, the introduction of the GPz900r caused quite a stir. This was in line with the company’s development of liquid cooled, DOHC, 16 valve, four cylinder engines. This power unit combined with a light, compact chassis would carry you across the first 400 metres of your journey in just over ten and a half seconds. It had a top speed of 250km/h and took the title of ‘The World’s Fastest Bike’. It was also named ‘Bike of the Year’ in 1984.
1984 also saw the introduction of Kawasaki’s first Cruiser, the Vulcan 750, whilst the 900cc Eliminator came along a year later, using the engine from the GPz900r. The CS250 (Casual Sports) appeared in the same year, featuring a liquid cooled, DOHC, single cylinder motor.
During the90’s, Japanese motorcycle manufacturers were in serious competition in the Superbike sector, and Kawasaki’s contribution was the 1052cc, ZZR-1100, a motorcycle that was to remain the fastest production bike for the next five years. Its power, combined with a strong frame and good suspension, made it a popular touring machine. In 2002, it was replaced by the ZZR-1200, which offered better handling. A ZZR-600 also entered the fray.
2002 saw the Ninja ZX-12R arrive with an aluminium, monocoque frame, and a 16 valve in line, four cylinder engine.
In 2003, the 638cc, ZX-6R replaced the 1995 version. This completely redesigned machine was all that a fast bike should be; quick and aggressive. The Z1000 appeared as a street bike in this same year. It seemed that Kawasaki was top of the tree.
Their motorcycle history has been relatively short, but Kawasaki have achieved more in that time than some manufacturers have done in a hundred years. It’s no surprise then, that owners stay loyal to the company and the product, as we all wait eagerly for the next exciting development o come along and blow our minds.
Alan Liptrot is the founder of www.motorbike-tours.co.uk Visit the website to claim your free motorcycle e-book Need a good price? check Voit Trick Shot Billiards Table
Article Source: Article Directory
Article: link
What They Don’t Want You to Know about Auto Navigation Systems
by Jack Safford
Auto navigation systems have come such a long way since their inception. It’s hard for many to see the product that exists now and realize exactly how far these devices have come since their origins in the U. S. Armed Forces. The thing to keep in mind and remember is that they still have a long way to go. These devices are far from infallible and still have some serious faults that prohibit us from canning the compass and maps all together.
One thing to keep in mind is that there are almost always problems of some sort with electronic equipment. This is especially true when it comes to equipment that is run by software. If anyone doubts the validity of this statement, check out a computer that is run by Windows? We often find ourselves at the mercy of the limitations of the software we are using. The same holds true when it comes to software driven auto navigation systems and GPS devices. This fact alone makes them a little unreliable. For those times when reliability isn’t at its best keep in mind that for the most part the system works well. It’s just difficult when the times you need it to work well are the times when it is malfunctioning. The good news is that the units themselves are often quite resilient and even able to withstand the manhandling a typical rough and tumble two year old can dish out.
It is also important to keep in mind that GPS technology isn’t meant to replace the use of maps or of common sense when driving. You can only store so much information on a GPS device and roads are constantly being built, changes, constructed, improved, and moved. For that reason alone it is nearly impossible to guarantee that any device will have 100% accurate information at all times. You should however, choose a device or auto navigation systems that allows frequent and simple upgrades to the maps provided. Updating regularly and immediately prior to any large trips will go a long way towards saving some serious hair pulling while you travel.
Another thing to keep in mind with your auto navigation device is that it isn’t all that reliable whenever you don’t have a clear view of the sky. For that reason there may be times when you aren’t able to get a clear signal. Tunnels are a great example of one of those times. It’s not just about one signal, the device must be able to lock onto three satellites at the very least in order to be ’seen’. A fourth satellite is usually required for verification of the data. This means that in some situations where you have a clear view of the sky, you may not be in a position where all four satellites have a clear view of you and more importantly your device.
GPS and auto navigation systems are still a far cry better than trying to read dusty old maps for most of us. Despite that, it is always a good idea to go into a buying situation with all the facts in hand rather than thinking you’ve discovered the next best thing to sliced bread only to find out that the crust is a little hard and crumbly at times. This technology is wonderful and affords many benefits to those who are willing and able to make use of it. It will never sacrifice common sense or map reading skills however and that is important to understand.
Want to find out about gecko food and flying gecko? Get tips from the About Animals website.
Article Source: Article Directory
Article: link
5 Top Tips For A Safe Spring Motorcycle
by Kimberlie Hutson
The clocks have sprung forward, the days are getting longer and the sun is even starting to make the odd guest appearance, it looks like spring is well and truly here with summer just round the corner. For those of you who are fair weather bikers, now is the perfect time to get your beloved motorcycle out of storage and back on the road. If your bike has been stored for a few months, it isn’t advisable to simply jump on and go for a run though, here are a few simple tips to help reinstate your bike to its former glory and make sure you’re good to go.
Tyres: If your bike has been sat all winter, you’ll need to check the tyres and wheels thoroughly. Check for any cracks, bulges or potential weak spots that might develop into a problem. Refer to your owners’ manual to ensure you get the correct tyre pressure. Over inflated tyres will not grip the road sufficiently but under inflated tyres wont be fuel-efficient. You will also need to check the thread on your tyres too. If your bike has been sat all winter there’s a good chance the thread wont have worn away, but if your tyres tread is below 2mm you should try and get it replaced as soon as possible. Remember, spring is a great time of year for your local council to be out repairing roads or carrying out general maintenance. It is very easy to tyres to pick up loose chips of gravel and any other objects which may have been inadvertently left behind and you have two less tyres than most other vehicles on the road to risk being damaged.
Battery: If you removed your bikes battery over the winter to hook it up to a small charge, or just brought it inside to prevent it from freezing too often, hook it back up, giving the terminals a good clean with some warm water and baking soda. If it has been left hooked up all winter, give it a quick charge and check for any cracks which may have resulted in it freezing through the winter. Just give all the cables a quick check, make sure they’re not folded or kinked (or nibbled if its been left still in a garage for a few months)
Lights: The days are getting longer and most of us can go to work and come home in the daylight now, but you still need to check all your lights work. Check not only the headlight but also the indicators and break lights too. Check the beam from the headlight hasn’t been knocked and that all the lights are securely mounted. Check the lenses. Look for any cracks or chips which could develop into cracks. If you notice excessive condensation, it may be a sign of a crack which will need to be addressed.
Oil and lubricants: If your bike has been sat still all winter, it may be best to give it a complete engine oil change before riding out for the first time, especially if this wasn’t done before it went into storage. Never mix old engine oil, break fluid, coolant etc with new, and make sure it’s all fresh. If possible, change the oil filters too. The particles in petrol and diesel will evaporate if left for long enough, this means that even if your left your fuel tank fuel before storing the bike away, the tank may not be full anymore. This could result in condensation forming in the tank which could lead to rust, this is easy to check and can save you a lot of money.
You: Lastly, you need to check yourself. If it’s been a few months since you last rode, make sure all your paper work and documents are up to date. Your insurance company should be notified if any of your details have changes (like your address), check your breakdown cover is still in date too. Your bike may now be in perfect shape, but your riding skills may be a little rusty. Instead of heading straight for some long, bendy country roads, it may be worth spending half an hour in a quiet car park or industrial estate one Sunday morning first. This is also a safer place to make sure your bike is back to its former glory and condition too. Check your helmet and riding clothing. Make sure the helmet hasn’t got any cracks or chips and your eye line is perfectly clear. No matter how nice the weather is, riding without proper leathers or safety clothes can be dangerous. If you had a particularly enjoyable Christmas, double check you can still do your jacket up and breathe at the same time.
Race Lubricants Online Shop offers a great range of motorcycle engine oils and lubricants for all makes and models bikes from trusted brands like Castrol and Redline all competitively priced.
Article Source: Article Directory
Article: link
Auto Navigation Systems: Your Personal Navigator
by Jack Safford
In this day and age of personal assistants, personal shoppers, personal chefs, and all too personal personals it only makes sense that now we have what is jokingly (in many cases) referred to as a personal navigator. Many newer cars, particularly luxury models, are beginning to offer auto navigation systems to drivers as incentives to purchase or as part of luxury packages and upgrades. The idea of that little extra security and luxury is quite appealing to many drivers, especially those of us who could get lost in the mall parking lot if exits weren’t clearly marked.
The truth of the matter is that even if you elect not to pay the premium upgrade costs that car makers are adding to the price tag for the luxury of those devices it is quite possible to have the protection and peace of mind that auto navigation systems afford drivers on even the most meager of driving budgets. Facts are facts and getting lost costs time and money while stopping to ask for directions is a risk in and of itself. If you spend a lot of time on the road you really can’t afford not to have some sort of navigational device to assist you in getting safely and securely to your next destination.
If the fact that you can purchase these devices rather inexpensively isn’t enticing enough for you, I should add that most are quite simple to install yourself. Many of them require nothing more than the ability to stick a suction cup to your windshield and plug an adapter into a cigarette lighter. I did mention that installation was simple didn’t I? For those who would rather have a more elegant look in their automobiles you are perfectly free to pay a lot more for an in dash system and installation by professionals. You can occasionally get a good deal on installation if you purchase an auto navigation system from certain retailers.
You should keep in mind however, that in dash systems tend to cost a great deal more than those you install yourself and you can’t take them with you when you sell or trade the car. For these kinds of systems you need to consider the value to you verses the value improvement to your vehicle. Will the in dash system raise the value of your car when you are ready to trade in your car or will it make no real difference in the value of you car? If the answer to that is no, then it may be a poor decision from a financial point of view. However, if having a system that isn’t part of the dash will lower your perceived value of your automobile then it is a worthy investment. Ultimately, you are the only one that can determine whether this is worth the price and the investment.
If you decide not to go with an in dash auto navigation system you might be delighted to know that there are a world of options available to you. Not only do you have the stand-alone navigation systems that are already loaded with all the data and information necessary to operate but you may also choose software and hardware that can be added to your PDA or laptop as well as handheld navigational units that can be upgraded to operate as mapping units in addition to basic GPS units.
When all is said and done you must decide which type of auto navigation system you want for your car and your lifestyle. Decide what your actual navigation assistance needs are and choose the device and assistance that is best for your family. If you’ve ever been hopelessly and utterly lost I believe you will agree that there really is no price too great to pay in order to never experience that feeling again. I know I am perfectly willing to pay top price for my personal navigation assistant, though I will continue to search for the best possible bargain for my navigational dollar.
Read about miniature bulldogs and old english bulldogs at the About Animals website.
Article Source: Article Directory
Article: link
Run Your Car On Water - 3 Common Mistakes That Kill The Dream
by Angelo Parrino
Have you ever thought about trying out one of those hho kits that is supposed to allow you to convert your car to burn water as fuel (in addition to gasoline) and double your mileage?
If you have, your not alone. Thousands of people around the world have also tried this and yes many of them have succeeded at running their cars on water in addition to gas to increase their vehicles mileage dramatically.
The ones that didn’t usually ran into one of the following top 3 “avoidable” problems that commonly kill the run your car on water dream prematurely:
1: Bulky Units That Don’t Fit Under The Hood.
When you pick a hydrogen power cell generator to run your car on water with, make sure it fits under your hood before you purchase it or put it together. Many of the do-it-yourself water hybrid manuals out there teach people to construct a hydrogen generator that is simply too large to fit in the available space in most newer cars. Imagine buying or putting together one of these power cell devices and then finding out it’s useless because of your car’s space limitations. This occurs more commonly with hydrogen generator units made from mason jars and water filter housings. A proper hho generator should be small enough to squeeze into even the smallest spaces in your engine area and should be customizable to a certain degree. To be sure, measure the available space under your hood and try to stick to the slimmest, least bulky (but quality) system, especially if you have space restrictions.
2: The Use Of Confusing Electrical Diagrams Instead Of Real Photo Examples In Their Instructions For Building The Hho Unit.
Electrical diagrams can turn even the easiest jobs into a seemingly confusing ordeal. Make sure the hho conversion kit or diy guide you pick incorporates real pictures in it, that illustrate every step as you go. Even better, choose one that comes with instructional videos, so you can accomplish the task with confidence, not confusion. In reality, building a hho generator to effectively use water for fuel is moderately easy. It’s just so unfortunate, when some of these water hybrid conversion guides make it harder than it has to be by using outdated methods such as electrical diagrams and instructions that aren’t detailed enough which causes many individuals to just stop trying and give up.
3: No Customer Support.
The third most common mistake made by do-it-yourself water hybrid hopefuls is choosing a water car conversion system that offers no customer support. If you can’t contact the creator of an hho system to get a few of your questions answered, you may want to think twice about their credibility. A good way to make sure is to send them an email with a technical question about their system. If they answer your question with a real response / solution to your problem, they probably have good customer support. If they don’t answer or just email you back aggressively trying to sell you the product but not really answering your question, odds are they’re not interested in your success with this, and they just care about the sale. I have found that the programs that provide great customer support are also the ones that explain everything well enough (in their system) so that you don’t have any questions in the first place. A win, win.
Being aware of the 3 most common problems that impede most people’s success with run your car on water systems can separate you from the masses of people who have concluded it’s impossible or impractical to pull this off. It truly feels wonderful when you successfully get past all the hurdles and are able to show off your cool hybrid car to your friends and family. However, when you make wiser choices in the beginning, it can be like taking away the hurdles completely.
Hopefully, the suggestions mentioned here will help you realize that turning your car into a water burning hybrid can work for you. You can succeed when you know what your doing and choose the right system. One that is easy to understand and assemble, will fit in your vehicle and provides great customer support, just in case you run into any problems.
Angelo Parrino has been helping ordinary people use practical renewable fuel systems in their vehicles since 2001 by debunking the over hyped under achieving kits and uncovering real systems proven to work. Before you convert your car to run on water, get informed by learning which kits really work and why at: http://www.runyourcaronwater.com
Article Source: Article Directory
Article: link