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Captain Reports
August Newsletter 2005
Substitute Captain Report for July 10th
Vasco called in SICK, so our President David took over thr ride. He went on old route
66 to the 215 exited at Highway 138. Some of our riders hadn’t been on that part of
the Route 66, it was a first time for them. Then we headed up the hill, turned left on
Lone Pine Canyon rd. it is a good roads with some twistes to Wrightwood. We ate at
the Yodeler, it was a short ride and about 18 bikes.
Written by Pete Aker
Vasco called in SICK, so our President David took over thr ride. He went on old route
66 to the 215 exited at Highway 138. Some of our riders hadn’t been on that part of
the Route 66, it was a first time for them. Then we headed up the hill, turned left on
Lone Pine Canyon rd. it is a good roads with some twistes to Wrightwood. We ate at
the Yodeler, it was a short ride and about 18 bikes.
Written by Pete Aker
Continue from page 1
Flat Tires
By Rick Long
If you are riding down the road and the bike starts to feel like the front-end is shaking or like the rear
suspension has broken, you probably have a rear-wheel flat. Odd that the front-end sometimes feels
funny but I’ve actually pulled off the road, checked the front for problems, gotten back on the bike
and rode off only to continue to feel the same front-end shimmy. I quickly stopped again and further
inspection of the machine revealed the back-tire’s “flat as a pancake� status and my total
embarrassment.
If you think you have a flat tire, immediately start to slow the bike by releasing the throttle and pulling in
the clutch. You can use the front brake but reducing speed too quickly may stop the bike before you are
ready to hold it up at it’s new lower height. Be ready for the bike to feel differently and move less
easily with a flat tire.
Flats on a motorcycle are almost always on the rear wheel. The front tire is more tapered than the rear
and seems to guide objects toward the back tire. A front-wheel flat makes the bike extremely hard to
control since the bike cannot be steered easily. The key to success here may be to stay alert so you can
quickly recognize that you have a problem, not be surprised by the event, and avoid panic. Immediately
start getting your speed down in a controlled manner and apply pressure to the handlebars to keep them
pointed in the direction you need to go to get off to the side of the roadway. Countersteering won’t
work anymore since the front tire has lost its’ shape. Low-speed handling techniques apply here.
Think about how your tricycle handlebars worked as a kid and you’ll have the concept.
Before you have a flat is good time to review your emergency towing club membership and make certain
it covers motorcycles. Many clubs charge an extra fee for this and standing on the side of the road with
your helmet in your hand is not the time to find this out. Now is also a good time to check your tire
repair kit and see that it is in good working order and that you know how to use it.
A little extra time to check the tire pressure during your pre-ride inspection and a bit of fore-thought
about what to do in the case of a flat tire could save you from an unfortunate incident.