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...

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 maintenance Why tire...

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...

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" does Why a "fork seal leak" is such a huge issue 3 nasty side effects of a fork seal leak Resources: What Is a Fork Seal Leak, And Why Is It a HU...

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 happen Resources:  "5 Common...

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 o...

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 other How much travel your shock absorber should have H...

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 carburetor Resources: The Dual Wheel Journey article - " No...

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 is 3 common reasons for an engine seizure Differences between a soft vs. hard engine seizure   Resources: The Dual Wheel Journey article - "Engine Seizure - Wh...

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 determined What a "sprocket ratio" is - and how to determine it How sprocket sizes matter Resources: The Dual Wheel Journey article - " Motorcycle Sprocket Sizes & Sprocket Ratio Demystified" 30 Minute Motorcycling Episode #35:  How a Motorcycle...

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 y...

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 work A very basic introduction to electromagnetism - and, more importantly, what it has to do with ignition coils 2 different types of 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)...

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 chain How an incorrect valve timing can destroy your engine 4 cam chain and valve timing FAQS...

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 means Why 50cc scooters are restricted (and not their 125cc or 250+ counterparts) 2 examples of d...

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 does Differences between "single-sided" and "double-sided" swingarms How the length of your swingarm matters Resources: The Dual Whe...

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 tools One tool that you're better off NOT getting A genius tool you've probably never heard of before Resources: 30 Minute Motorcycling Epis...

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 systems Why water inside you...

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 -...

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 starte...

If you're having issues with your motorcycle or scooter's electrical system, it might seem like it's been cursed. Well, it isn't - there's a reason why you're having these problems. And in this episode, we'll explore some of those reasons and their meaning. Tune in to discover:  5 common electrical issues - and why they happen Resources: 30 Minute Motorcycling Po...

Most tools can be categorized, but some tools are so special that they have their own distinct category. Fittingly, this category is known as "specialty tools," and this episode is all about them. Tune in to discover: What makes a tool as "specialty tool" 4 examples of specialty tools Whether specialty tools are worth getting Resources: Venhill.co.uk article - "Motorcycle...

Winter is coming...and if you live in the frost belt area of the world, you'll need to winterize your motorcycle or scooter. But if you're brand new to the two-wheeler world, perhaps you're unsure  why you need to do this. And if you are, this is the episode for you. Tune in to discover: What "winterizing" actually means - and what it does NOT mean The two most common reas...

 Telling you that tire pressure is vital is entirely redundant - so I won't. But even so, there are still a few common questions about tire pressure, such as: What is tire pressure measured in? How often should I check my tire pressure Why do my tires lose pressure in the first place? Tune in to discover: 6 common questions about tire pressure

Whether you're buying your very first tools or adding to your already impressive tool collection, I have a few tips to make sure you get the best possible tools - no matter if you're on a tight budget or not. Tune in to discover: My 6 tips to get the best possible tools for your money Resources: The Dual Wheel Journey blog post "6 Tips When Shopping for Tools"