Over the past five decades, the life of ball bearings has greatly increased. In fact, from its 1973 levels, the life span has improved a hundred times. This is partly due to the use of vacuum-induction-melted, vacuum-arc-remelted (VIM-VAR) AISI M-50 steel and improved oil filtration for angular contact ball bearings. An enhancement in the composition of lubricants that includes advanced EHD oil film thickness between bearing components has improved ball bearing performance and efficiency.

Ball bearings are used in machines and in wheels of vehicles like motorcycles, bikes and skateboards. Most modern wheel bearings last a long time. But, as it is with the principle of wear and tear, it also depends on how much pressure the bearings get from use and how extensive your maintenance activities are. For example, the ball bearings in a high-mileage dirt bike may not last as long in highly maintained vehicles. Cleaning the wheels with high pressure water can also contribute to the damage. Rust and dirt dry up the ball bearings and cause more friction that eventually wears them out.

To ensure that you maximize the life span of the ball bearings, you must be vigilant with maintenance. Most ball bearings were lubricated in the factory. Over time, the bearings lose those lubricants to the elements. Usually, a little grease will do the trick. Other times, a total overhaul is needed to change the bearings. Keep in mind that ball bearings are subjected to large amounts of pressure. Ease their burden by lessening friction. Be generous with the lubricants and always clean your wheels.

Bearings are tough and they give out warning signs before they totally collapse. Watch out for the faint clunking noise and creaking sounds they may make. Feel also for grittiness or lumps when you turn the wheel. If they are not smooth, you will know the ball bearings need lubrication.

Too many queries are made and we need real answers. In motorcycles, overwhelming questions are given especially on motorcycle parts. One motorcycle part that needs elucidation is tire.

Here are few of the frequently asked questions about tires:

1. Why are new tires better?

First, new tires are better because it is organic and it decomposes. Second because the older the tire gets, the more it is exposed to outgassing. Outgassing makes the tire brittle.

2. What’s the right tire age?

In essence, the principle is the newer the tire the better. However, to make a tire last longer the tire’s age is of lesser importance. But be careful not to buy tires which are over six or seven years old. You will be able to know their date of manufacturing by searching for the three or four-digit number stamped in the tire’s sidewall. For instance, 2101 stands for 21st week of 2001 - which is its manufacturing date.

3. What are size and pressure?

Run the bike in the recommended tire pressure. It is so simple. You just have to stick to the manufacturers guidelines. That is the safest and the best thing that you can do. Nevertheless, you can have some deviations depending on your desired performance. Moreover, you have to check tire pressure regularly.

4. What will I do in case of a flat tire?

Motorcycle tires swerve from more directions. Unlike car tires, motorcycle tire has only the other tire to prevent it from falling. Thus, the best thing to do in case of a flat tire is to replace it and not just plug it.

5. When is there a need for replacement?

It depends. Front tires may still shot even when there is still ample rubber. In fact, they may still look good even if they have gone through considerable heat cycles. They can also cup or scallop when already having uneven surface. This is the best time to replace them.

6. When to buy a tire?

Buying tires must be made at reputable motorcycle stores. These stores have already established their names and services. You can also order online. But this remedy is a gamble because it will not guarantee that you will be getting newly manufactured tires. When you buy tires personally, you have the opportunity to choose the freshest tire in the store. You also have the chance to compare prices and quality.

There seems to be an endless stream of idiotic things professional athletes do. I guess if you put a bunch of young men together, give them a boat-load of money and lots of free time, what can you expect? When beautiful women, the media and the luxuries of life are thrown at them, their cockiness and stupidity are only amplified. Here are my top ten, but of course there are lots more. However, we must always remember, they are only human too.

1. Me Make Good Play!

Ever see NFL players beat their chest like a gorilla after they just made a good play? I guess it’s a Tarzan thing or something, but they look kinda ridiculous. Maybe if I was out there on the field and I was a 170-pound kicker watching a defensive lineman beating his chest after a sack, I may be a little intimidated, but overall, they look really silly doing it. (I attended a professional all-women’s football game this year and saw a 350- pound woman do this, which was particularly scary.)

2. The God Factor, Part I

I hate it when players point up to Heaven and thank God after a good play too. Bear in mind however, that I am not criticizing religion or anyone for having faith in God. But this just looks lame. It happens a lot in MLB for some reason. A strikeout will cause Pedro Martinez to do the chest-touch and double-index- finger-point to God as if he and God were chatting earlier about possible pitching strategies in the locker room, and the strategy they chose together worked, so he had to personally thank God using his direct line.

3. The God Factor, Part II

Locker rooms, sidelines, dugouts, bullpens, and court sides are often full of praying men. One question: “If you are praying to win, and your opponent is praying to win, who does God choose?

4. Bad Boys, Bad Boys, Whatcha Gonna Do When They Come For You?

Why do pro jocks get arrested for drug and/or gun possession so much? Of course, lots of people do this one unfortunately, we just happen to hear about the famous athletes who do. C’mon guys, keep the drugs at home, stop driving while high, and for crying out loud, stop packin’! You don’t need a gun. Who’s going to harm you? You’re six six and weigh 275 pounds!

5. It Wasn’t Me!

Telling Congress you don’t do steroids, then getting caught doing steroids is pretty dumb. I loved watching the clips where Rafael Palmero sat pointing a finger at the Congressional hearing stating with disgust and confidence, “I do not take steroids.” And then the next clip showing him apologizing profusely for taking steroids.

6. I Love You To Death

Murdering ex-lovers doesn’t happen very often fortunately, but my list wouldn’t be complete without at least mentioning O.J.

7. Rabbits

It seems that there are a lot of NBA players out there who use the phrase, “My baby’s mom” a little too often. And there’s too many pro athletes’ offspring introducing their buddies as “My brother from another mother.” Ever hear of a condom?

If you are a motorbike lover, make sure you invest in motorbike insurance that will cover yourself and your machine before hitting the road – figuratively speaking of course.

Don’t settle for just any motorbike insurance. Make a list of questions and needs that you have and then call several companies to compare their services. Visit with agents to see if they are people you can work with and feel comfortable trusting. Look online to find out the company’s history and see if there are negative comments and reports floating around. Most importantly, talk to your friends and family about their experiences with insurance companies.

There are some things that you need to make sure stay consistent when you are getting quotes:

Motorbike model: The year and make of your motorbike will be one of the largest factors in determining the cost of your insurance premium.

Amount of coverage: Insurance companies will only pay out market value incase of an accident, so make sure that you are only pricing coverage for that amount.

Deductibles: There are varying degrees for deductibles, so make sure you keep the number consistent when getting quotes from different companies.

Extras: If one quote includes roadside assistance, then make sure they all do. The little things can make a big difference in the final quote.

Discounts: Insurance companies typically give discounts to drivers for good driving records, taking special safety courses, or having multiple insurance policies from one company. Make sure you get all the same discounts when comparing rates.

Shopping for motorbike insurance can be almost as tricky as shopping for that first bike. To make sure that you compare oranges to oranges – the rates are on the exact same products – keep a list of the terms you have been getting quoted right at hand.

After you get all the numbers crunched, add in the personal factor. No matter how good the rate, motorbike insurance doesn’t do you any good if you can’t get the company to respond to your claim. When you find a company that you can trust, an agent that you feel comfortable with, and a rate that you can afford then your motorbike insurance will make your biking experience a dream and not a nightmare.

So you want to ride a bike, huh? Good for you. There are few kinds of pure freedom left in the world, and there’s almost nothing like the raw exhilaration of getting your bike out on a blue sky, sunny day. Like the thrill of baseball, or the importance of gourmet cooking, it’s not something that can be explained. You really do have to experience it for yourself. Once you do, though, you’ll know what drew you to your bike in the first place, and how some men and women devote their entire lives and fortunes into riding. But first, before you even take your first ride, there’s an obstacle to cross:

You don’t know a damn thing about riding.

That’s all right, though, and we can help you, at least in learning your way around a bike. The mechanical parts of a bike aren’t that much different from the parts of a car: they both have shock absorbers, mufflers, and the several different parts of the internal combustion engine that spins the wheels. They both have headlights, and taillights, although there’s a vast difference in size. And they both have seats. You knew all this, already, huh? Well, here are a few other parts you might not know:

The sissie bar: This is the loop or rectangle of metal at the back of the rider’s seat, just above and before the saddlebags and rear wheel hood. Its sometimes coated in leather, sometimes in chrome, but it’s invaluable for newbie riders: it’s what they hold onto when the bike goes forward. Seriously. Biker parlance tells you that holding on is for sissies, hence the name.

Throttle, clutch, and brake handles: On most motorcycles, the throttle – or ignition – is mounted on the right side handlebar, and is turned either backwards or forwards to achieve thrust. The brake is on the left hand side and also depends on a foot pedal. The clutch, which shifts gears much like a standard transmission, is mounted on either side (again depending on the model). Steering – and this is important – is achieved by turning the handlebars and leaning to either side. Not to patronize, but again, the throttle is on the right, the brakes on the left. Please don’t ever confuse them.

Leathers: The leather jackets, riding chaps, and sometimes caps or hats worn by bikers to protect them from the elements and provide a certain amount of protection in the event of a crash. After the bike itself, the leathers are almost always a true biker’s most cherished possession, and a kind of record keeping: you can tell the rider’s history by the scuffs, marks, and tears of his leather. In recent years, certain synthetic leathers have come very, very close to approximating the real thing, but they may never be a true substitute.