Faiyaz Sultan

Motorcycle Jargon

A – Z of all Jargons available related to Motorcycles, Enjoy !

A

ABS – 1. Anti-lock braking system. System that senses when a tire is about to loose traction during braking and decreases braking force, preventing tire lock up. 2. The ABS detects when a wheel is not turning and releases pressure to the brake on that wheel, preventing a skid.

Accelerator pump – Extra pump in the carburetor to temporarily increase the amount of fuel delivered to the air stream.

Aerodynamics – In motorcycle context, good aerodynamics means that the motorcycle is designed to have as little resistance from the air as possible. This is essential to achieve great speeds. The manufacturers often make use of wind tunnels during the development of a new motorcycle.

AFFA – Angels Forever Forever Angels

Aftermarket – The sector of the market that sells parts and accessories other than OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer… ie, Honda, BMW, Suzuki, Harley-Davidson, etc.)

Air – 80% nitrogen, 19% oxygen, some carbonic gas and minor trace elements.

Air cooling – Mechanism used to keep the engine at operating temperature by using air flowing over heat sinks (engine fins) to disperse excess heat into the environment directly.

Air fuel ratio – Proportions in which air and fuel are mixed to form a combustible gas.

Airheads – A term for older, air-cooled BMW Boxer Twins.

Air Intake Valves – Reed Valves

Air lock – Similar to vapor lock, a pocket or air develops that blocks the normal flow of a fluid, such as in a hydraulic brake line. Common in two stroke engines when the oil injection system is allowed to run dry.

Alloy – A solid or homogenous solution that is a mixture of two or more metals to create a combined metal with better characteristics for a specific purpose.

Alternator – Modern replacement for the dynamo generator, producing large quantities of alternating current to run the electrical systems of a motorcycle.

AMA – American Motorcycle Association

Ammeter – Gauge that measures amps in electrical current.

Analog gauges – Shows information in a continuous forum, often a dial; often considered the opposite of digital gauges. Old school gauges.

Anch’s or Anchor – Brakes

Anodizing – A technique used to coat the surface of a metal with an oxide layer. It may be used to increase corrosion resistance, increase wear resistance, allow dyeing or prepare the surface for other processes and coatings including paint. Anodization changes the microscopic texture of the surface and can change the crystal structure of the metal near the surface. The process derives its name from the fact that the part to be treated forms the anode portion of an electrical circuit in this electrolytic process.

Apes or Ape Hangers – 1. Handlebars that are very high, and which often raise the rider’s hands above his or her shoulders. High handlebars so Biker’s hands are at or above their shoulder height.. Refers to a handlebar style where the handgrips are located at a higher position, so as to enable the rider’s arms to “hang” Picture “Clyde” from “Every Which Way but Loose” and you’ll get a perfect understanding of the riding position. 2. Very high handlebars. Usually found on choppers. 3. A term coined at the height of the custom-bike movement to describe tall handlebars that forced the rider to reach skyward to graps the controls, making the rider adopt an ape-like posture.
Read the rest here : Motorcycle Jargon

The motorized two-wheeler rider is the one most likely to sustain serious injuries no matter what he hits- a pedestrian, a cat or another vehicle. This is because he is traveling at a speed more than 15 kmph without any protection around, and the human body is not able to tolerate forces generated when the head or any other bone hits hard and rigid objects at speed higher than 15 kmph.

We can avoid accidents by following guidelines:
While driving always carry your driving license and important documents such as your vehicle registration certificate, insurance certificate, road tax and P.U.C certificate
MUST NOT carry more than one pillion rider and he/she MUST sit astride the machine on a proper seat and should keep both feet on the footrests.
Make yourself as visible as possible from the sides as well as the front and rear. You could wear a white or brightly coloured helmet. Wear fluorescent clothing or strips. Dipped headlights, even in good daylight, may also make you more conspicuous.
You should be aware of what is behind and in the sides before maneuvering. Look behind you; use mirrors if they are fitted.
Wear reflective clothing or strips to improve your chances of being seen in the dark.
Never Drink while driving
Follow the traffic signals, lights and signs
Avoid using the cell phone when driving. If urgent move to left, stop and then take the call
Do not ride at high speeds. You may lose control and your life in the bargain
Always use a helmet
Do not ride or wheel your vehicle on to the footpath
Use your lights when riding at night
Understand the signals given by other road users and use the same when riding
Never stop abruptly in traffic. Move to the left and slow down
When passing a stationery vehicle allow sufficient clearance for the car doors which may open suddenly
Do not try and weave your way through stationery or slow moving traffic. It may cause accidents
Slow down at zebra crossing and if needs be stop
Always ride with both hands on the handlebar except when signaling
Don’t sit children on fuel tanks or stand them in front of the rider
Avoid using brakes at turns. If needed, ensure both brakes are applied gently
MUST wear a protective helmet. Helmets MUST comply with the Regulations and they MUST be fastened securely.

Facts about Helmet :
It should not obstruct vision.
It should not impair with hearing.
It should be light weight.
It should not cause fatigue which causes crashes.
It should not cause skin diseases.
It should not increase the probability of neck injuries.
Kinds of helmets to be used :

It should have a thick padding of thermocole- at least 20 mm- which must extend to the sides of the head. A full face helmet is safer by all means.

Components of the helmet and their roles :
The Shell : The shell of a helmet is an injection molded thermoplastic or a pressure molded thermoset that is reinforced with glass fibers or made of fiber glass.
It absorbs energy in an impact:- The shell bends when the helmet is impacted and the underlying foam deforms. At moderate speeds the shell can take one-third of the impact energy.
It distributes local forces from an impact:- Rigid objects like stone or a projecting beam can cause a skull fracture at low forces, the shell acts to distribute the force of such impact eliminating the risk of penetration.
It allows sliding on road surfaces:- The shell being rigid and having a convex shape allows the helmet to slide along a road surface without there being an excessive force.
It protects the face and temples:- Full-face helmet is beneficial in protecting the face and jaw. The chin bar of such helmets contain rigid foam to absorb energy for direct blows on the chin, prevent facial bone fractures and prevent the lower part of the forehead and temple being struck.
The foam liner : This is a molding of polystyrene beads or polyurethane foam. It provides a stopping distance for the head. The foam can compress by 90% during an impact, although it recovers partially afterwards. But this helps increase the stopping distance thus reducing the peak deceleration of the head. It also protects as much as possible of the head.
Proper strapping system : It is essential to wear a well-fitting helmet for the effective working of chinstrap system. To test if the helmet fits your head properly, tightly fasten the chinstrap and then pull helmet off forward by gripping the rear and then pulling. The strap must be threaded correctly so that the buckle locks the strap when it is pulled from the chin side. The strap must be pulled as tight as is bearable under the chin.

Source: Delhi Police