The Hoo-Ha Special
Project Bike

The plan was to build a light and fast bike to run the Maxton Mile out of parts found around the shop. At the time the project was named "Light & Fast" but as the build was under way, and many long hours were passing, we no longer asked for tools or parts by name. We just said "hand me that hoo-ha" or "where the hell, did I put that hoo-ha" so...the bike became known as "The Hoo-Ha Special". The Hoo Ha Special had a great run at Maxton, topping out at about 114 mph. This is with street gearing.

Mark and Pat plan on making a few changes to get the numbers up including a new brake set-up with a changeable rear sprocket. With these new additions, our competitors at the track better watch out - The Hoo-Ha is no joke.

We'd like to extend a special thanks to Bingo at GarageBoyz.com magazine for featuring this project in the Winter 2009 Issue.  If you haven't done so, please check out the Garageboyz.com website and newsletter.  You'll find a lot of great articles about Biker culture and lots of photos of interesting badass bikes and classic cars.

The car was invented to liberate people from the confines of time and distance. While the horse and cart had somewhat of a head start in terms of providing access to personalised transport, once the automobile was unveiled to the world, there really was no looking back.

Today, there are some thirty million vehicles on UK roads alone, 90% of which are privately owned cars; so it's fair to say that as far as inventions go, the automobile is up there among the best of them.

However, with road congestion, petrol costs, parking restrictions and general maintenance costs, private four-wheeled transport may not be the most viable option of getting from A to B anymore, especially at a time when many people are watching their pennies closer than ever.

So, what other options do people have of getting around? Public transport can be good at times, but city traffic and unreliable timetables can cause a great deal of frustration for those who are in a hurry to get places. Then there are bicycles which, again, can be an option where there are expansive networks of cycle paths, but this is a mere pipedream for countless conurbations across the country. Motorcycles, on the other hand, strike the right balance between the car and the bicycle.

First of all, there is agility. Motorbikes can weave in and out of the longest of traffic jams, whilst they can also tuck neatly into the tightest of parking spaces.

Then, there are the cost implications. Given that motorcycles can bypass traffic jams, they are less likely to sit for extended periods of time burning petrol whilst simultaneously going nowhere.

Furthermore, it's estimated that motorbikes consume around fifty percent less fuel per mile travelled than their four-wheeled counterparts, which works out at a considerable amount of money for those who rely on motorised transport on a daily basis. In fact, the savings made from petrol alone could well cover the cost of buying the motorcycle in the first place.

If the cheap - or sometimes free - parking is taken into account, along with the fact that they are easier and less expensive to maintain due to having less mechanical parts than a car, then getting hold of a motorcycle really starts to look like a good idea.

As with cars, it's still a legal necessity to have adequate motorbike insurance in place. The good news here, again, is that motorcycle insurance is generally less expensive than car insurance which is yet one more reason to consider switching from four wheels to two wheels.

Adam Singleton writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.

Before you shop for a street motorcycle, it's a good idea to understand what type of bike will suit you best. In addition to making your search more efficient, it can help reduce potential disappointment by matching you with a bike that meets your expectations in terms of comfort, and type of riding you will do.

If you understand the posture used to ride each type of street motorcycle, as well as their primary uses, you'll be able to make a wiser decision. Also, keep in mind that each type of motorcycle has subcategories. For example, choppers are a form of cruiser, and sport touring bikes are a hybrid of touring and sport bikes. Once you've chosen a bike category, perhaps the easiest way to decide which subcategory of motorcycle best suits you is to visit at your local dealership, and take a few for a test drive.

Types of street motorcycles

Cruiser - From 1969's "Easy Rider" to today's Orange County Chopper, the cruiser is revered by many as the epitome of cool. Cruisers first appeared after World War II, when servicemen began stripping non-functional parts from motorcycles just for sport. Designed primarily for laid-back riding, rather than long-distance riding, the motorcycle cruiser usually conjures images full of attitude. The most popular subcategory of the cruiser is the infamous chopper, which has an extended front fork and rake when compared to a standard motorcycle cruiser.

• Posture - The feet-forward, hands-up riding position of a cruiser allows your spine to rest erect, or slightly backward, similar to the riding position of a cowboy.
• Use - The performance advantage offered by a cruiser or chopper is an improved feeling of stability at high speeds which makes it more conducive for long-distance riding. However, the design lends itself to some compromise of control and limited turning ability, especially when compared to a sport bike.

• Posture - On a sport bike, you are required to lean into the wind, with your feet tucked and the center of gravity over the tank. As long as the bike is traveling at highway speeds, air pressure will support your upper torso, reducing wind resistance.  At lower speeds, your arms must support you, which can cause your wrists to tire quickly. In addition, the leaning position can impair visibility and make it difficult to walk the bike in high traffic areas.
• Uses - Of the three primary types of street motorcycles, the sport bike is the least practical for everyday road use. Sport bikes are best suited for riders that prefer a motorcycle ready for high-speed, high performance track duty, and short-term, highway driving. Although the advanced suspension system found on a high-performance sport bike offers improved stability and durability, these motorcycles usually have fewer comfort accessories.

• Posture - On a touring bike, you sit slightly forward. Although this permits for better visibility, as well as foot maneuverability, extended high-speed riding can put strain on your wrists and lower back.
• Use - Touring motorcycles were built for comfortable, long-distance riding in mind, which is a major benefit for long-term use. Performance minded bikers may see the standard performance of a touring bike as a disadvantage. However, these bikes handle well. In addition, due to the design, touring bikes tend to be the most comfortable option for older riders.

Once you've decided on a new motorcycle, regardless of the make, model or color, the only thing you may be missing is the funds to pay for it. Apply for a motorcycle loan from a company like Nationwide for affordable interest rates and flexible terms. Also, be sure to protect your new investment with a comprehensive motorcycle insurance policy that keeps you, and your new ride covered. Melanie Broemsen is a professional writer and content specialist at Rosetta, one of the top 10 interactive agencies in the U.S. Broemsen has a degree in Public Relations from Kent State University and more than 10 years of experience in Web marketing. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Melanie_Broemsen

WE WILL BE OUT OF THE SHOP & NOT PROCESSING ORDERS TILL AUGUST 3, 2010!