Spectro Oils of America is proud to once again be asked to support the AMA 6-Day ISDE Team.  This always-demanding event will be held in the Kotka‐Hamina region in southern Finland, running from the 8th to 13th of August, 2011. The International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) is the world’s largest annual off-road motorcycle competition. Since 1913, countries have sent their best off-road racers to exotic locations around the world to be tested on everything from sandy beaches to rocky crevices to deep woods to motocross tracks for the event’s top prize: the ISDE World Trophy.

This year the team will face six days of grueling riding over varied and demanding terrain, and the strains placed on the bike are tremendous. The lubricants must withstand shearing and thermal breakdown, and be able to perform despite the dirt, sand, dust, water, mud and extreme heat of the race — and never fail to provide maximum performance — for six consecutive days!

Spectro is proud to have delivered on that performance promise, 6-Day after 6-Day, year after year.

How would you like to score  a set of motorcycle tires from Avon Tyre? Send in your submission of why your deserving of an Ultimate Biker Makeover and the tires could be yours along with TONS of other gear/parts

Avon has been making high quality tyres since 1904, tyres that fit all sorts of cars and motorbikes, vans and trailers. And over the years Avon has not only proved itself on the road but also on the racetracks of the world, on two wheels as well as four.

Today, Avon’s century of tyre-making experience is combined with the very latest design and manufacturing technology. Add in a punishing test regime and you can see why Avon makes tyres of unparalleled quality and ability.

Our Friends at 146 Supply Center in Millbury Mass were kind enough to clue us in on what we need to do for that annual spring time lawn care.

We were informed that as soon as the ground dries up a little you need to determine if your lawn needs dethatched, essentially removing the dead grass from your lawn.

There are typically two ways to dethatch your lawn:

1. Manually with a leaf rake, garden rake, or thatching rake.

2. with a Power Dethatcher (vertical cutter shown in the image).

Smaller to medium sized lawns can be manually dethatched, assuming that you have the time.

If you don’t own the power equipment you can rent from local shops or hire a company to do this for you.

Once you are finished, be sure to remove all thatch and debris from your lawn. Unlike aerating, dethatching is almost strictly for the removal of thatch and debris. Removal can usually be done with a simple leaf rake.

Once your lawn is dethatched, it is usually a great time to fertilize your lawn and/or reseed it. Remember, the greater the cut into the soil and thatch removal, the greater the soil exposure, especially to the grass roots. If you decide to reseed, follow-up by ranking the suspended seeds into the soil, add fertilizer, and apply a light covering of matter and/or sand. Additionally, it is a good idea to give your lawn extra watering after dethatching, especially during times of high heat and droughts.

A final note: Dethatching is NOT a pretty process. It is analogist to the old saying, “Out of chaos comes harmony.” The deeper the blades cut into your lawn, the more stress, and hence, the greater the recovery time for your lawn. In short, your lawn can look pretty bad after a deep power thatching. But remember, if you dethatch just prior to the grass’s prime growing season, then it should recover rather quickly and you will soon be enjoying a beautiful full plush green lawn, now doesn’t that sound perfect after this crazy ass winter we just had?

Ford Motor Company has received two patents related to SmartGauge with EcoGuide, an innovative instrument cluster for hybrid owners. The technology provides real-time information to help change driving behaviors and help maximize fuel efficiency.

The first patent was awarded earlier this year and covers EcoGuide, the display of leaves and vines that “reacts” to short-term driving habits and coaches drivers in a way that helps them achieve the best fuel economy. The second patent – awarded March 1 – covers the power threshold gauge that measures and displays power demand at any given moment.

“Increasing gas prices have people paying more attention to the fuel economy a vehicle offers, but rarely do they look at their own driving habits to help boost miles per gallon,” said David Watson, research engineer and part inventor of SmartGauge with EcoGuide. “These patents are a symbol of Ford’s commitment to finding ways to positively change driving behaviors to help maximize fuel efficiency.”

SmartGauge with EcoGuide features two 4.3-inch full-color liquid crystal display (LCD) screens on either side of the analog speedometer that can be configured to show different levels of information, including fuel and battery power levels, and average and instant miles per gallon.

The power threshold gauge is important, Watson explained, because it shows how close a vehicle is to switching from electric-only mode to blended mode. With that information, the driver may adjust driving behavior to try and keep the vehicle in electric-only mode.

Taking a design cue from the Ford hybrid leaf logo, Ford graphic designers developed an animation of growing leaves and vines that track and reward a driver’s efficiency.

Called EcoGuide, the function also displays how many miles per gallon a vehicle is getting at any given moment and estimates how many more miles a vehicle has until it runs out of fuel.

“These two parts contribute to the overall purpose of SmartGauge with EcoGuide, which is to help drivers instantaneously achieve maximum fuel economy,” said Gil Portalatin, hybrid applications manager.

SmartGauge with EcoGuide is available on Ford Fusion Hybrid and Lincoln MKZ Hybrid.

The feature allows drivers to choose one of four data screens including:

Inform: This is the basic level of information such as fuel level and battery charge status

Enlighten: The default display mode, this screen displays what mode the vehicle is operating in and instantaneous fuel economy; it includes a tachometer

Engage: This screen includes a gauge that shows gasoline and electric power use

Empower: This level gives a full range of hybrid information that allows drivers to monitor the level of their driving efficiency

All levels show engine coolant temperature and the gear the vehicle is in. Also, they are customizable to show instant fuel economy; fuel economy history; odometer and trip data, including trip fuel economy; long-term fuel economy and miles to empty. And while most competitive vehicles have some of this information in the center stack, Ford has made it user-friendly, conveniently located right in front of the driver on the instrument panel.

Ford researchers, designers and engineers collaborated with IDEO and Smart Design, two world leaders in helping consumers connect with technology, as well as automotive electronics technology supplier Johnson Controls to design and develop the unique instrument cluster.

Watson said these are just the first two patents that SmartGauge with EcoGuide has earned, and that he expects the technology will earn more.

Ford is committed to providing fuel-efficient vehicles for drivers around the globe. Record investment in new engines, six-speed transmissions and new fuel-saving technologies such as EcoBoost™, twin independent variable camshaft timing and electric power-assisted steering has raised the fleet average fuel economy performance for Ford vehicles faster and at a greater percentage than any major automaker, according to a report from the EPA.

In total, Ford has 12 vehicles including cars, utilities and crossovers in the U.S. that lead their sales segments in fuel economy – a number no other automaker matches. Ford also offers four vehicles with 40 mpg or better in city driving.

By Daniel McCoy, WBJ Biz Talk

Big Dog Motorcycles in Wichita is ceasing production and converting into a parts manufacturer and distributor, according to sources in the custom motorcycle industry.

Rick Fairless, whose Texas-based dealership, Strokers Dallas, sells Big Dog motorcycles, on Tuesday confirmed with the WBJ comments he made to Dealernews.com.

Fairless says he has spoken with Big Dog owner Sheldon Coleman who told him the bank took over and production has been stopped for good. Coleman plans to create a new business that makes and sells parts to Big Dog owners and dealers, Fairless says.

Coleman did not immediately return calls seeking comment on Tuesday. Company president Mike Simmons was unavailable to speak.

Fairless says the news from Coleman wasn’t good, but it wasn’t completely unexpected either.

“It was something that you dreaded and hoped the day would never arrive,” he says. “Of all the manufacturers I’ve worked with, none came close to taking care of their dealers like Sheldon Coleman and Big Dog. It’s kind of the end of an era.”

Questions about Big Dog’s future began swirling Monday after the company confirmed it had furloughed 10 more employees and industry insider Cyril Huze reported that the company was closing its doors.

Big Dog’s president, Mike Simmons, told the WBJ on Monday that the business was still open, but he wouldn’t comment on the company’s future.

On Tuesday, Huze told the WBJ in an email that he stood by his blog but would not reveal his sources.

Fairless says he’s sold two Big Dogs within the last month, as he worked through his remaining inventory.

How would you like to score a brand new comfortable motorcycle seat from Mustang?

Send in your submission of why your deserving of an Ultimate Biker Makeover and the new seat could be yours along with TONS of other gear/parts!

Mustang will outfit the grand prize winner with a seat to fit his or her motorcycle.

Mustang Motorcycle Products, Inc. is a world leader in the design and construction of motorcycle seats. Since 1980, Mustang has been proud of making the highest quality, most comfortable seats available and offering them at reasonable prices. Mustang motorcycle seats are designed for all-day riding comfort for both the driver and passenger. Every Mustang seat is made in the United States by true craftsmen who take pride in transforming the highest quality, raw materials into a finished product–all under one roof in their New England facility.

How would you like to score a cooler filled with cleaning products from Wizards Products?

Send in your submission of why your deserving of an Ultimate Biker Makeover and the cool kit could be yours along with TONS of other gear/parts!

The Wizards® Cool Kit for Motorcycles Includes:

• Mist-N-Shine™ 22 oz.

• Bug Release™ 22 oz.

• Bike Wash 22 oz.

• Supreme Seal™ 8 oz.

• Mist-N-Shine™ 8 oz. saddlebag size

• Multi-Fiber™ Detail Cloth 2-pack

• Wizards Baseball Cap

• Packed into a soft-sided cooler

Did we mention this all comes in a cooler you can use for your favorite beverage!

How would you like to score a case of Spectro Oil?  Send in your submission of why your deserving of an Ultimate Biker Makeover and you the case could be yours along with TONS of other gear/parts!

Spectro offers a complete line of Heavy Duty products engineered to deliver optimum performance and protection for Harley-Davidson® and other American V-twin engines.

along with a full line of lubricants for V-twin metric cruisers meeting or exceeding JASO MA and all known OEM requirements.