Category Archives: The Machine

The Machine

Test Drive a Saab to Help Make a Child’s Wish Come True

Seems auto dealers are all trying to figure out a way to get you in their doors these days and take a spin in one of their new cars. Some are offering donations to a charity of your choice if you purchase a car.  Saab has recently announced it will make a $50 donation to make a wish for every TEST RIDE taken!  Thats right, test driving a Saab before January 3 can help make a wish come true for a child with a life-threatening medical condition thanks to the Saab Drive to Give program and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Saab Cars North America will donate $50 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation each time one of its vehicles, including the all-new 9-5 sedan or iconic 9-3 sedan or sport combi models are sampled, thus helping enrich the lives of children facing life-threatening illnesses, their families and those who love them.
“The Saab brand has always been about social responsibility, both to the environment and the communities in which we live,” said Michael Colleran, President of SCNA.  “This is a natural partnership for us, our dealers and our family of Saab owners.
The process is simple: a licensed driver comes to a Saab dealership, completes a simple registration form and test drives an all-new Saab vehicle.
“The Make-A-Wish Foundation fulfilled the wishes and dreams of nearly 200,000 children since its 1980 inception,” said Colleran. “And a wish experience is often more than a dream come true. It’s the catalyst that can rekindle a child’s belief in themself and the promise of their future.”
For a list of local dealers in your area, please refer to SaabUSA.com
The Machine

Winter Driving, Oh what fun it is………

Ever wonder why so many accidents occur during the winter months? Your first thought might be the road conditions, but stats show most drivers on the road don’t prep their vehicles for these conditions, and that is where most of the problems/accidents stem from. We compiled a list of things you should be doing to get your every day driver ready to handle the roads this winter.
Many vehicles are designed for all-season driving but it is your job to get that auto ready for the extreme weather that you will experience.
Check the owner’s manual: you need to be on top of your vehicle’s maintenance.  Have you had the fluids changed according to the manual? Nine out of 10 drivers have something wrong with their vehicles, according to the Car Care Council’s studies.
Check the coolant or antifreeze: It should be flushed and refilled every two years in most vehicles unless you have long-life coolant. This fluid is what helps your vehicle give you heat and not freeze the engine.
Check the battery: If the engine starts slow, that is a hint that the battery needs to be replaced. Also, carry a set of jumper cables or a self-enclosed battery jumper .
Make sure everything works: Air filters should be changed to keep your vehicle breathing properly and improve fuel economy, too. Also, be certain the heater and defroster (the mechanical portion) are working properly — warmth is the key if you get stuck!
Fill ’er up: Keep the gas tank at least half full; this will decrease the chances of moisture forming in the gas lines and possibly freezing.
Check tire-tread depth and tire pressure: Winter tires will give you the best braking, handling and safety in the cold temperatures. If you find yourself sliding around more than usual, check your pressures. For every 10 degrees of air pressure you will lose 1-2 pounds of pressure, which will give you poor handling and braking and wear out your tires quicker. Check tire pressure against the number inside your driver’s door for the correct tire pressure for your auto or refer to your owners manual.
Be prepared more than usual: A winter prep kit should include:
Jumper cables, 
Ice scraper, 
Windshield de-icer fluid, (fill yours and keep a spare in the trunk)
Tire inflation product, 
Flashlight with extra batteries, 
Aggressive snow brush, 
Blanket, 
Extra clothes, (hats, winter jacket, scarf, gloves and winter boots) 
LED light source instead of flares,  
Bottled water, 
Snacks, (not sugary ones) 
Necessary medications, 
First-aid kit, 
At least 4 hand warmers per person
Few of us are educated and practiced in how to drive in heavy rain, snow or on slippery road surfaces.
For a safe drive, use these tips:
Adjust your speed to the current conditions 
When driving in challenging conditions, slow down. By decreasing your speed you will allow yourself more time to respond during a difficult situation.
Anticipate difficult situations 
Many studies have shown that 80 percent of all accidents could be prevented with only one more second to react. This one second can be gained by looking far enough ahead of you to identify problems before you become a part of them.
Use grip effectively 
When roads are slippery, always brake in a straight line before the curve in the road. Taking your foot off the brake before you steer into the corner allows you to use the entire grip available for steering. Don’t accelerate until the steering wheel is straight.
Drive with your headlights on 
Whenever daytime visibility is less than clear, turn on your headlights, to be seen by other drivers. Remember this rule of thumb: “Wipers on, lights on.” When traveling in snowy weather, remember to clear tail lights, turn signal lights, and turn on headlamps regularly.
Anti-lock brakes can’t perform miracles 
ABS braking systems give you the ability to brake and steer, though they are still limited by the grip available on the road and the type of tires on your vehicle. If you’re driving too fast into a corner and then try to brake, even ABS won’t keep you on the road.
Get help from your headlamps 
Leave your headlamps on low beam when driving in snow or fog. This will minimize the reflection and glare, improve visibility, and will help reduce eye fatigue.
Wear quality sunglasses 
Good-quality sunglasses help highlight changes in the terrain and road surface even in low-visibility conditions. Polarized lenses are your best choice.
Last, be safe, enjoy this time of year and the weather!
The Machine

The Sculptor James Corbett

Check this guy out, his work is amazing and for us car lovers a treasure, what a way to hold onto a piece of something that can no longer sustain it’s original life form.
James Corbett, a 46-year-old  Australian artist uses remnants of old cars of the 1950s and ‘ 60s.
His sculptures are worth thousands of dollars. 
 One of the pieces, a ram of spark plugs, sold for a whopping $23,000
He said: “I was working in a warehouse of scrap and type I know, that ran race stock cars, I was shown one of the winning race trophy’s  with levers of change.” “I looked at it and I thought that I could do a much better job so I started making my own sculptures.”
James says that welding and the sculpture of the parts is not the part that consumes most of his time.  “Often the longest part of the process is finding old parts suitable for sculpture.”    Check him out online here
The Machine

Wizards 12 Days of Christmas Sale!

Wizards wants to thank their loyal customers this Holiday Season. From now until December 20th, spend $89 or more in the Online Store on your favorite Wizards products and receive a free Wizards Hat! This promo includes, Gift Bags and Cool Kits too. Get the perfect gift for the car or bike enthusiast in your life and keep the hat for yourself! All you you have to do is spend $89 or more and add the hat (part #11004) to your shopping cart and the hat will be yours free as a gift! Click here to order today! As an added bonus, place your order between now and December 17th and receive free shipping (Applies to standard Ground shipping, Continental US only) on your order of $50 or more! Use coupon code “SANTA” in the Online Store to apply the discount. Enter the code at the beginning of your order in the shopping cart. Happy Holidays From Wizards!

The Machine

Tami from Diva Customs

Tami and Jason from Diva Customs and Jason’s Garage stopped by Garage-Girls for a visit yesterday.   We think the world of them and wanted to share with you a little about them. Be sure to check them out online at Diva Customs and Jason’s Garage Inc they are located in Virginia Beach so if your cruising through be sure to stop by and tell ’em Garage-Girls sent ya!

The Machine

New Car Prices: Factor in Insurance Premiums

Seems a few of you are in the market this time of year for a new vehicle, we have received a few emails asking about final payments on new cars and we found a bunch of people are forgetting to factor in what the monthly insurance is going to cost along with the payment of the vehicle. Here are a few steps you don’t want to forget when shopping for a new car.
When in the market for a different vehicle and looking at new car prices, people should consider how much their insurance premiums could change; this factor could make a good deal seem better or that sporty dream not worth the actual price.
When getting new car prices, people should know how the insurers determine their rates. Many insurance companies use actuaries that rate cars on a wide variety of factors to determine their risk. This risk assessment is used to decide the cost of comprehensive and collision coverage by the company. They set these rates in order to minimize the insurer’s risk.
The Insurance Services Office (ISO) is the primary actuary company used. They assign each vehicle a risk number and the insurer then decides how to use that number in their policies. Though these numbers are not made available to the public, a person can get estimates from insurers to get an idea of what one vehicle may cost to insure over another.
If a person is looking for the lowest new car prices when all factors are considered, they should stay away from sport or high performance cars. These are generally more expensive to repair if in an accident. They may also attract more moving violations and automobile thieves. Cheaper, more modest vehicles cost less to repair and as such, may not be as expensive to insure.
People should also consider safety features. Automatic seat belts, airbags, anti-lock breaks, and other features can make premiums cheaper because they assist in lowering the payouts on hospital bills if in an accident. Anti-theft systems are also helpful in preventing theft. SUVs are rated as high performance and sports cars and are usually more expensive than other types of vehicles. They generally cause more damage to other cars if in a collision.
For help deciding the final number if your in the market for a new vehicle check out NewCarPrices.net this site gives prospective buyers the tools to shop for new car prices with ease and convenience by investigating performance, exploring features, and making comparisons online before stepping onto the sales floor of a car dealership – with confidence and clear purchasing goals.
The Machine

Cycle Source names Athena “Chickie” Ransom 2010’s Motorcycling Women of the Year

We here at Garage-Girls couldn’t be happier with this years announcement for Cycle Source’s Women of the Year, our good friend Athena “Chickie” Ransom is one hell of an ambassador for women in motorcycling
Kids, Dogs and the elderly is what she says is important to her. You might think that being an attractive girl that builds choppers is enough reason to be cool but the story on Athena is much deeper than that. Athena worked her way up on the hard road as a woman in a mans game and has achieved great things as a builder, but it’s her untiring outreach through charity work that makes her such a special lady. On top of running a full time shop, traveling to appearances as a builder, attending member events as a motor maid, she always leaves room to work with Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs, Veterans and Elderly organizations and animal protection agencies. She has gone to the end to promote women in motorcycling including riding along on the motorcycle cannonball this year as a team mechanic for Cris Sommer Simmons. She is the first of the group to stand up when people call for volunteers and generally the last to leave when there is work to be done. It is for all these reasons Cycle Source is proud to announce her as 2010’s Cycle SOurce readers Women of the year.  Way to Go Chickie!!!!
The Machine

Christmas Wish List, Biker Chicz of North America

Add this read to your Christmas wish list, you probably even know some of these stellar ladies and we here at Garage-Girls are proud to call most of them friends and fellow Garage-Girls.
In Biker Chicz of North America, Edward Winterhalder and Wil De Clercq have compiled in-depth profiles of twenty-two fascinating women who ride Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Each chapter features an individual whose life story is compelling, intriguing, fascinating, and inspirational.
Global studies indicate that 12 to 18 percent of motorcycling enthusiasts are women. The number of women motorcycle riders in North America has increased exponentially since the early 1990s, and that exciting trend continues. American Motorcycle Industry Council statistics indicate that over one million new motorcycles were sold in the United States in 2008. Of that impressive number more than 100,000 were sold to women.
While each woman featured in this book is unique and extraordinary in her own right, there are, not surprisingly, certain attributes they all have in common. In addition to being avowed motorcycle riders—they live to ride and ride to live—they are successful, intelligent, freethinking, adventurous, creative, inspiring, and tenacious. They are women who have followed their dreams and dared to live life on their own terms. All are survivors who boldly took on challenges that many of us—men or women—would find daunting. Some of them came by their success easily, others by triumphing over adversity.
Despite their common traits, most are as different as night and day. Some are introverted, others extroverted; some are family oriented, others are loners. They’ll be the first to admit, however, that without their Harleys, they would not be who they are today. Their beloved motorcycles are what defines them and what sets them apart from their nonriding sisters.
The Chicz are: Cris Sommer-Simmons, Mandy Rossmeyer Campbell, Lucky Belcamino, Gevin Fax, Becky Brown, Betsy Huelskamp, Gina Woods, Laura Klock, Deborah DiMiceli, Vicki Roberts Sanfelipo, Pepper Massey, Sasha Mullins, Lorrie Penteluke, JoAnn Begey Bortles, Freedom Conklin, Meg Mc Donough, Marilyn Elmore Bragg, Katmandu Palmer, Gloria Tramontin Struck, Banshee LaDucati, Andrea Perrino and Danni Stockley.
About the authors:
Edward Winterhalder lives in Oklahoma and is one of the world’s leading authorities on motorcycle clubs and the Harley- Davidson biker lifestyle; his books are published in multiple languages and sold all over the world. He was a member, and/or an associate, of outlaw motorcycle clubs for almost thirty years.
The creator and executive producer of the “Biker Chicz” and “Living on the Edge” docu-reality television series, Winterhalder has appeared worldwide on television networks such as Bravo, Prime, CBC, Fox, National Geographic, History Channel, Global and History Television. In addition to his literary endeavors, he is a consultant to the entertainment industry for TV, feature film and DVD projects that focus on the Harley-Davidson biker lifestyle.
Wil De Clercq has worked as a freelance writer and editor, visual artist, and in such diverse fields as demolition, the merchant marines, faux finish painting, advertising copywriting, and film and television production; he has been a dynamic force in the world of motorcycle journalism for more than twenty-five years and lives in Ontario, Canada.
The Machine

“Are you one of ‘those’ girls” contest winner announced.

VaVaVroom announced its winner for the “Are you one of ‘those’ girls” contest. Tamela Rich with 577 votes takes home the grand prize. The contest was held on the company’s Facebook page from October 1 through November 9, 2010. In keeping with the company’s tagline – Riding. Fashion. Fun., the contest asked women motorcycle and scooter riders to answer the following questions in 250 words or less:
•What do you ride that makes you one of “those” girls?
•What do you wear that makes you one of “those” girls?
•What do you do for fun that makes you one of “those” girls?
VaVaVroom founder, Denise Maple, noted that VaVaVroom “wanted to recognize and celebrate the individuality and community of women riders”.
Tamela’s contest entry was titled “A Real MAMA (Middle-Aged Motorsport Athlete)”. She explains how, at the age of 48, she learned to ride a motorcycle. Three short months after learning to ride, she decided to take her skills to the road in a 7,500 mile journey from North Carolina to Oregon with a pink bra-adorned windshield to raise funds for the National Breast Cancer Foundation. In her efforts, along with a few dozen other “those” girls, she raised $40,000 for the cause.
“It was fun broadening the range of what “kind” of woman is one of THOSE GIRLS! I’m grateful for my friends taking time to vote for me and for writing such nice notes at the bottom of my entry.  I’m a writer, so thanks to VaVaVroom I can now claim that I’ve won my first essay contest — a double win”, said Tamela.
It is because of her story and her efforts that she was named VaVaVroom’s “Those” Girls Contest winner. She wins a collection of motorcycle and scooter products with an approximate retail value of $679, as follows:
·VaVaVroom Those Girls hoodie
· VaVaVroom Map Clip
·VaVaVroom ceramic magnet
·Clear Shot Lens Cleaning Kit
·Zox Odyssey full face helmet
·Warm & Safe Heated Clothing Gen2 Women’s Heated Liner & 3-level Controller  with Remote Control
·Euro Mami “Piston Love tank top and four styles of motorcycle tire and chain wristbands
·Mods vs. Rockers tee
·Garage-Girls Black Piston Logo T-shirt
·signed copy of Chicks on Bikes photography book by Christina Shook
·signed copy of American Borders: A Motorcycling Misadventure around America on a Russian Motorcycle by Carla King
·Women’s motorcycle socks by Techsox
· Exclusive interview on Side Stand Up motorcycle radio program airing on December 14, 2010
Congrats to Tamela!