One Day Sale THIS Saturday, December 20!

ONE DAY SALE!

Stop in for last minute shopping and receive 25% off all regularly priced in-store merchandise!

Also, Melissa went overboard on baking and we are all half-way to a sugar coma; so for those of you that couldn't join us on Thursday, we will have coffee and cookies out again all day Saturday for everyone to enjoy!

Don’t forget, we will be closed from December 21st through January 6th to prepare for the upcoming 2015 riding season!

If you need assistance with anything while we’re closed, please leave us a message at (302)-632-2272 and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Riding In The Fall

When it comes to riding a motorcycle in inclement weather, the right equipment is critical, but good judgment and safe riding skills are just as important.

Here are a few tips for fall and winter riding from Dave Wendell, who has been teaching motorcycle safety classes for 22 years. Since 2005 he has been the president and founder of Pacific Northwest Motorcycle Safety Inc., which offers year-round instruction for motorcycles and scooters.

Never ride on snow or ice. "If the forecast calls for snow or subfreezing temperatures, don't ride a two-wheeled motorcycle," Wendell says. "Snow and ice are particularly dangerous for two-wheeled motorcycles and need to be avoided at all costs."

Sit out the first 30 minutes of a shower. "Wet roads can be more hazardous, especially within the first 30 minutes after the rain begins if it hasn't rained in several days," says Wendell. "Excess dirt and debris are still washing off the roadway. If the rain begins while you're riding, find a safe place to pull off the road and wait out the first half-hour. Give the dirt and slippery stuff a chance to wash off the road."

Avoid wet leaves on the road. "In the fall, pay attention to the color and texture of the pavement ahead of you," says Wendell "If there are leaves on the pavement in your path of travel, and there's any possibility that they might be wet, try to avoid them or slow down far beyond normal. Wet leaves on the road surface can be extremely slippery."

Watch out for wet patches of pavement. "Dark spots in the road ahead could very well indicate wetness, which won't give you as much traction as dry pavement," says Wendell. "If you do come across a slippery portion of the road that can't be avoided, straighten up the bike, squeeze the clutch and stay off the brakes; coast through the slippery spot without any driving force on the rear wheel."

Outfit your bike with heated gear. "Cold is probably one of the most dangerous conditions because it can lead to hypothermia if the rider isn't careful, and the real danger is that the effects can be difficult to recognize," says Wendell. "Heated riding gear is a must for cold-weather riding. Heated hand grips and heated seats are available on many motorcycles; [this] can help keep riders comfortable and able to think about what's going on around them instead of how cold they are."

Dress for visibility. "Bright-colored outer clothing is a good choice, and retro-reflective material on jackets and/or vests worn over a jacket are an even better choice," says Wendell. "They reflect light back toward the source. This will make you more visible to others and may come in very handy if the bike breaks down and you have to walk along the side of the road to get help."

http://blog.nwautos.com/2009/10/all-weather_riding_stay_safe_on_your_motorcycle_or_scooter_this_fall_and_winter.html

Motorcycle Collision Repair

A to Z Cycles specializes in collision repairs, custom modifications and routine maintenance (oil changes, tires, etc.)!

Excelling in motorcycle collision repair, we repair all makes and models. Even if you think your bike might be totaled, let us help you navigate the repair process and offer our advice to make the situation easier for you.

We work with all insurance companies and individuals without insurance to repair your wrecked motorcycle.

From returning the bike to exactly the way it was prior to the accident or working with you upgrade the motorcycle to be what you always dreamed it could be, we do it all! Here at A to Z Cycles, we have the ability to repair and paint parts that other shops would replace. We also guarantee quality repairs using original or aftermarket parts that meet or exceed manufacturers specifications.

For photos of some of our collision repairs, please visit our photo gallery!
http://www.atozcycles.com/photo-gallery/

Call us to make arrangements for us to pick the bike up in our enclosed trailer or to have a tow truck come get your bike! For more information, please call 302-632-2272

2010 Harley Davidson Dyna Street Bob "Black Ops" Transformation Reveal

A to Z Cycles ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

We were called out by Rhino at Thunder Roads Magazine Md-Del-DC to do the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge! We are calling out Lynne Schaefer at Dover Federal Credit Union, Chris Cooper at Central Delaware Habitat for Humanity, and Alex Farling at Delaware Micro-Computer, LLC. to also participate!

Spring Riding Safety Checklist

Winter is finally over and you're probably itching to get out on two wheels again (if you haven't already) right? Sitting over the winter can be tough on your bike so here are some things to keep in mind before you hit the road.

From the Motorcycle Safety Foundation inspection checklist:

Tires, Wheels and Brakes

Tires should not be dry rotted or cracked
Spokes should be tight - Do not ride if a spoke is loose!
Test each brake individually to ensure that it can stop the bike from rolling


Levers/Pedals, Cables, Hoses and Throttle

Make sure levers and pedals aren't bent and are adjusted correctly
Check cables for kinks or fraying
Check hoses for deterioration or dry rot
Throttle should move freely and snap back into place when released

Battery, Headlamp, Tail light, Turn Signals, Mirrors, Lenses, Wiring

Check battery terminals for corrosion
Run through all lights to ensure no bulbs need replacement
Mirrors should be adjusted to you
Check lenses for cracks or broken pieces
Look for clean wiring connections and make sure wires are not pinched, frayed or pulled out

Oil levels & leaks

Run bike long enough to let engine warm up and turn off. Sit bike on level ground on side stand and check oil levels before riding
Look under bike for any leak and identify where its coming from

Frame, Suspension, Chain/Belt, Fasteners

Look over frame and swingarm to make sure any bushings/bearings are good and frame is still solid and safe
Front suspension should have smooth travel. Rear suspension should not have any leaks and should be equally adjusted
Check sprocket teeth and chain for any damage or weak spots. Look over belt for chunks that may have been taken out from last riding season

Finally, check center/side stand to ensure its ability to safely support the bike


For the full checklist from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation:
T-CLOCS Inspection Checklist

You've been in an accident, now what?

The most important thing, of course, is that you are not hurt! But, perhaps your bike didn’t fare so well.

Like anything in life, it is always best to be prepared. When scheduling maintenance, choose a shop that also specializes in motorcycle collision repair. The process will go much quicker and smoother if the shop already has your information as well as your bikes records. It's kind of the same as seeing the same doctor for general checkups as well as emergency’s. You know you can trust that person in an emergency because they already know your history and have a relationship with you.

If you've never had an accident before, here's an overview of the process:The motorcycle will most likely be towed from the scene of the accident to the tow yard contracted by the responding police department. Sometimes they will tow it to the shop of your choice at your request but most of the time you will need to contact your shop and they will make arrangements to get the motorcycle from the tow yard.You will want to notify your insurance company as soon as possible, most have 24 hour claim reporting services so that the process can begin immediately. Even if the accident is not your fault you will still want to notify your own carrier so they can assist you through the claim process.

Once your motorcycle is at the shop, an estimate should be prepared and ready for the claims adjuster. Most insurance companies will send out their own staff appraiser or will hire an independent appraiser to inspect your motorcycle and review the repair with the shop. If your motorcycle was towed to another location from the scene then it is possible that the insurance adjuster will inspect it there before it is towed to the shop in which case they will prepare their own estimate. When this happens, the estimate is rarely an accurate assessment of the damage due to the inability to inspect the motorcycle thoroughly. Once the bike is brought to the shop where it will be repaired, a secondary estimate (also known as a supplement) is drafted and reviewed with the insurance company for approval.

Once this process is complete, the insurance company will determine if the motorcycle is repairable or if it is a total loss. Each state has different laws regarding how a totaled vehicle is handled; it is best contact your local DMV or Insurance Commissioner’s office for further information on this process. In the case of a total loss, you will want to try and get a dealer to help you determine the actual value of the motorcycle so you are prepared when the insurance company makes you an offer.

If the motorcycle is determined to be repairable then the insurance company will prepare a check for the cost of the repair less your applicable deductible (which is the amount you agreed to pay when you secured the insurance policy). The adjuster will either leave a check on the spot or they may mail it directly to you or your collision shop. Depending on your insurance company the check may be made out in one of four ways; 1) Your name only, 2) Directly to the collision repair shop, 3) Both you and the collision repair shop, 4) You and your lienholder. In the last instance you will want to contact your lienholder immediately to find out what the process is to get the check signed by them so that you will have the funds available when the repair to your motorcycle is complete.

The next step is to review the estimate with the shop and make a plan to complete any upgrades you've been wanting for your bike while it is at the shop. This is the best time to modify a motorcycle! Most shops will require that this process has been completed before they will proceed with repairing the motorcycle. When an insurance company pays a claim to you and/or your shop, the repair must be completed according to the estimate and no funds can be returned to you without express permission from the insurance company who wrote the check. You can, however, apply the money you received from the insurance company to other parts upgrades. Any additional cost, if it exceeds what the insurance company has allowed for the repair, will be your responsibility along with your deductible.

For example: the estimate may state that the air cleaner needs to be replaced and you had a stock air cleaner; during the repair, you can upgrade to a different air cleaner. As long as the air cleaner is replaced then you have met the obligation of the estimate. Once you have worked out the details to your satisfaction with the shop, they should be able to give you an estimated time of completion so you will know when you can be back on the road again.

As you can see, this is a lengthy process that requires patience but if you are working with a professional, qualified collision repair shop then the process should be smooth and easy. The main goal is to get you back on the road safely and as if the accident never happened!

Advantages Of Buying Tires From Your Local Motorcycle Shop

Nobody knows your bike better than we do!

When you purchase tires from us, we can offer expertise in the specific make and model of motorcycle that you ride. That means that our service department is able to ensure that any parts ordered and fitted are exactly what your bike needs. The fit and quality of a motorcycle tire has a direct impact on its performance and longevity, so you want to be sure that you have tires that are designed specifically for the model you ride as well as your riding style. We can give you the confidence that this is the case. An online retailer simply can't offer this kind of custom service.

Tires are one of the most important safety features on your motorcycle, so it’s important to make sure you’re paying for quality. In the interest of trying to save some money, some riders will go to big box stores or online retailers to buy replacement tires. However, these places don’t always save you money in the long run.

Many motorcycle shops also won't install a tire that isn’t bought from them, usually because they have no way to guarantee its safety. This can be prevented by buying a tire from us and allowing us to mount and balance it for you. On top of that, we can stand behind the quality of the work and product.

Online retailers may not offer any warranty, which means that you often need to manage any problems directly with the manufacturer, who may not be easy to get a hold of. Our company, however, will always work on your behalf to quickly resolve any problems as soon as they arise.

Since we order our tires on an “as needed” basis, we can assure you that our tires are the newest line that the manufacturer is sending out. Unlike online retailers or other stores which may have owned the tire for quite some time and had it sitting in poor storage before it gets to you, the consumer.

At A to Z Cycles, inc, we have access to all the current information and expertise related to your bike. New developments are coming on to the market all the time, so there may be new, better tires available for your motorcycle that an online retailer may not know about. We also have a wide choice of different types of tires available, like touring vs performance tires.

Don’t pay more for tires with less information—come to A to Z Cycles today to find the tires that are right for you and your motorcycle.