Metric Maniacs Blog
We’re Now a Rabaconda Dealer!
Metric Maniacs is pleased to announce that we are now a dealer for Rabaconda products. If you’re into sportbikes, dirtbikes, or cruisers, you know changing tires is a big part of riding. With Rabaconda, you can easily remove and install tires in your own garage in minutes! Whether it’s part of regular maintenance or if you need to swap over to slicks and back for track days, Rabaconda’s tire changers, tools, and accessories make it easier than ever to save money…and your back!
Next on the Lift
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1978 Honda Z50 - Before
Just picked up the next project to put on the lift, a 1978 Honda Z50. Been looking for one of these for a while. Lots of parts on the way. We’ll keep you posted on progress!
UPDATES
New piston, rings, cylinder, chain & sprocket set, tires, tubes, stator, coil, seat cover, headlight, front fender, side cover, and full service (oil, plug, air filter).
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1978 Honda Z50 - Current
Death Kart
So, what’s the best use for a running ZX-7 motor that doesn’t have a bike? Answer: build a custom death kart out of whatever scraps and pieces you have laying around the garage.
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Death Kart - Side
Pieces
This started with a running/driving 1998 Kawasaki ZX-7. Added a motor-less go kart frame that was found for $50 and stretched 18”, then scavenged around the garage for various odds and ends.
Track Bike Build 2023
Frosty-cold winter seems like a good time to make a new blog post about our track bike build, highlighting some recent progress.
The bike…
We picked up a 2013 Kawasaki Ninja 650 late last year for a reasonable price. It had a little damage, as these lower-cost bikes generally do. It’s a great platform for a track day bike though, as it’s the same bike that Penguin Racing uses as part of its rental fleet. There are a ton of reasonably-priced add-on parts available from the various vendors that we’re a dealer for, like Woodcraft, Vortex, and others.
2013 Kawasaki Ninja 650R
Support your right to repair in Congress!
As motorcycling technology continues to advance, your ability to repair your own motorcycle or seek out an independent mechanic may get restricted as manufacturers do not make repair information or parts available for purchase.
Consumers are facing this problem with almost every product they own, from their phone, to their tractor and for AMA members, their motorcycles and ATVs. This issue is collectively known as “Right to Repair” and put in the simplest terms, right to repair is the idea that when you buy something, you have the right to repair it or seek an independent repair shop to do the work and as part of that the manufacturers must make the parts and information needed for these repairs available to the public for a fair and reasonable price.
Cleaning your lid…from a company who knows!
Check out this post from Dainese on the best methods to keep your lid clean.
https://demonerosso.dainese.com/cleaning-sanitizing-motorcycle-helmets-how-to-do-it
Hand Signals You Should Know
As the 2022 riding season kicks off, it’s important to brush up on a variety of safety topics. Although communication devices are becoming more ubiquitous, it’s still important to know and use hand signals to communicate with other riders (both inside and outside your own group) and with other vehicles on the road. We’ve covered this topic before and shared the image above showing a variety of hand signals, but the following article from Dairyland Insurance does a good job of listing and defining ten of the (arguably) most important hand signals you should know.
Join us on May 22, 2022 for southern Maine’s only metric bike show and swap meet!
Metrics will be there with some of our project bikes, plenty of new and used parts and accessories, and lots of Metric Maniacs swag. Ride on down and enter the bike show, buy some parts for that project, or just hang out and have some fun!
NOTE: The flyer shows May 15th as the date, but the event has been moved due to a conflict with a similar event in NH on the 15th. The new date is the 22nd. We will post a new flyer once we receive it from the organizer.
Big Changes at LRRS
We’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate Eric Wood and John Grush on becoming the new owners of the LRRS racing series, which will be re-named and re-branded as NEMRR (New England Motorcycle Road Racing). We’re excited to see what these two motorcycle racing legends can do to enhance participation in the series and the sport overall. All the best, guys!
https://lrrsracing.com/lrrs-blog/f/lrrs-changing-to-nemrr-under-new-ownership
Metric Maniacs is now a Zero Gravity dealer!
Metric Maniacs is pleased to announce that we are now a dealer for Zero Gravity products.
Zero Gravity produces high-quality windscreens with superior optics, strength, flexibility, fit, and finish. All Zero Gravity products are race-proven in superbike, grand prix, supersport, and endurance racing.
We will be working to add all Zero Gravity products to our catalog. In the meantime, feel free to contact us with any of your product needs.
Thank you, customers and partners!
With the challenging times we are all living and operating in, I wanted to take a moment to say thank you to all our customers and partners.
It’s humbling to realize the level of trust that our customers give, allowing us the opportunity to maintain and enhance their cherished machines. We appreciate your patronage and friendship! Rest assured, we will always treat you and your machine like we would want to be treated. We seek to repay your trust with honesty, integrity, and hard work.
Metric Maniacs is now a dealer for M4 Performance Exhausts
Metric Maniacs is very pleased to announce that we are now a dealer for the full-line of performance exhausts from M4 . M4 offers high-quality slip-on and full-system exhausts for most late-model sportbikes. As usual, you get the best possible pricing by buying your parts and accessories from Metric Maniacs, so contact us today to get the perfect M4 exhaust for your machine!
Metric Maniacs is a GPR dealer!
Metric Maniacs is pleased to announce that we are now a GPR dealer . GPR produces the finest steering stabilizers in the world for your late-mode sportbike . And, with rebuild parts and service available, these products will last the lifetime of your machine…and probably beyond. Want protection against “tank slappers” and head shake, get a GPR stabilizer from Metric Maniacs!
Metric Maniacs Becomes a Vortex Dealer
Metric Maniacs is pleased to announce that we’ve become a direct dealer for all Vortex Racing products. Regardless of the part or accessory you’re looking for, Vortex is a brand you should check out. We’re very excited to be able to offer you their full range of products…and at our typical Metrics cost savings.
It will take a little while to get all the products added to our catalog, but you can always look at their site and contact us for pricing information.
Metric Maniacs Now Carries ABS Fairings Products
Metric Maniacs is pleased to announce that we are now a dealer for ABS Fairings products!
About ABS Fairings…
ABS Fairings bodywork is made from Japan imported 100% virgin ABS plastic. It’s injected into an exact spec mold. So all parts are made with precise specifications to allow for precision fitment. The thickness, weight, and durability are comparable to OEM while only costing a fraction of dealer pricing. Many other sellers use a cheap PVC mix in their fairings and the paintwork is less than impressive. ABS Fairings uses Fortune two-part paint with a flex-agent additive. Decals are then applied. Next, they carefully apply 2-3 generous clear coats to ensure adequate protection and a brilliant shine (one thin layer on matte paint). Finally, they use a UV light drying process.