Holiday Gift Guide

  Motorcycle-related gift ideas from $1 to $100! 

Tuesday, November 24

Dear Readers,
While there are no new letters to post today, I thought I'd take a minute to announce that my husband and I have put our home in Mobile, AL up for sale. This is an exciting time as we'll be able to consolidate households in our home in Calabash, NC.

Please also welcome a new advertiser, Nelson Rides ... this company, which understands the plus-size woman rider, has an interesting story to share ... you'll love visiting and exploring! – Mama

Friday, November 20

Dear VTwin Mama,
I just purchased a 2008 XL1200 Sportster Harley and will be storing it for 4 months in a store-and-lock 100 miles away with no electricity. Want to remove the battery and take it with me. What other winterizing should be done? – New Harley Owner

Dear New Harley Owner ,
Congrats on the new-to-you motorcycle!

Yes, pulling the battery in this case is a good idea, storing it in a cool and dry place. Before doing that you should fill the tank and add a gas stabilizer (found at any auto parts store) and then run that mix for a few minutes to get the stabilized mix through the system. Then turn the gas petcock to off. Filling the tank instead of emptying it helps with tank corrosion ... an empty tank can collect moisture, which can corrode the inner tank.

You should also change the oil and filter unless you know that that was done when you purchased the Sporty. Clean and dry the bike and cover it with something that breaths. Get the tires off the floor if possible by using a center stand or place cardboard on the floor so that the tires aren't in direct contact with what most likely is cement. – Mama

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Thursday, November 19

Dear VTwin Mama,
I have a Honda Shadow 100. Whenever the weather is damp and my bike sits out, it won't start. On Monday night I started it just fine, Tuesday morning nothing. Please help me out here. – Volcano

Dear Volcano,
Damp and intermittent starting problems (and Tuesday's "nothing") leads me to believe that something is reacting to a film of moisture somewhere. Duh! Like we didn't get that.

I would start at the battery. Check that the battery terminals and cable connections have no corrosion by pulling the cables (negative first, then the positive). Clean as needed with an old toothbrush and baking soda, and then dry off with a rag. Then coat the cable connectors and terminals with dielectric grease. This acts as a moisture barrier. Reattach the cables (positive first) and tighten. Coat the entire area on the outside of the connection.

Could this same problem be somewhere else ... yes, but usually the battery is the culprit. – Mama

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Monday, November 16

Dear VTwin Mama,
Thank you for all of your work and giving or yourself on this site. Has been so helpful. My question is can I paint on my helmet without hurting it? I love the fit and hate to give that up and I have an artistic daughter that could do work on my helmet if it will not hurt the safety of it. If so, do you know what kind of paint to use? Thank you again for all of your work. – Rose N.

Dear Rose,
In 2006 this question about getting artsy with a helmet came up. I found a link about painting and then lots of gals chimed in with other ideas. Keep scrolling down. The upshot is ... painting can be done, but in very specific steps ... others suggested with the multitudes of decals and other supplies, one can do a really nifty job as well. – Mama

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Custom Leather Work

Dear Mama,
Once again I’m amazed at how I’ve been able to help some one out and save them some money!  As you know I’m an affiliate of Fox Creek Leather which makes awesome apparel and accessories.  Fox Creek sends people to me who have “special needs” like alterations, adding embellishments and custom work.  It’s a great partnership.  

Recently I received a request for a jacket zipper extension for a gal who layers up in the winter and finds herself with a jacket that no longer fits.  I’ve made chap extensions before and again it was for a winter rider who also layers up but I had yet to make one for a jacket.  What struck me is how it did not take away from the jacket and how it wound up looking like it was part of the jacket design.  

The zipper extensions would work in any situation where a jacket, vest or chaps are too tight for whatever reason! They are affordable and certainly much cheaper than buying another piece or riding gear.  Chaps extensions are $40, Jackets are $30 and vests are also $30. Basically I need to know the length of the existing zipper and how wide they need the extension to be.  I’ve included a couple of photos for you to look at.

As always thanks so much for passing the word long regarding my business, over the years you’ve been a huge help in getting the word out on what I do. – Nanci Rogers, Ace High Leathers, www.acehighleathers.com, 530-905-0505.

Dear Nanci,
I love hearing from you as it usually means you're going to tell me about something interesting that helps women riders with their riding gear! Readers, I've posted the pictures on the Ace High Leathers review page for you to look at. – Mama

Angel Wing T-shirts and Patch

Hi Petra,
It's Becky Brown, founder of Women In The Wind. I wanted to tell you about a new venture that I started this month ... designing T-shirts! I've started with a beautiful Guardian Angel T, in both short and long sleeve (and matching patch).

My inspiration came from the many riders I've met over the years. So you might be asking, "Why now?" Well, I was an industrial electrician who lost her job after 30 years with the same company. The plant closed in March so I decided to finally do something I always wanted to do!

As you can see in the pictures, the front says "Never ride faster than your guardian angel can fly!" and the back has a pair of angel wings, which by the way, have a shimmery bling to them!

The Ts are Gildan Ladies Ultra Cotton; $20 (S-XL) and $21 (2XL) and $21 (3XL, men's T style) for the short sleeve ... $25 for the long sleeve (S-2XL). The matching patch is $5, but you'll get a $1 off with a T-shirt purchase.

I hope you and your readers like the idea and take a closer look at http://witw1.com/Angels to place an order! – Becky Brown