Friday, January 30, 2015

ClevelandMoto #77 FOURTH ANNIVERSARY Craigslist Special!

We celebrate our 4th Anniversary! Thanks to ALL of our loyal listeners.


In this weeks podcast we discuss buying a bike on Craigslist and what you should be aware of.

 Also we talk about the recent news of Polaris purchasing electric motorcycle company Brammo.



Sources tell WBZ Buzea has been duping people nationwide who are buying cars online. He’s been operating out of a Woburn hotel room for the past six months.
Investigators say well trained thieves like Buzea are working with counterparts in Romania.
They successfully direct online car buyers to bogus yet very real looking online payment systems.
Michele Grand of the Suffolk County District Attorney Office says buyers, “Were duped because the people they thought they were buying the cars from provided them a fake Paypal link.”
The judge has ordered he be fitted with a GPS tracking ankle bracelet if he is released on $100,000 bail.

OVERPAYMENT SCAM ;

1. The Accidental Check

Just like in the housing scams, buyers will pay the seller with a cashier’s check or money order that looks real and then suddenly “realize” they paid too much. This usually happens with buyers who are overseas or otherwise unable to meet with the seller in person. The buyer will then ask the seller to just wire them the overage. Then the seller will arrange to have the car picked up by a middleman, or pick-up agent. By the time the seller realizes the check was a fake, they’ve lost the money they wired to the buyer as well as their car.

2. The Out-of-Town Seller

Some sellers will list a car at an unbelievable price and then tell the buyer a sob story to go with it. It may be they are going through a divorce, or have been transferred overseas and can’t afford to have the car shipped or registered to the new locale. Whatever the story, it justifies the low price and the buyer thinks he’s getting a great deal. But because the seller is out of the country, the buyer will have to wire funds to them in order to take possession of the car. You can imagine what happens next – the seller disappears with the money and the car is nowhere to be found.

The combo -

If a con artist senses a buyer’s hesitation about wiring money before they have possession of the car, many times they will offer to do a “safe” transaction utilizing a company like EbayMoney.com,Paypal.com or  Escrow.com or another online escrow service. They will tell the buyer to transfer the funds to the ebay pay  account where they will be held until the buyer picks up the car.
Sounds good, doesn’t it? The problem comes when a spoof email (one that mimics a legitimate site) is sent to the buyer from the supposedly secure escrow site. The funds then aren’t routed to a legitimate escrow account, but rather a fake one. The seller is never heard from again and the buyer is left with no money and no car.
The EBAY moneygram/western union scam :

Simply put . ; eBay does not supervise or guarantee any transactions that occur outside of eBay or the eBay platform


12 Steps to buying a used bike online/ebay/craigslist/cycletrader etc.


1. Know what the bike is and what it's worth (and what you're willing to pay) before you even call. Be prepared for a seller to claim it's worth WAY more than it is. If you have a couple of ebay completed auctions printed out this will help your case and prove what they're actually selling for. 
 2. The Meet Up: Call first. Get as much information about the vehicle as you can on the phone—and always ask if more photos are available or can be taken, especially of problem areas—when you get the persons address do a reverse look up and see if that's where they live. Spokeo.com works. 
Make an APPOINTMENT to see the bike, be there when you say you will, do not rush right over if you don't have to. If there is any sense of urgency, be careful. 
DO NOT BUY IN THE DARK. 

If the seller is sketchy or doesn't want you coming to his house, go to a police station or a bank. Of course, if the vehicle in question isn’t in running condition, you’ll have to visit the car where it sits Don't meet someone at their house. Don't meet them in a deserted parking lot or in their van down by the river.
3. Does the person match the title match the bike? 
4. WHY ARE YOU SELLING THIS BIKE?   
5. Is this a running bike?
6. Before you start the motor:
7. Warm up the bike: 
9. Now pull the bike in the driveway if it's liquid cooled make sure it idles long enough to cycle the cooling fan, then shut the bike down. 


 Get the sellers name - is this the bike on the title, check the VIN? 
Size up the seller, Just Assume that the person selling the car is a con artist (unless it's a licensed dealer). Nearly ALL vehicle fraud is committed by private sellers. false paperwork, salvaged vehicles, vehicles with tampered odometers etc. If you find a deal from a private seller that seems too good to be true, it is. Walk away. If this is his brother-in-laws bike, or if he's just waiting to get the title from the he got it from...walk away.


If you get some complicated story, beware. The more interesting the story, the more likely the seller is trying to trick you. Ask to see maintenance records. Most long term owners keep copious records. If there's a new bike in the driveway, why wouldn't the new bike dealer take it in on trade? 

Make sure you clarify BEFORE you show up, Running, Reliable and Titled. When was the last time you rode it for more than 30 minutes? 
If it is, make sure it's cold when you get there, inspect it COLD. Be nervous about a bike that's hot when you get there. 

Check the turn signals, horn etc. look for evidence of non-standard wiring
Turn on the fuel tap and look for leaks
Swing the handlebars full left and right to make sure nothing is pulling / binding and to check the headset bearings. Do a good walk around and a pre-flight check, look at the owners manual online before you get there to know what to look for. Look carefully at tires / tubes, they're more expensive than you think.


Make the seller start the bike for you, if the bike requires any special starting techniques make sure they tell you Check ALL the pipes to be sure they're warming up evenly. 
Look for any leaks
Roll the bike back and forth checking for smooth rolling
chain smooth
brakes working (and releasing!!!)
Do the lights surge when you rev it? (weak battery, bad voltage regulator)


8. Test Ride (you'd better) 
Is the bike insured? 
If you refuse to let me test ride, why? 
Have the seller lead, or follow you if they're nervous.
Let them hold your car keys, license or even some $$$. 
Check the play in everything, sloppy = bad maintenance
smooth throttle response both on AND off the idle should return naturally
listen for Rattle from the timing chain
Ride the bike like it's your first time ever, do everything more slowly and listen carefully.
Do several 2nd or 3rd gear roll on's - make the bike go from lug to zoom.
Freeway - you need to go fast enough to detect handling / balance issues
make sure the test ride is long enough to make a liquid cooled bike cycle the system.
Before you return the bike do some figure 8's, tells you a LOT. 

Is the oil milky or frothy, that could be a head gasket! 
Let it sit for a few minutes while you remind the seller of EVERY shortcoming you've found.
Restart the bike. A weak charging system or a wet-sumping bike will be hard to restart. 

Remind the seller of his asking price MINUS what it's going to cost to make it whole.
Never hesitate calling a friend or a shop for a second opinion or estimate for a repair.
Don't just make a $ counter offer without backing it up.
"you're asking $3000, but it needs $500 worth of work, I'll give you $2500" 
Remind them of the shortcomings you've found and then ask them "what do you need?"
Never underestimate the power of reminding the seller that you don't really NEED this motorcycle.




10. NEGOTIATE 
This is Larry Newberry,
He is the BEST at buying bikes and cars, because he loves it. 
 I've learned everything about buying from him...If you're ever going up against this guy....run away. He'll get your bike and ALL your money, and you'll probably give him your last beer.

11. Bonus Points 
'What else do you have for this bike"
You'd be amazed at how much valuable stuff the seller doesn't need once he's sold you the bike. 
Is there another bike, boat, gun etc. this guy (who now loves you) wants to sell? At this point they should know you're a quality buyer. 

12. The PAPERWORK
Either make your own handwritten bill of sale or download one online, believe it or not, the bill of sale may save your butt if you later discover a small problem with the title. You can even use it to PROVE you are the owner of the vehicle if the title (which is a state document) ever is disputed. Understand how the title you're looking at works, if you're not absolutely sure, don't write on it, let the notary or title bureau help you, once you make a bad mark on the title, you're going to end up having the seller get a duplicate title. 
Go to the bank and hand off the cash there, there are notaries there too. 

Congratulations, I know it was a pain in the ass, but every time I've had a problem I can tie it directly to a step I've missed.


Polaris Buys Brammo:

http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1096484_polaris-acquires-brammos-electric-motorcycle-business




Hybrids are alive and well:
http://www.it.piaggio.com/piaggio/IT/it/modelli-intro/modelli/gt/mp3-hybrid.html


Honda Hybrid - http://www.gizmag.com/go/3115/

As usual most new technology is tested in the scooter market. Yay Scooters!











Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Don't leave your 850 Eldorado unattended on the lift

The scarves have finally arrived

http://clevelandmoto.com/catalog/c21_p2.html

Friday, January 23, 2015

ClevelandMoto 76 America....Fuck Yeah!

The "America FUCK YEAH!" episode. American motorcycles, jackets, helmets, boots....Does any of it really exist? We go to a LOT of trouble to find you awesome motorcycles and products that are made in the USA. 



Gloves:
 
JRC  Seamless from $55 (not armored) -  http://www.jrcglove.com/seamless.html
 
Fox River Seamless from $46 (not armored) - https://www.foxcreekleather.com/mens_mensdeerskin
 
Lee Parks design DearTours from $95 (not armored) to Armored for $135 http://www.leeparksdesign.com/made-in-usa/?sort=featured&page=1
 
Vanson – Engineer Gloves $109, Talon (racing) $239 - http://www.vansonleathers.com/main_page/chapters/mens/gloves_list.html
 
 
Aerostitch – Roper $49 – DeerSports Armored $125 - http://www.aerostich.com/clothing/gloves/elkskin-and-deerskin-gloves
 
Boots:
 
RedWing – Starting about $200 - http://www.redwingshoes.com/motorcycle-boots
 
Chippewa – Starting around $250 - http://www.chippewaboots.com/
 
 
Danner – US made starts around $250 - http://www.danner.com/product/
 
Jackets and Chaps:
 
Vanson – Jackets start at around $500 - http://www.vansonleathers.com/
 
Hot Leathers – Jackets starting at $300 - http://www.hotleathers.com/Leather-Jackets-C207.aspx
 
Brooks – Jackets starting at $399 - http://brooksleather.com/about-us/
 
Hillside Leather – Jackets starting around $360 - http://www.hillsideusa.com/
 
Schott – All kinds of jackets starting around $500 - https://www.schottnyc.com/store/made-in-america
 
Helmets:
 
Seer Motorcycle Law Enforcement / no full face – $395 - http://www.superseer.com/
 
Simpson – Only their track/automotive helmets are made in the US, – $599 - http://www.jegs.com/p/Simpson-Helmets/Simpson-Sidewinder-Voyager-Helmets/2114675/10002/-1?itemPerPage=60&pno=1
 
Jeans:
 
Diamond Gusset Defenders –$139  - http://www.americangusset.com/defender
 
Draggin’ Jeans – $119 - http://www.dragginjeans.com/featured-items
 
Luggage:
 

Garage Support: 

Our favorite Product from right here in the USA... METAL RESCUE 




Friday, January 16, 2015

ClevelandMoto Podcast 75 California Dreaming - Death of Cafe Racers, and Dealerships...I guess.

Is the Cafe Racer dead? Do we need dealerships anymore? We discuss these topics and more plus Phil talks about bikes he saw in California and what may be the next trend to head east.

Helicopters  -  Sure, we LOVE helicopters. 
Next time you're in Vegas check out http://www.papillon.com/


Yes, On my California trip I saw an Actual SYM Fighter 250 being driven on the road.

Is this what's the next FAD in motorcycles will be - the guys in LA think so....


Is this a picture from 1980, or a modern picture with "Vintage Style" rider with period correct helmet and jacket and a Instagram filter? 



Not my opinion - but a few funny lines. 

Do we really need to have dealers anymore? Tesla doesn't think so....

http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/news/industry/do-we-really-need-car-dealerships-anymore-15748322

     
Go to Catalina Island, take the bus tour...you'll be impressed.



Dustin gets a little grumpy at the end of the podcast.

Friday, January 9, 2015

ClevelandMoto Podcast74 - What are you excited about this year?


I'm catching up from falling behind around the holidays. In this episode we talk about some of the crazy motorcycles currently being offered by the major brands paying close attention to the ones that didn't make the cut in the US market.

Here are your podcasters with Mrs. Smith's Cranberry moonshine. Steve Hofert on the Left, Johnny Chrome, Chris Smith (Furry Hat), Dustin Elliott, Phil Waters. 

Steve buys a Honda Vt1100 Touring Shadow that got hit by a deer...


What bike are you excited about this year? 

Because we're having a little trouble getting excited about stuff like this;

Scramblers...is that where it's gonna be, or has it already jumped the shark? 

I just don't know if I'm hipster enough for this bike. 





ClevelandMoto Podcast73 Nazi Chainsaws, Tank bags and wacky Brits.


We discuss some crazy the new Norton Dominator, the Hesketh 24, and just those crazy Brits in general.

We have a Blue Lace Project Winner! 

Yay Marco!!!

Here is my story as to why I should get those damn laces. Take a journey with me into a fantastical and whimsical world. Lets begin.
Preface: Back when I bought my first house, I didn't have any money left, so I bought the cheapest lawn mower I could find. My reasoning was: "If I can keep old Japanese motorcycles running, a stupid lawn mower wont be an issue." Well this lawn mower is an issue, it rarely starts on the first pull, so on the rare occasion that I do get it started in the first pull, I feel like a bad ass. For some reason, my brain is challenged, and somehow, it expects everyone else in the world to know this. Also, after getting hit in the face numerous times for being an ass, my nose never bleeds (this comes into play a little while later)
The year, was 2013. As another shitty and cold Indiana winter was coming to an end, it was finally time to cut the grass for the first time. I had gotten all the necessary supplies (beer and gas). And the lawn mower was almost ready. After a good couple of hours of morning drinking and dreading the task at hand, I finally decided to step out into the wild that was my lawn, and do the deed. After all, once that was done, I could go into the garage, continue drinking and wave some tools around in the fashion that I have since begun calling "Working on bikes."
I walk over to the lawn mower, giving myself the little pep-talk that I always give myself before trying to start that magnificent piece of shit, when out of the corner of my eye, a simply astonishing girl catches my eye. It looks like she is out for her mid-day jog, or running away from the worlds slowest serial killer, in the tightest set of clothing that man has ever created. She is running towards me, and gives me a little smile.
Feeling the confidence of me earlier beers, that smile and my little pep-talk, I grab the mower's pull string thinking that if I get it started in one pull, I will impress the pants off of Ms. Tight Pants, and for some reason still unbeknownst to me, pull that fucker as hard as I can towards my face. Well as it so happens, it was about that time that the lawn mower pull cord had had enough of my shit and promptly breaks, sending my fist on an unstoppable voyage towards the center of my face.
Feeling that all to familiar pain in my nose and hunch over in pain. I hear her laughing, so I think to myself "Hey, I made her laugh, that's always the first step right?" and stand up, in an attempt to recover from my dumbassery. Her laughter quickly turns to horror and she speeds off, never to be seen again. In the 5-10 seconds that it took me to recover from punching myself in the face, 10 years of built up nose bleeds had all of a sudden decided to let go and my face and shirt were COVERED in blood.
Needless to say, I didn't get her number.
Right about now youre thinking "Thats hilarous, but what the hell does this have to do with blue laces?" well, you see, I never replaced the pull cord, just tied the handle where it broke. Prevent me this further suffering, and send me the longest pair of those laces that you have. Ill put them on my lawn mower, and the ladies will be all over me because I have a lawn mower with a blue pull cord, AND I dont punch myself in the face anymore!
See you guys at The Thaw!
-Marco "Prospect"


ELEFANTENTREFFEN - Can you handle the cold? 

TANK BAGS!

You should have one...but how big can you go? 



This bad-boy will hold 33 Liters!!!


Sure, I've got $60,000 to drop on a v-twin bike I won't want to order parts for (UK shipping). 


$24,000 isn't all that bad to get on a Norton...is it? 

British Royal Inbreeding? Yeah, it's a thing.

https://www.themedicalbag.com/article/part-ii-british-royals-house-of-kissing-cousins


The Nazi NSU 2 Cylinder Chainsaw...yes, it's a thing. 

2 stroke, 2 cylinder and meant to cut down really big trees.