AIR COOLING-When the motor is kept cool by the air rushing through the fins cast onto the outside of the cylinders BEARING-Item of various kinds of construction, used to reduce wear and friction between two surfaces when one is turning within the other. BIG END-Crankshaft pin, bearing and bottom end of conrod. BORE-Cylinder width BRAIN BUCKET-Helmet CALIPER-Brake component which forces pistons onto the disc when stopping. CAM/CAMSHAFT-Engine part which controls opening and closing of the valves. An 'overhead' cam is mounted above the cylinder; a 'OHV' (overhead valve) engine has the cam mounted below them. CARB/CARBURETTOR-The part which meters fuel and air mix going into the cylinders. CC-Cubic Centimeters CDI-Capacitor dischage ignition. It's maintenance free. CIRCUIT BREAKER- Or points. An ignition system which requires some maintenance. COMPRESSION RATIO-The amount of 'squeeze' the cylinders have when they compress the combustion gases in the cylinder, worked out as a ratio to atmospheric pressure. CONROD- Literally, the connecting rod between crank and pistons. COOLANT-Mix of water and special fluid for liquid cooled engines. DAMPING- Stops the suspension from 'pogoing' on its springs by using oil to work against the spring's movment. Compression damping refers to the upward stroke; rebound refers to the downward stroke. FINAL DRIVE-The chain or shaft providing drive to the rear wheel. HOG-Harley Davidson KW-Kilowatts, the measure of power output. Roughly equal to three-quarters of one horsepower. MASTER CYLINDER-Pumps brake fluid into the calipers when you squeeze the lever NM-Newton meter, the measure of torgue output. PRE-LOAD-Suspension spring adjustment, basically for extra loads or harder/softer ride RAKE-The angle of the steering head SCRATCH-Enjoying corners to the max. Scraping foot pegs. STEERING HEADS-The front of the frame, where the forks pivot from. STRESSED MEMBER-No, not that. In the bike frame parlance, it means the engine helps take some of the load the frame is expected to carry TANKSLAPPER-A severe ocillation of the handle bars experinced just before the undies get soiled. There are just a few terms that may help you understand what people are talking about. If you know of any other words with meanings please post them up. Lets start our own glossary.
