As the price of gas has continued to rise over the last few years, people have begun to develop various tricks that can help them reduce their gas consumption. One of the first things you should try if you want to lower your gas bill is to not drive as much. This is easier said than done, obviously, as too many people have become completely dependant on their vehicles.

Unless you live in a major metropolitan area, it is not uncommon to drive the four or five blocks to the corner store to just grab a bite to eat. It is for these people, who are so interconnected with their vehicles that they cannot possibly even consider doing without, that the different gas saving methods were conceived.

Keep your Car Running Well

One of the quickest and easiest ways to make sure you are getting the best gas mileage possible is to get your car tuned up on a regular basis. If everything is running as it should be on your vehicle, then you will notice a difference in your gas mileage. In fact, those cars that are routinely inspected and go through oil changes on a regular basis often get better gas mileage over all because they are in better shape.

This can also be important because if something such as a faulty oxygen sensor shows up, then it will become almost impossible for your vehicle to get the gas mileage that it should; it will also affect your vehicle’s overall performance levels. You should also make sure to check the air pressure in your tires on a regular basis as well as clean out the air and fuel filters as this can also help decrease your fuel consumption by up to thirteen percent.

Drive Correctly

Another thing that you can do to help you save money on gas is to drive in the proper manner. For example, you can save gas mileage simply by driving at the speed limit. This is because gas consumption will increase at speeds above sixty miles per hour. Following the speed limit will help to make you a safer driver and will help you save twenty five percent on your gas mileage as well.

Go ahead and take out any possible excess weight in your car. This can help reduce any strain on your engine and can cut down on your fuel consumption. Many people don’t even think about the extra weight they carry in their vehicles on a regular basis, but having this weight in the car will increase your gas usage; don’t think that your vehicle is immune to this, as it affects smaller cars more than it does large ones.

Try not to let your car idle in one place for a long period of time as this will cause havoc on the gas mileage as well as being hard on the engine. You can also use overdrive and cruise control to help cut back on any potential engine wear as well. All of this can help you cut back on gas mileage to.

Don’t Drive as Much

While it is true that too many people are so attached to their vehicles that they cannot even imagine going without them for too long, the truth of the matter is that there is no better way to save fuel than to make sure you use your vehicle less. Try to do things like carpooling, walking short distances, taking public transport and planning daily trips so that multiple short drives are combined into one long trip. This will help cut back on multiple starts and stops of your engine and can help save on gas usage to.

As the cold Winter Weather starts rolling in we Bikers are still looking for fun things to do to fill up our Weekends,We just start looking for stuff that’s indoors,After spending all those Months Riding its always hard when we have to leave our Bikes at home. But Hey what are the options? (Move down South? Not Me!I’m a New Yorker)

In January in New York City at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center there is always one of the best indoor Motorcycle events around. The Annual International Motorcycle Show presented by Toyota! I have attend this event for many years and it is always packed with more fun things to see an do then one can Squeeze into just Three days.

Its always fun Checking this event out while working for one Magazine or another. What difference does that make you may ask? Well Checking out the newest makes of Motorcycles,Motorcycle Equipment,Products and gear,seeing old friends,Making new friends and seeing Celebrities like Dee Snyder,The Ice cream Man from Hell,Billy Lane and many others is always a really great time! But when doing it while having Super Hot Magazine Models on your arm,Well lets just say it adds something more to the event that your just going to have to trust me on!

This is always a hard event to write about and give it Justice,I mean where do I start do I tell you how the indoor stunt show always leaves you Breathless No matter how many times you may have seen it?

I could try to tell you about all the Custom Bikes that were there Built but such Legendary Builders and shops like Roger Bourget,Indian Larry Legacy,Von Dutch Kustom Cycles and many others. This Show is just one of those events that if you missed it, Well I’m sorry to say you missed out! Look for this event at a City near you at MotorcycleShows.com

Your Bro L.J. James AMERICANBIKERX.COM Radio Show at BikerLowdown.com

It was a quite day in a small Bar in upstate New York . The girl working behind the bar was young, she had just turned 18 and had only been bar tending a few weeks, this was her first time working alone. Everything was going fine with only two of the regulars in the back shooting pool it was nothing she could not handle she thought to herself.

Then the front door opened and in walked ten of the biggest men she had ever seen. They talked loudly and as they walked over to the far side of the bar, She got a look at the back of their jackets. She could easily see that the markings on them where all the same. The men ordered pitchers of beer and their talking only got louder as they drank more and talked about things she did not understand. Then the men went quite as the front door opened and in walked seven more large men, at first she thought these seven men where with the first Ten as they looked and dressed similar but as she looked at the markings on the backs of these new comers Jackets she could tell while they where similar the markings where different, By the way the two groups where looking at each other she guessed the difference must mean a lot to them.

The Seven men sat up toward the front of the bar and also ordered pitchers of beer. The young girl did her best to make sure both groups where kept happy, but it was just a matter of time and Beer! When one of the men from the first group called out to her, “Hey Honey don’t worry about those guys, there losers! Come over here and hang with some real men.” That was all it took, the fuse was lit. “Who you calling losers pal we are good enough to beat you any day of the week!” Yelled back a guy from the second group. “You may think your as good as us but you never will be!” Yelled back a man from the first group.

Then in what was a blur to our young barmaid a fight broke out between the two groups it was loud and she could hear glass and wood breaking all around her as the men cursed and screamed at each other. This young Girl was scared and she feared for her life.

Her fear abated a little when in the distance she heard sirens. The police are coming, she thought to herself as she hid behind the bar. The police arrived in force and they stormed in arresting the men and taking them away. When things got quite and all the men where taken away the young girl looked around the small bar. So much damage she thought to herself, She looked at one of the officers and asked how did you know to come here. We got a call that these two groups where both heading to this bar and we just knew, it happens all the time with these type of guys!!!

Epilogue: The next morning when the young barmaid awoke she walked down stairs to the kitchen where her father was reading the morning paper. Does it say anything about the fight in the bar yesterday she asked her father? Yes he said as he pointed to a small article in the back of the paper “Yankees and Mets fans Brawl it out in small town bar” the story went on to explain how all the men where given tickets for disorderly conduct and released. That’s it she screamed at her father these men trash the bar, scare the hell out of me, They should all be in jail and all they get is Tickets!!! Calm down sweetheart her father said as he hugged her, The way your acting one would think it had been a bunch of rowdy Bikers in the bar yesterday! Those Guys would have been locked away, But it was only Sports fans!

Story By Your Bro L.J. James AmericanBikerX.com

I recently stopped down at J Signs located at 12 Highland ave in Patchogue. I met the Owners Jerome Morello and Craig Casdia, Who told me about all the things J signs can do to Help promote your Business these guys do Store Front Signage, Wide Format Digital Printing,Carved/Gold Leaf Signs,Contour cut decals,Channel Letters,Truck & Boat Lettering, Banners, Magnetic Signs,Window / Door Lettering,Installations, Service, Repairs, Architectural Signage and so much more I could write 5 articles of these guys!

In this articles I’m going to tell you about J signs Vehicle Wraps! The Wraps are done in House at J Signs by Duncan Weir owner of Graphic Gorilla! Now when I got to J signs I had no idea what Vehicle Wraps where, Duncan was more then happy to teach me a little about Wraps.Duncan was working on a Mini Van while I was their placing a wrap on it for a pet care company. Wraps feel almost like a vinyl bumper sticker But of course they are much more state of the art and High tech then that. Duncan had to go to school to learn all about wraps,He also has a Bachelors in fine art,Computer Graphics Specializing in 3-D Graphics. He showed me how the wraps come off in large sheets and then are apply to the Vehicle in pieces and are then heated so they bond to the Vehicle seamlessly. Wraps will stay on till you want to take them off , a wrap can be removed in the future so if you can sell your vehicle one day with out the wrap on it. The paint under the wrap will be as good as the day you placed the wrap on it.

This is just one thing that sets Vehicle Wraps apart from having your Vehicle air brushed! another is the detail of the wraps you get! You can blow up a real photo or have the team at Graphic Gorilla design you up anything from a professional Corporate look to anything your loud and crazy mind can come up with! Vehicle Wraps are not new they have been around a few years and they are huge in California. The quality of wraps has improved greatly over the years and the Wraps that are used at J signs are state of the art.

The average wrap lasts over Five years and if taken care of properly can last up to ten years! I asked Duncan, who are some of the people having their vehicle’s wrapped? He told me many Radio Stations and Travel agencies are having it Done,But many Business are realizing as they sit in traffic for 3 or 4 hours a day and hundreds of people are driving by them in each direction, Wraps really make them stand out and catch the eye of those who could potently be clients. Recently their was a study done that said about 30 to 70 thousand people a month see your Vehicle! Vehicles that are wrapped are remembered up to 80% more! Now More people seeing and remembering your Vehicle translates into more money for you and your company!

Now of course there are many people who want to stand out while just cruising around and they are finding they can have wraps made up of everything from insane designs to their favorite Band,Beverage or Hero and put on their vehicle. Duncan also told me that he can wrap just about anything from Motorcycles,Tool box’s, to walls in your Home!!!

In my opinion wraps are going to be the next big thing! An average Mini Van costs about $3,700 to Wrap that’s an average cost of about $15 a square foot and that price includes 16 hours worth of design time,Printing of the Wrap, The installation of it on your Vehicle and Duncan will also show you how to take care of your Wrap as you never wax it but instead apply a glaze and hand wash it with soap and water. Call Duncan and J Signs at 631-758-0707 to learn more about Vehicle Wraps or check them out on the web at jsignsinc.com

Story By L.J. James

I want to talk a little about the Brotherhood mentality versus the gang mentality in the Motorcycle Club world . Now for those of you who may be asking what is the difference? I will set up a scene to help give you an idea! At a small Bar a member of a Motorcycle Club walks in he sees four Bikers playing pool, He can tell they are a bit nervous, They see his patches and they know who he is with. Now how does he act? Does he walk over to the pool table knock the 8 ball in the pocket say games over and tell one of them to buy him a beer? Or does he walk over introduce himself and let them know when they are done shooting pool they are welcome to stop over at the bar have a beer and talk with him! One is the gang way of thinking the other is the Brotherhood way of thinking! I really don’t think I need to tell you which is which!

Now one thing everyone needs to remember is all of the original Motorcycle Clubs Started out with the idea of being a tight nit group of Brothers and just about all of these Motorcycle Clubs got along. Don’t forget many of the men who started the first MCs where returning home after serving their country during times of war. They were looking for that feeling of Brotherhood here at home that they had been left behind. These were good men seeking adventure, looking to ride their Motorcycles and have a good time with others like themselves. Today most Motorcycle Clubs have gone back to that way of Club thinking, There are very few Clubs left that still have the Gang Mentality that was seen mostly during the 70’s threw 90’s. During the late 90’s things had just gotten too far out of hand and most Motorcycle Clubs began to realize the Gang Mentality was not the way it was meant to be and it was not the way they wanted it to be anymore, This was not what the Clubs were started for ! Many Clubs who had been friends were now fighting with each other. No one wanted to wear club support gear and things were just not fun anymore. These MC’s had all started their Clubs with the same ideals and ways of thinking, How and why had they grown so far apart that they now hated each other!

Well the answer to how is during the 50’s and 60’s the golden age of the Brotherhood years of Motorcycling, The Motorcycle Clubs were really huge. During this great time many of the Biker Movies that came out showed Motorcycle Club Members as Bullies and Thugs. The Bikers in these movies would pick on those weaker then them, take over small towns and the Clubs in these Movies all fought each other just like the street gangs of the time! So of course over time many new Bikers came to believe that this was the way it was. So when New Clubs started this was how they would act and the Original Motorcycle Clubs now had members who where young kids looking to prove how tough they were by starting fights with each other. The Original Motorcycle Club Members had been threw real wars together and they were as hard as nails and had nothing to prove to no one! But many younger members felt that they had something to prove and would imitate the Biker Clubs from the Movies they had scene and soon it was Biker against Biker, Brother against Brother, MC against MC. Thus began the Dark age of the Motorcycle Gang Mentality years.

Now for the question Why did this Happen? Well When something Changes the way of thinking and being of Groups like the Motorcycle Clubs so far from their original ideals, You have to ask was it just an accident these movies did this? Or was there more to it? Was there a plan behind it? Is there someone or some group out there that would benefit from having these large groups of Motorcycle Clubs who are run in a very military fashion and are made up of many ex-Military Members fighting against each other? If these Clubs all got along and worked together the world could be a very Different place! The Motorcycle world certainly would be! Are there people out there who are afraid of this happening?

Today there are very few Clubs left that have the Gang Mentality. Most have gone back to the Brotherhood way and the word Gang in the Motorcycle Club world has become almost the equivalent of a racial slur. Now as Motorcycle Clubs are beginning to go back to the way it was at the start and trying to put the past behind them, I am noticing that there are more and more Biker movies and TV shows Coming out. Will these shows show MC’s in a good way? Will they go out of their way to stir up the quarrels of the past? Will they show us as mindless Bullies much as the Movie Wild Hogs did? Most Important will we let them influence how we really are? Or have we learned from our past? If all continues to go well we could soon be making our way into the Second Golden age of Motorcycle Club Brotherhood back to where it all Started !!!

All Bikers need to ask themselves, Are you part of the Problem or part of the Solution?

I am Your Bro LJ James with AmericanBikerX.com Radio Show at BikerLowdown.com

MORTAL SKULLS MOTORCYCLE CLUB LAUNCHES SKULL GEAR APPAREL, Inc.

The Mortal Skulls Motorcycle Club out of Long Island NY have started their own Motorcycle Gear and Apparel Business aptly named Skull Gear Apparel, Inc.

The Business will not only be selling the Mortal Skulls MC’s line of Club Support Gear but it will include a line of Skull Gear Apparel, Inc. Mens and Ladies Clothing.

The most anticipated item at this year’s opening for Skull Gear Apparel is the Infamous “Back the F#%K Off” sweat shirt that every biker just seems to love to wear when Riding!!!

Look for new items soon, Biker Jewelry, Sunglasses, Skull Figurines and much more!

The idea behind Skull Gear Apparel was very simple. With there being so many Motorcycle Apparel Businesses being run by those who do not ride. The Members of the Mortal Skulls MC asked who knows more about what Bikers want and love then the Bikers themselves!

Don’t miss Skull Gear Apparel, Inc. at Large Motorcycle events near you this year! Or Online at http://www.MortalSkulls.com and http://www.SkullGearApparel.net for new merchandise and to order on-line!!!

When the Riding Season is Here! You need Skull Gear! Your Bro L.J. James

Every February I attend the Annual AMA Biker’s Blood Drive and Party at Harley Davidson of NYC in Long Island City. The Biker’s Blood Drive grows a little bigger every year.

I have gone just about every year and always give a pint of the good stuff, The event always brings in many Bikers from all over the Long IslandNew York City area and many pints of Blood are always collected!

The Blood Donated will be used locally to help save those in our area. For just one Pint of Blood Guests are treated to Live Music by The always incredible “The Transplant Band” They are also given all the Bagels, Donuts, Muffins, Cookies and candy they Can eat along with many varieties of Juice. I think what really gets many of the Bikers to donate is the Free Harley Davidson of NYC T-Shirt.

Blood Donations get slow during the Winter Months and the goal of this event is to make sure there is plenty of Blood in the NYC area. All Blood donated stays in the area and goes to help someone local. The Bikers all know the life they help save could be one of there own.

This is another great event that helps everyone to see the great things that Bikers can do when they stand together and united! A big thanks goes out to Lauren of the Chai Riders MC, She has been a huge part of what has kept this event going over the years!

For more info check out nycharleydavidson.com I hope to see all of you there Next year !!!

Your Bro L.J. James AmericanBikerX.com Radio Show at BikerLowdown.com

Are you searching for some place or someone to trade your antique Lionel trains? Perhaps you have discovered a gold mine at your neighborhood garage sales event! Or possibly you’ve discovered a box in the attic filled with these antique Lionel trains. How do you uncover their actual full value?

When it gets down to it, their value, or their selling price, will very much depend on different things, not the least of which is how much the buyer is prepared to pay you to get it. The most driven purchasers will of course pay more than somebody who is not passionate about it.

The last person you want to sell your antique Lionel train to is 1 of those someones who post advertizements saying “I buy trains!”. These somebodies are in the business of committing the lowest manageable price, and then selling as high as manageable. You most in all probability will not get a good cost existing.

Who you DO want to talk to is accurate collectors of old Lionel trains. They are most liable to give you a ordinary cost, and in this group of somebodies is where you are as well most in all likelihood to acquire a affected purchaser. You may have a local group of collectors in your individual field. Hobby shops that deal in used Lionel trains, or cater regions and add-on for them, can direct you in acquiring the trusted collectors.

At Present that you acknowledge where to find a purchaser, here are whatever hints to help you put a price on your used Lionel train.

The Train Collectors Association has strict grading criteria that are observed by the proper train collectors in setting valuations. They separate the total range of conditions into 7 classes, ranging from brand new and unused (mint condition) to junk, with whatsoever operational areas (poor condition). The 7 classes are: Mint, Like New, Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, Poor. Your train will fall someplace into one of these families.

In addition, there are 2 excellent guides wrote each year that can aid you to find out a value for your antique Lionel train. These newspaper publishers are well respectable in this area, and have been composing these guides for many yr. The two guides are:

TM’s Lionel Price and Rarity Guide - Volume one or Volume two, betting on the date your Lionel train was constructed

Greenberg’s Pocket Price Guide to Lionel Trains

There are certain things you can do which can make a tremendous difference in your selling cost. Say your train is in mint condition, plus you have the basic package, you will get the highest cost possible. So do not ever cast away the box if you have 1. Too, clean your train so that there is no dust, soil, dirt, or old built up oil on it. A clean and beaming train that doesn’t move can often control a high trading cost than a dirty one that functions. In addition, sometimes just cleansing it up and making small repairs can reestablish that old train to a more worthy condition.

You can get an excellent guide for fixing your old Lionel train at LionelManuals.com. The guide is actually 2 CDs full of instructions, blueprints, parts lists, and detailed diagrams for every Lionel train ready-made from 1906 through 1986. It makes restoring your train simple, and can easily double or triple the price you can get for your train. With several of these receivable trains, doing the elementary amends can in reality bring you thousands of dollars more when you deal it.

So you see, there is a lot that goes into positioning a value on your antique Lionel train. Your well counted to get a good selling price is to do your inquiry on your train, check the recognised guides, make contact with a collectors club, and show a restored, clean and beaming train to a wild gatherer.

If you are a serious motorcycle enthusiast, you probably spend hours a week riding, fine tuning, and thinking about your bike. But was about your bike accessories? A high quality motorcycle deserves a high quality motorcycle helmet.

If you’ve got the money to spend on the best bike, why would you skimp when it comes to your safety? A high quality motorcycle helmet ensures that you are getting the best protection for your dollar.

Of course, you also want to invest in a high quality motorcycle helmet because when you’ve got the best bike, you need to be looking your best too. When you’re riding down the highway, a good helmet will help complete your look.

When you’re ready to start looking for your high quality motorcycle helmet, there are some good places to start. The RKT 101 Carbon is a slick and safe helmet that has many unique and high class features.

When you look at the 101 Carbon, the reason for its name becomes immediately apparent. It has a lightweight carbon fiber layer, which helps to protect you and looks cool. There are also shock absorbing layers for maximum protection.

If you love to ride fast and hard, the 101 Carbon is the right helmet for you. It’s designed with aerodynamics in mind, which lets you go faster. And it can include a communications system, so you can talk to your riding buddies.

The 101 Carbon has many different touches which make it a high quality motorcycle helmet. The shield can be easily snapped in and out for replacement. It’s also UV filtering, to protect your skin and eyes.

High quality motorcycle helmets are easy to find. Which helmet is best for you depends on many different factors, taking in to account what you’re looking for in a helmet, and how much you’re in the market to spend.

The global positioning system was made by the United States Department of Defense and has been utilized considerably by the army. Despite this, GPS is seeing more action commercially, and more people have access to this sort of technology than ever before.

If a cell phone comes with GPS built in, it is designated a GPS cell phone. Whether you are walking or in a vehicle, you can quickly pull out your cell phone and determine your exact location. This freedom and mobility is what makes GPS cell phone unique.

When most people hear the phrase GPS, they think of the products in cars that give turn-by-turn directions. In fact, the voice directions are one of the few benefits traditional GPS systems have that cell phones don’t. Once cell phones acquire this capability, the need for original GPS probably won’t be needed.

In emergencies, GPS is something you will always be thankful for. You can use it to find a gas station or a town in close proximity if lost. You can also give emergency personnel, family, or friends your specific location with the aid of global positioning.

By having GPS on your cell phone, emergency personnel can better determine your location. Although most people think that they can be traced easily when they call 911, there have been problems with tracing cell phones. When you have GPS, this problem is virtually eliminated, so you don’t have to worry about being stuck in the middle of nowhere with nobody coming to help.

The primary benefit people think about when it comes to GPS is finding places without a map. Indeed, you will never need to look at a map again if you have a quality GPS cell phone. All you need to do is type in the address you are going to, and step-by-step directions are instantly created for you to follow.

For parents, GPS can be used to track the location of their children to make sure they are safe. Teenagers, however, are loathing of this feature, especially when it is used without their knowledge. Before a parent tracks their child, it should be made clear to them that such an activity is transpiring.

While GPS cell phones are not widespread as of yet, the natural progression of technology will soon make it so. There will be a day when no one will ever get lost again, and with that, the world will be a slightly better place.