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Rider Safety Article by Peg Kanserski
I recently have been honored to be appointed the Rider Education Chapter Educator.
This is a large title that so far to me means lots of paperwork, reading lots of articles, and monthly reminders to be safe. Please be patient with me and input will be gratefully accepted as I try to fill the shoes of Dick who held this position with many more years of riding experience than I. Be sure that I will ask questions, find answers to your questions and be available as much a humanly able to assist with our group to grow and become even bigger and more fun with Safety in mind for all. I thank you, Dick and Larry giving me this chance to be even more apart of F-2 than I have been the past.
Now for my first article to the news letter. I know many of you pull a trailer and I have over heard some say chains can be dangerous if a trailer becomes loose. I hear what you say but many states require that trailers have safety chains and this article talks about how one should attach them to your bikes. Read this article and consider what it says. Maybe you have a better method and if so, I would like to hear it and may write the editor of this article for his input. James Davis has many article published on safety on many topics. I thank him for the use of this article to help get started.
Trailer Hitch Fundamentals
Connect those chains properly
By: James R. Davis
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While at my favorite cycle accessory shop the other day I met a man who was the proud owner of a new Wing and a color-coordinated trailer that he was polishing mightily in preparation for a week out on the road.
He had 20 years riding experience and has 'always' had a trailer, so he said.
We talked at length about handling characteristics, effects on gas mileage, tire wear (including that of the rear tire on the bike), and proper weight distribution and loading practices. All in all I believe I learned a lot from him.
Then I noticed his hitch. It was a beauty - all chrome and besides having the typical ball connector, it had a swivel in it. Even the chains he used were chromed!
So what's this message all about? Those chains. The man did not have them crossed. In all his years of pulling a trailer nobody had ever bothered to tell him to cross those chains so that they form a 'catch' for the tongue should the hitch ever disconnect from the ball. (One other benefit is that when in a tight turn crossed chains tend to prevent the length of chain on one side from being 'stretched' while on the other side being dragged on the ground.) When he left the accessory shop they were crossed.
If that man's hitch had ever managed to dislodge from the ball the tongue would have dug itself into the pavement and a good ride would have been over! Further, unlike what happens when you lose a trailer from the back-end of a car or truck, the trailer's tongue is right in line with the motorcycle's rear tire. Even if it could not quite reach the ground should it disconnect, that tongue can certainly reach the tire if the chains are too long. In all, bad news!
So, when you attach that trailer to your bike be sure to cross a pair of chains under its tongue before connecting the chains to the hitch and be sure that the chains are not so long that the tongue can reach your rear tire after a disconnect.
Also, don't use cheap spring clip connectors on the end of those chains. If those chains are supporting the tongue of your trailer and you were to then stand on that tongue (as some policemen are apt to try to 'test' them), they MUST HOLD.
Incidentally, in most states you are required to use TWO chains when pulling a trailer, and in every state you are totally responsible for any damage that the trailer might cause should it get away from you.
March
March 2009 Words From Larry and Barb
March will be here when this article is read and most of us have made through the uneventful winter months. B U T! Spring into action as our season is almost here. The wax cans are ready, new safety parts and lights are ready to put on, new stories to tell and new adventures to enjoy and share with friends, it doesn't get any better!!!! We will discuss our ride schedules, fund raisers, clothing, safety and fun to be had by all. The staff met Sunday February 28, and trust me on this one, we have a very fine staff in place. Dick Herron has resigned and has been replaced by Peg Kanserski, an easy pick that was quickly approved after introductions to Chuck and Melanie and Robert G, our state Rider Educators. Congratulations to Peggy who will assist me with "Safety Saturday" with directions from the state directors will be a great addition to my staff and our chapter. The next addition is Lance who will take over the "Webmaster" position with the help of Jim Hopper will be well on his way. Congratulations Lance!!
We had conversations about our first auction and again I am thankful for the wisdom shown by this group. We will review with all members during the March meeting. We need everyone to make this successful. We as a staff agreed ideas start with the staff and grow with the chapter, any problems or long disagreements will be settled after or before meetings not debated. I recently had a discussion about business and that our chapter was not a business, I agree. That's' my job and just like home we have checks and balances and with more money, we can help others, buy things the chapter may want or need, we can plan for future events.
Cabin fever was enjoyed by all that attended and the new 2010 theme will be "The Wild Wild West", maybe we can have even more join us next year. We will be scheduling two events with other chapters fund raisers, Chapter "V"
Ashland on March 28 and Chapter "B" Mansfield May 17, 2009. The fliers should appear in this newsletter and John will explain during ride discussions.
We will close in thanking my staff for putting up with Barb and me. We would also wish to share our prayers with Barbs' loss of a brother, and John Scheutz, who also lost a brother.
2009 GWRRA OHIO, IS LOOKING GOOD -- SHARE THE JOURNEY
Larry and Barb
