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Text Box: Physics. ChopperDave took only one physics course during his many years of higher education. Enamored with the young lass he sat next to in class, needless to say, the tuition was a waste of money for ChopperDave’s parents. Nevertheless, ChopperDave still has a good grasp on the laws of physics. Let’s see if you too can grasp some of the more simple concepts. For instance, let’s say your vehicle weighs in at less than 400 lbs. The average SUV weighs in somewhere in the neighborhood of 10 times that or roughly 4,000 lbs. Now to be clear, this column is far too short to completely explain Newton’s Laws of Motion, Einsteins Special Theory of Relativity, Galileo’s Principle or have any real discussion of inertial mass and quantum physics. Consequently, here’s the “Cliff’s notes” version of the aforementioned physics law, theories, and principles. If you are at the wheel of the vehicle that weighs 4,000 lbs and you begin moving backwards, your “inertial mass” will invoke Newton’s 1st law: “Objects in motion, tend to stay in motion…”. Continuing our example, if your 4,000 lb SUV strikes another vehicle at rest that weighs 400 lbs., Newton’s 1st (Objects at rest tend to stay at rest), AS WELL AS the 2nd law “The rate of change of momentum of a body is equal to the resultant force acting on the body and is in the same direction” AND 3rd law To every action there is an equal but opposite reaction. are ALL invoked and someone’s bike gets all messed up and it costs someone a whole bunch of money. That should clear up any questions you may have regarding physics. Next month, ChopperDave may explain why there is air. For now, let’s ride!

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Chopper’s Today

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Text Box: Pictured at right is RedRyan’s CBR 2010 that is now sporting some “road rash”. When shiny plastic and stickers are your thing, the last thing you need is some unsightly road rash to spoil your day. Usually worn with a bent clutch lever and a broken mirror, this rash is

Text Box: only good if you’re taking a trip to the insurance adjuster. As long as the rash doesn’t spread to the rider, it is nothing to worry about, because you can buy shiny plastic, clutch levers and stickers cheap on ebay!