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Our
flying machines look so simple and, in most ways, they are. But proper
setup and maintenance is critical. Cheaper, too. These PPG Bible extras
should help keep you, or at least your gear, airworthy.
A
lot of this information is just too specific to put in the book but it's
no less valuable. Plus, technology will
hopefully improve enough to someday make spark plugs and mixed gasoline
seem quaint.
But for now, we spark, mix, and fix.
Correctly
adjusting your harness is incredibly important for both safety and
comfort. Numerous accidents have resulted directly from incorrectly
adjusted harnesses. The instructor that you bought from or a pilot who is
intimately familiar with the gear is your best resource.
A Quick Note About Oil
Many, if not most,
experienced instructors believe that synthetic oil is better for a
number of reasons. Motocross riders have sworn by it for years and they
regularly run their engines to death and back.
But for those who travel, getting decent
oil on the road is tough. In a pinch, many gas stations carry 2-stroke
oil but it's not ideal. You can get
synthetic oil in the Lawn & Garden department at Walmart under the name Polan
(other departments may have 2-stroke oil but not synthetic). Menards
carries Pennzoil in a 1 gallon container. Most motorcycle shops will
also carry high quality synthetic 2-stroke oil.
 A Quick
Note About Fuel
In general, regular auto gas
mixed with a good 2-stroke oil, at the prescribed ratio, will work in
almost any 2-stroke motor. But there are benefits of using higher octane
gas, especially for higher compression engines.
Here's more information on
fuel, octane and what you'll find in different fuel types such as Avgas.
Here's more on alcohol in gas.
A Quick Note About Fuel
Containers
New regulations stipulate
that retail gas containers have spill resistant venting. That's noble
but doesn't work well for our application—they're slow. A great solution
is using the gas containers from Motocrossers. Their shape and flexible
hose gets into our confined tanks easily and, having a regular vent
means the flow rate is great.
The cans can be ordered on
the web or purchased at motorcycle and kart racing shops.
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