According to my wife, I don't own any motorcycles. No. What I own, according to her, are several complex mechanical jigsaw puzzles that are stored in a big box, called a garage, where normal people generally keep things like lawnmowers, cars, and occasionally, fully operational motorcycles.

When's the last time you changed your bike's antifreeze? Can't recall? Don't be embarrassed, neither can I, and that's probably true for far too many of us.

In 1935, BMW released the R12, a watershed motorcycle most notable because it was the first bike offered to the public equipped with a hydraulically damped, telescopic front fork. Despite the many advances in motorcycle technology over the ensuing 75 years, the fixed orifice/damper rod front fork has changed little; a technician familiar with BMW's seminal design would have little trouble working on any variation that's succeeded it.

Retiring
I have a 2006 H-D Electra Glide Standard, with 10,500 miles on the original Dunlop tires. In the spring, I expect to replace them. What is the typical mileage I can expect from any tire? The owner's manual says to only use H-D tires. If I replace with the same size tires I am sure I'll be safe, so when the owner's manual says to use only H-D tires, are they doing so to promote sales or is there a safety issue?
John
Milford, Ma

A few weeks ago I noticed a small fuel leak coming from my Triumph's petcock. Thinking it was nothing more than a loose clamp, I gave it a tweak and more or less forgot about it. Three days later the leak returned, only this time it was more pronounced.