Industrial engines. They are still used by several manufacturers (most notably Blata on their entry level bike) and typically produce between 2.5 and 3.5 horse power (hp). All are air-cooled. Tuning and performance parts are very limited.

The Chinese 47/49cc. These engines are used in the Chinese made mk2, and mk3 minimotos. They are air cooled and produce between 2.5 and 3.5 horse power (hp). This engine is different from the industrial engine that is used in the Blata, as it is specifically created for mini moto use.

Polini 4.2 engine. This is the basic Polini engine and, as its name suggests, it produces 4.2 hp in standard form. It is air-cooled and uses the ’series I’ crankcase with the 3-port cylinder. There is plenty of scope and parts for tuning but few people bother because most racing classes for the 4.2 won’t allow any modifications.

Polini 6.2 engine. The top end of this engine is the same as the 4.2 (3-port) but is available with either water or air-cooling. The bottom end uses the ’series II’ crankcase. This helps to make it more powerful. Race regulations don’t allow modification to the engine internals but do allow performance parts, the most significant being the exhaust. There are a wide range of alternative exhausts that year after year manage to extract more power from the engine. Consequently the 6.2 ‘tag’ no longer means anything, these little rockets (more often referred to as ‘production’ nowadays) claim power outputs of up to 9hp.

The Chinese made water cooled engine. This engine is very similar to the Polini 6.2 however it is a series 1 crankcase engine. The engine is water cooled and is used in the Origami B1 replica. The engine produces around 7.5/8.5 horse power (hp) Many of the parts on this engine are interchangeable with the Polini.

What’s the difference between the ’series I’ and ’series II’ crankcase?. Fuel is drawn from the carb into the crankcase via a one-way valve known as the ‘reed valve’. The intake port (where the reed valve and carb join the engine) on the series I engine will only accommodate a reed valve assembly with one reed ‘petal’ whereas the series II will take a reed valve ‘cage’ that accommodates two reed petals. A two-petal reed valve will allow more fuel mixture to flow into the engine and, therefore, produces more power.

Polini Super engine. The super also uses the series two crankcase but with a 5-port cylinder. It is only available in water cooled now but used to come as air cooled as well. To compete with Polini, Mallossi manufacture an alternative 5-port cylinder. There are no restrictions on tuning supers and with engine ‘porting’, bigger carbs and other performance parts they can be turned into awesome machines (for their size) easily producing 12hp.

What is meant by 3 and 5 port?. This refers to the amount of ‘transfer’ ports built into the cylinder. The transfer ports draw the fuel mixture up from the crankcase and ‘dump’ it above the piston prior to ignition. A five-port cylinder has potential to produce more power.

40cc or 50cc. The 3 port engines are only available in 40cc. The 5 port cylinder comes in both 40 and 50cc. ZPF offer a tuned 5-port polini cylinder with their own ’special’ cylinder head. The extra cc gives 25% more displacement and, therefore, has the potential for more power. 50’s are more common in the USA but they’re catching on fast in the UK. The UK now allows them to race in championships.

The Polini engine components are interchangeable, which can make for some interesting combinations. However, people don’t tend to bother because of class restrictions and it is usually easier to upgrade the whole bike or change the complete engine.

Matt Tong owns and maintains a website for mini moto bikes, parts, and information. He has been riding and importing Mini Motos in to the UK for two years and can offer help and advice for newcomers to the sport. He also recommends www.articleblotter.com for articles on a range of topics and the link directory there that offers great benefits.

It’s been more than 15 years since Lance Armstrong first received his first two trophies and he’s come a long way since then. Lance Armstrong the cycling extraordinaire with both feet planted safely and securely on the ground is a powerful figure on and off the bike. His support for cancer research has only served to push his fame further as support and respect pours in. He rules on the bike and with his fight against cancerous cells in his own body, he shows the world that he rules his life as well.

Emotional and Physical strength required

Lance Armstrong, at the age of 13, showed his mother that he is gifted on the bike and almost at the cost of his high school diploma, he pursued a career as a competitive cyclist relentlessly. And when his doctor told him that he had cancer, his life was smashed into smithereens. Although devastated by news of his cancer, his life took on a new turn and instead of letting his health cripple him, Lance Armstrong took cancer by the neck and shook it! He refused to be beaten.

Because of his mental strength, physical prowess and his passion for living, he has become a role model today, a role model that many youngsters today look up to and want to be like when they grow up. He takes it upon himself to help instill the same kind of strength and competitive spirit in the new generation.

And with his commitment to their mental and physical health, Lance Armstrong gives cycling a brand new image.

His support

Because he has first-hand experience in fighting cancer, he’s in the position to offer his support for those who are going through the same tormenting experience. Through the Lance Armstrong Foundation, he finds support and sponsorship to make the lives of people going through cancer treatment better.

And because of his mental strength and belief in the sport, he’s gotten Discovery Channel to stand behind him. The Pace Line is a collaborative website between Discovery Channel, Lance Armstrong, AMD and a host of other corporate sponsors. The website delivers news about racing, general news about the sports, lets members download wallpapers, screensavers, and inspiring photos of recent races.

Online and Offline

Lance Armstrong believes in racing and cycling so much that he has extended his reach through the Internet…as can be seen with his various websites. He fervently works to spread the message of strength and power. He, Lance Armstrong, has a significantly huge role to play in increasing the popularity of the sport through his nobleness, quiet strength and active spreading of the message.

Dylan Miles, journalist and website builder, lives in Texas. He is the owner and co-editor of http://www.bikestoday.info on which you will find a longer, more detailed version of this article.

Not getting enough exercise? It’s a common feeling - we all recognize this, yet so much gets in the way of actually doing exercise. We watch people packed into gymnasiums working out, and consider : I must go to the gymnasium, pay up my member’s costs, then lift some weights. It just seems like too much effort, isn’t there something I can do that’s not going to throw away my time - something that’s even pragmatic?

So you might consider purchasing a bike, as biking around is a superb way to improve one’s well-being . You can ride to work or to the shops, so it’s very pragmatic. It’s also very cheap - there’s no petrol involved and the maintenance are almost nothing. It’s also environmentally friendly. And not forgetting the small detail of actually getting you in shape.

However, many individuals are reluctant to get a bicycle since it’s just TOO much exercise. As bizarre as that sounds, it could be because they might live in a very hilly area, be elderly or suffer from particular ailments that make bicycling too “hardcore” for their capabilities. Also for some people, it’s not practical biking to work since they will sweat too much through the exertions of pedaling.

This is where electric bikes come in. Electric bikes let your legs have a break on the severe hills merely by turning your hand on the grip and allowing the electric motor kick in - pedalling is no longer required then. Then when you’re ready to switch to manual, just let your legs take over. So you get your modest exercise and fresh air without breaking a sweat. E-bikes are also very cost-effective to operate necessitating only a daily battery re-charge if you cycle around 15 to 22 miles per day, although most people require only a couple of re-charges a week since they are not doing this kind of mileage. If you need to carry your bike around, consider a folding frame electric bike.

These days the real cost of getting an e-bike have dropped in price, so you can save yourself a considerable amount of money on bus fares, fuel, gym memberships etc. by purchasing and on a regular basis using an electric bike.