Motorcycle Glossary

Carb Cleaner

is xylene and/or MEK (methyl ethyl ketone), i.e. an active, very volatile solvent. Good for getting the "varnish" and "parafin" that form on the inside (and outside) of carburetors from old gasoline. Good as a general solvent, too.

Newbie

(n) one not understanding the term newbie
- Peter Harper <bo165@freenet.carleton.ca>

Someone who hasn't got the FAQ.
- Mike Fleming <Mike@tauzero.demon.co.uk>

Squid

Thumper

[Pics] A thumper is slang for any (usually big) single cylinder motorcycle - this derives probably from the noise they make - 'specially true of the old British singles - stand next to an old Velocette/BSA or Panther and at tickover you can almost count the revs.
Thump....thump....thump
- Andrew Barnes <andrew@barnes-a.demon.co.uk>

That's a 12-inch length of rubber garden hose pushed over a half-inch iron pipe just short enough to smash melons.
- Bob Gray <ray@utopia.nrl.navy.mil>

A large rabbit.
- <Julian@shockwav.demon.co.uk>
With antlers!
- Dan Gambell <gambeda@gdss.grumman.com>