2009 DT BOOK ONLINE

Unload your bikes:
from the trailer. It is easier just to tow a
trailer away than loading individual bikes.
Keep the machines out of sight:
If they can see them from the street, you
are looking for trouble… Keep the good
stuff out of sight.
Chain the bikes up:
Guys like Oxford products manufacture
all sorts of locks, chains and Anti Theft
devices. Once again – nothing is infalliable,
but the longer it takes these swines to get
the bike or quad out, the more chance you
have of catching them in the act.
Linex Yamaha: (011) 792-9999
Rig the garage with an alarm:
Even a piece of fishing twine connected
to some noisy tins or your big toe in the
bedroom… seriously – go to any security
shop – they sell sensors that set of a
remote alarm as soon as the door is
opened. That will give you time to grab
the baseball bat or Knobkierrie and dish
out some punishment. There are plenty
of sophisticated devices from beams to
sensors – chat to your security specialist.
We contacted A local company – Security
network (011) 425-2270 for an idea on
costs to rig the garage. The bits to do it –
motion sensor, sensor on the door, power
pack with battery, siren and all the cabling
comes to just on R5000.00
There is an additional charge for installation
– dependant upon how much work is
involved.
Fit a tilt switch to the bars:
This costs almost nothing. If you are
even vaguely mechanical you can do
it yourself – rig a mercury switch inside
your handlebar on a circuit to a hooter
or alarm on the bike. A mercury switch
consists of a sealed glass tube containing
two unconnected electrodes and a small
amount of liquid mercury. As long as
the liquid metal remains on the opposite
end of the tube, the electrodes remain
disconnected and no current will flow. Once
the tube is moved past a certain angle,
however, the mercury will pool between the
two electrodes and a connection is made.
The result is electricity flowing through a
completed circuit. Once the liquid metal has
returned to its original position, the electrical
current stops immediately.The moment the
bars are moved, the mercury closes the
circuit, sending current to the alarm, which
screams and, hopefully sends the would-be
thieves packing…
Even if it doesn’t, it should be loud enough
to rouse even the heaviest sleeper.
Insure your bikes:
OK – we know that it makes not too much
sense to insure a cheapie – but chances
are good that the scumbags are not after
those. Insurance takes the sting out of the
theft and helps you get back on the road…
What else?
We have heard of guys stringing bikes right
up on the ceilings, but that seems like a
lot of PT. Theft is a great pain in the butt
and we reckon that there is a very special
place in hell for bike thieves. They rank with
rapists and child molestors in our books...
Tip of the month:
Park your bike in the lounge. It’s a great
conversation piece. Your other half will
love it!
Selling a bike? Wait until the money
CLEARS in your account before you
release it. Even very experienced dealers
are being caught out by scamsters. Call
your bank to confirm.
Lock your bikes up. Don’t leave them
standing around outside for the world to
see.
Alarm on the garage door. The moment
someone opens the garage the alarm
goes off and lights go on. Link it to your
armed response company.
Alarm on the bike. The moment
someone moves the bars, an alarm goes
off. Chat to your dealer.
Disc lock on the bike. Not infallible but
you get the ones with alarms and if they
bypass that, they still need to carry the
bike out. Disc lock alarms are stocked by
gas Junky - www.gasjunky.co.za
Do cameras work? Ummm we are not
so sure. Unless you are actually awake
and watching the monitor. You might get
footage after the fact but unless the person
looks at the camera without a hoodie or
balaclava on, chances are good that you’ll
never identify the buggers anyway.
We understand that there is only so much
you can do. We understand that stuff like
this costs money.
Crooks are smart. Look after your baby...