DIY Life

Batman kicks butt in his latest movie, The Dark Knight, a gloomy yet action-packed flick that scored big at the box office this weekend. A summer blockbuster has been born, to be sure. The stunningly cool vehicles used in the movie are attracting interest all on their own, especially the sleekly menacing Bat-Pod motorcycle.

It turns out the bike was a bit of a DIY job on the part of the film's creators. According to an article in Popular Mechanics, the 'Pod is actually a motorcycle-ATV hybrid, all wrapped up with plumbing parts and some creative duct-work. The entire exhaust frame was custom built especially for the movie, while those massive wheels suffered blow-out after blow-out until the steering was just right. Another cool little factoid: the footrests disguise the bike's radiator.

Speaking of The Dark Knight, the movie's star, Christian Bale, seems to have gotten himself into a spot of bother with the police. Read all about it at our sister site, Cinematical.

I know, I know, you're hearing about the green movement everywhere, and it's even more prevalent now that the gas prices have risen sky-high. You want to do your part, but sometimes it's hard to know where to begin.

You want to start where it will do the most good and save you the most money, right? Green Home has put together a table that can help you figure out the best ways for you to go green.

I'm concerned about gasoline right now, as I drive a (smallish) SUV -- my next car is a hybrid, I promise! I was pleasantly surprised to find out that I could save over $2000.00 over the next five years if I just drive more slowly (under 60 m.p.h). Tell that to my lead foot, then join me after the break for more green money-saving tips.

Bikes. They're everywhere. Mountain bikes and road bike sales started trending up about a decade ago (thanks, Lance), and recently sales got an additional bump because of rising gas prices. Do you own one? If so, you're familiar with the expensive pricing structure at the bike shop.

You really should get a complete tune-up on a yearly basis. And if you do the work yourself, you can save bucks big time. This used to be a case of reading confusing manuals with substandard illustrations. But no more! At this excellent bike repair online resource, you can do it all.

The instructions are clearly written and the photos are well-done and informative. So get out the tool box, surf over there, and get started! This is a great time to replace a freewheel, adjust your brake calipers, or adjust a headset!

[via Lifehacker]

I was surprised when, after gifting my husband with a new bike for his birthday, he hung on to his old one. He explained he kept it around for days when he had to park his bike outside, because he didn't want the new one to get stolen.

It's a problem that bicycle commuters and bike enthusiasts everywhere have to deal with. Bikes are easy to steal and hard to track.

So what do you do when you have a nice ride that you risk losing every time you park it? According to MAKE, you ugly it. A little paint, some faux techniques to make it look rusty... suddenly you have a junker bike that still rides like a dream. Tear out the seat, replace the screws, and even the most savvy of bike thieves might not know that that beast is really a beauty underneath.

Road biking and mountain biking are as different in style as they are in culture.

Road biking requires cyclists working together in order to maximize their performance through drafting and other strategies. In my experience, the drawback is that in contrast to working together to get a better time, road biking can be very "every man for himself" when it comes to helping others with mechanical issues.

Mountain biking, on the other hand, seems to have a culture of assisting anyone who looks like they are struggling, in spite of the need for individual talent and achievement in order to excel at the sport.

There is no drafting on an intense section of single track. I have been lent tools, tubes, chain parts, tech tips, and encouragement during various rides when things have definitely not been going well. Many of these offers came entirely unsolicited from complete strangers who just happened to pass me and my friends when we had stopped to deal with a situation.

After the break I will, in the true spirit of mountain biking, share a few of the more unusual repairs I have encountered when either parts or tools have not been present to do the needed repairs properly.

Some people are fanatical about maintaining their ride, and others let problems go on forever because they're intimidated by anything mechanical. But there are some easy, quick fixes you can do yourself without a wallet-emptying trip to the mechanic. Check these out...

• Restoring cloudy headlight lenses - These usually don't have to be replaced at the crazy dealer price. Auto parts stores sell restoration kits to get them looking like new.
• Door hinges that squeak - If your door hinges are squeaking, they're already being damaged. Quench their thirst with some white lithium grease. Why not do this on a monthly basis?
• Corroded battery terminals - This is probably the most overlooked auto maintenance chore. When they corrode they put a strain on the charging system. Make them spic 'n span today.
• Rear window defroster grid DOA - A frosty or dewy rear window is dangerous in the morning. Pick up a Permatex Quick Grid Repair Kit at the auto parts store. You can get it working again in a flash!
• Changing your coolant - This should be done at least annually. Folks know about oil but forget coolant. The most important thing is to not mix colors. Coolant comes in blue, yellow, red, and orange flavors. Mixing colors makes mud and will hose your heater core. The cheapest replacement cost is about $400!
  

These are just a few things to keep your ride rolling. Keep up with them and save money in the long run!

Yesterday, I put $20 worth of gas into my car. I can remember the day when that would have filled it up, but instead it gave me just over 5.5 gallons. Gas prices are definitely at a high point, and it's predicted they could rise further by summer.

Though you can save money at the pump by reducing the number of miles you drive, sometimes it's impossible to cut back enough to make a difference. You can, however, save a few bucks by following these few tricks from Yahoo Finance.

• Consider checking a website like GasPriceWatch.com, which is fed by tipsters but also has a Certified Pricing Program. (Driving all over town looking for low prices, however, will burn any pennies you save. Look for a station near where you'll be anyway on your daily travels.)
• Fill up at low peak times when prices are likely to be their lowest -- before sunrise, late at night, and -- in some states -- mid-week.
• Fill up when you hit 1/4 tank. Make sure the price on the sign matches the one on the pump and that it's set to zero when you begin fueling.
• Investigate ways to improve your gas mileage.
• Take good care of your car. Check your tire pressure regularly and unload seasonal items such as snow tires.
• Though many financial experts don't recommend using credit cards, according to Yahoo Finance, using a credit card with cash rewards can help you earn rebates when you buy gas.
  

It may not take all of the sting out of today's rapidly rising gas prices, but by planning ahead, you may be able to save a few dollars off your monthly gas bill.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Master Lock is voluntarily recalling about 27,000 Lock and Leash locks, due to the fact that the red surface paint on the locks contains an excessive amount of lead, violating the lead paint standard. No injuries have been reported.

Manufactured by Fullyear-Brother Enterprise Co, Ltd. and sold by hardware stores and internet retailers from March 2007 through January 2008 for about $8, this recall involves only red Lock and Leash locks with model number 1551D. Please check the CPSC press release for more information about the recalled locks.

Consumers should stop using the recalled red lock immediately and return it to Master Lock Company Return Goods, c/o All in One Warehouse, 2050 North Smokey Lane, Suite B, Nogales, AZ 85621 for a full refund. For more information, contact Master Lock at (800) 464-2088 or visit the firm's website at www.masterlock.com.