Christchurch maintenance evening(s)

[JMemonic]

Ok folks it looks like out regular Wednesday night ride schedule has been rudely interrupted by the onset of winter

However we have an opportunity to have at least one if not more maintenance evenings in a fully equipped workshop, but before this happens we need expressions of interest and an idea of what topics folks want to cover

Please be practical with suggestions, ie chain tension and lubrication, basic suspensions set up etc. We might even be able to look at perhaps valve clearances if we have the right type of bike and time who knows.

Updated 05/05/08

First night will be held at Gloucester Motor Company, Wed 07/05/08 time 6pm (1800 for those of use who use 24 hour time), we will look at covering some of the basics like pre ride checks and post ride maintenance, actual topics will depend on who turns up.

I will try and have something in the way of a handout printed up so we can give folks info to take away (note if I manage to get this it might not be specific to your bike but will give you an idea).

[Romeo]

So I can just turn up and be schooled by the professionals? Sounds like a good night out to me!

[awayatc]

The idea is great....maybe not every wednesday for me though....
have got an old xr honda engine lying around for valve clearance practice if you want....

[karla]

I'd like to know how to fix a flat tyre, and how to use the tyre cans. And how to put a kill switch on my bike, and install heated handlebars, and adjust the suspension/height of the bike, and adjust the handlebar/clutch/brake.

Mostly would just like to watch the boys. I'll bring popcorn.

[headlesschicken]

I'd be really interested. Things I'd like to see would be suspension adjustment (not that there's much on my bike), oil changes, brakes etc

[phoenixgtr]

I'll definately be there. I'm more interested in the really technical stuff but I think we need to start fairly basic (oil changes, chain tightening, checking things like brake pads). Maybe if it continues we can get more technical (carbs - I'd love to know how to tune carbs)

[The Lone Rider]

I'd be down for any and all of that. If your going to do it at 6pm or so like usual and there be no ride, shouldn't clash with my eary bed time for getting to work on time the next day.

[200BUSA]

Where will this be held?

[chubby]

I'm keen... always good to learn a little more than what I know now.

[fireliv]

You know I'm keen J so count me in!

I'm happy to start with the basics! Phoenix looks after Jessie and he just gets me to hold "things" (like spanners-keep mind out of gutter)

[Mr Triple]

Yeah I'll come along to some of these, it be interesting

[skidMark]

If i move down i may come along, some stuff i do not know, but can teach oil changes how to clean a carb, chain tension/wheel alignment, brake pads, clutches, adjustment of cables etc etc. blah blah

[Kakapo]

Yeah this sounds great, name the place and date....

[T.W.R]

Please be practical with suggestions, ie chain tension and lubrication, basic suspensions set up etc. We might even be able to look at perhaps valve clearances if we have the right type of bike and time who knows.

1) Drive Chains: tension, lubrication, condition (including sprockets)
2) Suspension: condition (general & linkages), preload, rebound, sag
3) Cables(throttle, clutch, & brake): lubrication, freeplay, condition
4) Brakes: condition (pads & discs), changing pads, bleeding systems etc
5) Bearings(wheel, steering, swingarm): condition, tension (steering & swingarm)
6) Fittings: frame mountings, auxiliary items etc
7) Basic service: oil(checking, changing), oil filter(changing), air filter(checking, cleaning etc)
8) Tyres: condition, checking etc
9) Electrics: system checking, bulbs, fuses, basic repairs

Getting into doing valve clearances would be too involved for an evening unless it was done of a couple of evenings, particularly if a multi was involved. Also as the majority of bikes use bucket & shim adjustment having the relevant shim charts and a ready supply of shims for particular bikes it would be too involved for a simple basics styled evening. Also if done wrong who would be held responsible if it lead to engine damage.
The XR donor engine would be OK for showing how to check clearances but being screw & locknut adjustment means it'd only be relevant to a minimal amount of current bikes.

[JMemonic]

Getting into doing valve clearances would be too involved for an evening unless it was done of a couple of evenings, particularly if a multi was involved. Also as the majority of bikes use bucket & shim adjustment having the relevant shim charts and a ready supply of shims for particular bikes it would be too involved for a simple basics styled evening. Also if done wrong who would be held responsible if it lead to engine damage.
The XR donor engine would be OK for showing how to check clearances but being screw & locknut adjustment means it'd only be relevant to a minimal amount of current bikes.

Thanks TWR that was the kind of thing I wanted to see, and you are right it would be a bit difficult to do bucket shim adjustment but the XR engine might give an idea of the processes involved, means that when folks do have to get it done at the shop the understand better what is going on.