Mechanicing your bike - what are us noobs missing out on?

[Grasshopperus]

Hi guys,

I wonder how much us noobs are missing out on the whole biking experience due to us not knowing how to change stuff and what to to change too.

For example, today I had a big win with the fuel system on my bike http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/117374-ZXR250A-hesitation-problem-solved this is an example of the stuff we should be doing, it was obvious that there was a problem with my bike and doing some investigation solved it. That's easy enough.

However, while I was waiting for the new carb jets to arrive I looked up the suspension settings in my bike's manual and made some changes which made it totally kick arse. The manual mentions that the 4 or so adjustable suspension settings on the bike are setup for a 68kg person so I made them all much harder/stiffer/higher for my 120kg of pure muscle and now the bike feels a LOT better.

As the front doesn't dive as much I now feel much more stable under braking and in general cornering too. I can feel more bumps on the road but that's OK in my book.

Anyway, my point is that until I tried to change the settings I wasn't aware of just how poor my old setup was for me. As the bike I've got is all I've ever ridden (over decent distances) I had no idea if what I had was any good; it wasn't. I reckon as newbs we should crack open the manuals and make changes more often just for the hell of it.

P.S: I know there's heaps of theory around suspension, that blindly changing settings is not a good idea and that the factory clickers and stuff aren't anywhere near as good as aftermarket stuff but it worked for me.

[NewRob]

Yup, I too play around with my bike and try to do most of the simple stuff myself. Now I am doing both my brakes.(service and changing seals) We learn more when we play with them and if anytime they break down we will at least know what to look for. Cheers.

[p.dath]

I'm not so mechanically minded, but can usually manage the simple things. Although I did make a gigantic cock up recently.
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/116217-Fuck-fuck-fuck-stripped-sump-plug
I'd like to miss out on the experience of doing that again!

[CookMySock]

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/116217-Fuck-fuck-fuck-stripped-sump-plug
I'd like to miss out on the experience of doing that again!There are little rules you make for yourself, usually based on harsh experience such as yours. Once you get a good collection of do's and don'ts mostly you will get along fine.

But yeah fixing stuff up is great fun. Unless you are prepared to be really really methodical and careful, don't expect it to be cheaper than the shop. Adding in buying tools and coping with newbie fuck ups brings you to about break-even point, sometimes worse, sometimes better.

Have fun!
Steve

[p.dath]

But yeah fixing stuff up is great fun. Unless you are prepared to be really really methodical and careful, don't expect it to be cheaper than the shop. Adding in buying tools and coping with newbie fuck ups brings you to about break-even point, sometimes worse, sometimes better.

I have to say the other big issue that puts me off a bit is how difficult it is to get rid of hazardous chemicals, like used motor oil. There are only a few places you can take it, and none of them are anywhere near where I live.

[Squiggles]

Blood, Sweat, and perhaps some Tears... that's what you're missing out on.

[Subike]

the real fun of being a biker comes from reaching the point where you are confident enough to buy and rebuild a lost soul.
that old BSA or 2 smoker thats been gathering dust in grandads shed for the past 30 years.
from taking it home
gently pulling eveything apart , clean, polish, repair. replace, refurbish, recrome, repaint.....
search for months for that one small part you need, then the trill of finding it,
then at the end of your preperation
when you have everything ready,
taking that 2 week holliday owed to you from work,
a microwave, 1 dozen pies, some six packs of Tui's, a sleeping bag,
Lock yourself in the garage
and Build her!
The most awsome sound you will next hear is that first chough from the motor as you attempt to bring her to life.
And they say being pregnamt is and experiance......

[nodrog]

I have to say the other big issue that puts me off a bit is how difficult it is to get rid of hazardous chemicals, like used motor oil. There are only a few places you can take it, and none of them are anywhere near where I live.

its not difficult to tip the shit in the garden

[peasea]

its not difficult to tip the shit in the garden

Or into the stormwater system, eh?
Genius.

[peasea]

I'm not so mechanically minded, but can usually manage the simple things. Although I did make a gigantic cock up recently.
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/116217-Fuck-fuck-fuck-stripped-sump-plug
I'd like to miss out on the experience of doing that again!

Ah yes, but you learned from it didn't you? You won't make the same mistake twice, I'll bet. Now you can do your own oil changes with greater confidence/knowledge and pass on the information to others. Good on ya for admitting you cocked up, that sort of attitude helps others to not repeat the mistake. +++

[nodrog]

Or into the stormwater system, eh?
Genius.

dont be stupid, oil isnt water soluble

[peasea]

dont be stupid, oil isnt water soluble

A lot of machining oils are, so there, nyah.

[nodrog]

A lot of machining oils are, so there, nyah.

sweet! the stormwater drain is heaps closer than my garden, thanks for the time saving tip.

[CookMySock]

dont be stupid, oil isnt water solubleNo no, it's quite safe! It just floats happily and harmlessly on top. :niceone:

Steve

[p.dath]

Ah yes, but you learned from it didn't you? You won't make the same mistake twice, I'll bet. Now you can do your own oil changes with greater confidence/knowledge and pass on the information to others. Good on ya for admitting you cocked up, that sort of attitude helps others to not repeat the mistake. +++

I hope so. They told me to do my next change in 1,000km/s, just in case there are left over metal filings that they missed. So I'll be practising real soon. :)

[Roadsafe Nelson]

Get a notebook & always record any work you do on your bike.. note the mileage & the date the work was done. That way you can look back & know exactly when your last oil change etc was done, so you then know when it needs doing again. Keep all your receipts for anything you buy, or any time the bike goes into the shop, in a folder. Keeping records like this can really help if you ever sell your bike.. to prove to the buyer that you have regularly maintained & serviced the bike.. thus hopefully improving the chances of selling for a reasonable price. CT18 from Repco is a really good all purpose cleaner to use. It is biodegradable & can be used on the entire bike. Put it in a spray bottle.. spray in on.. let it sit for a while.. use a brush on any particularly grubby bits.. then simply hose off. Pledge is a really good polish & cleaner as well! Plus is great for keeping your visor clean!

Read through your bike manual or look online for your particular bike model & learn what your specifications should be. Each bike varies. & as you say.. experiment with the settings to find what is most comfortable for you!! :2thumbsup

Learning basic maintenance can save you a lot of money.. instead of going into the shops pockets!

Happy riding!! :scooter:

Jen
(MyGSXF)

[CookMySock]

CT18 from Repco is a really good all purpose cleaner to use.I use CT18 professionally and I should change to something else, coz it's useless - it just doesn't seem to dissolve anything.

There are lots better cleaners. I won't use it on my bikes.

Steve

[Roadsafe Nelson]

I use CT18 professionally and I should change to something else, coz it's useless - it just doesn't seem to dissolve anything.

There are lots better cleaners. I won't use it on my bikes.

Steve

We've had this conversation before.. a while ago.. ;)

Use it straight with a little bit of elbow grease & a toothbrush if you need to clean a very greasy patch.. works great!! ! My instructors have 35 bikes.. it's the only cleaner they use & their bikes are always kept in spotless condition! :yes:

If you clean the bike regularly, then bad buildup just doesn't happen.

[CookMySock]

You have 35 bikes and you clean with elbow grease and fucking toothbrush? :lol:

Sorry, I spray shit on and give it a quick brush if it is lucky, and hose it off. No time for toothbrush and elbow grease. Thats daft.

Steve

[Grasshopperus]

the real fun of being a biker comes from reaching the point where you are confident enough to buy and rebuild a lost soul.


One day Subike, one day. That's the end game :)


Get a notebook & always record any work you do on your bike.. note the mileage & the date the work was done.


Good idea!

[NewRob]

Since we are on the topic of self maintenance, where can you get the front brakes master cylinder kits with all the seals? OEM or after-market will do. I have gone to Honda dealers and they don't have any stock. They need about 1 or 2 weeks to get it from Japan. Luckily I went around and found a dealer that can get me the part I wanted in two days time. After-market parts will do just fine. Does anyone know who/where are the dealers for after-market parts? These dealers won't tell me where to get them and I must only go through them to get it. By the way, my bike is a Honda CBR250R MC19.

[Roadsafe Nelson]

You have 35 bikes and you clean with elbow grease and fucking toothbrush? :lol:

Sorry, I spray shit on and give it a quick brush if it is lucky, and hose it off. No time for toothbrush and elbow grease. Thats daft.

Steve

Oh DB.. you do love to miss read & miss quote people... ;)

as you were:jerry:

[grusomhat]

Enviroclean is fantastic for cleaning the bike. Just dilute a bit with water, brush on everywhere with a clean paintbrush and then hose off. Just have to make sure you hose it all off otherwise it will leave a dirty looking film. Probably have to rewash seats though as it leaves marks on them.

[p.dath]

I'm obviously missing out on something. I just put a bit of dishwashing detergent in some warm water. Seems to work on mild grease, friendly on the bike, and real cheap.

[CookMySock]

I'm obviously missing out on something. I just put a bit of dishwashing detergent in some warm water. Seems to work on mild grease, friendly on the bike, and real cheap.Nah there are some cleaners that utterly slay dirt and grease, and dishdrops and other consumer junk is just a waste of time.

Steve

[Spearfish]

Another cleaner I heard about is wet and forgets shower cleaner. Brilliant for cleaning mags and bits with a similar surface.
Odd I know but hotrod show n shine guys are using it.