Maintainence lessons for the clueless

[Bytor]

Anyone know where I can learn about bike maintainence for the mechanically challenged i.e college evening classes (or is that just a UK thing?).

Arrived here in August and 'treated' my '97 ZX6-R to a B service at one of Auckland's Kawa dealers when it came off the boat. Cost me a load of dough that I don't have and since then has been running like a knacker. Low speeds (under 4k rpm) just aren't smooth and the bike 'jumps/splutters' unless I pull the clutch in or rev it. Higher speeds aren't so bad but she still doesn't feel as quick as she used to. The said dealer noted that the chain and sprocket would need changing soon - could this be an issue, or is the fuel in NZ shite to what the bike is used to?

Anyway back to the main point, to save myself a bundle and gain a little respect where can I learn to do the basic service/maintainence stuff myself?

[Highlander]

Xcellent question.
Can anyone guide me to something similar in Tauranga?

[gamgee]

basic and to the point:
http://www.soyouwanttodrive.com/bike_maintenance.php

[TLDV8]

Anyone know where I can learn about bike maintainence for the mechanically challenged

A good place to start is buying a workshop manual.

[Posh Tourer :P]

Frosty has run some spanner evenings in Auckland, there may be anotehr one planned??
There are evening classes (night classes/community education) at most secondary schools and universities, but I doubt if they do motorcycle maintenance....

[inlinefour]

my gargre, a bike is required and it will have to be when Im not working. (I'm a shift worker).:blip:

[Brett]

I am keen too frosty!!!!!!!!!

[Bytor]

Me thinks that this could be a 'business' opportunity for those like 'inlinefour', earn a few bucks showing us muppets how to adjust/change a chain and sprocket etc in the evenings. Everyone's gotta learn sometime and I'd prefer to watch someone show me and look at the manuals.

Any mechanics for the big companies out there wanna do some extra curricular activities - if you know what I mean! I reckon there's a fair few of us out there who'd make up a 'class'.

As for my ZX6-R probs - the excellent guys at Botany Honda took it for a spin and sure enough the chain is faaaarked. Thankfully they're not charging much to fit a new one with front and rear sprockets - but would be nice to be able to have the confidence to do it myself.

Sorry about my 'maintenance' spelling error - maybe I need English lessons as well!

[imdying]

Brought a Haynes manual for my 97 ZX6R F3. Cost about $65, and covers pretty much everything. Recommended if you want to save a few bucks (or even just know the correct fluids, levels etc).

[Macktheknife]

You could also try this for a manual for damn near anthing
http://www.manuals.co.nz/
If you have any specific probs most of the older guys know a trick or two about 'fixin stuff'.

[Bytor]

Cheers, will stick it on my Christmas list