What sort of work do you do on your bike at home? (Road riders only)

[GSVR]

Easy just select jobs that you have done. Just want to get an idea of how many people do home maintenance. This is not an exhaustive list just a few common jobs to get an idea. Expecting over 50% to check first option.

The final option in this was meant to be "change fork seals or fit emulators" but I was in such a hurry to cut and paste the stuff as people reply before they see the poll.

[mitchilin]

I do the work.I only have half a brick and a crowbar which limits me to working on Harley Davidsons.Shame really....

[Ixion]

I'll do anything except tyre fitting. I *can* if I have to but its a dirty painful hassle, and the tyre machines at the dealers make it so much easier.

Other limitation is computer thingies that need the dealer diagnostic gear.

[HornetBoy]

Yep me do most things except changing tyres,haven't quite mastered that yet ,and my suspension setting skills have alot to be desired.

ps: technically cant change a filter at home as i dont have a oil filter remover either so yes :pinch:

[Conquiztador]

All and everything. Don't use others apart from for Chroming, anodizing, crack testing and dyno work (cant afford one yet...). I try to stay away from bikes with too much electronics and fuel injection as that is where my knowledge stops.

Edit: Yes, fitting tyres on alloy rims. As I do not have the machine I tend to leave marks in the rims, so leave this up to pro's.

[boostin]

If I can't do it then it can't be done.

[Subike]

Change my tyres and balance,
strip and rekit Brake calipers & master cylinders
Strip and modify clutch pack, replace clutch pack, renew clutch pack ( in that order)
Remove face and repace discs,
Drain all oils, motor, gearbox, forks, and replace.
Strip, clean and repair switch blocks,
ummmmmmm
Set plugs, points yes points, timing, adjust cam chain, rockers,
Remove and repair exhaust.
Remove, strip, rekit, reset carburettors,
Set idle, midrange & upper range jets on carbs,

Refuse to do any work for anybody else!

:scooter:

[HornetBoy]

Change my tyres and balance,
strip and rekit Brake calipers & master cylinders
Strip and modify clutch pack, replace clutch pack, renew clutch pack ( in that order)
Remove face and repace discs,
Drain all oils, motor, gearbox, forks, and replace.
Strip, clean and repair switch blocks,
ummmmmmm
Set plugs, points yes points, timing, adjust cam chain, rockers,
Remove and repair exhaust.
Remove, strip, rekit, reset carburettors,
Set idle, midrange & upper range jets on carbs,

Refuse to do any work for anybody else!

:scooter:

could've used ur expertise a couple weeks ago then :weep:

[dipshit]

Expecting over 50% to check first option.


I doubt you will get that many. It is very hard finding a workshop that can do a half decent job on relatively straightforward maintenance.

Having to put my bike in for the first few compulsory services was a crapshoot. Bike comes back with scratches on the bodywork, near cross threaded bolts into the alloy frame from someone forcing a bolt straight in with a rattle gun, way overfilled oil sump and so on.

Even a dipshit like me could do a much better job than the useless cowboy drug-fucked kids that pass for mechanics these days.

[Mikkel]

I lube the chain, wash and polish it... Oh, I fill the tank as well and put air in the tyres. ;)

For everything else I go to the professionals.

Why? Well, I haven't got much in the way of tools and our current tenancy agreement states I can't work on motor vehicles on the promises and also I'm not allowed to spill oil in the garage or driveway. :angry:

[HornetBoy]

our current tenancy agreement states I can't work on motor vehicles on the promises and also I'm not allowed to spill oil in the garage or driveway. :angry:

man,thats gotta suck ,what do you do all day lol:shifty:

[Mikkel]

man,thats gotta suck ,what do you do all day lol:shifty:

Post on KB of course.

[Trouser]

I do everything that doesn't involve tyres. I used to part time at Cycletreads in Christchurch and can do it but for a few extra dollars I'd rather save myself the hassle.

[ukusa]

normally I'd do oil & filters only, but as I'm still under new bike warrantyfor my road bike, I'd better not.

[dipshit]

normally I'd do oil & filters only, but as I'm still under new bike warrantyfor my road bike, I'd better not.

Doing your own oil changes won't void the warranty. So long as you have any compulsory services done by authorised dealer, you will be sweet.

[James Deuce]

Depends, which bike?

I'm happy to break and subsequently fix the 400. Thanks to nudemetalz and Paul in NZ I'm picking up a bunch of new skills in this regard.

However, the 750 goes to the shop.

Sometimes the 400 will go in too, especially when they can do a job in an hour that will take me all weekend and lots of swearing and blood.

[98tls]

Well out of warranty many years ago,pretty much do everything but change tyres.Even enjoy mucking about with the ECU with a yosh box.

[Conquiztador]

I lube the chain, wash and polish it... Oh, I fill the tank as well and put air in the tyres. ;)

For everything else I go to the professionals.

Why? Well, I haven't got much in the way of tools and our current tenancy agreement states I can't work on motor vehicles on the promises and also I'm not allowed to spill oil in the garage or driveway. :angry:

As you were clearly not sober when you signed that contract you could get out of it by claiming that they took advantage of you while you were drunk. (It works in rape cases...)

[Pumba]

Can do it but.........

Under Warranty..........

Enough said.

[Sully60]

Being the controlfreak/cheapskate that I am, I do all works required on my cycles. It saves me money and time.

Time not posting here about how bad the bike shop ripped them off whilst (Insert appropriate issue here eg: scratching, dropping, fingerprinting,loose bolts, tyres not rotated to match the wheels, etc.) their bike:Oi:

I know who to blame :embarrased:

[Sully60]

Being the controlfreak/cheapskate that I am, I do all works required on my cycles. It saves me money and time.

Time not posting here about how bad the bike shop ripped them off whilst (Insert appropriate issue here eg: scratching, dropping, fingerprinting,loose bolts, tyres not rotated to match the wheels, etc.) their bike:Oi:

I know who's to blame:o

[Mr Triple]

I used to do all my own work on my other bikes,but now I'm to lazy. I still do every second oil change and all the small stuff but that's about it. Plus the bike is still under warranty, and when that's finished I'll buy another new one.:jerry:

[madmal64]

I do oils & filters.
Have done wheel & steering head bearings, swingarm bushes etc in the past but cant be arsed usually so thats shop work most of the time.
I do enjoy doing the usual maintenance stuff and actually spent 3 hours cleaning the Falco on Sunday. That was cleaning the chain with a tooth brush, adjusting chain & changing clutch fuild. I really do enjoy having time in the shed with the radio loud, a cold beer and mucking around with my toys

[turtleman]

Can do, and have done, a lot of the regular maintenance on my bikes in the past, and have even done a recon (apart from machine work) as well - just following a Haynes manual.
Now I let the shop do it as I have a new bike under warranty...

[Motu]

I don't do built up cranks,but will do everything else,and more if I want.

[slimjim]

yup only thing i don't do is wheel bal and fitting, very thank-fully my dad been A-grade mac , and spending so much time showing me how to rebuild my own meltdown's lol

[bimotabob]

HI

Do all the work and mods myself as long as specialist eqiupment is not needed eg mill or lathe.
I can do fuel injection and engine rebuilds etc.
It's the only way to be sure it's done right as bike shops can't be trusted.
The only time a bike of mine goes in there is to get WOF and tyres done - and then it's the rims scratched and the tyre on back to front.


Cheers
BB

[Motu]

HI
The only time a bike of mine goes in there is to get WOF and tyres done -


Oh,and I do tyres (just fitted one tonight) and even my own WoF's.

[98tls]

and even my own WoF's. Nice.......wish i could do that,save myself from some aggro.

[bart]

Just been out wrestling with my tyres. Changed both tyres, 2 x sprockets, adjusted brakes, and greesed everthing in under 2.5 hours. Not bad for a novice in his own shed.

OK.........it's kind of a road bike........it's legal..........just.

Oh, I forgot to mention the 10 beers.

[DEATH_INC.]

Pretty much nothing I don't do......I don't worry too much about warranty, the 12 lasted about 3 months before I voided it by modifying shit....

[Subike]

Decided tonight to do a lubricant change on the gear box and diff
330cc in the gearbox
300cc in the diff
Drained them both and had a liter of new oil ready to go in
Problem, how do I mesure 330cc gearbox oil, 300cc diff oil?
Have a beer
Wander around workshop looking for "clean " container for oil
Have a beer
Getting frustrated, nearly went inside for the kitchen measureing jug
THE BEER!
bottle is 330 mills or 1 std drink!
Drink bottle beer, clean with a little petrol, refill with oil!
Perfect!, didnt even need a funnel to get to the filler hole!
Beer is good in the workshop
Especially when it comes to filling the gearbox and diff .
Yes diff shaft drive
:done:

[Badger8]

Oil, chain lube and tension, air in tyres, adjustments of brake / clutch / gearshift etc.
That's about all i've done, and that's about all that needs doin on dirty ol ginny! :bleh:

[FROSTY]

why pay uvvers to feck up wot I can perfectly feck up meself?

[BBzz]

Had new tire fitted fitted it to bike, Had a go at tuning up suspension , took her for a run around the gorge a few times(lots), Scrub in new tire and test adjustments better but? Hummmm ?!! This may be a process

[Toaster]

I leave it to the mechanics, especially when under warranty.

[fLaThEaD FreD]

As a first time biker who has all his life built and raced cars I follow my workshop manual and will attempt most stuff except engine internals at this stage.

[AllanB]

Me - a common theme.

I used to do everything to my old 750, now I have a new Hornet the shop will do all scheduled services for 2 years to cover the warranty period.

Still 'fiddle' and bits are a changing as new bling can be afforded!

I had a interesting conversation with the dealer re modifying the end caps on the stock pipes - will this void my warranty I asked. Hmmm depends on what goes wrong I was told. I asked what they do to Hornet owners bikes that desire more 'volume' - just slot on aftermarket pipes, I was told. Does this void the warranty I ask. No of course not was the answer.

So in that case how would making the stock outlet pipes a bit larger possibly void a warranty? The pipes would be 95% stock!

[jade]

I do as much as I can, a top end rebuild is about the biggest ive done, im currently looking for someone to teach me how to do my carbs properly, so if anyone can help... pm me, im told all you need is a clean work bench, and a box of piss supplied by me ?
ive fixed 10-11 crashed bikes back to new tho..
bodyworks more where my talent lies

[seens]

yep most things an if unsure always some round that knows how too
bikers are great with this sort off thing :)

[roadracingoldfart]

Ummmm, whats a bike shop lol.
I do it all and if i cant do it i just cash in a favour to someone that can as im always owed favours by folks.
Boring and a few machining jobs is all i cant do at home or at work. Although i admit to loathing crank work for some reason :blink:


But so what -------- i race a HONDA so i donat have to do anything to my bike now its built lol. :2thumbsup

[more_fasterer]

I really do enjoy having time in the shed with the radio loud, a cold beer and mucking around with my toys

Hear hear!

I do everything up to:
- Tyre fitting & balancing (6 pack of beers sorts this)
- Machining
- 2-stroke crank dis/assembly
- Plastic welding
- Painting

[Speedracer]

I was initally averse to tinkering with my CBR250 engine because it had lots of smaller parts... Until I spent $3000 on it in the shop and got nowhere. :bash: Got about 500-1000ks between rebuilds (something different every time) until I realised "F:sunny: it.. if you want something done, do it yourself!"...

It did take me a year to get the engine working though. The final reason the engine didn't work was because my torque wrench was over tightening! The engine turned over but would stick :buggerd: went through a few head bolts too!

Now it's done over 3000kms no probs. And I know it's going to last because I rebuilt the entire friggin thing, top to bottom.. several times :whistle: :Pokey:

[Bonez]

There's no selection for "As much as I fucken well can without specialist tooling".

[kinger]

... im currently looking for someone to teach me how to do my carbs properly

Did mine last week, and usually do them every couple of months. I'm sure people nearer can help, but if you get this way, I can help. Best buy I ever made, the guages.
Also changed everything on my bike apart from the frame, a couple of bits of loom, and never done tyres, need the whirly machine from the shop..

[Forest]

Most of my recent bikes had fairings.

I can't be bothered messing around with fairings. So to the bike shop they go.

[Gubb]

I'm keen to learn how to do a lot of this, i'm not particularly mechanically minded, but I can do some simple things.

What's the best way to learn, just send out a help message when I think that I need to do something, or go to a night class or summat?

[Ixion]

I have heard that the peregrinatory gentleman may be reinstituting his spanner nights. If so turn up at one and ask meaningful questions.

[Gubb]

I'll reply to that after I find my Thesaurus.

[codgyoleracer]

I keep my basic maintenance limited to setting piston head squish, shot peening conrods & shimming gearboxes. Dont trust myself to change the oil though & pay good money to have that done.

[GSVR]

I keep my basic maintenance limited to setting piston head squish, shot peening conrods & shimming gearboxes. Dont trust myself to change the oil though & pay good money to have that done.
Hope your using the good oil. (I know the answer to this)



Spose I'd better put down a few words about what I do in the way of bike maintenance at home.

Like painting 90% of the job is preparation so I spend most of my time thinking about the next maintenance job, as well as thinking I do alot of talking about it (right Glen) not always maint as the subject is complicated and you can get sidetracked onto MotoGP or the ultimate F3 bike. Then I do the preparation this can take quite some time and involves alot of standing in places like supercheap reading oil containers and coming online and debating oil filters with experts like Robert Taylor. Then I get up see its a nice day put my bike on the axle stand start it up and spray the chain with lube and take the bike for a short spin to get the oil hot. This can take a while (2 days in the case of the Gisbourne sendoff) and by the time I get home I'm pretty much to tired for anything else.