Being as tight as a fishes @rs3 doesn't pay

[Mr Merde]

Anyone who knows me and knows my bike will realise that I am talking about myself.

Things have gotten very tight over the past year or so financially and I have been putting things off for as long as I can rather than cough up with cash I dont have to spare.

Rising petrol costs really bit into my budget as have all the other increased prices.

It didnt help that my employers decided that I was at the top of the price range for what they saw as my position and decided that I wasnt worth a pay rise this year. I was actually putting my hopes on a litttle increase to make things just a little better for me.

Merde happens.

Anyway back to the story.

10 months ago I needed to replace both sprockets and chain on the bike. This done I was informed that my swinging arm bearings were shot and needed replacing. Previous to this I had had a couple of offs which left the bike cosmetically distressed. Just got the cah together to have the bearings done when the new rear tyre picks up a piece of metal from the Auckland Southern motorway and slices the wall of the tyre. All my savings gone on a those two rear tyres. I thought to myself "take it easy and dont stress the bike and things will last".

Famous last words.

Price increases havre meant that I have been only able to save enough to keep the basic maitenance of the bike under control.

Last night the chain and sprockets let go big time. Now I will have to find the cash to replace these much sooner than I should have. Buggered swinging arm bearings have increased the wear on these parts very dramatically.

As my bike is my sole means of transport and I live way out in the wops I am well and truely stuffed. I have taken the day off trying to sort out a replacement sprocket but none to be had down this end of the world. Not today anyway.

Her indoors has asked me to put together a list of bits I need to replace to actually be riding a vehicle that is road leagal and notr a danger to myself. I was shocked when I sat down and wrote out my list.

Both tyres need replacing, sprockets and chain needed, bike could do with all brake pads replaced and the rear brake could do with a new rotor. Swinging arm bearings need doing. as do the steering head (have these), niumber plate light has gone west and the front brake switch seems to be playing up. Left hand headlight has been smashed by flying debris and I either need to buy a replacement (mega bucks) or look at alternative lighting system (actually cheaper than factory).

While i am at it I may as well take the time to do a complete oil and filter change, change the air filter and replace the spark plugs. Will have a look at the engine tuning also.

So the moral of my story is.......


Dont be like me and try and make do with things as they are, a little bit not looked into at the time needed soon builds up to a lot needed drastically.

Somehow I will come right but till then it is going to be a real struggle.

Chris

[James Deuce]

Sympathise completely and understand entirely.

Sell the wife. They cost lots to feed and clothe.

[MSTRS]

Sympathise completely and understand entirely.

Sell the wife. They cost lots to feed and clothe.

Perhaps just rent her out by the hour? That way there is an income stream instead of one-off lump sum.
Sorry to hear of your troubles MrM...good illustration of the reverse effect of a penny saved...

[avgas]

i can sympathize with you.
I did exactly the same.
The total bill past $3000 a few months ago....and keeps climbing if i want to do the cosmetics.
Getting one of those chinese bikes for a run abouts sounds like a better idea everyday......a cheaper alternative if you will.



I still cant believe you sold your Triton.........

[Waxxa]

Prices for parts and servicing for motorbikes is expensive.

Instead of being hit by huge costs every time I need parts or servicing, I now pay an AP to my local bike shop weekly and it certainly helps the budget and stress levels.

You will always need parts or servicing.

[gijoe1313]

Ahh bugger, those infernal maintenance gremlins always demand to be fed, they get quite spiteful if they are overlooked and find all sorts of ways to vex you :no:

I think you can stop all these shenanigans and just go back to normal operations when you can y'hear? :wacko:

[jrandom]

Sell the wife.

Sell? You'd never get sweet fuck-all for a used one, so why bother with the hassle of advertising and changing registered ownership?

I just parked mine up on the side of the road and walked away, and I still haven't received a towing bill.

:cool:

[imdying]

Can't help, user info doesn't say which bike you run!

Can sympathise however, RGV is due for tyres, chain n sprockets, brake pads all round, rear disc, new shocks front n rear, little bit of fibreglass work... will have to wait till next month now though, her indoors is lamenting what I've spent on the other bikes as of late :innocent:

[xwhatsit]

I feel your pain -- but on a 10x smaller scale, due to owning a 250 single. Still, being a student, I earn less than a 10th of what you do, so it's all relative :laugh:

I agree with Avgas, you want something like a GN250 (oh, the horror!) to communt on.

[Griffin]

Sell the bike - ride the wife to work...

[Mr Merde]

I feel your pain -- but on a 10x smaller scale, due to owning a 250 single. Still, being a student, I earn less than a 10th of what you do, so it's all relative :laugh:

I agree with Avgas, you want something like a GN250 (oh, the horror!) to communt on.

At 1000km a week just to and from work I think I would soon wear out a little 250.

[Mr Merde]

Can't help, user info doesn't say which bike you run!

Can sympathise however, RGV is due for tyres, chain n sprockets, brake pads all round, rear disc, new shocks front n rear, little bit of fibreglass work... will have to wait till next month now though, her indoors is lamenting what I've spent on the other bikes as of late :innocent:

The pain of maintenance.

GS1200SS is my poison.

Picking up sprockets and chain tomorrow morning, dropped 1 tooth on the front and gone up 2 on the back, not too worried about top end but love that arm wrench from aceleration. Bidding on rear rotor on tardme. Sorting out bank loan for other bits and pieces plus bearing replacement.

My chance to take the bike to the next stage, streetfighter. Might as well as the fairing is well stuffed.

May take this weekend to drop inthose warmer cams i've had sitting in the workshop.

[fireball]

At 1000km a week just to and from work I think I would soon wear out a little 250.

i feel your pain, im soon about to start my 1000km a week rides to work in the next couple of weeks and i my lil 250 still hasnt recovered, they can do the mileage they just need more love, more oil, more fuel, actually more of everything

[Mr Merde]

i feel your pain, im soon about to start my 1000km a week rides to work in the next couple of weeks and i my lil 250 still hasnt recovered, they can do the mileage they just need more love, more oil, more fuel, actually more of everything

Also doesnt help that I am 5'10" tall and 100kg. Fat old bugger like me would wear a poor 250 out faster than most.

[fireball]

Also doesnt help that I am 5'10" tall and 100kg. Fat old bugger like me would wear a poor 250 out faster than most.

:killingmei can picture it now someone of your stature riding a bike like rawberry (GZ250) 1000km :rofl:

it wouldnt last long at all, im 5'2 and 50kg and she is a struggle

[The Pastor]

you need a gs500 :D

but dont complain about sprockets wearing out and then saying "going down one on the front and up two on the rear" as its going to wear them out alot quicker.

you own a 1200cc and are complaining about the tyres chains and sprockets? serriously what did you think would happen.

From your excellet posts in teh firearm thread, you seem to be a hands on kinda guy, why you giving the bike to shop? much cheaper to DIY (tyre change i'd reconmend getting the shop to do as its a real bitch :P )

[Mr Merde]

you need a gs500 :D

but dont complain about sprockets wearing out and then saying "going down one on the front and up two on the rear" as its going to wear them out alot quicker.

you own a 1200cc and are complaining about the tyres chains and sprockets? serriously what did you think would happen.

From your excellet posts in teh firearm thread, you seem to be a hands on kinda guy, why you giving the bike to shop? much cheaper to DIY (tyre change i'd reconmend getting the shop to do as its a real bitch :P )

Only the bearings are being done in a shop. I can do the rest. And will do so.

[Forest]

At 1000km a week just to and from work I think I would soon wear out a little 250.

You commute 1000 km a week?

Sounds like your lifestyle is the real problem.

[alanzs]

At least you can save some money by doing some of the work yourself. Good luck and watch your fingers when changing the chain and sprockets...

[Irontusk]

but dont complain about sprockets wearing out and then saying "going down one on the front and up two on the rear" as its going to wear them out alot quicker.


I am a mechanic but don't work on bikes, and I've seen you give good advice about stuff before, but looking at the ratios I thought that the new ratio would put less stress on the drivetrain?

[imdying]

I am a mechanic but don't work on bikes, and I've seen you give good advice about stuff before, but looking at the ratios I thought that the new ratio would put less stress on the drivetrain?

Perhaps mechanically, but generally changing the gearing like that is done by people who enjoy giving the bike a squirt through the gears, thus more wear :)

[pritch]

Also doesnt help that I am 5'10" tall and 100kg.

I resemble that remark and I ride an SJ50, but then my commute is urban.

Big bikes aren't cheap to run. Sympathy extended re the financial bind, been there done that.

[Mr Merde]

Perhaps mechanically, but generally changing the gearing like that is done by people who enjoy giving the bike a squirt through the gears, thus more wear :)

I agree with this in general but in my defence I must point out that I am not riding an overly powerful bike (GS1200SS). I am getting on a bit now and dont really feel the need to take the bike to the limit (not all the time anyway). Most of my travelling is on the motorwayand I do tend to keep between 100-110. Better on my fuel consumption if I can ride smoothly. It still amazes me how soon I catch up to other vehicles that go screaming past me only to be slowed down by the heavier levels of slower traffic.

The second part of my daily commute is thruogh some twistie roads where there is no way I can use a lot of speed but can use the torque produced by the engine.

So what am I going to loose.

Top end speed mayby 20-30 kph

The gain will be for more lower down grunt for the twists and bends on the country part of my trip.

Chris

[skidMark]

It is called general maintenaine funnily enough, if you are slack on it you get bigger issues.

Periodic maintenaince schedule is in your bikes manual for a reason.

[imdying]

No defence required, not an attack, just a generalisation as to why something that theoretically should be friendlier on bits, generally is not :)

I've done the same on my SV, where and when am I going to be going over 200? Not too many places... bit more grunt out of corners never hurt though :yes:

[Squiggles]

I agree with Avgas, you want something like a GN250 (oh, the horror!) to communt on.

Hell yeah, i scrape through the week running a $300 GN that costs its rego, warrant, $7 gas a week and a couple of hours work every 6 months to keep running

If i was doing a thousand a week though, i'd ride the old mans cx

[Irontusk]

changing the gearing like that is done by people who enjoy giving the bike a squirt through the gears, thus more wear :)

Ah it all makes sense, haha.

It'll also negatively effect fuel economy..

[Mr Merde]

No defence required, not an attack, just a generalisation as to why something that theoretically should be friendlier on bits, generally is not :)

I've done the same on my SV, where and when am I going to be going over 200? Not too many places... bit more grunt out of corners never hurt though :yes:

never thought for one moment it was anything other than a good natured response to my statement.

Done my share of speeding in my time. The last real bit cost me my licence for 7 years in the UK (295kph and caught). Nowadays 200kph is a good top end figure to keep under as far as I am concerned but as I have said most of my riding now is just on oir over the speed limit. Good on fuel, good on stress, good on finances, all plus's for me.

Too right. Nothing like the feel of a bike powering out of a corner.

The feel of the suspension compressing at the rear, a little bit of lightening at the front end and the surge of power driving you out of the bend. To me its whats biking is all about. I fing long straight roads very boring and myt body goes into auto piloyt on the bike. I do things by instinct rather than actively thinking about it.

Give me a stretch of road with lovely corners, sharp bend and great apexes. Heaven.


Chris

[imdying]

It'll also negatively effect fuel economy..Could do... but might not also. 2 teeth on the back is generally pretty subtle when it comes to revs in top. You'll probably have a little less throttle open, but the vac might be higher... hard to say, probably not much in it. Some will get better mileage from an extra couple of teeth, some will get worse.

[Swoop]

The last real bit cost me my licence for 7 years in the UK (295kph and caught).
Owwwwwch!:weep:

[Mr Merde]

Could do... but might not also. 2 teeth on the back is generally pretty subtle when it comes to revs in top. You'll probably have a little less throttle open, but the vac might be higher... hard to say, probably not much in it. Some will get better mileage from an extra couple of teeth, some will get worse.

My bike only has the 5 gears so from 4th to 5th is almost like an overdrive on a car, in fact it is quite easy to be cruising along in 4th gear and not realise it until one looks at the rev counter.

Fuel consumption has a lot to do with how you ride your bike.

If you are ripping the shit out of the bike, going up and down the gears like a whirlwind and generally having lots of stop start moments then you are going to use a lot more fuel than if you kept at a constand speed where you arent stressing the engine, where the revs are not going thru the roof and you get to your destination pretty mush at the same time.

[Mr Merde]

Owwwwwch!:weep:

The actual ban was for 2 years, they slapped 15 points on my licence (12 is max allowed) and these stay for 7 years. The ban doesnt wipe them. I couldnt get insurance and without it you cant ride (compolsory 3rd party insurance is a scam). They also fined me 400 UKP and gave me a 2 year conditional discharge (If I got caught doing any thing wrong in those 2 years I would go inside).

Was bit worth it?

Too bloody right it was. My only regret is that I didnt get anywhere near my objective (200mph).

I was young at the time (only 40 years old) and still feeling my oats.


Forgot to mention that I actually rode away from the Stroud Magistrates Court on the same bike with the cops and court officials watching. They took away my British drivers licence but my NZ onbe was valid, the bike was taxed and I was insured under it. Traffic cops followed me all the way to the Servern Bridge just itching for me to something wrong. I didnt oblige them.

[R6_kid]

Bearings can be bought much cheaper directly from a bearing shop (saeco etc) than you will get from any bike shop, sometimes to the tune of $50+ cheaper. You only need to know the identification number on the bearing to get a replacement.

You can then put a post on KB asking for help. I've done steering head bearings before, as has The Stranger, and many other KBers. Wheel bearings and Swingarm bearings are more than likely a much simpler job.

Going larger on the front sprocket by 1 or 2 teeth will stop your chain from wearing out so fast as the radius it of the sprocket is larger the chain wont have to take such a tight turn around it, you will however need to compensate at the rear to maintain standard gearing or you'll probably stretch the chain anyway.

Also 'arm wrenching accleration' is just asking for chain/tyre wear, take it easy/smoothly and you'll take longer to wear out you're chain/sprockets/tyres.

Further more, you can get some pretty good deals if you shop around for some good touring tyres. If you need to save money then you're going to need to compromise... go for harder tyres, you'll have to take it easy for a bit longer til they warm up, but thats a small price to pay for much longer lasting tyres. The other option is to try and get hold of some good condition second hand tyres, I know cycletreads hold some good second hand stock, generally OEM fitment tyres with low use that have been replaced to suit the owners liking.

I'm riding a GSXR1000K3 for commuting, sure im only doing 200km a week, but my 'race tyres' are still lasting me really well, and when you consider I only paid $50 for the rear tyre i'd say it's already paid for itself by now in just over 1000km... (off the shelf price is about $400)

[martybabe]

Tough breaks my man, feel for ya, if you aint got the dosh you aint got the dosh, doesn't matter if it was a couple hndy to fix the lot if you ain't got it.

Good luck to ya dude, hope things pick up soon. Good write up by the way, shame it's a bit bleak, stick at it mate, it'll come good. Photo shop a smiley on your pile of merde avatar, think positive mate. :niceone:

[Taz]

So you're travelling around 50,000 kms a year. oil and filter should be changed every 5 - 10,000 kms so every 5-10 weeks for you. Once you get the swingarm bearings changed and new chain and sprockets look at getting a scott oiler. Worth their weight in gold.
As you've worked out - a stitch in time saves nine......
Andy.

P.S can you not find work closer to home? You could afford to take a pay drop and still come out ahead??
Maybe an old corolla would be cheaper to run??

[mstriumph]

sorry to hear that MM ............ that bike needs attention!

mebbe you could cut down on luxuries like food and heating to pay for it? :no:

[Mr Merde]

So you're travelling around 50,000 kms a year. oil and filter should be changed every 5 - 10,000 kms so every 5-10 weeks for you. Once you get the swingarm bearings changed and new chain and sprockets look at getting a scott oiler. Worth their weight in gold.
As you've worked out - a stitch in time saves nine......
Andy.

P.S can you not find work closer to home? You could afford to take a pay drop and still come out ahead??
Maybe an old corolla would be cheaper to run??

Been doing the oil and basic stuff.

Have been looking at a Scott oiler so your post is close to my thinking there.

Never had a car licence. 52 years old and been on bikes since I was 15.

I've been looking for work in the Franklin area but not a lot going for a network\IT engineer down this way.

Chris

[Mr Merde]

Part 1 -- Done.

New sprockets and chain now on the bike. Gave the chain a squirt of lube. Spins sweet as now.

Now to work on the rest of the bike.

At least I woill be able to get to work now.



Part 2 to organise.

-New Tyres - front and back

-replacement headlights. Factory too expensive.

-arrange for swinging arm bearings to be installed.

-might as well replace the steering head bearings while i'm there, had them since I thought they were shot and had handling problems.

-just noticed number plate light is blown, replace

-since bike is being made pretty I may as well replace all the brake pads.

- change oil, filters, spark plugs etc.

-remount the front indicators.



Whoa I am in danger of actually having a completely road worthy bike here if Im not carefull


Next thing I will be actually cleaning and polishing the old thing.


Better slow down.