Do you girls do your own maintenance?

[klingon]

I am learning as I go along. Of course my bike is about as simple as you can get, spare parts are easy to find and no special tools are required.

After I had been riding for only six months I was hit by a car and my bike was 'written off' by the insurance company (ie they wouldn't repair it because it would cost more to repair than it was worth). I bought the wreck back from the insurance company and repaired it myself with a lot of help and guideance from some wonderful people on this site!

Since that day I have never been afraid to do things to my bike, because I really think I understand it! I have seen it without any clothes on and I know how all the bits work!

Pic 1: Three girls consult the workshop manual
Pic 2: A truly naked bike (note firewood for shock absorbers)
Pic 3: Where does this wire go? (Note tools in the background: a hair drier and a box of beer)

[Ms Piggy]

I'd like to know where I can learn. I learn by doing not reading or watching someone else. On my previous bike I did my last oil change under the tutorage someone with experience and knowledge. But on my new ride I haven't cos I didn't want to feck it up. I'd really like to know how to adjust my chain and do all that other basic stuff too.

[marigami]

True I had the opportunity to get friends very good on mechanics so it helps!
And as a teenn I wanted to be a mechanic myself (pff my parents absolutly refused it) so I have always been interested in engine and what's inside...
And I like being able to be as much independant as I can!

[klingon]

I'd like to know where I can learn. I learn by doing not reading or watching someone else. On my previous bike I did my last oil change under the tutorage someone with experience and knowledge. But on my new ride I haven't cos I didn't want to feck it up. I'd really like to know how to adjust my chain and do all that other basic stuff too.

Consider getting a mentor off here. Mack the Knife was the best mentor ever! He stood by and drank beer while he patiently watched me fix up the Volty, even though things that would have taken him 5 mins took me an hour!

[marigami]

Consider getting a mentor off here. Mack the Knife was the best mentor ever! He stood by and drank beer while he patiently watched me fix up the Volty, even though things that would have taken him 5 mins took me an hour!

So you've got the point: drinking lotta beers can help

And be patient.
Better not ask your partner though to avoid big rows (I mean discussion, is that the right word?)

[klingon]

So you've got the point: drinking lotta beers can help

And be patient.
Better not ask your partner though to avoid big rows (I mean discussion, is that the right word?)

I agree! I kept sending my partner away to make coffee and fetch more beer, so that he wouldn't try to take the tools from me and do it himself. He found it very painful to watch me doing things at my own pace!

"Rows" is definitely the right word.

[klingon]

So you've got the point: drinking lotta beers can help

And be patient.
Better not ask your partner though to avoid big rows (I mean discussion, is that the right word?)

I agree! I kept sending my partner away to make coffee and fetch more beer, so that he wouldn't try to take the tools from me and do it himself. He found it very painful to watch me doing things at my own pace!

"Rows" is definitely the right word.

[Nasty]

I'd like to know where I can learn. I learn by doing not reading or watching someone else. On my previous bike I did my last oil change under the tutorage someone with experience and knowledge. But on my new ride I haven't cos I didn't want to feck it up. I'd really like to know how to adjust my chain and do all that other basic stuff too.

The next maintenance day at Nastys is 02 November ... with dinner!! ...

I have a go at the basics ... can now changed oil/oil filter/spark plugs and when i remember all the steps adjust the chain ... but one of the guys from here helps me out with it (in case I screw up) - thanks Nudes ... and oh _Stain_ .. they also ensure that I don't do anything really stupid

[Mom]

Since I have owned the blue lovely I have got my hands plenty dirty looking after her and fixing things that go wrong. I have a workshop manual and it really is a guide for dummies

The last thing I did was to remove the tank and clean up all the rust on the outside and the inside and then rust treat the insides with a Por 15 kit

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...d.php?t=110215

This was a bit of a process and frankly a bit intimidating but with some great encouragement and some good instructions it was not a daunting as I was expecting. My next mission is to put her all back together and see if I have finally solved my fuelling issues.

Get stuck in girls! It is not hard at all, and you get the biggest buzz from doing it too

[Number One]

I'd like to know where I can learn. I learn by doing not reading or watching someone else. On my previous bike I did my last oil change under the tutorage someone with experience and knowledge. But on my new ride I haven't cos I didn't want to feck it up. I'd really like to know how to adjust my chain and do all that other basic stuff too.

Andrew Templeton offers basic maintenance courses...you take along the gears and they watch and guide you to do all the work

[Insanity_rules]

I was going to come in here and make a truely tasteless joke about self service and special tools (No really Insanity, that'd be so unlike you) but after I read all the posts I'm quite impressed at the can do attitude. So instead I'm going to say well done.

My wife used to work on her own car but hasn't done so in years. I've tried to encourage it cause we used to have fun sharing the garage. It was a rather unlikely couples activity but I really liked it.

The next maintenance day at Nastys is 02 November ... with dinner!! ...

Hmmmmmmm busting to comment, noooo must resist.

[Ms Piggy]

The next maintenance day at Nastys is 02 November ... with dinner!! ...

Arrrgghhh bugger - social calendar far too full that week to pop over. I did really enjoy the last time I did the oil change on Betty over at yours.

Consider getting a mentor off here. Mack the Knife was the best mentor ever! He stood by and drank beer while he patiently watched me fix up the Volty, even though things that would have taken him 5 mins took me an hour!

Great suggestion - I might need to go do some begging.

[Trudes]

I'd like to know where I can learn. I learn by doing not reading or watching someone else. On my previous bike I did my last oil change under the tutorage someone with experience and knowledge. But on my new ride I haven't cos I didn't want to feck it up. I'd really like to know how to adjust my chain and do all that other basic stuff too.

What were you wanting to do chick? Between the hubby and I we could supervise you (and I have some books to return to you also )

[Ms Piggy]

What were you wanting to do chick? Between the hubby and I we could supervise you (and I have some books to return to you also )

Awwww aint you sweet! Just all the basic stuff - oil change & filter, chain adjustment and all that stuff. What to look for and worry about...all of it!! Got a week to spare - heh heh. I'm sure my fella would like some tutorage too. We have some very basic tools and I guess we'd also like some ideas around what's stuff we need to effectively maintain our bikes.

[R-Soul]

I love working on my bike, but I am not yet confident enough to do it by myself (in case I really fuck something up). My boyfriend is very mechanically minded and helps me with a lot of things. I can do the simple stuff, so far I have not had to do anything that is too complicated or requires special tools.

I don't like leaving my bike with a mechanic...I don't like not knowing what exactly has been done to it or if it's been done properly.

Control issues?