South Auckland Street Skills

**eldog** · 3rd September 2014, 23:42

Originally Posted by nzspokes

Sweet as. Your first time will be pretty laid back. Bike requirement is just a good WOF standard. Your biggest problem will be stopping Sharry stealing your bike for a few laps....

Yes we will see you there next week Lance.

Im hardcore, I have my coffee in a takeaway cup.....

The bike will cost her.
next week.... to be continued - talk to Sis
Im hardcore too I have mine by the handle

**nzspokes** · 4th September 2014, 06:48

Originally Posted by Big Dog

Engineers and the like are fond of gauges, measures sight glasses etc.
Tactile learners tend to be more "I feel like xyz is wrong." Etc.

When im training mechanics one of the first things I ask is for them to fit a bolt and tighten it. I tell them the torque and show them how to do it. Them get them to do it. I often get told they dont bother with torque wrenches as they get it right by feel. So then you get them to do it by hand and I check the torque. Ive not had one yet that has got it right.

For gauges, In the example of an oil cooler line splitting if it had been a remotely modern motorcycle it would have given an oil pressure light warning of this oil loss and oil ending up on the back tyre. I think even Harleys have this feature.

**Big Dog** · 4th September 2014, 07:16

Originally Posted by nzspokes

When im training mechanics one of the first things I ask is for them to fit a bolt and tighten it. I tell them the torque and show them how to do it. Them get them to do it. I often get told they dont bother with torque wrenches as they get it right by feel. So then you get them to do it by hand and I check the torque. Ive not had one yet that has got it right.

For gauges, In the example of an oil cooler line splitting if it had been a remotely modern motorcycle it would have given an oil pressure light warning of this oil loss and oil ending up on the back tyre. I think even Harleys have this feature.

My point exactly. Gauges are good and serve a purpose. But you can't let them be the be all and end all.

Gauges on bikes are often the cheapest shit that meets some metric. Yes there was an oil pressure light. No, it did not come on.

Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

**Big Dog** · 4th September 2014, 07:20

The best mechanics I have met use torque wrenches etc. But know when to over ride because something is not right.
Just as I use a GPS in the car. But know when to go a different way when the god says to go right and there is no road to the right.

Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

**Big Dog** · 4th September 2014, 07:45

Again instrumentation is good. Ask any pilot.
But if you'll excuse the plagiarism and artistic license, man cannot live on instrumentation alone.
Ask any pilot.
They have to be able to land a plane without instruments to qualify for that plane.

I am nobody's mechanic. But then unlike some of the mechanics I have used I have not declared a job finished without tightening then lever mounts back up after having the bars off either.
Nor have I sent a rider on their way with no oil after a service. No oil pressure light that time either, except when in the side stand after being vertical.
Didn't sound / feel right though.

Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

**eldog** · 4th September 2014, 10:26

I think even Harleys have this feature.

Harleys have features?

I have seen machines with a tiny pin hole and fluid has been lost and the mschone still functions ok till all fluid has pumped out. Still didnt show on gauge. There was no tell tale signs like oil on tyre. Stuff fell on ground while travelling. Guage & light did show problem but much later. Good when you can feel when things are out

**nzspokes** · 4th September 2014, 10:41

Looks like a good weekend for riding, anybody heading out?

**f2dz** · 4th September 2014, 11:57

Originally Posted by nzspokes

Looks like a good weekend for riding, anybody heading out?

I would be if I was around but out of Auckland this weekend.

I'll prob be going for a ride the weekend after this one.

**Grandad** · 4th September 2014, 20:56

Originally Posted by eldog

I will be back, but need to sort myself out, by myself - there is something missing I need to sort, I still dont really know what it is.

Yes the young fellow did ride well, he didnt know the road and i wasnt helping. I slowed down several times so he could see my light.

Obviously I caused drama. so I will work on my skills before I come back.

The car park skills really helped my riding but need to do them correctly and regularily (weekly or more) esp slow speed stuff

I find being surrounded by like minded non judgmental people is the best way to learn & grow. Look at how far back I was when I first started. There is no way I could be riding at the speed I am now. Still 10 - 15 in the corners. You guys on these LAMS machines give me a good look of your tail lights.
If your serious about slow speed stuff. 2 pm Saturday arvo in the carpark for the Ulysses twist n turns. Brilliant way to test your stall speed.

**nzspokes** · 4th September 2014, 21:00

Originally Posted by Grandad

I find being surrounded by like minded non judgmental people is the best way to learn & grow. Look at how far back I was when I first started. There is no way I could be riding at the speed I am now. Still 10 - 15 in the corners. You guys on these LAMS machines give me a good look of your tail lights.
If your serious about slow speed stuff. 2 pm Saturday arvo in the carpark for the Ulysses twist n turns. Brilliant way to test your stall speed.

Hi Peter!

Are those extra revs helping yet?

**Grandad** · 4th September 2014, 21:11

Originally Posted by nzspokes

Hi Peter!

Are those extra revs helping yet?

Havent really had the opputunioty to try them but found shifting the bum helps. Spent Tuesday night at drill practice doing tight u turns and am just about down to 2 carparks now by moving out to the edge. Starting to learn 2 abreast. Not that easy keeping in line when cornering.

**Sis** · 4th September 2014, 21:17

Originally Posted by nzspokes

When im training mechanics one of the first things I ask is for them to fit a bolt and tighten it. I tell them the torque and show them how to do it. Them get them to do it. I often get told they dont bother with torque wrenches as they get it right by feel. So then you get them to do it by hand and I check the torque. Ive not had one yet that has got it right.

For gauges, In the example of an oil cooler line splitting if it had been a remotely modern motorcycle it would have given an oil pressure light warning of this oil loss and oil ending up on the back tyre. I think even Harleys have this feature.

Yes HArleys do have that , though I think I would have known traction was an issue before much oil had escaped.
I was down-playing needing gauges. I had gone from a sports bike where the gauges were necessary- I needed the rev counter so that I knew when I was in the power band. Now with the Harley, I know roughly what the revs are (as in it is running) and it doesn't matter with the low torque if i go into a corner in a higher gear. I just twist the throttle and it thumps its way out. Relaxed riding.

**Grandad** · 4th September 2014, 21:21

Originally Posted by Sis

Yes HArleys do have that , though I think I would have known traction was an issue before much oil had escaped.
I was down-playing needing gauges. I had gone from a sports bike where the gauges were necessary- I needed the rev counter so that I knew when I was in the power band. Now with the Harley, I know roughly what the revs are (as in it is running) and it doesn't matter with the low torque if i go into a corner in a higher gear. I just twist the throttle and it thumps its way out. Relaxed riding.

I think that was what I was trying to do but on a bike from the wrong side of the pacific