Mechanicing your bike - what are us noobs missing out on?

[Grasshopperus]

Hi guys,

I wonder how much us noobs are missing out on the whole biking experience due to us not knowing how to change stuff and what to to change too.

For example, today I had a big win with the fuel system on my bike http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...problem-solved this is an example of the stuff we should be doing, it was obvious that there was a problem with my bike and doing some investigation solved it. That's easy enough.

However, while I was waiting for the new carb jets to arrive I looked up the suspension settings in my bike's manual and made some changes which made it totally kick arse. The manual mentions that the 4 or so adjustable suspension settings on the bike are setup for a 68kg person so I made them all much harder/stiffer/higher for my 120kg of pure muscle and now the bike feels a LOT better.

As the front doesn't dive as much I now feel much more stable under braking and in general cornering too. I can feel more bumps on the road but that's OK in my book.

Anyway, my point is that until I tried to change the settings I wasn't aware of just how poor my old setup was for me. As the bike I've got is all I've ever ridden (over decent distances) I had no idea if what I had was any good; it wasn't. I reckon as newbs we should crack open the manuals and make changes more often just for the hell of it.

P.S: I know there's heaps of theory around suspension, that blindly changing settings is not a good idea and that the factory clickers and stuff aren't anywhere near as good as aftermarket stuff but it worked for me.

[NewRob]

Yup, I too play around with my bike and try to do most of the simple stuff myself. Now I am doing both my brakes.(service and changing seals) We learn more when we play with them and if anytime they break down we will at least know what to look for. Cheers.

[p.dath]

I'm not so mechanically minded, but can usually manage the simple things. Although I did make a gigantic cock up recently.
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...pped-sump-plug
I'd like to miss out on the experience of doing that again!

[CookMySock]

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...pped-sump-plug
I'd like to miss out on the experience of doing that again!

There are little rules you make for yourself, usually based on harsh experience such as yours. Once you get a good collection of do's and don'ts mostly you will get along fine.

But yeah fixing stuff up is great fun. Unless you are prepared to be really really methodical and careful, don't expect it to be cheaper than the shop. Adding in buying tools and coping with newbie fuck ups brings you to about break-even point, sometimes worse, sometimes better.

Have fun!
Steve

[p.dath]

But yeah fixing stuff up is great fun. Unless you are prepared to be really really methodical and careful, don't expect it to be cheaper than the shop. Adding in buying tools and coping with newbie fuck ups brings you to about break-even point, sometimes worse, sometimes better.

I have to say the other big issue that puts me off a bit is how difficult it is to get rid of hazardous chemicals, like used motor oil. There are only a few places you can take it, and none of them are anywhere near where I live.

[Squiggles]

Blood, Sweat, and perhaps some Tears... that's what you're missing out on.

[Subike]

the real fun of being a biker comes from reaching the point where you are confident enough to buy and rebuild a lost soul.
that old BSA or 2 smoker thats been gathering dust in grandads shed for the past 30 years.
from taking it home
gently pulling eveything apart , clean, polish, repair. replace, refurbish, recrome, repaint.....
search for months for that one small part you need, then the trill of finding it,
then at the end of your preperation
when you have everything ready,
taking that 2 week holliday owed to you from work,
a microwave, 1 dozen pies, some six packs of Tui's, a sleeping bag,
Lock yourself in the garage
and Build her!
The most awsome sound you will next hear is that first chough from the motor as you attempt to bring her to life.
And they say being pregnamt is and experiance......

[nodrog:Me]

I have to say the other big issue that puts me off a bit is how difficult it is to get rid of hazardous chemicals, like used motor oil. There are only a few places you can take it, and none of them are anywhere near where I live.

its not difficult to tip the shit in the garden

[peasea]

its not difficult to tip the shit in the garden

Or into the stormwater system, eh?
Genius.

[peasea]

I'm not so mechanically minded, but can usually manage the simple things. Although I did make a gigantic cock up recently.
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...pped-sump-plug
I'd like to miss out on the experience of doing that again!

Ah yes, but you learned from it didn't you? You won't make the same mistake twice, I'll bet. Now you can do your own oil changes with greater confidence/knowledge and pass on the information to others. Good on ya for admitting you cocked up, that sort of attitude helps others to not repeat the mistake. +++

[nodrog:Me]

Or into the stormwater system, eh?
Genius.

dont be stupid, oil isnt water soluble

[peasea]

dont be stupid, oil isnt water soluble

A lot of machining oils are, so there, nyah.

[nodrog:Me]

A lot of machining oils are, so there, nyah.

sweet! the stormwater drain is heaps closer than my garden, thanks for the time saving tip.

[CookMySock]

dont be stupid, oil isnt water soluble

No no, it's quite safe! It just floats happily and harmlessly on top.

Steve

[p.dath]

Ah yes, but you learned from it didn't you? You won't make the same mistake twice, I'll bet. Now you can do your own oil changes with greater confidence/knowledge and pass on the information to others. Good on ya for admitting you cocked up, that sort of attitude helps others to not repeat the mistake. +++

I hope so. They told me to do my next change in 1,000km/s, just in case there are left over metal filings that they missed. So I'll be practising real soon.