maintaining Your own bike

**750Y** · 30th May 2004, 13:51

Who doesn't maintain their own bike?
(changing oil/filters etc,lubing, adjusting chain etc.)
what's your excuse?

**Big Dog** · 30th May 2004, 14:35

Originally Posted by 750Y

Who doesn't maintain their own bike?
(changing oil/filters etc,lubing, adjusting chain etc.)
what's your excuse?

I have no where suitable to do it and a couple of years ago someone stole all my tools, haven't got around to replacing them.

**Big Dog** · 30th May 2004, 14:37

Originally Posted by Big Dog

I have no where suitable to do it and a couple of years ago someone stole all my tools, haven't got around to replacing them.

Oh just re-read your post. I do lube my chain adjust it maintain the battery etc. But if it is under fairings (carbs etc it is cheaper to pay $45-55 an hour than pay for new fairings cos you had them off in a gravel driveway.

**What?** · 30th May 2004, 18:54

I do chain maintenance, oils etc on my road bikes, but carbs, valves & so on go to the shop. I do all maintenance on my dirt bikes. Reason for road bikes going to shop is special tool requirements, shim hits etc, plus the fact that what takes the shop 3 hours would take me three weeks. At least...

**6Chris6** · 30th May 2004, 19:07

Originally Posted by 750Y

Who doesn't maintain their own bike?
(changing oil/filters etc,lubing, adjusting chain etc.)
what's your excuse?

I never used to with the 2fiddy, new nothing about 4 stroke water cooled motors and couldn't get a manual for it.
But with the six i've got the owners manual and recently also got the Haynes workshop manual and quite enjoy working on it myself, it gives me a lot of satifaction

**merv** · 30th May 2004, 19:31

Originally Posted by 750Y

Who doesn't maintain their own bike?
(changing oil/filters etc,lubing, adjusting chain etc.)
what's your excuse?

Not me. I prefer to do it myself then if its fucked up there is no-one else to blame and I'm not putting my life in anyone else's hands.

**Jackrat** · 30th May 2004, 19:36

Do every thing myself.
Started because I couldn't pay some one else and them became a matter of pride.Plus it's a hobby in it's self.

**Antallica** · 30th May 2004, 19:42

Do the basic stuff, but as for carbs and getting to the real in depth stuff. I'm hoping to learn all these things in the next few Mechanics evenings.

**MikeL** · 30th May 2004, 20:48

Originally Posted by 750Y

Who doesn't maintain their own bike?
(changing oil/filters etc,lubing, adjusting chain etc.)
what's your excuse?

Me. And no way are you going to make me feel guilty, either. When I was younger I did as much as I could, and sometimes more, because I couldn't afford anything else. Sometimes it was fun, sometimes I got a sense of achievement and satisfaction, but as often as not it was just a tedious chore.
Now I'd rather spend the time riding...

**750Y** · 30th May 2004, 20:56

I try to do as much as I can myself, but major engine work i leave it to the experts. Plus I save a bit of money too. there was a lot of trial & error along the way tho & some pretty embarrassing stuff ups, like the time I adjusted my chain & went for a ride to find the back feeling strange & realised I hadn't tightened the axle bolt up. hmmm or the time i... never mind

**FzerozeroT** · 31st May 2004, 12:03

Want to do my own, but - warranty

**Cajun** · 31st May 2004, 13:02

I do chain lube, and adjust the chain and wash it, and everything else is dealer, but thats due to warrenty, but i supply my own fluids for each service, so i know i not getting riped,

I did a bit of work on the old 1100, manly due to having carb problems. but can't be FI pretty much ride it and no other worrys

**FROSTY:Me** · 31st May 2004, 13:37

i on't let anyone near one of my bikes. If I get to something I don't know -then Ill stop and ask.
One exception is carb tuning. Mainly because the guys at no1 can do in half an hour on the dyno what would take me weeks by trial and error.