maintaining Your own bike

[vifferman]

Part of the pleasure of owning a bike.

At least, it would be, if I didn't have to spend time trying to fix things like the misfire I get when I ride in wet weather...

I dunno at what point I'd get someone else to do the work; probably when a job required some specialised tools.

[Cajun]

Yuk, fancy admitting to that !

F/F

bugger you and the horse you rode in to FF

[fpsware]

Being the mechanical DF I am, I let the shop do just about everything. Most recently, the battery died - it went to the shop. :disapint: I'd love to do more to it, but I just don't have the know how. Not having a large assortment of tools doesn't help either.

[Firefight]

bugger you and the horse you rode in to FF

sorry Cajun, having a slow day, couldn't resist.

F/F & Horse

[Ms Piggy]

I'd love to do my own maintenace but I don't know how.

I've learnt a couple of things - like how to lube the chain & adjust it, how to change the front fork oil & front brake fluid. Although I'm hoping if I had to do the latter 2 ever again I'll remember how!

Also I don't have a garage to be able to work merrily away in. :disapint: Poor me!

[Kickaha]

I pretty much do all the basics,oil,filters,brake pads, etc and also do most of my own motor work,including stripping and reasembling,keeping in mind it's mostly two stroke work,but I've done a couple of four stroke engines that were stripped to the last nust and bolt and once I put them together they did still run.

[Grumpy]

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

Do what I can that wont stuff my warranty, like chain and tyres and the basic shit like that, but these days even that can be a chore so I fitted a scottoiler now I do even less.... just ride

[maybe]

Do oil changes ect myself but no mechanical work, not clued up enough

[MikeL]

I fitted a scottoiler now I do even less.... just ride

Me too. Got Mt Eden to put a Scottoiler on the XJR. Now all I have to worry about is tyre pressures.
Wonder how much they charge to check that...

[wkid_one]

WHy have a dog and bark yourself

[Motu]

Can't rebore a cyl or grind a crank,but otherwise I do it all - Motoracer will vouch that I even make my own mufflers.I did give up on the XS1 a couple of years ago and let my mate sort the carbs out,but he has heaps of spares and has spent years learning all the differences between models,what fits what and how to set them up.To me working on my bikes,making things for them,modifying and adapting is more than half the fun.I don't send the wife out for servicing,I don't send the bike out for servicing.

[FROSTY:Me]

You put it so well motu.
There aint nothing in life like a wet cold night -being out in the garage pottering around on the bike .

[RiderInBlack]

I do my own service at 5000Km, but take the bike in every 10000Km to make sure I haven't cocked anything up and to spot what I have missed.

Clean, lube and ajust the chain, but get the shop to change the chain and sprockets (because they are better at spotting sprocket wear than I am). I've re-kited the clutch Master cylinder (hydrolic on the CBR), and the callipers on the brakes. I'm a dab hand at brake bleeding. Replace my own brake pads. Replaced wheel bearings. Now do my own plastic welding (which I have got fairly good at).

I will give most things ago, but don't trust myself when it comes to the motor (I leave that to the Mechs).

[Cajun]

sorry Cajun, having a slow day, couldn't resist.

F/F & Horse

No worrys FF and your horse dc:<

Have to catch up with next time you town this way, now i work i only have weekends off damn work getting in the way of riding.

[Deano]

I do what I can, which includes oil and filter, coolant, chain adjustments, brakes pad changes (crashed parts dismantling and reassembling - doh)and any thing else that doesn't appear too complicated. I leave the engine work such as shims to the experts, although I met someone who is pretty clued up and they offered to do the service - most bikers I know are bloody helpful when it comes to maintenance. Sometimes maintenance work does seem tedious, but you do get a sense of self satisfaction when it is finished, providing you don't stuff anything up.