I learned lots today (and yesterday) mum!

[Trudes]

Since my 2 year warranty ran out last year, I always said I would do my bike's services from then on. Well, I finally got my chance after the few K's I clocked up over Xmas my bike was close enough to its 24,000 km service to do it before I went back to work.
So on the blower I get to my old mate Sully60, who had conveniently thrown himself down my stairs and stuffed his ankle and had some time off work, and asked if he would show me what I need to do, which he assured me would be sweet as.
So anyway bike gets hoisted up onto it's paddock stand in the Monster's garage and we proceed to drain my baby of her fluids, take brakes apart, and clean and lube eveything, take the top off the engine and Craig shows me how to check all the valve clearances etc (stuff I've decided I wouldn't be able to cope with on my own, too scary) and then we pop everything back together, bleed the brakes etc and fill up all her fluids again.
Kendog got to be "test ride dummy" and ride her the long way home to warm up the chain to be lubed (much to his pleasure, he does actually enjoy my Hornet) and he said everything felt lovely and free. She got a little clean and is all ready to have the snot thrashed out of her around Manfield on Sunday (well, providing it's not raining, then she'll get ridden very sedately around Manfield on Sunday!)
Now I say "piece of piss" but in reality Craig did all the "hard" stuff and I observed and hopefully learned how to do things, however I feel confident that the things that I would have to do for a "normal" service, ie spark plugs, oil and oil filter change, air filter clean, brake bleeding and even brake pad changing, I could do on my own now that I've done it.
So thanks Craig you're an awesome teacher, very patient explaining everything to the ditz and keeping your cool when I would have thrown a tanty! Oh, I should add however, I had fun, I enjoy stuffing about with the bike, getting filthy and covered in oil and stuff.... the carpet burns I could do without however!
I challenge some of you other ladies out there to do the same! Get dirty and get to know your bike, it's fun!!

[Nasty]

Great work to both of you!!!

[Pixie]

.... the carpet burns I could do without however!
I challenge some of you other ladies out there to do the same! Get dirty and get to know your bike, it's fun!!

Carpet burns?

How did you thank him for his help,then?

[MsKABC]

Good on ya Trudes!

I have expressed a desire to get out in the garage and learn about my bike too. I just have to pin that mechanic down first I think he might be a bit frightened that I'll take to him with a large, heavy tool if I get shitty though. I can't imagine why - I'm the most placid, even tempered sweetheart you could ever meet

[Trudes]

Carpet burns?

How did you thank him for his help,then?

The Monster's garage has carpet rugs on the floor so you don't have to kneel on the concrete, nice eh!

[Trudes]

Good on ya Trudes!

I have expressed a desire to get out in the garage and learn about my bike too. I just have to pin that mechanic down first I think he might be a bit frightened that I'll take to him with a large, heavy tool if I get shitty though. I can't imagine why - I'm the most placid, even tempered sweetheart you could ever meet

You definitely should, it's quite empowering I must say! Good way to get to know you bike better too!

[Colapop]

So Sully60 helped you with a good servicing then?

Good to see the girls not giving a snot about stereotypes and getting involved in the dirty stuff. Good on ya Truddles!!

[Sully60]

You lovely post...

I challenge some of you other ladies out there to do the same! Get dirty and get to know your bike, it's fun!!

Awww, . It's easy when you have such a willing and enthusiastic student, 'twas my pleasure.

And as for the last sentence: +1
And not just to the ladies, none of the things we did are technically difficult they just require a small amount of technical knowledge and a good dose of common sense. Find yourself someone who's got the technical knowledge, some decent basic tools and the spare time and half the job is done.

Carpet burns?

How did you thank him for his help,then?

In the best way possible

So Sully60 helped you with a good servicing then?

Sure did and the best thing is it's the kind of servicing I can offer to members of the opposite (or same) sex without fear of castration

Good to see the girls not giving a snot about stereotypes and getting involved in the dirty stuff. Good on ya Truddles!!

That whole stereotype thing is sooo last millenium, we've all got two hands and a brain, (well some of us anyway) if you can ride a bike then you should be more than capable of maintaining it.

Anyway doesn't everyone use ipods now?

BTW: Hornets are a doddle to work on, no fairing means that you can get to the good bits without the stress of trying to remove them and not break fiddly snap pins and equally flimsy tabs they use on stock items, gahhh!

Naked bikes FTW!

[Number One]

YAY Trudes

I'm doing a puzzle today!!! Taking my baby apart and swapping all it's pretty silver shiny bits and road wheels for OB's purpley racey bits and wheels with slicks This way should I have a brain fart on the track on Sunday and drop it it won't hurt soo much - $2000K excess is a bit scary considering how much the thing is worth all up!

Poor bike is the middle of it's transformation - sitting in the garage looking a bit cold and naked while I eat some lunch! I have done it all myself and though it's not that hard I am still reeling over the number of fricken screws and things holding it all together...hope I can remember how to put it all back together again on Monday

[Number One]

Sure did and the best thing is it's the kind of servicing I can offer to members of the opposite (or same) sex without fear of castration

Actually honey Trudes is the only lady I will share you with...I mean she is my sister wife afterall

[Colapop]

If you have left over screws and things the first thing to do is check to see if Sully is laughing...

[Trudes]

BTW: Hornets are a doddle to work on, no fairing means that you can get to the good bits without the stress of trying to remove them and not break fiddly snap pins and equally flimsy tabs they use on stock items, gahhh!

Naked bikes FTW!

Sounds a bit like naked chicks doesn't it? Just swap out Hornet for Naked chicks. Naked chicks FTW.

[prettybillie]

.... the carpet burns I could do without however!
I challenge some of you other ladies out there to do the same! Get dirty and get to know your bike, it's fun!!

Carpet burns? Getting Dirty? Get to know your bike? I've heard about people like you mwahahahahahahaha

[Reido]

Sounds a bit like naked chicks doesn't it? Just swap out Hornet for Naked chicks. Naked chicks FTW.

2'd that

i want to learn about doing the maintenance on my bike.. but i still have over a years warranty on mine, so i have to go to the dealer...

[Gremlin]

Got to say, good on you for giving it a go... or, being shown how to give it a go

With my previous history of doing little extra wiring jobs on my bikes etc... ummm... I like to live, suicide doesn't seem very appealing, so the bike is left to the shop