Do you do your own maintenance?

**cowboyz** · 14th February 2009, 20:54

As a lead on from http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...t=92436&page=5 thread I am wondering how many change their own oil/tyres/chains/sprockets?

**Ixion** · 14th February 2009, 20:58

I'll do oil and filter, chains and sprockets, most other things. But not tyres (unless I really have to). Simply because it is SO much easier for the guy at the shop to do them with a tyre changing machine. And I usually only change when I get a new tyre, so I put the world on the shop for free or cheap fitting. Silly me taking a couple of hour sover it, when they can do it in 20 minutes.

Of course, back in the good old days, when bikes had proper stands, and QD wheels ...

**samgab** · 14th February 2009, 21:07

I like to do the basic stuff; clean, lube, and adjust chain, change and top up all fluids, change oil and filter, lube all the moving parts - cables, joints, etc, replace simple stuff like brake pads, bulbs, or battery - but when it gets beyond that, to engine repairs, carb synching, shock absorber servicing, and so on; I leave it to a pro.

Disposing of the old oil is a problem.

And I might wimp out and get "motorcycledoctors" to do the first service on the VTR as it'll be the big 24,000 Km one.

**ducatilover** · 14th February 2009, 21:12

everything but tires. i usually take the wheel in to get it changed and balanced

oil gets done every 3 months or 3000km along with oil filter. chain gets checked most days and lubed every two tanks of gas. valve clearances and cam chains are done by me. brakes cooling system etc all done by me

i love working on my toys

i even synchronised the carbs today for fun! im a retard for playing with things [yeah in many ways]

**stevewederell** · 14th February 2009, 21:15

Originally Posted by samgab

I like to do the basic stuff; clean, lube, and adjust chain, change and top up all fluids, change oil and filter, lube all the moving parts - cables, joints, etc, replace simple stuff like brake pads, bulbs, or battery - but when it gets beyond that, to engine repairs, carb synching, shock absorber servicing, and so on; I leave it to a pro.

Disposing of the old oil is a problem.

And I might wimp out and get "motorcycledoctors" to do the first service on the VTR as it'll be the big 24,000 Km one.

Ditto, for me. I don't have many tools or skill but I'll use my manual, internet and all the top advice on here and give most things a nudge. Most times I don't screw it up, great fun learning tho!!

**Owl** · 14th February 2009, 21:21

Yeah I can do oil, filters, tyres, but don't have the tools for chain replacement.

**MadDuck** · 14th February 2009, 21:24

Yep I do my own chain oil

**fLaThEaD FreD** · 14th February 2009, 21:39

I do oil,filters,brakes,chain. Going to attempt more as required. I have a well equipped workshop from my car racing days and just got a motorcycle lifter.
When I binned last year I did my own stripdown,repair and reassembly using one arm and lotsa patience.
Im not yet ready for major enginework should it arise but can read and understand the workshop manual.

**awayatc** · 14th February 2009, 21:44

and when you get a puncture in the middle of nowhere in particular....?
Thats why I do my own tyres as well....
Practice makes perfect and all....
Last new tyre on Aprilia didn't even take very long....
(how many guys can say they put on a new tyre aboard a ship...admittedly it was alongside.....but still....)

**Conquiztador** · 14th February 2009, 21:51

Originally Posted by awayatc

and when you get a puncture in the middle of nowhere in particular....?
Thats why I do my own tyres as well....
Practice makes perfect and all....
Last new tyre on Aprilia didn't even take very long....
(how many guys can say they put on a new tyre aboard a ship...admittedly it was alongside.....but still....)

I do it all and more. But when the rim is a alloy one and there is no tube, then I prefer to take it in as I normally leave marks on the rims.

**awayatc** · 14th February 2009, 21:54

You are saying you'r not carrying any lube..?
Not even on Valentine's...?

Sorry, wrong forum....

**Ixion** · 14th February 2009, 21:56

I don't think you could change a tubeless tyre by the roadside. Cos of having to seat it onto the bead, which you can't do until it has air in it, but until it's seated you cant get it to hold air. I don't think you could push enough air into ti with a hand pump

**ducatilover** · 14th February 2009, 21:57

Originally Posted by Ixion

I don't think you could change a tubeless tyre by the roadside. Cos of having to seat it onto the bead, which you can't do until it has air in it, but until it's seated you cant get it to hold air. I don't think you could push enough air into ti with a hand pump

chuck norris could