Maintaining your bike.

[Duke girl]

I am interested in finding out how many bike owners do their own maintenance on their bike/bikes and how many take their bikes to their local bike mechanic?.
Like changing oil, air filters, tyres, chains etc.
Also if you maintain your bike yourself, how and where did you get your knowledge from?.

[vifferman]

I am interested in finding out how many bike owners do their own maintenance on their bike/bikes and how many take their bikes to their local bike mechanic?.
Like changing oil, air filters, tyres, chains etc.
Also if you maintain your bike yourself, how and where did you get your knowledge from?.

Where's your poll?
Even though motorcycling's not a democracy, you have to have a poll. This is KB after all....

I do much of my own maintenance, partly to save money, and partly because I don't have a great deal of trust for the average mechanic, as he/she is usually under pressure to get the work done quickly, so may not take care with fairing fasteners, not scratching things, etc. They may also (and this might surprise you) not have speicalist knowledge about how to do things, such as a throttle body synchronisation on a VFR.
I've had some bad experiences with workshops: scratched rims, overtorqued fairing fasteners (they're relatively expensive, and don't respond well to having pneumatic tools used on them to save time!), work charged for but not done, wrong parts fitted, instructions not followed, etc.

There are some things I don't do, like changing tyres. I can change a tyre and have done in the past, but can't be bothered, as I don't currently have any proper tyre changing tools, can't be bothered having to dispose of the old tyres, and so would rather pay someone else to do it.
Same with chains'n'sprockets: I don't have a chain breaking/rivetting tool, so the bikes I've owned which had rivetted links (only the current one, and one other), I've got a workshop to do it. Then they can dispose of the chain and sporckets, get their hands greasy, etc.
I do change my own fluids, parts, etc.

How did I learn? By getting the information from workshop manuals, other people, and forums, then getting in and giving it a go. I am pretty handy, which is a disadvantage in some ways, because sometimes if I can't do a job myself, or can't be bothered doing it, then I don't pay someone else to do it, but just leave it. Like currently my heated grips don't work, because my brain's not functioning properly and it seems like too much trouble to chase up the fault.
Like my bike hasn't had the valve clearances checked in over 4 years because it's a time-consuming job and I'm lacking motivation to get started on it. (Luckily VFR's valve clearances are very rarely out of spec).
Like the VFR's overdue for a throttle body synchronisation because while it's an easy job, it's somewhat time-consuming and my vacuum gauges aren't accurate enough to do it.
Like my fuel filter probably needs changing, but it means that I can only do it when the fuel tank's nearly empty AND it's a weekend when I have time to do it AND I have the parts available.

Here's stuff YOU can do, that's easy, cheap, and you shouldn't pay someone else to do; all you need is some basic tools (in most cases those that came with your bike will be sufficient):
Oil and filter changes.
Change sparkplugs.
Clean and/or change the air filter.
Chain adjustment and cleaning.
Change blown bulbs.
Adjust and oil/grease moving parts such as levers.
Idle mixture and speed adjustment (if you have a carburetted bike).
Replacing parts such as the battery, fairing panels, footpegs, any screws or nuts'n'bolts that need replacing, brake pads, brake/clutch fluid.

At most you may need to buy a couple of screwdrivers, a socket set (or just the sockets you need), a few combination spanners, an oil drain pan, and some lubricants and cleaners. Specialist tools (such as torque wrenches, vacuum gauges, odd-sized sockets you rarely use, multimeters, etc.) you can often borrow. Advice is freely given, but sometimes worthless or wrong, so weigh it up or ask more questions if unsure.

[Pwalo]

I'm pretty well with the Vifferman on this one. Anything that doesn't involve opening the engine, or replacing tyres or chains I do myself. I really prefer to have my m/cycle mechanic (who I trust and has worked on my bikes for the last ten years or so) to do valve adjustments, as he seems to have a fully equipped workshop rather than a carport to work in.

Modern owners manuals are surprisingly helpful, and with a relatively modest selection of decent tools you can handle most routine maintenance.

Mind you it's probably helpful to have been riding for 35 odd years. You'll only get confidence by doing the simple jobs like adjusting the chain, and working up. Paitience is the big thing.

[vifferman]

I'm pretty well with the Vifferman on this one. Anything that doesn't involve opening the engine, or replacing tyres or chains I do myself.

Actually... I have done several jobs more complicated than that.
On the VFR750 I had, I pulled the carbs apart and shimmed the needles, took the muffler off and modified the baffles, completely rewired the charging system loom when the R/R died, did a few other things like that.

On the VTR1000, I replaced the throttle position sensor (after I broke it), shimmed the carb needles, replaced the camchain tensioners with manual APE ones, overhauled the brake calipers, fitted braided brake lines, converted the airfilter to a Unifilter by cutting out the element and replacing it with Uni foam, and fitted a new (non-standard) R/R.

On the current bike, I did the Unifilter mode; fitted a FactoryPro Evo Star shifter kit, which meant taking out part of the gearlever mechanism to fit the new bits; took off the clutch cover and repaired a crack in it; fitted a few electrical/electronic bits into the wiring (electronic speedo corrector, gargre door opener, additional dual horns, rewired the heated grips, fitted an accessory fusebox); fitted a new rear shock and fork springs; took the swingarm off to fit new footpeg brackets (they bolt on under the swingarm bolt); replaced the standard front indicators with flushmount ones.

Future work includes taking off fairings, the tank, airbox and some other stuff to check the valve clearances; replacing the fuel filter (it lives inside the fuel tank); pulling the gearbox apart to replace some bits; modifying the clutch; stripping all bodywork off to get it repainted; stripping and polishing the wheels; replacing the front damper units. I may need to replace the waterpump some time soon(ish) too, as it's a part that doesn't last forever.

[Taz]

I do all my own work and some for friends. Self taught mechanic.

[Pwalo]

Actually... I have done several jobs more complicated than that.
On the VFR750 I had, I pulled the carbs apart and shimmed the needles, took the muffler off and modified the baffles, completely rewired the charging system loom when the R/R died, did a few other things like that.

On the VTR1000, I replaced the throttle position sensor (after I broke it), shimmed the carb needles, replaced the camchain tensioners with manual APE ones, overhauled the brake calipers, fitted braided brake lines, converted the airfilter to a Unifilter by cutting out the element and replacing it with Uni foam, and fitted a new (non-standard) R/R.

On the current bike, I did the Unifilter mode; fitted a FactoryPro Evo Star shifter kit, which meant taking out part of the gearlever mechanism to fit the new bits; took off the clutch cover and repaired a crack in it; fitted a few electrical/electronic bits into the wiring (electronic speedo corrector, gargre door opener, additional dual horns, rewired the heated grips, fitted an accessory fusebox); fitted a new rear shock and fork springs; took the swingarm off to fit new footpeg brackets (they bolt on under the swingarm bolt); replaced the standard front indicators with flushmount ones.

Future work includes taking off fairings, the tank, airbox and some other stuff to check the valve clearances; replacing the fuel filter (it lives inside the fuel tank); pulling the gearbox apart to replace some bits; modifying the clutch; stripping all bodywork off to get it repainted; stripping and polishing the wheels; replacing the front damper units. I may need to replace the waterpump some time soon(ish) too, as it's a part that doesn't last forever.

If it's inside the cases I still prefer to get a trained professional to do it. I reckon that I've done enough such stuff over time to let someone else (who I know will do a good job) do it. I can afford it, and I don't have a proper garage or workshop.

Besides the maintenance schedule on a modern bike isn't exactly a burden.

Still love cleaning, lubing and fiddling with my baby (oh, and the bike as well).

[keithbuckby]

I do all my own, mainly for financial reasons, just finished changing the head gasket, managed to break 2 studs as they were being torqued down, so thats what I am doing this weekend, lots of fun.

[The Pastor]

i do most of it bymyself, probably want the mech to do the valves, if i ever do them :P maybe at 100 000k

[Hiflyer]

anyone know the service intervals for a hyosung gt250r? other than "never" and other pointless posts haha, help would be appreciated, i had a service done at 1000, 6000 and 12500 and now 18500 just tryna do every 6000kms, i change the oil myself every 4000kms cos im anal.


but yea anyone have teh official schedule?

[Taz]

anyone know the service intervals for a hyosung gt20r? other than "never" and other pointless posts haha, help would be appreciated, i had a service done at 1000, 6000 and 12500 and now 18500 just tryna do every 6000kms, i change the oil myself every 4000kms cos im anal.


but yea anyone have teh official schedule?

GT20R is that their pit bike? Pointless post I know but shouldn't you start your own thread or read your owners manual or search google??

[Hiflyer]

GT20R is that their pit bike? Pointless post I know but shouldn't you start your own thread or read your owners manual or search google??

. . . . . . . shhh haha

soz m8 but i was much to lazy to use google or a search engine,

i just wanna fit in with the KB crowd


thats why i didnt use google

[EJT]

anyone know the service intervals for a hyosung gt250r? other than "never" and other pointless posts haha, help would be appreciated, i had a service done at 1000, 6000 and 12500 and now 18500 just tryna do every 6000kms, i change the oil myself every 4000kms cos im anal.


but yea anyone have teh official schedule?

Pretty sure it is less than 6000k but can't remember when I did mine.

[AllanB]

The shop does the specified servicing until the factory warranty expires.

Then I'll do the oil, filters, plugs etc. They will do valve timing (but that's every 24,000 kms!).

Tyres - I remove the wheels and take them to the tyre shop - I do this as it gives me a good chance to have a big clean up on the bike when the wheels are off.

I would have to say I would not like to be paying myself by the hour when I work on my bike - I take my time, and most jobs take twice as long as I thought they would

[Hiflyer]

Pretty sure it is less than 6000k but can't remember when I did mine.

shit. . . . well mine runs fine every 6k km's. . . will look for my manual asap then

[Patch]

shit. . . . well mine runs fine every 6k km's. . . will look for my manual asap then

unless you have your oil tested - your assuming your oil is fine, a manufacturer's recommendation is simply that - a recommendation.


Read this for Oil Specs if you understand it completely, then one is probably well qualified to have an opinion on said matter

The Oil companies do have an 0800 technical service centre for such purposes, if one is unsure.