Do you do your bike maintenance

[scracha]

I always say stick to what you're good at or enjoy.

When pushed I can do mechnical stuff (I'm not great but anyone can follow a Haynes manual) but to honest, I just hate getting my hands dirty. I can think of nothing worse than spending my weekend stripping my bike. When I was a poor student I had to rebuild a couple of engines but now I don't need to.

Put it this way, I'd rather spend 3 hours doing my job that I enjoy to pay for the 2 hours it takes someone who enjoys fixing bikes (as opposed to the 10 hours it would take me).

[ceebie13]

I'm of the opinion that if I look after the bike, then it will look after me. So the attention to detail that the CB receives is second to none. Every accessible nook and cranny gets cleaned and polished. She gets a "birthday" pretty much every weekend. Having read Merv's instructions in the "Maintenance" section, I'm thinking that I will do the usual "A" service stuff myself from now on. (Sod the warranty requirements). Tyre pressures, chain lube, oil checks, brake pad replacement, bulb replacement etc are all fairly straightforward so I'll happily do that too, but engine internals I will leave to the experts. Presently, the bike has only covered 4500K so by the time we get back from our N.Island tour next month she will be ready for a good seeing to. And so will the bike!

[riffer]

I do what I have the tools to do, which means everything except tyre change, chain, cam regrinds, etc.

I'll pretty much give everything else a go.

[Storm]

I do the basic stuff- oil changes, chain, tighten up loose bits. Fiddling with carbs or other technical shite, I leave to the professionals- it took me 10 hours, complete with mates and much head scratching to work out I didnt have a clue and it took the bike shop 30mins to fix up my cockups and make it run sweet
I learned my lesson- they fix bikes, I wire houses.

[Flyingpony]

I'll do everything that I've got the tools, time and knowledge to do, but I'll leave tyres and inside engines to the professionals - at least for the moment. I'm no where near considering rebuilding cranks etc.

[Ghost Lemur]

I chose the third option although it's not quite correct.

At the moment I do as much as I can with the skills and tools I have (oil changes, filters, plug, etc), but am working towards being able to do everything myself. I spend quite a bit of time with my mechanic (Linton @ DAS) discussing options, how-to's. Because my bike is rare and technical info even rarer, it's not the best option to learn on. I've got a TS185 hack for a mate of mine. It runs but needs some work (exaust, rear brake, general tidy up) so I'm practicing on that.

Would also like to get a trials bike as a project.

Ultimately in the future I'd like to have a well kitted gargre and the skills/know-how to work on my own bike and even have a couple of projects constantly on the go.

Never been into mechanical work (cars) but with bikes it's different. I get a great deal of pleasure working on them, as Motu said, almost as much as riding them. Not sure why that is, just happy it is.

On this subject. Been looking for an evening motorcycle mechanics course in Christchurch, but haven't been able to find anything. Is there anything down here? I figured the Polytech would run something (the Trades are supposed to be their bread & butter) but could even see any reference to fulltime Motorcycle courses let alone, evening ones.

If there is nothing currently it might be worth getting something together (like the Auckland crew did).

[Ghost Lemur]

I chose the third option although it's not quite correct.

At the moment I do as much as I can with the skills and tools I have (oil changes, filters, plug, etc), but am working towards being able to do everything myself. I spend quite a bit of time with my mechanic (Linton @ DAS) discussing options, how-to's. Because my bike is rare and technical info even rarer, it's not the best option to learn on. I've got a TS185 hack for a mate of mine. It runs but needs some work (exaust, rear brake, general tidy up) so I'm practicing on that.

Would also like to get a trials bike as a project.

Ultimately in the future I'd like to have a well kitted gargre and the skills/know-how to work on my own bike and even have a couple of projects constantly on the go.

Never been into mechanical work (cars) but with bikes it's different. I get a great deal of pleasure working on them, as Motu said, almost as much as riding them. Not sure why that is, just happy it is.

On this subject. Been looking for an evening motorcycle mechanics course in Christchurch, but haven't been able to find anything. Is there anything down here? I figured the Polytech would run something (the Trades are supposed to be their bread & butter) but could even see any reference to fulltime Motorcycle courses let alone, evening ones.

If there is nothing currently it might be worth getting something together (like the Auckland crew did).

[terbang]

Bike mechanic in a previous life so I do all of my own except the tyres and warranty stuff.

[Crisis management]

I do everything, but both the bikes are technical retards and don't have exciting stuff like fuel injection and computers...there is little I can damage fatally!

For me this is part of riding bikes and adds to the enjoyment of owning them.

[Bonez]

I wire houses.

May have a purk job for ya in the new year if interested.

[Lissa]

I do nothing to my bike except clean her and put petrol in. hmm chain lubed her once... just clocked 1000kms (brandnew bike) so I am going to take it into the shop and get them to look at her, and give me some tips on what to do in the maintence department.

[merv]

Hey Lissa lube the chain about every 1000km so if you haven't got one yet go buy a can of spray on chain lube.

[lukelin250]

as much as i can considering i dont have a manual. if anyone does have one or knows where i can get one for a cbr rr 250, please let me know. thankyou

[Trudes]

Oil the chain and have assisted in tightening it once but aside from the day to day up keep, and attaching new bling, we don't do any other service type stuff. BUTTTTT, am planning on changing this thanks to Merv and another helpful teacher (who will remain nameless in case he doesn't wish to be named) who has offered to teach me!! Yahhhh, can't wait to be let loose with the tools!!!

[merv]

Remember this is like sex - the bikes prefer the soft sensual touch - nice and easy with the screwing and no stripping of the aluminium and they will reward you with loyal responses.