Bike maintenance 101?

[Black Magic]

Hey guys.

I spent most of yesterday learning how to replace the chain and sprockets on my friend's Yamaha. (As well as finding leaking fork seals and that the back brakes weren't working.)

It led me to realise how little I know about doing things on my own bike. Does anyone know of a course that you can do to learn more on basic bike maintenance? (At the level of- yes, I know where the petrol goes....... )

I do my own basic stuff, although even getting the Gixxer on and off the stand is a problem. We need a bike maintenance 101 course for girls!

[Six Addict]

i hear kawasaki's service themselves!!! could be the brand for you

in terms of actual help...

not sure of a course you could do ... maybe find a forum member who is more knowledgable and if u ever need something then either ask them to help or give em a 6pack of beer/bottle of champaigne (for the ladies) and get em to come over and help you work on the bike

[Black Magic]

i hear kawasaki's service themselves!!! could be the brand for you

in terms of actual help...

not sure of a course you could do ... maybe find a forum member who is more knowledgable and if u ever need something then either ask them to help or give em a 6pack of beer/bottle of champaigne (for the ladies) and get em to come over and help you work on the bike

Anyone keen on mentoring a mechanically challenged female????? Thus far I have have only been greeted with impatience or expensive mechanic bills!

[6maniac]

Hey guys.

I spent most of yesterday learning how to replace the chain and sprockets on my friend's Yamaha. (As well as finding leaking fork seals and that the back brakes weren't working.)

It led me to realise how little I know about doing things on my own bike. Does anyone know of a course that you can do to learn more on basic bike maintenance? (At the level of- yes, I know where the petrol goes....... )

I do my own basic stuff, although even getting the Gixxer on and off the stand is a problem. We need a bike maintenance 101 course for girls!

Do you have the NSW equivalent of TAFE (Technical & Further Education ) in Qld. Wendy ? Or Community Colleges ? These do basic car maintenance courses - with a bit of encouragement they may do bikes as well. May be an opening for a bright lad ( or ladette ) in your area ?

[6maniac]

i hear kawasaki's service themselves!!! could be the brand for you

in terms of actual help...

not sure of a course you could do ... maybe find a forum member who is more knowledgable and if u ever need something then either ask them to help or give em a 6pack of beer/bottle of champaigne (for the ladies) and get em to come over and help you work on the bike

Hmmm - sounds like a way to pick up !!!!!!

[mick_dundee]

I know Holmesglen TAFE down here in Mexico did a motorbike maintennace course can't be sure if they still do but imagine so.

[Black Magic]

Thanks guys- I have been looking for a while, but haven't found anything. I will enquire at the TAFE and see what I come up with.

[the kid]

See if they have a workshop manual avalable to suit your model and have a scan through it . A lot will seem a bit confusing but when you compare what you read with actually looking at the parts on the bike it can become clearer .
Not a substitute for being shown things by a person but usefull and will give you a direction for having a go .

[photomike666]

Buy an old shit box and a socket set, then download a workshop manual. Start with simple service bits, but challenge yourself taking it apart knowing it doesn't matter if it never runs again. You will learn heaps about bikes and may gain confidence working on your pride and job. A knowledge-able mate to point and drink beer is also handy at this stage.

[Jonno]

Your bike will need very little repairs in its first years other than maintenance and oil changes. Well you would hope. Anyway, here you go sweetie, read up on the following and you wont feel so anxious when someone touches your bike and you might be better equipped to do some of it yourself

http://www.dansmc.com/MC_repaircourse.htm

http://www.reginachain.it/eng/use_and_m ... to03.shtml

Hope that helps you!

[Black Magic]

Your bike will need very little repairs in its first years other than maintenance and oil changes. Well you would hope. Anyway, here you go sweetie, read up on the following and you wont feel so anxious when someone touches your bike and you might be better equipped to do some of it yourself

http://www.dansmc.com/MC_repaircourse.htm

http://www.reginachain.it/eng/use_and_m ... to03.shtml

Hope that helps you!

Thanks for those- looked into Tafe- nothing!

I would like to learn how to do the basic maintenance, but also better understand how everything works (it actually might need more than basic maintenance AFTER I start playing with it. )

I do HATE people touching my bike and I hate feeling like an alien life-form when I walk into the mechanics workshop- a bit of knowledge may quell my fears about it all.

Thanks all

[hoffy]

We just go over to Dave's when we need stuff done...

You need a Dave in QLD

[IsleofNinja]

Find a good bookshop / even a trip to the local library to find some reference material Wendy
There is plenty of online info but sometimes having a book on hand can be a more effective learning tool.

Hardest part is actually learning the right way to do things and being able to understand each step of the process and why it is done that way.
The fact you actually give it a go is a great start.

For about $400.00 you can get a really decent briefcase sized toolkit from Blue Point [Snap On Tools] ideal for most jobs on our bikes.
The price may be confronting but when armed with a bit of knowledge , that works out to less than 4hrs labour at a bike shop!!

Always happy to help out if I can

[Black Magic]

Find a good bookshop / even a trip to the local library to find some reference material Wendy
There is plenty of online info but sometimes having a book on hand can be a more effective learning tool.

Hardest part is actually learning the right way to do things and being able to understand each step of the process and why it is done that way.
The fact you actually give it a go is a great start.

For about $400.00 you can get a really decent briefcase sized toolkit from Blue Point [Snap On Tools] ideal for most jobs on our bikes.
The price may be confronting but when armed with a bit of knowledge , that works out to less than 4hrs labour at a bike shop!!

Always happy to help out if I can

Thank -you for that! Can I call you in WA when the bits are strewn all over the garage?

Thank you for the advice. I have had a look at the online info, and am quite willing to get a book/ handbook. The decent tool kit is a must I guess. Problem is whether I would actually be game to start pulling it apart with just a book in front of me! Probably never get it back together!

As everyone has said- books, tools, courses, and then maybe an old bike to pull apart and put back together. All seems very costly.

[dilligaf]

there are a few useful books around

http://www.amazon.com/Essential-Guide-M ... 010&sr=8-1

http://www.amazon.com/Motorcycle-Mainte ... 010&sr=8-7

aren't bad