Bike maintenance 101?

[Shifty]

I know it's the wrong thing to say to a student, but it really is very easy for the most part.

Best place to start is with a set of spanners, a pair of pliers and a few screwdrivers.... crack out the service manual and start undoing things! An old/crashed car/bike is perfect for this stuff, pull it apart and see how it works.. it doesn't even matter what it is, you can buy a 30yo ho.....ho..... *ahem* for $200 and it's still has the same mechanical underpinnings and you can throw it in the bin guilt-free when you're done!

I probably wouldn't be doing much on a brand new bike but if you had a track bike, etc that would be the ideal place to start!

[Bogan]

There's this, way too far to go, but it's a TAFE run course. Might be able to get the syllabus sent up and get someone to run it out of Brisbane?

http://www.citace.edu.au/cgi-bin/WebObj ... ID=ENG2002

[ZXRobyn]

Well I haven't done any courses, but I've always changed the oil and filter in my car and also my bike.
Like others have suggested it's a must to have a workshop manual.

For me when I first started, just putting the fairing back on was a major chore. Now however I'm all over it !

I had to do a lot of work to my bike to prepare it for a race I entered a few years ago, simple things like removing the coolant and replacing it with water only, drilling my oil cap and sump plug so that they could be wired onto the bike. And yes, my bf was good at this stuff and I learnt a lot from him (incl. how to dummy spit when things didn't quite work out like they should, or in the timeframe that they should ). But in all honesty yes picked up some great knowledge from him.

Anyway, after doing this, I've since found it less overwhelming if I need to do something to the bike. I know how to change the air filter and plugs, I know where to look for fuses if someth'n isn't working, I know how to adjust my chain (which imo every bike rider should know how to do, irrespective of whether you are male or female), I know how to recharge the battery etc. Simple, but important things.

And more recently I learnt how to bleed the brakes, fit braided lines, replace brake pads and brake discs - with big thanX to a couple of very mechnically minded ksrc members - you know who you are.

My point here being, now that I've done it and know how easy it is . . . . I wouldn't hesitate in doing it !!
If you can find someone who is mechanically minded that can help you or just be there for moral support, then there is no reason you can't do this stuff yourself.
For me, I like having someone there to tell me what to do, and do the stuff myself. But hey, that's me !

If you near my place over the GP break Wendy, the least we can change your oil and filter.

[matt76]

Hey BM, a few mates and i occasionally have a bit of a communal service day where we do whatever we have to do on our bikes and show anyone who wants to watch what we are doing. We arent mechanics by any means but will have a go at anything on our own bikes like servicing, chains, fork seals etc. I will give you a shout when we do it next. Most of the stuff is really basic and you could do yourself with minimal tools.

Edit: Oh I forgot to mention I am on the northside at Brendale.

[IsleofNinja]

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.

To the first bit - No problem
Next bit - could probably help you out re toolkit .. will keep you posted. [trade discounted quality gear you won't buy cheaper new!]
Third bit - How bout I send ol faithful over for a bit of spanner spinning??? This is the 'HQ' of motorbikes {oh and 50cc bigger than the gix so easy girl!!!

[matt76]

Youtube is also great for 'How to's" Thats where I learnt how to do my fork seals!

[Black Magic]

My point here being, now that I've done it and know how easy it is . . . . I wouldn't hesitate in doing it !!
If you can find someone who is mechanically minded that can help you or just be there for moral suport, then there is no reason you can't do this stuff yourself.
For me, I like having someone there to tell me what to do, and do the stuff myself. But hey, that's me !

If you near my place over the GP break Wendy, the least we can change your oil and filter.

Thanks Robyn. I am flying down for the GP now, so the bike will be home by itself fo a week

I agree altogether though. I am definitely a 'hands on' learner. Even when I did my nursing study I found things much easier to catch on to in practice than theory.

Hey BM, a few mates and i occasionally have a bit of a communal service day where we do whatever we have to do on our bikes and show anyone who wants to watch what we are doing. We arent mechanics by any means but will have a go at anything on our own bikes like servicing, chains, fork seals etc. I will give you a shout when we do it next. Most of the stuff is really basic and you could do yourself with minimal tools.

Edit: Oh I forgot to mention I am on the northside at Brendale.

Great Matt. I am at Albany Creek, about 5 mins from you! This is how I would love to learn. Please PM me next time you are getting together. We'll bring the beer!

To the first bit - No problem
Next bit - could probably help you out re toolkit .. will keep you posted. [trade discounted quality-you won't but cheaper quality!]
Third bit - How bout I send ol faithful over for a bit of spanner spinning??? This is the 'HQ' of motorbikes {oh and 50cc bigger than the gix so easy girl!!!

The 'instructional phone call' to WA would probably cost more than getting it done in the workshop. (Although you couldn't throw tools at me over the phone. )
I have a basic toolkit to start with, so that should see me through for now.
As far as the old Russian dunger goes- if you can ride it here I will fix it for you!

[IsleofNinja]

Hmmm she's a bit peaky!!! I spose if go easy I won't get into too much trouble from the LAW!!!

[r1_forever]

Your bike is an 07 brand new bike Wendy so doing any sort of maintenance other than lubing and adjusting the chain should be left to the dealer and the warranty servicing.

Were your bike to need fork seals done it would be under warranty for two years either way. Probably the most you could perform at home would be changing brake pads and even then you shouldn't need a set in the first 1-2 years of owning it. Possibly a brake fluid bleed would be the next thing, but leaving it to the dealer to do during a service would be easier and save you having to stuff around with it.

Knowing how to do all this is good information to have, but while it's still brand new that sweet, shiny gixxer shouldn't need a spanner near it for some time to come...fingers crossed that is

P.s..don't crack off at me, I'm being good!

[Black Magic]

P.s..don't crack off at me, I'm being good!

Thanks Andy- you are being good! Friendly constructive advice is always welcome!

I am not envisaging having to do anything apart from routine stuff to it, but it is more knowing how it works mechanically, and what to do if something does go wrong. I believe that pulling one apart is the best way of understanding it.

[Troy Pearson]

Hey Black magic, if you can find someone who has a passion for bikes like the rest of us and does his own maintenance then you would be laughing.

You need someone who can guide you through certain things in servicing like valve clearances and adjustment! There is a sequence to do things and a way to measure under your cam lobes without scoring the cam lobe or follower faces.
Also, you wouldn't have to buy all the tools that you would need for such an operation.

There is a lot of us out there that do our own maintenance and we have a our own consistencies when it comes to working on our bikes and if you can find someone who is more than helpful you are laughing.

If you were in the Sydney area I would be more than happy to help. I'm also away most of the year which is a bummer. If anyone is keen though, I would be more than happy to help as long as you have a manual for your machine and you can wait till after the new year when I'm home.

Good luck, keep looking, someone will lend a hand.


Troy

[Black Magic]

Thanks Troy. Matty 67 is going to give me a few pointers next time he is doing some work on his bike. Also I have found someone up here who is willing to show me the ropes. Amazing how easy it is to learn with someone you can trust!

Nothing like some 'hands on' experience.

[Tuzza]

Hey BM
It's a Gixxer....
It won't need any maintainance done on it.... other than the basics...
I'm happy to help you out anytime. I have a little knowledge when it comes to Gixxers

[Black Magic]

Hey BM
It's a Gixxer....
It won't need any maintainance done on it.... other than the basics...
I'm happy to help you out anytime. I have a little knowledge when it comes to Gixxers

So you'd better change your bike over there---------->
to Suzuki instead of scooter!

[Tuzza]

How do i join the Suzuki Team on a Kawasaki forum
You look like you're out numbered and may need some help