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Like a lot of you older guys, I can't imagine not doing my own work most of the time.
I've never bought a new motorcycle in my life, and only one came from a dealer.
My Vulcan I bought from someone who claimed the bike was dealer maintained, but he also gave me a shop manual with it. The manual was fairly clean, so it may have just been a reference book for him? but if the bike was dealer maintained...I don't want to use that dealer! I had to undo a lot of jury rigs.
The same thing with my Sportster. Of course I knew what to expect with a 38 year old bike. But the guy had a folder full of receipts from a local bike shop for all the work that had been done. That is another shop that I wouldn't recommend! The bike was his wifes and I couldn't believe how bad that bike was, with just simple stuff so neglected. I wouldn't have let anyone I cared about ride that bike!
There was a time when, if you didn't know how to work on your own bike, you didn't ride. Now days there are a lot of Credit Card Bikers that have no idea about things mechanical. But if you are going to ride a single track vehicle, I think you should understand how it works and be able to wrench on it, at least for the basic maintenance. That way you might detect problems before they become life threatening.
I think the idea of taking a night course is a good idea. Then at least when you take it to the shop you can talk intelligently with the mechanic. And I would use a shop where you can talk to the mechanic, and not just the service writer. Get to know the guy and make sure he has your interest and safety in mind.
my shifter is on the RIGHT side
1970 Sportster (Bronson Replica)
1999 1500 Vulcan Nomad
Iron Head
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Last Login: 11/3/2008 6:07:21 AM
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Average Member
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Last Login: 11/12/2008 5:08:30 AM
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Blutex -
I fully understand. When I was a kid, I did everything by common sense; rebuilt the cellar steps, worked on alarm clocks (mostly fixed), studied electronics and became fairly good at fixing that as well. I even rebuilt a 4 barrel carburetor on my Oldsmobile when I was sixteen. Back then, I used to wonder why my father had no common sense and would not attempt these things and if he did, it ended up poorly.
Guess what: we are our parents children. I own a Clymer book for my bike, I read it, I do what it says, and something always goes wrong. Either I strip a bolt, or break a bolt, or a once in a lifetime part is bad, etc etc - so I am very hesitant about taking apart my own bike. Especially when so much depends upon a successful repair. I mean it is not like fixing the riding mower - if something doesn't work there - it beer time, not to the hospital I go.
So other than oil, battery, air filter, and spark plug changes - I rarely attempt my own repairs. But I do know what is involved so as not to be taken to the cleaners.
The "Z" MAN - North Carolina
1995 BMW R1100R - MOA #115950
Olympia, Scorpion, Gerbings, & Alpinestars
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Average Member
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Last Login: 11/14/2008 10:08:58 AM
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Drummer - I have a tendency to tighten bolts until they snap off. That's why I never attempt anything major myself. Of course, those bolts that don't snap off - those babies are on there forever!!
Now, let me get this right - is it one down, four up?
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New Member
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Guys,
Buy a Torque Wrench!
Or you could just continue to use tighten it till it strips and then back off a quarter turn method. .
my shifter is on the RIGHT side
1970 Sportster (Bronson Replica)
1999 1500 Vulcan Nomad
Iron Head
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Average Member
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Last Login: 11/12/2008 5:08:30 AM
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IronHead97 wrote:
tighten it till it strips and then back off a quarter turn
Is there a problem with that? 
In hindsight, I think part of the problem I have is working on a bike that is 13 years old. Rubber parts just don't have the give anymore, so unrelated parts break and its back to the store I go.
Ah the heck with the justification, I'm just not as good at mechanical things as I once was and do not have the time to put into learning.
As said in the movie, The Big Chill, "Justification is more important than sex. You can go a day without sex, but you can't without justification."
The "Z" MAN - North Carolina
1995 BMW R1100R - MOA #115950
Olympia, Scorpion, Gerbings, & Alpinestars
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Last Login: 10/12/2008 5:22:23 PM
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I would say it depends. What kind of bike, what kind of riding do you do? My BMW RT which I ride touring and commuting is very complicated and difficult to work on compared to my Kawasaki KLR 650. Also, I am going adventure touring to remote locations on the Kawasaki. It is more important and more feasible to learn how to do almost everything on the KLR; I might need to in Mexico some day. Also, it requires relatively few tools and no complicated special tools at all.
The BMW is different. For example, the instructions to bleed the brakes on the BMW go 13 pages, there are 6 bleed nipples, 4 or which are under the gas tank. You have to have a special funnel to do the job. I could probably put a new motor in the Kawasaki in the amount of time it takes. I do a lot of maintenance on the BMW, especially tune ups, adjusting valves, and changing fluids. I have torn into the motor of the Kawasaki without much trouble.
I enjoy working on both, just like I enjoy riding both.
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