Skills learning session

[matt]

My apologies if this has been mentioned before - I did a quick search to check.

There are some skills that are best passed on, and I was thinking :idea: that instead of us all struggling to fit this, change that, or waiting until we are in some remote place to learn how to replace fuel pump/tyre/brain cells it would be of great value to have some lessons...and a good chin wag/beers.

I don't mean how to change a sparkplug etc., but more of the typical failures that happen in the field and how to overcome them.

Some on the forum have old parts, from wheels to partly dismantled bikes, which could aid demos.

I for one would like to be shown how to replace/repair both tyres in the middle of nowhere, with bent/broken tyre levers etc. I don't fancy doing this if I don't need to and my local backstreet gem of a biker's cave can do it better and faster than me. But at some point in the future - I'll need to know.

I have also seen struggles with centre stand (both fitting and using ) on this site. Chain and sprockets replacement in the field, typical accident damage and how to get by to the next garage etc.

The Haynes manual and this forum get you so far, but when the chips are down and skin is coming off your knuckles in the dark in the rain, with your pillion shouting 'who's bloody idea was this then?', passed on knowledge is priceless.

Suggestions on how to take further?

[Whealie]

Great Idea. My suggestion is Essex (Yen, Chad, Maverick, Lootch etc are nearby), somewhere near the M25 (so everyone else can get there easily), start after lunch on a Saturday in summer. Make sure there's somewhere nearby to stay and we can have a social on the Saturday night.
I have a spare set of wheels that can be used for demonstrations.

[John]

I'd definitely be interested. I can bring biscuits!

[icenian]

somewhere near the M25 (so everyone else can get there easily)

spoken like a true Londoner... bet your maps have London, the M25, then here be dragons

[Maverick]

Yeah sounds pretty good, we will have to pay the Yen master with lots of biscuits and pasties to show us how to do the valves though I think it is worth while compiling a list of what people would like to see repaired, fixed or replaced to get an indication of what to organise for the day.

So far we got

1. Tyre/Puncture repair
2. Valve Adjustment
3. Carburretor balancing
4. Fuel pump replacement
5. Correct Chain adjustment


Please add to the list if there is something specific you would like to know. If you want to know how to check the plugs or where they actually situated don't be afraid to ask.

[chronyx]

I'm definitely up for this. I can bring my good self and beer, food, whatever really!

[Whealie]

spoken like a true Londoner... bet your maps have London, the M25, then here be dragons

I know a lot about outside London, especially Scotland. It's where all our (Londoner's) taxes go.
It's not just the Barnett formula. Did you know that about £10bn a year of tax collected from Londoners leaves London each year. If you include people who commute into London, that doubles to £20bn. When you get two lorries side by side on a motorway heading north the one on the right is unable to go any faster because it is laden with Londoner's cash.
I'm planning a holiday in Scotland this year, partly to see my family there (you can tell I'm Scottish as I live in London to save the train fare) but to get some of my money back.
To be fair, wherever we held it, somebody would be a long way away. Shall we set up a webcam?

[lootch67]

I'd offer my driveway as a venue but I doubt whether there'll be any takers then. Does anybody know much about electrics? An idiot's guide on how to work a Multimeter would be fantastic.

[Whealie]

I can run a masterclass in phoning Dave Silver and spending loads of money.

[matt]

A demo/hands on/do it like this top requests so far:

1. Tyre/Puncture repair, in the field with a twig and chewing gum.
2. Valve Adjustment top tips.
3. Carburretor balancing made simple.
4. Fuel pump replacement with your eyes shut.
5. Correct Chain adjustment for chain slappers.
6. Electrics, the usual faults, and a multimeter.
7. 250kg of laden bike, fallen in mud, you're knackered, best techniques to right single handed.
8. Lessons learnt the hard way (what isn't in the books) when touring.

I'll add to this as I read more requests.....