Newbie needing help..

[punkyfish]

Hi, I've just moved to Reading ... new house, new job, new area, new man etc, my AT is in desperate need of a service can anyone from the area recommend a decent garage, doesn't have to be a Honda dealer. Just want somewhere I can trust not to take the p*** coz I'm a chick!! Also any good rides/meets etc would be useful to. Cheers

[Lutin]

Welcome to the Mad House Punkyfish.

Are you not interested in getting your hands dirty and servicing your AT yourself? 'Tis loads of fun. But then again I've been getting mucky since I was knee high to a grasshopper, as they say.

Can't help with a recommendation, but I'm sure some kind soul will be along in a minute.

You might want to post in the "Recommended Dealers / Service Providers" thread, as well as the Africa Twin Specific thread as you might get a quicker response as not everyone reads (or can read) every new thread.

[suds750]

Greetings Punkyfish.
Some of us go to the Ace cafe quite often, I'm sure you'll be made welcome if you met us there.
Maybe we should organise a 'Service Day' so that people who don't have the know how or space to service their bikes could be taught how to do the work, and save themselves some money!?

[Whealie]

A service you can seriously do yourself and it would be a good learning experience about just how the bike works and how simple what appears to be a difficult task can be.

(I just re-read that and it sounds patronising but isn't meant to be - it is how I started)

I am sure someone nearby would be happy to help out and guide you.

For the full monty service all you need is:
four spark plugs
air filter
oil filter
oil
fuel filter

Dave Silvers is the place for parts (except buy oil locally) to call 01728 833020.

You will also need something to catch the old oil in so one of those plastic tray/bottles is a good buy.

If someone local has a carb balancing kit, you could do that while you were at it.

The bike would feel so much better afterwards and you'd know that you had done it all yourself, which would give you warm feeling inside.

Oh and either some latex gloves or a big box of wipes (baby wipes would do or Halfords does a big yellow tube of goodones) to clean your hands afterwards.

[StumpyFingers]

Hello and welcome to the forum.
Servicing is not too difficult, the valves are the hardest thing the rest is childs play.
Whereabouts in Reading are you?

[punkyfish]

I would really love to know how to do this stuff myself, I'm not stupid by any means! Any local volunteers to maybe spend a couple of hours over a weekend would be gratefully received.

[Sharribee]

Punkyfish, welcome to the site, we aren't local so can't help with the servicing but did just want to say that I'm a complete numpty when it comes to technical stuff and I have managed to service my AT under the watchful eye of my hubbie

I think we need a working weekend again don't we

[StumpyFingers]

If you can get the parts I would be willing to take a ride out to reading to help.

[phil w]

Punkyfish, welcome to the site, we aren't local so can't help with the servicing but did just want to say that I'm a complete numpty when it comes to technical stuff and I have managed to service my AT under the watchful eye of my hubbie

I think we need a working weekend again don't we

Oh days like this are so entertaining

[Sharribee]

Oh days like this are so entertaining

hmmm,I'd like to add to my post your fine as long as there aren't too many "helpful" spectators