I want to learn how to work on my bike

[Jem]

Hi everyone,
Any advice on the best way to learn how to do stuff for my bike?
I have no technical knowledge or experience at the moment except checking the very basics (oil, brake fluid, chain...) and I'd like to know that I can sort out some simple problems without running to a mechanic - may not always be one around and they cost a lot
Did you all pick it up gradually as you went along, do you get a mate to do it for you/show you or are there courses to do???
Cheers

[AIRWOLF]

Get some decent tool's and a workshop manual and have a go, . . . just take your time.

[YEN_POWELL]

I have no technical knowledge or experience at the moment except checking the very basics (oil, brake fluid, chain...)

Did you used to work for Johns of Romford?

Only kidding. Just start with oil and plug changes using a manual, the rest will come naturally over time.

[largewayround]

I am mechnically minded, but I never did any work on a bike before. Just cars.

I found a haynes manual was a good start, but found this forum the best way to learn the way to do something, because someone here has most likely done it before.
Especially handy when the manual says do it a certain way but there is a better way to do something.

And the members here are so helpful.. I generally do a search on a subject or post a question..

Happy Days ..

[Jem]

ok guys thanks

So it seems to just get on with it

and not to go to Johns of Romford

And if it all goes pear-shaped I know where to get advice...

[Whealie]

Get the stuff for a basic service and then one of us will pop buy and stand over you tutting just before you make a mistake and gurgling encouragingly when you get it right (assuming you have made us enough cups of tea).

You need four spark plugs (make sure you have the original Honda plug spanner - or buy one), an oil filter, some oil, a sump washer (buy 20 at a time off ebay or Rugged Roads) and an air filter. If you have not changed the fuel filter for a while get one of those too as you might as well do it while everything is off.

A socket set and some spanners, screwdrivers and Allen keys should do the trick. If you can get one of those oil drain bottles that cost a few quid then it saves using a kitchen baking tray to catch all the cruddy oil.

If you have nowhere to work, then you can come to mine or I am sure a host of others with even better garages and tools.

[Whealie]

get some brake pads while you're at it, as changing those is a doddle too.

[z-weiser]

i was in your position - got a haynes manual and started from there - the manuals are pretty good and do explain it all step by step!

the more you try the more you will gain confidence!

try the easy stuff first (one-two spanners) and then build up!

check you have the right tools for a job yourself first as stopping half-way to go and buy a 6mm spanner or allen key is a pain in the bum!

every now and again groups from on here get together and do work sessions which are good - always good to watch and learn!

enjoy

Z

[Zenarchy]

Like you, I'm pretty new to all things mechanical too. I'm learning little bits and pieces as I go along and they need doing. Stripping the bike to clean it up when I first got it helped a lot (not so much how to fix things but where everything was and then I read up more about what each bit did and how it did it - though there's still a lot I'm in the dark about).

There's lots of information available online, and a general motorcycle maintenance book that explains the mechanics behind how things works has been helpful (even though I haven't put the majority of it into practice yet).

The Haines manuals look good to help you through a particular task you might need to do, but they don't give a lot of information about what's actually going on with the parts that you're working on.

You might also find this site helpful:

http://www.garagenight.tv/

that was posted here recently (hope they keep it up and do more videos as I found them some of the best I've seen online so far) - and there's a website called expert village providing video tutorials about bike related things too:

http://www.expertvillage.com/search.htm?s=motorcycle

There are a few ebook style downloads available from various places if you do a google search for "motorcycle maintenance guide pdf" and do a bit of browsing too (you'll need to download adobe acrobat to view the PDF format documents if you don't already have it - it's available free from www.adobe.com).

Might also be worth looking to see if your local college offers any maintenance courses (there's one run close to me but it's more for people who want a career as a mechanic and are doing day release which is too much of a commitment for me but some others run less formal courses so you might be lucky).

Apart from all that, this site has proved one of the most helpful resources for me. You can find very specific information and pointers tailored exactly to your bike here (I notice you have a transalp) and the people here have always been very friendly and helpful (even with some of my dumb newbie questions). Plus there's not much that someone hasn't asked about at some stage, so the search function here usually throws up some pointers about whatever it is you're interested in doing, so this website has been a great help too.

[z-weiser]

. . . . although it has been noted that almost all queries are now met with the phrase





"welcome to the forum"




Z