Bike maintenance...

I've had my R1 from new and have always had it serviced by a Yamaha garage, but last winter, once I'd SORNed it, I decided to strip it down myself and give it a proper going over.
I was fortunate enough to get a bike bench at a good price, which made life much easier, and saved my back!



The confidence I built from doing this myself means I will now be doing all my own servicing, saving loads of £££, and will tackle most jobs (with my Haynes manual at arm's reach!), and I've been able to help others with their bike 'issues'.

So.... are you guys and gals mechanical gurus or mechanical numpties?

 

Never go near stealers. Do my own and anybody else's.

 

Numpty, definately.

@ Tom, you don't need too. Yours is self healing.

 

I do as much as I can on my bikes, but some jobs (like say an engine rebuild) I would seek extra advice when doing.

 

Im still learning with mine, but do the easy services, break pads, discs.

 

hmmm ...Numpty here methinks....if I really concentrate...I can ...Bolt on - Bolt off and then stare as I drop the washer down the drain...

 

never been to a garage/main dealer in my life for repairs. cars and bikes all done by me

 

Time and patience are the two things I am seriously lacking! But good to know that I can drop my bike round yours if I need anything doing

 

^^^ you wouldn't be the first, and I'm sure you won't be the last!

 

I have noticed, since starting to attempt minor jobs, to be very wary of torque settings in Haynes manuals. Triumph owners manual has some very different figures to the Haynes manual which is slightly offputting at times. I reckon It's a trade off between looking at diagrams for assistance in the Haynes and taking the more technical info from the owners.

 

Yep do all my own and others, unless its something really out of order and you need a genuine service tool that the dealer wont lend you.....Had to what with racing and the servicing of the engines and major rebuilds after blow ups....maintenance is so important! the amount of shitters I see about that are neglected is criminal......Even stupid things like chain maintenance and proper cleaning and lubing.....the most important part of ones bike apart from your engine oil and filter.........

 

The only things I can't do is fit tyres. Everything else I will do myself. At least I know it's done!!

 

I try to have a go at simple things (on the car) ... but usually just end up snapping things off and loosing screws... I will be leaving the bike alone... I was actually thinking about getting the bike to a garage soon to have it checked over, maybe a service... Would anyone here be able to take a look for me?

 

I can definately look at it. Might even turn a screw or two and throw a cloth at it if you ask nice.
Can even show you how (so i don't have to do it next time )

 

Always available for bike fettling Matt, just ask and we'll sort out a day, followed by a blat around the Marsh.

 

yup same here if ya want a hand.. plus i have similar bike so done the usual bits .. service, chain sprockets, carb balance, stripped calipers, cursed over siezed fasteners then drilled them out... the usual