Getting Some Knowledge

if you want a hand with anything or someone to watch over your shoulder im happy to help. unfortunately my garage is somewhat clogged up since being ill, so not really room to work on bikes in their at the moment, but I have plenty of tools and the like if you need to borrow anything . I can mostly get them just requires some acrobatics at the moment clambering over boxes of stuff . im only down in lydd so not too far, plus originally from ashford so often down that way visiting people..

 

Did you do this Mr Green, would be good to hear your outcome?

 

Like most folks on here, I started pulling things apart when a youngster; I developed a ceremony of standing near the recalcitrant machine, spanner in hand and engaging it with a stern stare. I then give it one last chance to mend itself and if that fails I utter the immortal words, "Ok chaps, we're going in".

Probably thirty minutes later, I used to find out I'm stuck and have undone something I should not have done. So I'd cadge a lift to the local Halfords to buy a Haynes manual or to the parts shop to seek wise counsel from the greasy persons behind the counter. I must have bought so much unnecessary stuff over the years... Don't try that. But do buy a Haynes or workshop manual and do, do, do join a website specialising in the bike you own. There will be loads of people on it who have faced exactly the problem you face and can at least help you narrow down the potential fault to a couple of possibilities.

Just doing some basic servicing (oil, brake pads, greasing joints and checking chain and tyres) is a great way to become more confident wielding some basic tools and getting to know your machine. You are unlikely to do any harm (or at least expensive harm). Plus you are more likely to spot something potentially dangerous if you are used to getting up close and personal with it: why does the chain suddenly feel stiff? Does everyone have hooked teeth on the rear cog? Why is there oil on the sidewall of my rear tyre?? The guys and gals on here are not unusually helpful - my limited experience suggests that pretty much all bikers are ready to proffer a hand or at least an opinion. They resemble economists in this respect: ask three economists what they think and you will end up with four opinions. Ask three bikers and there will be at least four things wrong, plus you may have Bubonic Plague. [Joke..!]

 

Bite the bullet: you know you want to!

 

just a side note ...Haynes manuals are fairly good but should be treated as guidelines as due to some model variances or manufacturer upgrade they don't always read as gospel lets face it they are written by humans for humans and when taking a machine apart to its millions of pieces there is always room for error to creep in, you know...that one re assembly description that fails to mention the fitment of a NEW sealing washer as being crucial and you re fit the old one and wonder why you have a new leak....trust me it happens. Im not saying by any means Haynes don't do a good job im just saying be meticulous ...if it says sealing washer ...replace that muther as a precaution.

 

On another forum that I frequent there are lots of others who want to have a go at doing the basics & the response is similar to what's been said on here. Buy a workshop manual. Prepare your working area. And take your time.

Then if all else fails, ask a friend to pop by, preferably when you're not pulling your hair out in clumps & throwing things around the place