What Wouldn't You Do In Your Bike?

I will attempt everything probly because I have access to any tool I'll every need also a dyno and a valve seat machine. The only thing I can't do is make my own valves and cams. I could probly make the valves but why waste the time they are pretty cheap. Probly the reason I have bought a big bore kit and stroker crank for every bike I have ever owned.
 
i can build my bike from the ground up il do any thing but i will all ways put my bike in the garage for fork seals iv ballsed them up to many times and there cheap i will just take it to the shop
 
I used to be the guy that knew how to do anything but would never do it myself. These days I'll give about anything a shot. I've done some advanced things on the bike already like the valve lash, inspected the flywheel magnets and rebuilt the forks.
 
God, I can only set valves and change the oil and filter.
I don't even know where to start to check my piston rings or install a better camshaft.
I once changed the head and piston on my moped (50 to 72cc's) and that went well.
It's because of the angle my engine is mounted that I don't even know where to start.
Also, electrical stuff and syncing carbs (or disassembling them) is way out of my knowledge.
 
I do nothing of my own to my bike. Mostly because I don't have the tools. Over here we don't pay expensive labor charges so it's easier to just let the mechanic handle the work while we hound them over their shoulder. LoL.

However what I will do is monitor what the mechanic is doing, how he does it. So I have an idea what needs to be done, theoretically speaking of course. The real reason is to make sure everything gets put back together properly, no "extra" bolts after work is complete.
 
Haven't had a chance to do any yet, but I'm currently buying another bike that I plan on doing all the maintenance on it & some upgrades, I'll try to fix anything, only reason I see myself taking the bike to a pro is for dyno tuning.. (I'll post pics when I inevitably fuck up :P )
 
I'd do brake fluid, engine oil, lubing. Beyond that however, I don't have the tools, knowledge, nads or time to work on the bike.

I'd really love to learn and eventually do all the work on my own. Too many bad mechanics here. Just not sure how to go about it.
 
I always attempt to fix whatever it is I'm having trouble with no matter what it is. I learn a ton that way and it has turned into building custom motorcycles from scratch over the years.
 
I wont attempt anything more than basic maintenance, but that's mostly because i don't have the tools to take on anything bigger.
 
Tyres! Just can't be bothered for them, especially whilst most places can do it in 5-10 minutes for cheap.. Whilst it'll take an hour or more doing it by hand and scraping rims etc
 
SighBored said:
I do nothing of my own to my bike. Mostly because I don't have the tools. Over here we don't pay expensive labor charges so it's easier to just let the mechanic handle the work while we hound them over their shoulder. LoL.

However what I will do is monitor what the mechanic is doing, how he does it. So I have an idea what needs to be done, theoretically speaking of course. The real reason is to make sure everything gets put back together properly, no "extra" bolts after work is complete.
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Same! Other than dismantling, scrubbing and lubing the chain, or duct taping wires that fall apart, or unhooking or hooking up a battery, or even swapping out plastics, I always go to the mechanic, even for something as simple as an oil/filter/air filter change. Because I get charged the same whether I buy the oil and filters and do it myself, or buy it and let the shop's mechanics do it for me.

Blue collar labour is dirt cheap in Singapore, that I even have spare change after to sometimes buy a drink for the mech as a treat.
 
I wont undertake maintenance that is likely to leave my bike (stranded) in a heap of pieces in my garage, because I simply don't have the Tools or expertise to complete the task competently. ie: Replacing head bearing / fork seals, engine work etc.

Riding a Sports bike, I also wont touch anything that could prove fatal, should it fail at high speed / cornering (because I've not rebuilt it properly). :eek: Jobs best left to a proper bike mechanic, plus peace of mind.

So that just leaves me with the competence to carry out my own Services, oil, plugs, coolant, etc. ;)
 
I am skillful enough to try anything if I really need to but would prefer to not to since it is under warranty.

I will do fluid, spark plug, and air filter changes though.
 
I was taught by my Brother about the basic maintenance for a motorbike when I got my Yamaha R125. Since then I have tackled most jobs myself. I've always thought that if I get out of my depth then the bike can go to a trained mechanic.

I think the only job I was apprehensive about doing was servicing the brakes as they are the only thing that will stop the bike.

There are many videos on YouTube that explain motorcycle maintenance. Admittedly some of them make it look much easier than it is as I recently found out when I replaced the chain and sprockets on the Fireblade.

I have done quite a few maintenance videos myself on the Yamaha R125 which have been aimed at teenagers or those just getting into biking. These have been to date my most successful videos also.
 
I do everything with my bike, I have owned my bike since 2009 and it only sees a garage at mot time.

I do all suspension work, swingarm and linkage bearings, wheel bearings. I do brake refurbs/ upgrades etc etc.

I know every nut and bolt of my bike and I know 100% everything is torqued to manufacturers recommended settings .
 
I'm just the opposite... I'm a certified mechanic, spent my $20k on a education from MMI, spent 10 years in the business working on bikes, now I repair golf course equipment... I will basically do anything short of resleaving/Nickasil a cylinder. And that's only because I don't have the means.
 
I wouldn't touch my suspension setup on my own or fix the forks. I would leave that to a more skilled mechanic than me.
 
I too will attempt most things, if tooling is reasonably priced.
Once i start needing a lift etc I'd rather take it in.

1. Oil and filter
2. Chain and both sprocket replacement
3. Air filter
4. Coolant
5. Bulbs
6. Brake oil
7. Spark plugs
8. Clutch plate and cable replacement

Being mechanically inclined, i love to know how things work. I'd probably do more research than the time it takes to perform the task.

I tell myself "worst case, i take it to the dealership and the fix it" :D
 
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