How hard is it to learn Mechanics?

[veeeffarr]

On a specific bike? I understand that it must take years to learn how to work on most bikes and cars, etc.. But just to learn mechanics on one bike? How hard would it be?

I'd love to get a project bike and take it apart totally, clean everything, and put it back together again... But is the scope of this too large for a newbie?

Any tips?

Toby

[map]

Not hard. If you learn on something like the CG125 you've got then that'd be ideal. Suggest you think about signing up for an evening basic motorcycle maintenance course. That will enable you to fully service your bike (the courses let you work on your own machine). That'll save you money. I've posted before on that subject, suggest using the search (for motorcycle maintenance courses) to find those posts. Try looking for a college doing City and Guilds (C&G) 3991. Once you've got the basics the rest can be picked up as and when required (necessity being the mother of all maintenance/repairs).

There's also some advice on this thread.

HTH
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...and the whirlwind is in the thorn trees, it's hard for thee to kick against the pricks...
Gibbs, what did Duckie look like when he was younger?

[Barry_M2]

I taught myself Toby. Didnt have a clue about mechanics and never done any sort of course. But have always loved taking things apart from a very early age.

Started with basic stuff on bikes, then when I had my first car (Renault 5 turbo) I blew the head gasket on it and couldn't afford to let a garage do it, so brought a Haynes manual and set about it myself. Took me a whole weekend to do, and it really wasn't anything like as hard as I thought it would be. Since then I now do everything myself and I'm quite competent working on any car or bike. I'm no expert, but I can do pretty much everything, only thing I've never stripped down is a gearbox. Give it a try, best way to learn is to get stuck in and learn from mistakes, and 'never' rush, or you'll make mistakes and it'll take twice as long!

[G]

Once you can do stuff on one bike, most of the basics are pretty similar accross all bikes.

Just get yourself a haynes and start with the simple jobs.

[stinkwheel]

[knockout_bar]

I completely stripped down my KE175 (engine and all), and rebuilt it again (needs a new piston).

I also read loads of bike manuals (2 stroke singles).

2 stroke singles are my specific area.
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125 trail bike, custom bars, handguards etc. - ?500.

"egg flied lice" - R6jonny (inspired by McGee)

[SnakeDoctor]

I remember the first carb I rebuilt (over 30+ years ago), took it apart and put it back together 14 times before I could get the bloody thing to work. Just remember to take things apart in a set order and line everything up and do the reverse to put it back together. It can be fun if you took things apart and COULDN'T put it back together as a kid. I remember that too but then that was quite a few years before this. I don't read books now, only service manuals. Worked on cars most of my adult life but now just want to do my bike. I'm in Thailand and I can get the Thai's to do an oil change for under $5.00 so I don't bother. It also helps to help the local people and then I get my parts cheaper.

Doing your own bike will give you a bigger joy when it's finished anyway.
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1986 Eliminator900

[map]

[ZRX61]

I've posted a couple ofthreads that would help ya, one is a link to a website that has loads of info, the other was a link for 2 books that will help ya. Do a search for em.

The other thing is that ya need *mechanical aptitude*... I've known people study, try for years & they are still bloody clueless & can't change a sparkplug without stripping the thread so a modicom of intelligence helps

[veeeffarr]

Hi!

Thanks for all the replies!

I only really thought of this while I was doing my oil change... It's quite easy and I really enjoy it! Would love to dismantle an engine and restore it back to new

I will have a look at some courses, and try and get a project bike in!

Cheers

Toby

[dransy]

When i first got my bike in febuary , i knew nothing at all hadnt even ever been on a bike before never mind inside one , watched my uncle all the time working on it and after watching him a few times and helping out abit , i now can do it all myself.

I went from knowing nothing to been able to take my carb to pieces put it back together clean it all out *Etc* change the power valve fix a few electrics in a matter of maybe 3-5 weeks.

Marc
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Being shot out of a cannon will always be better than being squeezed out of a tube. That is why God made fast motorcycles

[numbnut]

I cant think of a better way of learning. I work for VW but I started when I was 14 and was told "if you want a bike you will have to rebuild this" a little Ap50. So I did. I then moved into motorsport (sorry in cars) at the age of 16. I ended up completely rebuilding my mk1 escort Mexico and competed in it for a while.

I now dont bother with cars (although another 130mph mini would be fun) I have my RVF400 that is almost rebuilt, VFR400 in kit form in my living room (maybe this is why i am still single) I have another project that is going to be long term.

The best thing is that mechanically wise all of the basics are the same be it car or bike. One thing I would suggest is to just get stuck in. Tub or box all of the parts and mark them ie. where they came from and what they are. Tape and mark plugs on the wiring loom again where they plug in.

It isn't all that difficult really if you just take your time.

[Jamie_ducati]

half the battle is having good quality correct tools...
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Jamie
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Time for eDUCATIon

[shammon]

I tought my self and have to say have learned from my mistkaes and others, cars i can do no probs and i have my own garage where i work from.
Specialise in Hyundai Accents which i rebuilt and repair but not so much now as work all the time, So yes learn the basics and it will benifit you later. I plan to keep my honda cg for some time even if i get a new bike as i like it so much, Already started a web site on the repair and service of the trusty cg.

Heres one of the sites i run and are involved with www.ukhac.co.uk

[HurtMePlease]

[the grim reaper]

The correct tools are an absolute must, as is patience and a calm head.

Remember: Experience is something that you get, just after you needed it.

I started out paying for dealers to rip me off and then, bit by bit, started doing things myself. Then I decided to do things properly and did a course in car mechanics. Bikes are simple compared to cars and much easier to work with. Now I make a few quid from mates by fixing their cars and bikes and do all my own servicing.

I saved the cost of my course by doing that first service myself.

Cheers

Grim
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Adverts don't always work: Remember that advert, where the army are running across the desert and they have a wounded man on a stretcher. They get to a ravine, the bridge is down and a caption pops up that says, 'What are you thinking?'. I don't know about you but I was thinking, 'Christ, I'm glad I'm not in the f***ing army'.

[shammon]

I Also agree get good tools and invest in repair tools as they save the day often. A bolt splitter and stud remover are a must.

[bish777]

I learned by copying my landlord and mentor mike, whe used to be a mechanic-started by working on my KH100, GS125, MZ301. I "graduated" to fully fledged amateur mechanic, as mike commented, when i converted my XBR500 to an XBR650 with an engine and electrics transplant.
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GSXR1100J