Haynes Manuals, Are They Any Good

[bikerbanditz]

I want to know what you guys think of this book and wheather any of you have used it. I am intrested in learning about maintenance and servicing just don't know how to do it. Would it be easier to buy an old knackered bike and work on that to get a grip for common jobs?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Motorcycle-Maintenance-Techbook-Service-Manuals/dp/1844250717


Tom
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[mr.z]

I'd suggest buying somehting like a cg125 and working on that, buying the specific manual for that bike..

Clymer manuals are better but more expensive and so harder to come by (but you can buy them new still)

Also in my sig theres a site which is worth reading through (tech tips)

You can know all the theory you like but untill you have actually had a go it wont be worth bugger all

(i'd reccomend buying a box set of halfords tools for £100, sounds allot but you'll be glad you did, assumeing you dont have any tools yet)
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[stinkwheel]

What he said, but maybe not a CG125. Go for something with a 4-stroke, overhead cam engine rather than a push-rod like the CG has. Very few push rod engines about these days so you're as well to learn about the OHC.

Hondas are good though because parts are usually readily available. A CB125 twin or similar would be a good starter

[bikerbanditz]

Cheers guys, I was thinking along the lines of a cg/cb. I just want to get some basic knowledge on how bikes work.

Tom
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[0ddball]

I bought that one when i first got into bikes and tbh it is very basic. If you have no idea at all, eg you couldn't change a set of brake pads or remove a wheel then it could be of some use. But otherwise, as suggested. It's best to get stuck in with some practical experience.

You can have a read through this to get a general idea of how things work. https://www.dansmc.com/mc_repaircourse.htm

[bikerbanditz]

Cheers SpannerMonkey that site has been put in my favourites, loads of good information there.

Tom
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[alone]

Mr.Z actually directed you to that site, it's the centre link in his sig

I found it very informative myself, though as of yet still haven't done anything to my bike..

[bikerbanditz]

[Graham88]

I swear by my Haynes Manual!

[0ddball]

Most people usually swear at them.

[Pete.]

You can't really beat a genuine workshop manual, but having a Haynes manual to hand is much better than having no manual at all.
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132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[Whosthedaddy]

I managed to buy (off ebay) a Yamaha work shop manual and it was very imforative and more methodical than the Haynes ones, but being a male, it never really got used until something went wrong
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[Ichy]

Haynes manuals just aren't what they used to be. Not a problem with older bikes since In the good old days they used to actually take the specific bike apart so it all made sense. Now they seem to have a generic book of facts, cut and paste and a few pictures and theres your new bike manual.

Clymer are better but hard to get hold of and a bit more expensive.

Workshop manuals are by far the best but cost loads of money, this means that the people who can afford them would probably be earning too much to actually be bothered to do their own servicing.

If your going to buy a manual then take a quick look on Ebay first, most go for a few quid.

[satellite]

Slightly off topic but John Haynes always had one of the best personal plates I'd seen. He's from around where I grew up and had a brown Rolls Royce (if my memory serves my correctly) with CAR 800K on it
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[mr.z]

A mate did phone his honda dealership and got a photocopy of a manual, since it was no longer being produced by honda they could sell photocopys of it... this was a while ago but worth a try

Definitely the workshop manual though is the best, the haynes "book of lies" is useful in its way, a word of warning on torque settings, dont use the higher value unless its something hefty, they are frequently wrong (or maybe as they used to take apart reasonably new bikes not ones with bolts past their best)

You'd be supprised at the number of bikes in sheds that owners want rid of for nothing, you'll need parts and all but its a good place to start
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[hmmmnz]

i rate my haynes manual for my bike and for the cars and bikes ive had in the past, always been alot better than the crappy clymer manuals.
but reading a book isnt going to teach you to work on bikes. only the hands on approach will work properly.
i started on lawn mowers when i was a kid and worked up to bikes...
(my dad actually made me strip down a lawn mower, peice by peice each day in the school holidays before i was allowed out to play with my mates) best thing he ever did for me
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[Ste]

Manufacturers workshop manuals are infinitely better than Haynes Manuals and the vast majority of workshop manuals can be got for free online with just 30 seconds googling.

[Stiffler]

[Pete.]

[bikerbanditz]

I managed to scrounge and old Cg of a family member (it's amazing how many of them have bikes lying around). It's in pretty bad shape but it was running up till a few months ago. Soon it shall be king of the road.

Tom
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Almost out of control, burn rubber and not your soul.
Divvy Fund = 0.17p

[JonB]

Haynes Manuals are quite good for single jobs like when I derestricted my Bandit, however for generalness I'd get a workshop manual.
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[Kickstart]

Hi

How long this will last I do not know.

https://www.repairmanualclub.com

All the best

Keith
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[bikerbanditz]