How much of a mechanic are you ?

Big Pete · Spanner Monkey Joined: 18 Jul 2004 Karma :

Ok then, what is the general level of spannering among the peeps on here, who does all their own work inc major engine and frame mods and who goes to the dealer to get a bulb changed?
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Shade_BW · I'm better than you Joined: 13 Jul 2004 Karma :

What's a bulb?

Shade
I have a rubber hammer for tent pegs, does that count?

zaknafien · Joined: 25 Mar 2002 Karma :

I try to do thing's myself as I hate going to the garage. Usually I end up with too many bit's left over and the bike not working right.

I'm definitely no good with spanners.
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ProXimaCore · Dougal Joined: 01 May 2003 Karma :

I'll give it a shot if I can find some kind of instructions. Or I'll ask for advice here first. If it doesn't sound too hard then I'll try it. Otherwise it's to the mechanic's. Something does always seem to go wrong though when I try myself. Nothing is ever straight forward. I managed to get in to derestrict the NSR. Had some spare bolts left over at the end of it though. Thinking

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hellkat · Super Spammer Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

That's what boyfriends are for.

Why have dog and bark self?

Actually, I did once start a motorcycle maintenance course, but they got a bit away from me by about lesson 3, LOL. Then I met my current boyfriend, who just about copes with most repairs.

After x years of doing it for me, he's recently shown me how to change the plugs on the Super Tenere, cos he's fed up of doing it. If he would just listen when I tell him they keep getting coked up cos of (something I have no idea about, air-petrol combination or some such) then he could adjust where its supposed to be adjusted and I wouldnt need to do them so often.

I'm interested to know more, but no-one has the patience to teach me Rolling Eyes

I like to sit around with the boys and just listen and watch but these days, not many of the boys I know have the time.

Managed to get a job working for a guy who mostly did Harleys a while back, which I thought might be interesting ... but ended up in the office more often than the workshop Rolling Eyes

Speaking of which ... one of the boys has just turned up to do my (?sprocket?) bearings (??) ... better bugger off and watch what he's doing.
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McJamweasel · BCF Junkie Joined: 22 Mar 2002 Karma :

I do quite a bit and am slowly building up both my toolbox and my knowledge - I've had a good teacher in Keith tho. (See, I was paying attention when you were doing stuff, not just standing idly round! Razz

)
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Sadie · World Chat Champion Joined: 14 Jul 2004 Karma :

I'm with hellkat on this one - after all, there has to some good use for boyfriends.

I voted "what's a spanner", but in reality I will change bulbs, do oil changes, spark plugs etc, but only if I have to.
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Claud 14.7 to 1 · World Chat Champion Joined: 06 May 2004 Karma :

Try to do as much as pos., really. All servicing is easy. Luckily, ive not had the pleasure of diving into my engine yet, but i know enough... i guess.

Just give me haynes and the tools. And a helper. Thumbs Up

hellkat · Super Spammer Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

In the (rare) times I am in single girlie mode, I tend to get more interested in learning, but then invariably some burly blokey type comes along and does it for me Cool

I luv men wiv dirty hands Smile

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Not nearly as interesting in real life.

Sadie · World Chat Champion Joined: 14 Jul 2004 Karma :

Git · Brolly Dolly Joined: 17 Dec 2003 Karma :

If I break it I can fix it.
Dealers worry me.

Inglesina94 · Trackday Trickster Joined: 06 Apr 2004 Karma :

I am with hellkat and Sadie ... wouldn't know where to start from!!

It is certainly a man job ... and for us girl the pleasure of watching them whilst they work Wink

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dainesefreak · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Apr 2003 Karma :

There needs to be something in between 3 and 4 for me. I don't touch engines but I do the usual chain adjustment/oil etc.

My bikes are usually under warranty so I use the dealers for services/work to keep the warranties valid. Useful at part-ex time.

synaptyx · Crazy Courier Joined: 05 Jul 2004 Karma :

Spanner? Meh.

Although I have changed my indicators to clear lenses with chromed amber bulbs.

Mr C · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Feb 2003 Karma :

I trained as an RAF aircraft technician (engines) many years ago

but this is the first bike in 15 years I have raised a spanner too
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MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

I'd have a go at anything mechanical given the time and a manual.

I'm not great with electrics, but again gve me a multimeter and I'll have a go.

Last night for example I removed my rear wheel and stripped and cleaned my rear brake. This was a half hour job for me. A lot of that time was taken up in looking for the tools in my mess of a garage.
In the past I have done things such as recover seats, change fork seals, strip and clean brakes, remove and clean carburettors, replace oil seals in the engine, replace clutches etc. As I said, given the time and a bit of info I'll have a crack at anything.

I can usually get stuff to work afterwards too! Very Happy

{edit} I probably should point out that my Dad is a great teacher, and I have learned much from him! Thumbs Up

{edit}
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Korn · Admin Joined: 01 Feb 2002 Karma :

It's an addictive habit Laughing

one, two, three, four, five
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zaknafien · Joined: 25 Mar 2002 Karma :

You missed the R1 stripping just before a trackday one. Smile

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McJamweasel · BCF Junkie Joined: 22 Mar 2002 Karma :

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

I have done a top-end rebuild on a DOHC LC jap 4-stroke and designed and built a custom loom for a suzuki T500. I have had every part of my Jawa in bits.

Don't think I would be confident to do any frame mods that didn't involve just bolting new bits on or chopping superfluous bits off with an angle grinder though.

Piccy of me at the rat and survival rally doing some fairly involved spannering in the pub car park:
https://ratbike.org/photos/show04/00jawa1.jpg
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Fallen Angel · Franny the Nanny Joined: 08 Jul 2004 Karma :

Bendy · Mrs Sensible Joined: 10 Jun 2002 Karma :

I'm a bit crap when it comes to the mechanical... I know that I *could* do it, but I get all stressed at the potential for cocking it up. Rolling Eyes

Fortunately I have good friends like G and Kev who wield a mean spanner, so generally I ask them to sort things that need sorting. I watch and absorb, but haven't really raised a spanner in anger myself yet.

It does slightly annoy me though, which is why I intend to get an old heap this winter and take it apart, then try to put it back together again. Half of my 'issues' are that I'm worried about breaking my nice bike - remove that and hopefully I'll learn a bit.

Ava_Banana · Renault 5 Driver Joined: 09 Jul 2004 Karma :

Economics and personal pride ensure I give most things a go.

At the end of the day, if you can take it apart, you can normally put it back together again. Rolling Eyes

rsooty · Spanner Monkey Joined: 16 Jun 2004 Karma :

I can do most things on cars, cannot say I have ever tried on a bike but the theory is mainly the same. I'd have a go at most things and if I went wrong I would ask.

Sooty

karen_moomin · World Chat Champion Joined: 11 Apr 2004 Karma :

Not much of one I'm afraid.

However, I used to pull my Fiat 126 apart so could fix one of those if I ever need to again!

I'm really quite interested in mechanical stuff and technical stuff (my favourite bits at work are electrical/technical related) and I would love to have the time to learn about my bike so I can fix it myself. Well I have the manual so I suppose I have no excuse! Razz

(but it is much easier to get Col to fix it for me!)