Maintenance course in Kent??

[Clare]

I'm a newbie to Motorbikes, I have got my CBT and theory test done, and have gone straight in and got a CB 125R to get some seat time in.

I know maintaining my bike is important, but i have no idea how to check chain tension etc. Does anyone know of any motorcycle Maintenance courses in Kent ideally or maybe Surrey?

I've only been able to find college courses so far and hoping you guys might be able to help

[Tankie]

With the present situation (covid) i don't think you will find any person to person courses or of course get a service manual for your specific machine.
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Always learning, everyday is a school day

[Clare]

Thanks for the reply Tankie,

I have got a service manual and been watching YouTube videos, and i appreciate currently with lockdown no one is going to be running them, but would be good to know of one that I could do, once this is hopefully over.

[NJD]

Outside of the D.I.Y (do it yourself) sphere college courses probably are the only type of places that motorbike mechanics are taught, unless you've got an "in" at a dealership / small shop or a friend with more experience & mechanical know how than yourself.

Car mechanical jobs are available left right and centre, but motorbike mechanic positions are a needle in a haystack -- so, in that respect, I wouldn't hold out hope on finding a "junior position" etc either.

To adjust a chain it only really takes a small assortment of hand tools and a steel ruler (for measuring slack). Spanners of the correct size for the locking nuts, and adjusting nuts, and sockets of the correct size (one to hold the axle head and one to undo the axle locking nut -- usually 1/2 inch). May be handy to get a cheap 1/2 inch breaker bar to loosen the axle nut as its probably torque'd up to spec.

Find tightest spot by rotating rear wheel on centre stand and pushing on chain until one area is visibly tighter than the rest. Push the chain downwards by hand and mark underneath the bottom of the chain with a pen then let it go back to resting position. Push upwards until the top run of the chain starts to lift or move away from sprocket (Or move up altogether) and stop, then mark under the bottom side of the chain with a pen (the distance between two mark lines is slack). So, to clarify, in both cases you mark the ruler under the bottom side of the bottom run of the chain.

Important to keep the chain lubricated at this time of year, and it wont take much for it become covered in crud and need doing again as the wet roads wash the lube away. In-between each chain is a roller that should move with finger pressure. If any are stuck then spray them with cleaner and move until they're free, and if their seized then the chain may need replacing. Best to clean and lubricate after a ride (in a warm garage at this time of year preferably) as the lube will settle in better, and then lock it away for the rest of the day etc (doesn't need long to work its way in, but not bad practice). Lubing a chain cold will just result in loads of fling on the next ride.

Think this is the manual for your bike:

https://www.manualslib.com/products/Honda-Cbr125r-8663572.html

~

As an aside general things to do at this time of year would be to lubricate the gear shift lever pivot point, clutch and brake lever pivot points, rear brake pedal pivot point and clean the brake callipers. Alongside the chain that should mean you're rides will be relatively smooth for the short term.

Service it early next year when its warmer.
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[Riejufixing]

[Clare]

Thanks NJD, really appreciate the help

[oilyrag]

If you want to learn I think the best thing you can do is read your Honda service manual. Get familiar with the different sections. The manual is the best source of information because you know it's correct. Youtube and forums are useful but there's no guarantee the information is correct. Google Honda common manual if you want more in-depth information on how things work. If you're doing a job give yourself plenty of time in case things go wrong like rounded or snapped bolts. If you're buying parts don't buy the cheapest ones, buy Honda or good after market brands. Tools you will need a socket set, spanner set, screw driver set, allen set, multimeter.

[recman]

This forum is a maintenance course, ask and ye shall receive.

[davebike]

Not a full course but expect for the current Covid situation
I run one day BASIC maintsance courses in South London via either LMRC london motorcycle riders club or LAM London Advanced motorcyclests
I don't expect to be restarting untill Autum 2021 sadly
A single day should get you started on the basics
There are full and part time coursed aimed at Pro mechanics at verious collages cannot say I recmend them and there far from cheap unless via benifits system and of course shut down at present !
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Dave
NC750Xdct + others at work !
davebike1@gmail.com