Motorcycle Maintainance Courses (College)

[veeeffarr]

Hi,

Thinking of doing an evening course (1 day a week a nights over a year) in motorcycle maintainance, I'm 22 and the course is £200.

Anyone done one before? I'm just thinking of doing it to get out of the house really, lol, is that a bit sad?

T

[TheDonUK]

Yes incredibly sad , where is the course? i want to do one too, anywhere near london?

[0ddball]

You'd learn more from a few good books. But it will give you a chance to meet with some like minded people.

[Misc]

I bought a How-to DVD last year, it goes through step by step of the basic things on the bike. Made for the R6 but probably the same sort of layout give or take.

https://www.sportbikehowto.com/uk/index.php
https://www.sportbikehowto.com/uk/yamaha_03R6.php

[MattHirst]

I wonder if Huddersfield Technical College does this. And because im under 19 it would be free

I know they do motor mechanics courses/qualifications but i wonder if they do motorcycle maintanance.

I may enquire on tuesday (i am on day release from work, every tuesday) ......

As Toby said, anyone been on one of these? (beats paying for a book/DVD )...if so are they worth while?

[0ddball]

[Gazdaman]

I'm considering doing one of these this year. Bristol college does an 'intermediate' one. Which entails engine innards rather than changing wheels etc.

It's over £100 though, and I'm not sure I can justify that. I'm sure I'd learn a fair bit. But I could also buy a new engine for the MZ...

I'm fairly mechanically minded as it is, so I'm not really sure what I'd learn and/or if you get any qualification from it.

Gaz

[Itchy]

you'll learn more from owning a crap bike ,

over the past 6 months due to problems arising and mechanics being crap I've learnt how to:

change bushes + fork seals (kinda difficult and messy)
change brake pads
bleed brakes
change bars
do valves
change down pipes
change rectifyer
change front wheel bearing
fiddle with the loom etc

though there is a fine line between bodge and repair, that said I'll never go into the engine , I don't think it'd be worth it 2nd hand being so cheap and all it'd probably be cheaper to get an entire new engine and cram that in that go into it.
____________________
Spain 2008France 2007Big one 2009 We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will. In the end, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching.

[Kel]

I've signed up to do a motorcycle maintenance course: starts next week.

Its a 12 week course, foundation level but only cost £80.

I had similar thoughts though - wanted to get out the house, meet a few like minded people, and learn how to fix my bike when I break it!

[Project9928]

Hummmm would be something I would be intrested in, but I haven't got the time

I already know how to the easy stuff, but I would like to take it a step further.

Haynes manuals are a hugh help, but then sometimes you do get a little stuck and its nice to have someone point you in the right directing.

[map]

[Darkside]

[Robby]

[Gazdaman]

I also agree with the fact you'll learn from doing little jobs yourself.

I mean on my bandit I've changed the:

Frame
Full exhaust system
Head bearings
etc
etc
etc

Yet I still have a /lot/ to learn.
Do you get any sort of qualification from this?

Gaz

[irving]

>>

[KTM Gordo]

There's a difference between going to do a course and learning from doing. With the latter, you don't always know how to fix the problem - and unless you're fairly comfortable with using a spanner, it can be quite daunting.

If you're in the London area then there is a beginners motorcycle maintenance course starting soon on Wednesday evenings 18.30 - 20.30 at Hackney Community College.

It covers most of the basic things, and is a good starting opint to build up your confidence. It covers things like tyres, chains, oil change, electrics etc. and is part theory, part practical. If you can bring your 'bike in with you then even better as you learn on your own 'bike.

I'll probably see you there as I'm a "teaching assistant" on it.

HTH
____________________
Change is inevitable - except from a vending machine.

KTM 990 Adventure | KTM EXC 250 Racing | Land Rover Freelander SE Td4

[Itchy]

[quote="Darkside

What bike do you have??[/quote]

um most of the stuff on that list falls under consumables ,

bushes and forks wear out @ 40-45k
pads wear out every 5-8k
brakes get bubbles now and again , and you need to do it to change pads.
bars were bent after a bit of an off
downpipe got holed
rectifiers on Honda are iffy
wheel bearings wear out @ 30K
wireloom plastic sheaths wear out after a couple years.


Considering I ride a 14 year old probably ex courier NTV650 with 65000 on the clocks (probably more since I noticed my clocks had a price sticker on the inside AND a date which doesn't tally to when the bike was made (5 years after).)

its general maintenance
____________________
Spain 2008France 2007Big one 2009 We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will. In the end, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching.

[Gazdaman]

You don't need to bleed brakes to change pads.

Fairly good practise I suppose though.

Gaz

[Itchy]

you do when I do it , ie usually reach up pump the brake too far and have to rebuild the caliper
____________________
Spain 2008France 2007Big one 2009 We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will. In the end, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching.