Getting Your Hands Dirty...

[Benj]

I've never done any work on a car or motorcycle, but i am interested in learning about how the mechanics work and how to fix problems or even just do simple changes.....


what tips would you give in being able to start doing this....bearing in mind i dont have a bike at the moment....and i have a sorn car in the drive way....
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Theory Passed!: 18th July >>> CBT Passed!: 13th August >>

[druidsam]

take plenty pics.then you will have a reference if you get stuck with "spare parts"



...............................Sam
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trust me! I'm a druid
https://www.bikerforum.co.uk/

[Benj]

hmmmm


take pics and take things apart then put them back together? ha
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Theory Passed!: 18th July >>> CBT Passed!: 13th August >>

[ZRX61]

Whats your mechanical aptitude like? Have a shot at this test & report back:
https://www.forddoctorsdts.com/quizzes/MechanicalAptitude.php

[Im-a-Ridah]

Haynes manual ftw

[yandy_yay]

[Vincent]

Great test, i suspect a few Melton Mowbrays on the results so far tho I did about as well as I did in my O-levels - 60% - Must do better.

Got wrong:- 6, 11, 15, 17, 19, 22, 28, 29, 37, 38, 39, 44, 45, 47 & 48.

I did however try and only spend 5 seconds on each answer and read Q37 upsidedown - honest miss I did much better on the electrical Qs than I thought I would.

Any more tests like that ZRX?

[timjim]

what sorn car have you got??if its only mildly busted up,do a goolgle search on owners club forums,get a haynes manual and work through it..if you cant fix it..dont mess with it,ask questions first.As a vehicle mechanic for the last 25 years im inundated with vehicles towed in that have broken down,been stripped by"my mate",or"my dad" or "my neighbour" who have attempted repairs..got stuck,and now run up more bills by stripping bits they didnt need to or broken bits or rounded off bits they could have avoided!!Yes,get your hands dirty,but dont run before you can walk!!!

[Vincent]

Sometimes, a good way to learn is to find a cheap sacraficial bike and just take it to bits, looking closely at parts you remove and figuring out how things work. It's also a good way to get used to using tools and selecting the right one for a certain job. The bike will be junk when you've finished but it's better than wrecking a good bike.

[Benj]

i have an N reg clio.....


i crashed it and decided it would be too much bother to repair or itd be a write off anyway....


never had a second opinion though..... ive heavily dented above the passenger wheel arch and the door doesnt open anymore....


i THINK the engine still runs....it has a flat battery though.
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Theory Passed!: 18th July >>> CBT Passed!: 13th August >>

[Gazdaman]

As has been said, get a Haynes manual. It'll walk you step by step through stuff. Get a semi decent set of tools (don't splash too much cash if you find you don't enjoy it later).

Takes lots of photos, and take your time.

Re the door not opening/closing, that'll be a real pain to sort. It'll never be quite true again. Hopefully just replacing the door will sort it. But if the frame is knackered then it'll never be the same.

Gaz

[Benj]

i was going to scrap the car.....



but may use it to get to know the parts of the engine etc....


oh btw i got 72% on that test.....which suprised me, i imagined i would score lower!
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Theory Passed!: 18th July >>> CBT Passed!: 13th August >>

[5v3d3b0]

I got exactly 80% on that test which is a pass

[JockyT]

I'd second buying a Haynes manual - they do some general manuals which would teach you the basic principles of mechanicking (is that a word?) - vehicle specific manuals also have some general sections which are well worth reading too.

Also, start to build up a GOOD quality toolset. I know a bad workman blames his tools but there is truth in this - poor tools or the wrong tools for the job will result in damage to pretty much everything you touch.

Buy and learn how to use a torque wrench properly.

Mechanical stuff is relatively simple, but beware when special tools are mentioned - generally a sign that a job is specialist. Auto electrics can be tricky to follow but a multimeter (automotive) is also a good investment.

Stick to simple jobs (number of spanners in Haynes manual - one spanner easy, five spanners, get a pro to do it). Take the simple bits apart and put them back together again, following the instructions carefully - find someone to guide you if you have doubts.

Just some pointers to get you going.

JT
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Current Bikes:
YBR125 - low running cost commuter
XJ600s - a bit dull but cheap and reliable first big bike

[.....]

I was a complete novice when it came to mechanics when I bought my first bike.

Start off by doing oil and filter changes and basic maintenance then go from there. Get a Haynes or similar and just be methodical.

If you take something off the bike then put it somewhere safe with the screws/bolts/etc through the holes. That way when you come to put together whatever you have taken apart you won't have bits left over.

Buy some decent tools as mentioned above. Having the right tool for the job makes it 10 times easier. Bodging just leads to future hassle in most cases.

I got the Halfords Pro 150 piece socket set and has been worth it's weight in gold. Best £100 I've spent on any thing bike related - much more useful than a piece of bolt-on bling/tat.

[kawakid]

[kawakid]

My advice is to listen to people who try to give you advise.

When I was younger (i'm 36), my dad tried to show me how to do things on the car, I paid no interest and just let him do it.

My dad passed on a few years ago and now I wish i'd paid more attention, got involved had a go etc.
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I've a twin and a 4.

[Benj]

thanks for the tips guys....think im going to get a haynes manual and try to see what i can do on the car until i get a bike and then try general maintenence on that!



thanks for the help....
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Theory Passed!: 18th July >>> CBT Passed!: 13th August >>