How easy is it to maintain your own bike ?

JodieWodie · Reflective Banana Joined: 22 Jul 2004 Karma :

I may sound like a 'dumb woman' but I really don't have much of a clue when it comes to fixing/messing about with my new bike Embarassed

I mean...I have got a grip of lubricating the chain,...but when it comes to electrics, battery, shocks, wheels I am afraid I am a tad dim ! Crying or Very sad

Of course, I shall read up, and I will no doubt learn bits and bobs whilst on my lessons,....but in reality how easy is it to become a 'fixer and mender' ?

Were any of you like me when you first got your bikes ?...or did you know things from young whilst watching mates/Dads ?

I want to be INDEPENDENT !!! All oily and greasy Laughing

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Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "I will try again tomorrow"

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

You have a CG125. All you have to do is lube the chain occasionally and get it serviced on schedule (being that it is new).

WHen you get a bigger bike, then you might need to start worrying about stuff going wrong.

I suppose that brake shoes might need changing in the distant future...

Basically CG125's are pretty much bulletproof. Thumbs Up

As far as learning goes, you could do a motorcycle maintenance course, or just use a Haynes Manual and ask on here! Smile

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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

palmer · Fiddled Kiddy Joined: 21 Jul 2004 Karma :

ive pretty much always had cars/bikes/engines in my life... so its kind of a second nature Smile

the manuals help, but always seem to make things sound harder than they realy are, and often throw in some things that dont eaven refer to your bike, strange Rolling Eyes

Kickstart · The Oracle Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

Hi

I think Tamworth college did a motorcycle maintenance course, as does one in Stoke.

Beyond that basic maintenance is fairly easy, and on a new bike like yours not much will need touching beyond services (which for warrenty reasons you will have to get done by a dealer).

If you do have any queries then just stick a note on here and someone will talk you through it, or failing that someone will wander along and give you a hand (quite a few people are willing and capable of helping out).

All the best

Keith
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JodieWodie · Reflective Banana Joined: 22 Jul 2004 Karma :

Thank you all very much.
It is nice to have such friendly help to hand ! Smile

My service is 200 miles I think....
I guess they will give it a good going over then.
I have only done 25 miles..so I have a bit to go !! Wink

Jo xxxxxx
____________________
Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "I will try again tomorrow"

Miki · Derestricted Danger Joined: 24 Jul 2004 Karma :

Hi there, anyone's got a copy of the owner's manuel? I've being seaching for one for a long time. Please help. If anyone's got a soft-copy? is it possible to email it to me? my address is bentola@yahoo.com

JodieWodie · Reflective Banana Joined: 22 Jul 2004 Karma :

Miki · Derestricted Danger Joined: 24 Jul 2004 Karma :

ok here i come...

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

Spiral · Traffic Copper Joined: 17 Jul 2004 Karma :

Looking after your bike comes down to 3 things
keep it clean
keep it greased
Get it serviced every 6 months if you use it regulary.

Also jodie as your bike is new are you following the run-in guide should be in the manual normally is laid out for the first 1000 miles, also might be one for the brakes as well.

If you follow the above advice your bike will be fine and you won't need to tinker Thumbs Up

Though tinkering can be fun its always messy and as a spark/Electrical engineer my hands get dirty enough Twisted Evil

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Davo · Davo To The Rescue! Joined: 04 Apr 2004 Karma :

I've just done an engine replacement in my living room (gpz550), so I should imagine pretty much anythings possible, so long as you got the tools and the know how (or haynes manual & a friend who can fill in the gaps).

Now hiding from the missus. Laughing

Spiral · Traffic Copper Joined: 17 Jul 2004 Karma :

Living room Rolling Eyes

When the garage ain't comfortable enough Wink

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****NORTHERN IRELAND NEWSFLASH!!**** According to a recent survey, 94% of loyalists said the best sex they ever had was in the shower; the other 6% haven't been to jail yet.***

JodieWodie · Reflective Banana Joined: 22 Jul 2004 Karma :

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

If you don`t have mayes /family members to teach you the Haynes guide to motorcycle workshop basics is a pretty good place to start. I bought a copy of this for a mate of mine who was in the same boat (he lives a good distance away) and he found it V useful. It starts with the basics and progresses. Try your local library, they might have a copy you can borrow.
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Big Pete · Spanner Monkey Joined: 18 Jul 2004 Karma :

That would be "mates" even (keyboard mashers R us Embarassed

). I forgot to add that thinking about bike maintenance is usually far worse than the actual doing. It really isn`t that scarey (but you do need some decent basic tools)
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Trust me, I`m an engineer
GarageOfPower.co.uk

Guest · Brolly Dolly Joined: 22 Apr 2004 Karma :

broomy12 · Nova Slayer Joined: 07 Apr 2004 Karma :

he he he looking like a good job to me and very clean around the place lets just hope she doesnt move the seat back to where is was before to find the oil marks Laughing

fakeblonde · L Plate Warrior Joined: 28 Jul 2004 Karma :

As well as servicing your bike, you might want to do a few pre-ride checks. Specially if you're doing some distance (even on your CG!) Shocked

It's an anagram used by the RoSPA guys, easy to remember
P - petrol
O- oil
W - water
D - damage to the bike? (have a look round it)
E- electrics
R - ruber

Don't forget to get into the habit of checking your tyre pressure. It's surprising the difference a few psi makes
*feel a song coming on* Rolling Eyes

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

If you have the room for it, how about getting a cheap (50-100 quid), non running second hand bike out of the free ads paper and have a go at getting it running with the aid of a haynes manual and some help from friends.

This is how I taught myself motorbike engineering, you won't necessarily get it going but you learn a lot trying (it is the most satisfying feeling when a 'dead' bike fires up for the first time though)

Early 1980s honda singles and twins are ideal for this (CB100, 125, CG125, CD125 etc) as they are basic and pretty universal in the way they work. Spare parts are cheap as chips from a place called David Silver Spares (eg, two piston kits and full gasket set for a CB125 twin was thirty quid delivered). If you got a CG125, you would also have a supply of spares for if anything broke on your good one.
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I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.