How long to get comfortable with adjustments?

[NJD]

Hi all,

As the title suggests, how long after you got your first motorbike was it until you had to stop replying on the dealership/shop to set the bike up the way you wanted it?

Personally have no previous knowledge of motorbikes or mechanical background (for bikes that is).

Inspired by the fact that I attempted my first rear (drum) brake adjustment, easy enough.. just did it to tight so need to slack it off a little tomorrow.

A major problem for me is the clutch adjustment.. I had a horror story where I attempt to tighten it (adjustment screw away from handlebar) and did this to much, ended up in the locking nut not tightening correctly and coming out in a 30mph zone, after that I got it set to a comfortable point, works fine now.. but I suspect I've removed most of the free play in doing so.. so as you guessed.. getting the shop to do it on my next visit.

Although I do have a issue with the rear brake light, that's why I want to ensure the clutch is set with enough free play, i'm not just going there for that simple issue.

Any way to learn how to make adjustments without guess work, I seem to mess things up more than I do actually achieve my desired settings.

If it helps I've been on the roads for four months.. just to gauge my experience thus far.

[totalllama82]

This depends on how mechanically minded you are. There are people out there who will take their bike, irrespective of the make or model, back to the dealership to tighten up the chain or even lube it - simply because they know best.

The thing is, a bike is a very personal possession. I may set the free play on your throttle or brakes loose for your taste. A car is a different matter though. Send it in for it's yearly service and MOT and that's it good to go.

Rear brake lights misbehaving at this time of year tend to be the switches on the front lever - or more commonly, the rear pedal gumming up with road salt. You'll learn this over time and possibly even be able to remember the part numbers for them

I'd start out with learning how the bike is constructed first. How each component is put together. After this you'll be in a position where you can then start to look at servicing each bit in turn. Challenge yourself to a simple oil change and service firstly. This will then get your hands dirty then YouTube from there.

What kind of setup do you have to maintain a bike? Garage full or tools or a driveway with a Poundland socket set?
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Gone: Haotian HT125-8 / Yamaha YZF 600R Thundercat / Kawasaki ZX9R C2
Current: Kawasaki ZZR 1400 A7F

[NJD]

[Beehive Bedlam]

Buy the Haynes manual for your bike and start with the basics.

I would only take it to a garage for a particularly tricky job such as getting a front sprocket welded on.

[Wonko The Sane]

[totalllama82]

It's true you can mis-align the rear wheel when tightening the chain. And it is a worry when you do it for the first few times. The results - and in the extreme - are the bike snaking up the road. Instead of running 90deg to the direction of travel it's running outwith.

You'll see a few methods of tightening a chain up to ensure its straight when you look around.

The ones i've heard are...

1. Use the markers on the swing arm - This depends on the markers being accurate. This can vary a fair bit between manufacturers and is generally regarded as not the best idea. I use it as a general guide.

2. Use a tool which you can get off eBay. This clamps your rear sprocket and runs a plastic stick up the chain. If the chain runs at an angle, you use the adjusters to make the tool line up right. Arguably accurate but costs.

3. Use the adjuster on the chain side to set the slack (note this is a separate topic), then use a measuring tape from the centre of the swing arm pivot to the centre of the rear axle on both sides and adjust accordingly. This is the method I use and it seems to be fine.
____________________
Gone: Haotian HT125-8 / Yamaha YZF 600R Thundercat / Kawasaki ZX9R C2
Current: Kawasaki ZZR 1400 A7F

[NJD]

[totalllama82]

The following jobs are generally regarded as easily done at home.

1. Oil & filter.
2. Air filter.
3. Chain lubricating and tightening.
4. Spark plugs.
5. Brake pads & calliper cleaning (if you ride in all weathers, learning to do this is a must).
6. Awareness of Tyre condition.

This will save you a considerable amount of cash and effort.
____________________
Gone: Haotian HT125-8 / Yamaha YZF 600R Thundercat / Kawasaki ZX9R C2
Current: Kawasaki ZZR 1400 A7F

[Nemo]

If you take it to a garage, don't be afraid to ask.

I make a habit of talking to customers about simple issues, invite then into the workshop to take a look so I can talk them through what they need to be doing.

If it's a reputable dealer/garage, they won't mind.
____________________
Previously owned: Kawasaki KH125, Suzuki GP125, Suzuki GX 125, Honda CB125 TDC '83, Honda ntv 600, Kawasaki ER5, Kawasaki ZZR600, Aprilia RSV 1000 Mille
Now own: Ducati 848 evo

[NJD]

[ScottT]

It all depends on how you got into bikes, if you started like me with a £20 moped that got thrashed around local fields with no money to get anything fixed it was either you did it yourself or it didnt get fixed.
My mates dad was a biker he rode an Ariel 350 to work everyday, had a garage full of tools and various projects (including a 3cyl Triumph engine he had part made from a twin, pity he never finished it)

It was evenings and weekend spent sat in that garage tinkering, making mistakes and getting things right, the only jobs i've ever taken to a dealer have been serious engine part replacements, crank rebuilds etc but even then i take the engine out myself first to cut down on labour costs.

Every bike i've bought goes straight home into the garage and the tools come out setting bars, lever positions and adjusting everything that can be adjusted so it suits me.
I bought 2 cheapish laser spirit levels and knocked up a bracket or 2 to clamp to the wheels so when i adjust my chain i know i'm getting it done right.
Haynes manuals are a great thing, the other is to buy a cheap non runner (or running badly) and sit in your garage and play with it, you can pick up plenty of bikes like that for less than £100 and it will save you a fortune over the years, just taking it apart and trying to get it right, you'll learn loads.

[Rogerborg]

Most tasks on a bike are pretty simple once you've done them once. So, do them once. Just take your time, think it through, take some pictures before you start and as you go. Your bike is pretty much designed for easy home maintenance, parts are cheap and easily available, and I'd question whether it's worthwhile paying a penny to a dealer to maintain the warranty.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[bugeye_bob]

Now we have the interweb most jobs are do able at home, years ago it was a Haynes or nowt, now we can access EPC`s and many forums where people can help,

I do all my own mechanical work on my cars and bikes and plenty on other peoples also,
But I love tinkering.

[Old Git Racing]

Do you have a mate who has some experience who can help you and show you the basics?
There are loads of vids on you tube showing the basics, try them to gt an idea.

OGR
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2022 Tiger Sport 660 2019 Street Twin 2003 K3 gixxer 1000 1998 Srad 600 track hack

[monkeybiker]

Do google searches and watch youtube videos. You can teach yourself how to do the basic jobs.

[MarJay]

When I got my first bike I just rode it. Do kids these days not do that?

If there is something actually wrong with the bike then you bought a pup. If it's fine then just ride it. Chain adjustment I learned from the Haynes manual, and other than that I did bog all.

I certainly didn't spend ages getting everything adjusted to suit me.
____________________
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.

[Clanger]

I never actually know if anything needs doing / adjusting. I just ride the bike, and if I'm told something needs sorting I'll sort it. Luckily for me I have 'mechanically minded' friends who will give my bike(s) a once over every so often and will point things out.

Otherwise I'd be none the wiser.
____________________
Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter won't mind - Dr. Seuss

[Commuter_Tim]

[monkeybiker]

[pdg]

[Clanger]

[Commuter_Tim]

[NJD]

[rideslikean00...]

[Rogerborg]