The Haynes manual for my ZZR600 is crap

[tgabber]

Ok, mechanically in Haynes parlance I'm probably a two-spanner person - a beginner with some experience. Service-wise I've done oil changes, chain adjustments, lubrication and fluid level checks but not much more. Today I thought I'd tackle the first item in the 3000 mile interval service - check the spark plugs, it's a one-spanner item (easy, suitable for a novice).

Anyway in my Haynes manual, the first step is listed as removing the fuel tank (see chapter 4). I turn to chapter 4. This turns out to be a two-spanner item, but I reckon I can handle that. Indeed I can, although the manual makes a couple of important omissions, no reminder to turn off the fuel tap, and no mention of the plastic lugs which secure the side fairings to the tank. These could easily get snapped off if you were a little too enthusiastic and didn't realise they were there. But hey, I get the tank off without incident.

Now the manual says, after a reminder to make sure you've got an appropriate spark plug removal tool, disconnect the spark plug leads and remove the spark plugs. Simple eh? One-spanner, can't be tricky?

Except... with the fuel tank removed the spark plugs are still safely tucked away under the air filter box and completely inaccessible, appropriate tool or not. I do look up removing the air filter housing (another two-spanner item) but by this stage I'm beginning to feel out of my depth. If they've omitted this important step, what else have they got wrong?

So to Haynes, the tank is going back on and I'll take it to someone who knows what they're doing.
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"It's all about dislocating expectation"
Kawasaki KMX125 -> Aprilia RS125 -> Kawasaki ZZR600

[iCraig]

Hmmm, the Haynes Destruction Manual strikes again .

I have always found Clymer manuals to be better, atleast they list all of the things you need to remove etc, so far I haven't gone wrong with mine and I am the most mechanically inept person ever .

[mr.z]

Its very easy to get dishartened, my haynes covers about 5 different varyances of my bike, i'd imagine your coveres the several variations of zzr...

These manuals are more designed for small workshops, for mechanics and allot is taken as given the you would knw to do certain things...

I think haynes particular vice is torque settings, i like you had not done allot untill this year and i'd now be happy to do just about anything on the bike, but i still rely on them to make sure, but they do tend to be a bit overenthusiastic with the settings, so if you get something like 10-20lbft use 12 or something, because at 18 it might just go... ping, cue soiling of pants and scrambleing for engineereing firms phone number..

Oh and the "replacement is the reversal of removal" reading the instructions backwards just aint the same!!

They ain't perfect, they are just a guide, if you can get your hands on the factory manual they are ALLOT better, i do tend to use both now still..
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>RidingSkills<->Tech Tips<->MyBikes<

[Ninja]

i FIND THAT AS THE MANAULS GET NEWER THEY GET WORSE - MORE AND MORE GENeric - I try and find the original 'period' manuals for my cars/ bike etc, rather than the 'current' generic all-encompassing issue....
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James
4 wheels transport the Body ... 2 wheels transport the SOUL

[tgabber]

[mr.z]

Newer bikes are more complex, which makes serviceing a biach, to check my plugs, i pull on the ht leed, use the tool to get them out, thats it, job done in 60 seconds.

As long as you do everything carefully, dont take anything off the you dont have a tool to get back on and arrange stuff on the floor in the order they go on, appart from that its easy enough, the more guts you pull off the bike the more frightening it becomes, but next time you do it you wont worry...

I'd been dreading changeing my coolant for ages, its bloody easy, and my fork seals, scarey, bit of springs allover the place but that was easy enough too... its a confidence thing i suppose, generally better to be underconfident though tbh

Dont feel like a twat takeing it elsewhere, you feel allot more stupid when you go asking for new bolts or if they can weld bits back on cause you snapped them off accidentaly..
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>RidingSkills<->Tech Tips<->MyBikes<

[Robby]

Haynes manuals are shit.

I'm keeping a running total of the mistakes in the one for my merc so far, spelling, information, and procedural. I've got one spelling, two information, and zero procedural so far.

But I'm going to do a head gasket swap and a cylinder head overhaul in a week, going by the haynes manual. I'm worried. I've set aside 5 days and bought lots of tools.

[Born2bVile]

Haynes manuals are useful as a general guideline. Torque settings etc need to be known when attempting major rebuilding.

However, they are completely useless if trying to work on an engine unless you have a fair amount of knowledge already.

I found them completely useless until I combined them with the knowledge of a few mates. With their help, an the occasional glance at the Haynes manual, I learnt how to work on a bike.

I was dead chuffed when I first checked and topped up the oil level on my first bike. We all start somewhere.

But I think Haynes manuals should have a one-spanner rating.

Cheers,

Byrnie.
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NABD Treasurer
National Association for Bikers with a Disability
Reg Charity No. 1040907

[katana]

Haynes allegedly take the bike or car apart for each manual. I think they lie as sometimes the photos are same as in the proper works manual.

Haynes also love installation is the reverse of removal phrase

Haynes also do a baby book, a man manual the most worrying is that haynes now do a sex manual. have seen it in halfords but am afraid to look. Sexual positions with spanner ratings. Getting that wrong could be painful

[Ade067]