View Full Version : How to prepare for a road trip? (from a mechanical POV)
I am quite new to this so don't know anything about bike maintenance/repairs so if something was to go wrong en route, I wouldn't have the first clue what to do. Let's say you have a fall, one of your levers breaks off or something... what do you do? I have recovery so I guess call them and get collected to the nearest garage but damn, that would be a dampener on the trip...
Anyway, what stuff must you pack and what could go wrong on a longer trip?
SoulKiss
20-06-12, 12:21 PM
I am quite new to this so don't know anything about bike maintenance/repairs so if something was to go wrong en route, I wouldn't have the first clue what to do. Let's say you have a fall, one of your levers breaks off or something... what do you do? I have recovery so I guess call them and get collected to the nearest garage but damn, that would be a dampener on the trip...
Anyway, what stuff must you pack and what could go wrong on a longer trip?
Depends on the age of your bike.
Spare levers will fit under the seat, get the foot ones as well as the hand ones.
A new clutch cable will also fit under there.
Preventative action is always the best bet, so get some hints and tips off of here on the simple stuff and maybe do a course.
_Stretchie_
20-06-12, 12:28 PM
Gaffer tape
Luckypants
20-06-12, 12:32 PM
Per SK, carry spare hand levers under the seat. I carry one of DavieSVs wonderful inventions called a fixer-peg (linky (http://www.fixer-peg.co.uk/)) to repair broken foot levers. I also carry a decent tool kit, gaffer tape and cable-ties to fix bodywork, puncture repair kit and good recovery insurance. You can only really fix up the bike after a relatively minor off, after that you will probably need help.
On the subject of things in case of an off, don't forget a first-aid kit and the knowledge to use it in case you need to patch yourself (or someone else) up. :(
As if I know how to change levers... :(
I carry day to day:
Brake & clutch levers
Clutch cable
Puncture repair kit
Mole grips
Cable ties
Gaffa tape
Assorted screwdrivers / spanners & sockets in the most common sizes.
This means I don't get stranded with something really silly, like a broken front brake lever, or flat tyre, or a loose part on the bike. But clearly anything major may well need recovery.
The key to a chilled tour is to make sure you're happy with the bike before you set off. Tyres, brakes, chain, oil level etc. If everything is fine when you leave you can forget about most of it while you're moving. If you've not had the bike long, keeping an eye on the chain's lubrication and engine oil level are worth making sure you do regularly until you get a feel for how often these need adjusting on your bike.
If your bike is due a service soon, consider having it done before you go to give you piece of mind.
I've done several 1,000 - 1,500 mile trips on the bikes over a week and only had to put a little oil on the chain in that time.
Jambo
As if I know how to change levers... :(
It's very simple, and once you'd seen it you'd be fine doing it again, but the point is while finding someone who can change the lever's pretty easy, if you don't have the part, they can't help you out :)
Jambo
God I desperately need to do one of those courses...
Purity14
20-06-12, 12:49 PM
Im going touring about in 2 weeks in italy, austria and switzerland, just taking the standard sv toolkit, zipties, duct tape, a knife and tyre repair kit, and one change of clothes. All is good :)
Oh, and some oil :)
How do you repair punctures? Do you need a stand to lift the bike?
God I desperately need to do one of those courses...
Don't let the lists here worry you. Plenty of people simply hand their bike to a dealership, put fuel in the tank, and carry a breakdown card, covering thousands and thousands of trouble-free miles. If you are currently one of these people (and there's no shame in that, provided you understand the limitations) then consider asking your local garage to do a 40 minute look over your bike before a big trip. You then know someone's checked it over, and you can enjoy the trip.
When I first started riding I had no idea how to do anything at all on my bike. But you pick it up as you go, and advice from people here, and elsewhere has helped convince me there is no mystery to anything on the mechanics, and most of it is quite simple if you look at it logically and take time to understand why it is how it is.
Jambo
SoulKiss
20-06-12, 12:57 PM
God I desperately need to do one of those courses...
Or hang around the Soho Massive more :)
We have at least 3 more than competent mechanical types, all of whom, subject to them having time, are more than happy to share knowledge.
To the extent that I went from total mechanical numpty to being happy to change the clutch cable and the adjuster mechanism on my own, not to mention swapping levers and completely stripping and replacing the bodywork on a pointy.
Most of it is confidence.
You'll get there :)
How do you repair punctures? Do you need a stand to lift the bike?
Have a little look on youtube, there's a fair few videos such as this one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fb5xUBJ9XGM&feature=related
Again, no magic :)
Jambo
I am quite new to this so don't know anything about bike maintenance/repairs so if something was to go wrong en route, I wouldn't have the first clue what to do. Let's say you have a fall, one of your levers breaks off or something... what do you do? I have recovery so I guess call them and get collected to the nearest garage but damn, that would be a dampener on the trip...
Anyway, what stuff must you pack and what could go wrong on a longer trip?
I am firmly in the camp of "I have no idea" I know this about myself, and as such when riding had breakdown recovery card with me.
You can have a whole host of stuff with you, but honestly if you dont know how to use the stuff you have with you, itīs not going to really do much good when you need it.
Saying the above a puncture repair kit is a handy thing to have with you, and generally if you dont know how to use it a friendly biker will soon stop by and help you out, or you will be around when one of your mates needs the puncture repair kit that you are carrying ;)
I would very much like to know how to do bits and bobs. There just aren't enough hours in the day to play a mechanic on top of it too. It's good when you have someone to hand who you can watch and learn from but I don't have anyone. I don't even have the tools :O
SoulKiss
20-06-12, 01:35 PM
I would very much like to know how to do bits and bobs. There just aren't enough hours in the day to play a mechanic on top of it too. It's good when you have someone to hand who you can watch and learn from but I don't have anyone. I don't even have the tools :O
Halfords Pro Tools are cheap but good - the lifetime guarantee is very useful, you can get as set quite cheaply if you buy at the right time.
I've got some tools from my old CBR125. Will they be handy or are there some specific bits one needs for the sv?
Dave-the-rave
20-06-12, 09:38 PM
Im going touring about in 2 weeks in italy, austria and switzerland, just taking the standard sv toolkit, zipties, duct tape, a knife and tyre repair kit, and one change of clothes. All is good :)
Oh, and some oil :)
A change of clothes? How thoroughly modern. :D
Who needs a change of clothes anyway.... I'm used to being in the mountains for days with no shower :D
Jayneflakes
20-06-12, 10:14 PM
I have not done a vast amount of long distance touring, but what I have done has been a lot of fun.
Before I left, I made sure that my bike was mechanically sound. This involved the basic checks that you should be doing before riding anywhere. I checked my tyres, brakes, oil and coolant level, chain slack and lubrication.
Under my seat, I carry a tool kit, parking puck, a can of WD40, tank raiser and my lock. I also have full break down cover that will take me either to my destination or home depending on damage to my machine or helmet.
One thing that you may want to have a look at is a Haynes manual (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Suzuki-SV650S-Service-Repair-Manual/dp/1844257673), often referred to as the Haynes book of lies.
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51ZwXHnGCyL._SS500_.jpg
Changing a broken lever is easy, however I would not want to do it on the side of the road after an off and then ride on as if nothing had happened. Last time I broke one, I found the replacement part on line and fitted it in less than five minutes. Trust me, if a girly like me can do mechanical jobs, anyone can.
I have recently done the scary job of cleaning my forks and changing the oil, when I first started riding motorbikes, such a job would have been too much for me. These days it is just another job, if anything working on my Mountain bike forks is harder.
Remember the first time you lead a hard climb? Placed gear and climbed above it, not knowing if it would hold you? Remember that feeling when it all went right and you cracked it? Working on your bike has a similar feeling. After a while, with a little confidence and practice, you too will be doing this stuff. :smt023
To be honest the SV tool kit is a bit like trying to fix it with swiss cheese.
As some of the legends of the org will attest to a pair of mole grips can been used as a gear leaver if needed ;)
if its a trip in the uk then all you need is an internet capable phone. if you get stuck then post on here and i'm sure that someone will come to help.
the members on this forum are situated up and down the length of the country.
do you even know how to adjust your chain?
rictus01
20-06-12, 11:46 PM
much depends on what sort of journey you intend and the current state of your bike, I spend 15 minutes a week on each bike and that keeps them in exceptable condition to me (that being they should be able to do 500 miles without any other work).
you do need to at least understand what and how to check your bike on a regular basis and not just wait for the service interval to come up, basic skills are fairly easy and most regular riders know them (ask at Soho) but I'd advise you find what tasks you need to do before buying tools as they are expensive and some only needed rarely, as to the how, I'm sure there are others like me who are prepared to loan tools and knowledge (as in won't let you break it when you try) if you've a willingness to learn.
Cheers Mark.
missyburd
21-06-12, 07:25 AM
Tyres, oil, chain checked frequently. I carry a fixerpeg, tie wraps, mini can of wd40, basic toolkit and spare oil. Owt that's needed after that is out of my league when I'm away from home and if the other half can't talk me through it on the phone (which has had to be done on occasion) then recovery it is. Breakdown recovery is a must! Initially big trips are bound to be daunting on your own but as long as your basic checks are done and you keep an eye on fuel consumption then you should be able to relax (for the most part) and enjoy your trip! :)
Dicky Ticker
21-06-12, 08:34 AM
Agy,if you have no [current] mechanical aptitude--------a good service and tyre check before you go,recovery/breakdown cover and your credit card for the unforseen.
All the other stuff already mentioned comes with time and regarding tools the maintenance kit supplied with bikes are next to useless so get somebody with good knowledge of the SV to advise you on a trip to Halfords.
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