Why?

[Thunderace]

Forgive me for coming across a bit arrogant, but could someone tell me why this whole forum seems to be full of people who don't know how to repair/maintain their own bikes?

Is it because most of you own fairly modern bikes and have never come across these problems before, or are most of you fairly new to biking?

Obviously I mean no disrespect to anyone, IF YOU DON'T KNOW ASK, is always a sensible thing to do, but some threads ask for advice on how to do things I taught myself to do, there was hardly any mobile phones and virtually no one had internet when I started biking, and I've never had a bike less than 10 years old, so things not working and/or leaking, falling of or generally being a nuisance is something I consider to be part of biking!

Also why, when someone does ask for help, the first reply is usually the most complicated and expensive fix, why not check the simple things first

Is it just me being a grumpy old fart or has anyone else noticed this? :confused:

[Dave-the-rave]

Nah. Grumpy old farts started biking long before mobiles or broadband had been invented. You're just grumpy. :smt040

[DJ123]

it's you being grumpy. A lot of people have never had experience with mechanical parts, how they work, why blah blah. Most simply do what those around them do when something goes wrong, pay someone else to fix it.
The forums not full of them, most people simply repeat threads without searching and are new to biking as a whole. TBH, this is the best, most helpful & friendly forum i have ever been on. Brilliant tech help, no fee, lots of input and people who will come around and help!

oh, and you're just being a grumpy old man ;)

[Spank86]

No idea, but I for one have more money than ability so I pay others to keep my bike on the road.

You don't repair your phone line, I don't fix my bike. Thus we have an economy.

[Thunderace]

Ok but my point still stands, if someone on here asks for help they immediately get a thousand replies that need to be deciphered by NASA, for example the other day someone posted "my bike won't start", he got loads of usefull advice like get a multimeter, check this, check that, why not tell him check the solenoid turn ignition on put a screwdriver between the points if the bike starts there is your problem, couple of quid for a new one and a screwdriver to do the diagnostics, free and effective fault finding!

If that didn't work that is when the poor bloke needs to go more in depth, not dive in head first miss the problem and spend hours searching for a fault that's not there, if in doubt that this happens, anyone remember Fallouts front end shenanigans, always check the simple stuff!

[Thunderace]

No idea, but I for one have more money than ability so I pay others to keep my bike on the road.

You don't repair your phone line, I don't fix my bike. Thus we have an economy.

Exactly my point Ad you don't ask for help coz you don't intend to fix it yourself! But if you did you wouldn't want the first nugget of advice to be the most expensive and complicated one!

[DJ123]

generally, it's because you assume they ahve done the basics first. Many don't explain what they have tried already. Plus, what you've said in comparison to the replies could much be read as the same NASA language to the OP if he's not electrically/mechanically knowledgable.

[Thunderace]

That's the problem never assume anything, consider everyone to be an idiot until they prove otherwise;)

[Spank86]

Exactly my point Ad you don't ask for help coz you don't intend to fix it yourself! But if you did you wouldn't want the first nugget of advice to be the most expensive and complicated one!

No, but then I actually would fix an electrical problem,:) multimeters I have in abundance. It's buggering about with the mechanicals I worry about, I'd rather know it was done by a professional and is safe than save some money and accidentally do damage or kill myself.

But yes it does make sense to go for the quick easy fixes but most people who know about repairing tend to skip over them because they assume people would already have done it, or they've owned the test equipment for ages and expect everyone to have ready access to it.

[DJ123]

yes, they might not know where to hit and potentially could end up breaking something. They could use a sledge hammer to 'tap' it with rather than a 4 pounder. At least the repleis are useful, if not a bit in depth at 1st

[Spank86]

With regard to language how do you know other peoples vocabulary, I used to get complaints occasionally from a mate about using obscure words and when he asked what It meant and I told he he'd say, why not just say that then?

My only response was that it never occurred to me that people wouldn't know both words or which one they'd know and not know.

[Thunderace]

Again with the assume and expect, people must know if someone asks for help they don't know what they're doing!

[Thunderace]

With regard to language how do you know other peoples vocabulary, I used to get complaints occasionally from a mate about using obscure words and when he asked what It meant and I told he he'd say, why not just say that then?

My only response was that it never occurred to me that people wouldn't know both words or which one they'd know and not know.

When is said deciphered by NASA I was referring to maths not English!

[Spank86]

But maths is easy.

It's just numbers.

[Thunderace]

English is easy we speak it! Granted some of us are more eloquent than others!

[DJ123]

not a case of don't know what they're doing, but they have reached the end of their thought process for finding the fault. different ideas from people chipping in, can help to solve a problem and put forward various reasons why something isn't working. Especially if you are new to the bike, you don't know what sounds are normal.

[Jammy]

Ive got to say... some of the replys ive had to idiotic newbie posts have saved me a hell of a lot of money - i'd like to think i try and tackle issues on my own now, Google + Haynes can answer most quereis anyway.

I'd like to think most people have more common sense than me though.

[Spank86]

English is easy we speak it! Granted some of us are more eloquent than others!

But vocabulary varies in size and knowing ten words doesn't help (much) with the next ten.

With maths if you know 0-9 you can extrapolate the rest. :p

[Thunderace]

yes, they might not know where to hit and potentially could end up breaking something. They could use a sledge hammer to 'tap' it with rather than a 4 pounder. At least the repleis are useful, if not a bit in depth at 1st

So you agree, simplest first, then ruin their brain with techno jargon if the simplest thing doesn't solve it.

As with Si, straight to the disc to fault find, where as I would start at the handlebars!

[Spank86]

You have to admit Si does have some other issues though.

[Thunderace]

So essentially what we've established is simple advice first, a lot of people are noobs and you've all got shiny bikes that have only just started falling apart.

Post answered ta muchly!:smt040

[Thunderace]

Ive got to say... some of the replys ive had to idiotic newbie posts have saved me a hell of a lot of money - i'd like to think i try and tackle issues on my own now, Google + Haynes can answer most quereis anyway.

I'd like to think most people have more common sense than me though.

Most people can wash a bike without throwing it on the floor!:rolleyes:

[Spank86]

Also that I need a pit crew to keep my bike shiny and assembled.

[DJ123]

[QUOTE= Haynes can answer most quereis anyway.

[/QUOTE]

:lol: :lol: :lol: no, no, no, no, no. They are $hite! on the important jobs, for instance removing the swingarm, there is no detailed explaination. There is hardly any at all, simply remove this, this, this and this and it comes off. They give more detail in how to change a fecking headlight bulb FFS. A Haynes manual has 2 positives, torque settings (even then i double check it) and starting a BBQ. I'll safely say i won't buy another one and waste my money

[Spank86]

Get the PDF of the workshop manual.

That's usually the best way.

[Thunderace]

Manuals are no substitute for having a look, thinking this should work SNAP "oh bugger", that's how I learnt, but then as I say my old bikes are cheap and so are the parts so I can afford to bugger about and break stuff, not so much any more as once you've done something on any vehicle it is largely the same on every other!

[Jammy]

For the basic jobs ive done, the haynes has been very helpful. But then i havent had to do any engine work or remove the swingarm for example....

And since my crash ive been drop free :D *touchwood

[Fallout]

Hayne's are awesome when you're new to a particular machine variant. For example, my SV Haynes was used pretty comprehensively and was really helpful. My Gixxer Haynes has been a case of open the page, skim it, get bored and then just do the job (sometimes with Nathan's help!). That's because the concepts are the same on the Gixxer as the SV, so while the bolts are in different places and things come off in a different order, it's largely the same.

Nathan, you've just done it all, so you've forgotten that it's confusing the first time you do things. I will never need to read instructions on how to rivet a chain again, but that first time I was all over that page like an OCD ferret. Now I'm a pro!

Also, don't forget, you were asking for assistance in how to use a paddock stand for **** sake. I can put a bike on a paddock stand with nothing but my left bum cheek and my right testicle. In fact, when I took the bike off the paddock stand today (yay! All work finally done, including tyre!), I had a cup of tea in my left hand, I **** yee not.

And also the noob argument has been mention before too. The SV is a perfect noob bike, so the majority of people here are noobs to riding (less than a couple of years in the saddle), so they have no experience with bike maintenance, and a fear of it killing them if it goes wrong. Plus they're mostly young, so probably have no car maintenance skills either. I could at least bring basic car maintenance skills to the bike to make things easier.

Btw, you'll be pleased to know I lost my axle nut pin. haha. I took it off to get the wheel to Ride-In bikes to sort the puncture. Came back, and it's vanished. But I'm more classy than a nail. I've replaced it with one of those bonnet-style clips from my paddock stand. :D

[Thunderace]

Hayne's are awesome when you're new to a particular machine variant. For example, my SV Haynes was used pretty comprehensively and was really helpful. My Gixxer Haynes has been a case of open the page, skim it, get bored and then just do the job (sometimes with Nathan's help!). That's because the concepts are the same on the Gixxer as the SV, so while the bolts are in different places and things come off in a different order, it's largely the same.

Nathan, you've just done it all, so you've forgotten that it's confusing the first time you do things. I will never need to read instructions on how to rivet a chain again, but that first time I was all over that page like an OCD ferret. Now I'm a pro!

Also, don't forget, you were asking for assistance in how to use a paddock stand for **** sake. I can put a bike on a paddock stand with nothing but my left bum cheek and my right testicle. In fact, when I took the bike off the paddock stand today (yay! All work finally done, including tyre!), I had a cup of tea in my left hand, I **** yee not.

And also the noob argument has been mention before too. The SV is a perfect noob bike, so the majority of people here are noobs to riding (less than a couple of years in the saddle), so they have no experience with bike maintenance, and a fear of it killing them if it goes wrong. Plus they're mostly young, so probably have no car maintenance skills either. I could at least bring basic car maintenance skills to the bike to make things easier.

Btw, you'll be pleased to know I lost my axle nut pin. haha. I took it off to get the wheel to Ride-In bikes to sort the puncture. Came back, and it's vanished. But I'm more classy than a nail. I've replaced it with one of those bonnet-style clips from my paddock stand. :D

It's all about nails mate! And as stated before I've always popped my bikes on the trailer to do maintenance, but when I asked I got clear concise advice not a shopping list of stuff to buy and an instruction manual on how to disassemble the bike and rebuild it on top of the stand, Plus unlike your fairy arsed modern bikes mine weighs near on 200kg, if I had a featherweight I wouldn't have asked I would of just had a play and figured it out on me tod!;)

[Fallout]

I would of just had a play and figured it out on me tod!;)

That's what I did. Always a chance of doing a Jammy though. :rolleyes:

[Thunderace]

That's what I did. Always a chance of doing a Jammy though. :rolleyes:

At least he's got plenty of experience of fitting plastics, he won't snap the fairing trying to put it on!:rolleyes:;)

[Fallout]

I snapped a plastic lug. Fairing is fine .... unlike yours! :-P Just remembered your bike is red and that woman was probably a cow. Now it all makes sense.

[Thunderace]

I snapped a plastic lug. Fairing is fine .... unlike yours! :-P Just remembered your bike is red and that woman was probably a cow. Now it all makes sense.

lol! But the positive thing to come from that is the wife found a company that do new fairings for £329.99 and she said I can have one WHOOOHOOO!!!! Just need to decide what colour?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?:confused:

[DJ123]

i think you should get your bike painted with the Delorean from back to the future on it

[Thunderace]

i think you should get your bike painted with the Delorean from back to the future on it

Good idea all I'd need then is some crazy old guy with grey hair to make it run on rubbish, what do you think Mark is it possible?

[Mark_h]

Good idea all I'd need then is some crazy old guy with grey hair to make it run on rubbish, what do you think Mark is it possible?

Well if riding style = optimum fuel then I'm sure your will run fine on it :)

Just writing a rant ref why yoofs can't fix anything these days....

[Mark_h]

Well.... where do I start....

Kids these days have it all too easy. If it breaks you get a new one. In my day it was usually broken before I got it and part of the acquisition process was to get it working. Now everything is tamper-proof sealed units and so damn cheap that the tools to fix it would be 10 times the cost of a new one so chuck it and get a new one.

Time moves on. Little Johnny gets a pushbike. In my day it would be at least fourth hand and would be delivered with a puncture. Now it's a brand new piece of full suspension junk for £70. If it gets a puncture it goes in the shed to be replaced at Christmas by a slightly bigger piece of £70 junk. My kids bikes come from the tip. Usually need a puncture repair or just a service. My 7 year old knows how to fix a puncture now. When out for a ride his bottom bracket seized, 10 minutes after coming home he had new bottom bracket bearings (no, he can't quite do this himself yet but he knows what has to be done) Total cost less than a fiver to fix.

Time moves on. Bigger Johnny gets a motorcycle. Now it's pretty hard to get a motorcycle for £70 from Asda so he finally has to get into some maintenance activities. Problem is his Dad never showed him how to fix his bike, the lawnmower, the washing machine because for the last 20 years people have replaced rather than repaired. Bike fails a bit.. Johnny goes to Halfords and buys some tools and goes about randomly rounding off bolts, stripping threads and cross-threading everything as unfortunately he's missed out on the key mechanical skills by not previously working on pushbikes, lawnmowers etc.

So Johnny now has his bike in a right old mess. Has some tools and some nuts which now don't work. A bit of Google-fu and he finds a forum like this.

Now this is actually quite a good forum because once you learn who to listen to and who to just ignore there is some great advice. If you want a laugh try posting on a Renault Forum like I had to when my TDC sensor failed, some of the responses were amazing. For some reason people feel compelled to answer even if they are clueless. Luckily years of rebuilding old jags with my dad gave me the core skills to spot useful info from garbage. Anyway, back to Poor Johnny and his newly ruined bike...

Recently there was a newby posting two problems. Asked for advice for a running problem, got advice from someone who had exactly the same symptoms and recommended a very simple, 10 second fix. OP then went off to do loads of other stuff complaining that the problem persisted and at no time tried the simple, proven recommendation from someone who has had exactly the same problem; once you get a few responses the complexity multiplies and next thing you have your ECU wired up to a scope and start re-calibrating for altitude. Same poster then posts for a simple drive-train fault. Immediate simple advice to check simple things but instead of heading advice, asks again in another section and is suddenly stripping the gearbox down rather than checking oil levels, chain tension and clutch cables all of which can be covered off in 30 seconds.

So to my mind the apparent mechanical ineptitude comes down to a few key points.

1) Until you get into cars/motorbikes, nobody fixes anything anymore so the diagnostic logic and mechanical dexterity are missing as they have not grown up in that sort of world. Most mechanically adept folks will doubtless have a picture somewhere of them being 7 years old covered in grease with a spanner in their hand helping Dad fix something.

2) Modern kit is too hard to work on. You can't guess like you used to. Some little black box somewhere will compensate for any minor tweakes you try to make. Old days you stick a live on a terminal and see what happens. These days you do that, there's a quiet Pfhut noise and you're into £500 worth of ECU. Now have to poke a DVM somewhere and see if the reading is 2.2v or 2.9v, not quite the same as "does the lamp light". Mind you you can now get a DVM for less than a fiver so probably cheaper than a bulb and a test lead anyway.

3) Information is too accessible. Old days you'd go and see Dave. Dave would tell you or show you what to do, then you knew how to do it. Now nobody talks to Dave; they post on the web; dozens of well intentioned people give an opinion. Unfortunately poor Johnny has no experience so randomly picks a response and goes for it. Next thing bike's in bits all over the kitchen table he has 7 new wheels, a lathe on order and still just has a grubby pivot (as-if). Information is too easy to request and too easy to offer with little opportunity to assess the validity of the advice given.

4) This forum has some of the most broadly experienced individuals contributing. Unfortunately they've often forgotten that some time ago they didn't have all the answers. I'll give most things a go but these guys are perfectly happy splitting an engine in two to sort a worn widget where as I suspect most of the users of the forum would not even know how to take their rear wheel off. You then end up with well intentioned advice being offered to someone who has absolutely no ability to action it and then the discussion goes into pages of thrust washer torque settings that may as well be written in Japenese for most readers.

5) People are too lazy to actually read anything longer than a paragraph. Suspect very few people will actually get to the end of this lengthy post. What chance of them actually doing some research into the manual PDF or Haynes when they can just ask for the answer instead. No excuse for not knowing how to check oil level, chain tension, tyre pressures etc. It's just laziness. Too busy playing playstation to actually read some words and consider some actions that may either save them some money or in some cases save their life

So in summary, I think this generation is doomed, but if you have kids make sure you try to teach them how to fix stuff so they don't suffer the same fate.

Rant over ... for now ....


Note:- Hope nobody takes any of these points personally (Apart from Fallout and his grubby pin) we all need help from time to time. Even our very own mechanical Yoda needed someone to show him how to operate a simple tool but all too often you get poor advice being offered to a lazy individual who unfortunately has no experience to fall back on to and no idea where to find Dave.

[Thunderace]

Ha!!!;) Bloody superb should have been my OP, cheers Mark!

[widepants]

Well if riding style = optimum fuel then I'm sure your will run fine on it :)

Just writing a rant ref why yoofs can't fix anything these days....
I think Baron wideboy is about the most talented yoof Ive ever met.That lad can turn his hand to most things , so we're not all that doomed

[Fallout]

I read it all Mark. I didn't want to read your senile fatherly ramblings, but I read it all.

You're actually right, but a lot of people never had the chance because their dad or Grandad or Uncle weren't mechanically minded, nor were their seniors. Any mediocre mechanical skills I have were all learnt on my todd like Nathan. But I agree our throw away culture is a travesty and if I have kids which aren't horribly mutated I will teach them everything I can about being practical.

Now go back to the home. I'll be asking the orderly why you were let out.

[Spank86]

My dads useless and my mum doesn't want to do mechanical work so I never had much chance of learning off people, most of the stuff I CAN do I taught myself, luckily I inherited my mums ability not my dads but I still prefer not to do stuff as there's no one to double check. When it comes to others stuff I'm always happy to lend a Hand though since then there's two heads.


Incidentally I've had law mowers and hoovers apart but that's a little less vital.

[Fallout]

You've also fixed many an RC plane. Though if the standard of your bike maintenance abilities matches the standard of your RC plane repairs, you're best leaving it to the professionals.

[Spank86]

They always flew just as well the second time!

And every time thereafter.

[Thunderace]

OK I admit being a country bumpkin brought up on a farm and then later in pubs with parents who are both bikers did give me an advantage, (+ I know a Dave) that does make it a little unfair to poke fun at others but this was mainly directed at those who seem to need to offer the most complicated solutions to the simplest of problems!

[Littlepeahead]

If the cat is sick I take it to the vet for treatment.

If my trees need cutting back I call the man with the chainsaw licence.

If my legs need waxing I go to the beautician.

If my fringe needs cutting I visit my hairdresser.

If I break my arm I see an orthopaedic surgeon.

Trying to do any of those things myself, with no qualifications would result in a dead cat, losing an arm or two, hairy legs and really bad bowl haircut. So why on earth would I try and fix my own bike?

[Mark_h]

If the cat is sick I take it to the vet for treatment.

If my trees need cutting back I call the man with the chainsaw licence.

If my legs need waxing I go to the beautician.

If my fringe needs cutting I visit my hairdresser.

If I break my arm I see an orthopaedic surgeon.

Trying to do any of those things myself, with no qualifications would result in a dead cat, losing an arm or two, hairy legs and really bad bowl haircut. So why on earth would I try and fix my own bike?

Fair points, but would you post on a forum to ask how to do a kidney transplant on your cat?

[Spank86]

Also it's perfectly possible to wax your own legs, just ask fallout.

[Thunderace]

Do I need a license for my chainsaw?:confused:

They never asked when I bought it!:???:

[Spank86]

Only if you want to cut up your corpses professionally.

[Thunderace]

Only if you want to cut up your corpses professionally.

Damn it Ad I told you that in confidence![-X

[Spank86]

Erm, sorry, I mean copses.

That's right, definitely copses.

[Thunderace]

Too late I've already bleached the Dungeon and torched the contents!

[Littlepeahead]

I hear Fallout tried to progress from DIY waxing on his legs to the BSC and that wasn't so successful.

[Spank86]

I think it was the use of normal candle wax and old sandpaper that caused the problems.

[Fallout]

I do have a BSc, if that clears any confusion up.

[Wideboy]

i find it ****ing annoying that people in the tech section post up telling people how to do things yet they don't have a clue themselves, just mindlessly repeat what someone else has said or what they've googled. fecktards. They should go and dine on the substance that they've given birth to in the toilet


yes i've only just seen this thread, but im back

[Spank86]

You missed out on some fun and games yesterday wideboy.

[Fallout]

What happens if one sh1ts out chocolate and fillet steak Wideboy? May one still dine on that as a punishment?

[Wideboy]

You missed out on some fun and games yesterday wideboy.
did si turn up with pedro, dressed like the policeman from YMCA, chained up and finally admitting his homosexuality?
What happens if one sh1ts out chocolate and fillet steak Wideboy? May one still dine on that as a punishment?
that is impossible, you always take things to far, i cant even begin to think how you imagined that up

how embarrassing

[Mark_h]

@Thunderace

You're going to love this one (http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=184849). Throttle doesn't return after a twist. Post 1. Start it and see what happens (well if throttle is wedged open it'll rev it's nuts off then go bang) Post 2. Strip all swich gear then strip throttle body linkage.

Obviously far simpler than popping the tank and see what's moving!

[Thunderace]

@Mark_h, Bravo Dad for some sensible advice, some of these folks really need a tard filter fitting to their router!;)

[Geodude]

@Thunderace

You're going to love this one (http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=184849). Throttle doesn't return after a twist. Post 1. Start it and see what happens (well if throttle is wedged open it'll rev it's nuts off then go bang) Post 2. Strip all swich gear then strip throttle body linkage.

Obviously far simpler than popping the tank and see what's moving!

@Mark_h, Bravo Dad for some sensible advice, some of these folks really need a tard filter fitting to their router!;)

Forgive my intrusion across the GM border (hole in the fence is still there) but just wanted to say i read the above two posts and got myself into a right rant fuelled state ready to complain about the tone of the posts and how i felt that they came across as very school yard point and laugh at the stupid kid.
So before i went ahead and started venting i read the entire thread, which is what i should have done in the first place and i have to admit i miss-read the posts completely and makes alot of sense so lesson learned read first, understand, activate brain and relax and my bad for thinking otherwise. Just felt like sharing for karma's sake. You guys are actually a really good bunch so carry on lads, oh and fix that hole in the fence i saw andy smith trying to get in again :D

xGx




ps i was the stupid kid. :( ;)

[Mark_h]

Forgive my intrusion across the GM border (hole in the fence is still there) but just wanted to say i read the above two posts and got myself into a right rant fuelled state ready to complain about the tone of the posts and how i felt that they came across as very school yard point and laugh at the stupid kid.
So before i went ahead and started venting i read the entire thread, which is what i should have done in the first place and i have to admit i miss-read the posts completely and makes alot of sense so lesson learned read first, understand, activate brain and relax and my bad for thinking otherwise. Just felt like sharing for karma's sake. You guys are actually a really good bunch so carry on lads, oh and fix that hole in the fence i saw andy smith trying to get in again :D

xGx




ps i was the stupid kid. :( ;)

Glad to be of service. And you were lucky to get away with getting through that hole; we've got a tiger pit full of spikes and snakes just after the hole just to to keep that Smith out.

[Fallout]

To be fair, I read that thread and thought it was mostly simple advice. Apart from a few mentions of throttle covers and the like, the majority of the posts were bar end/cable lube related easy stuff first. It certainly wasn't a "get an axe, dismantle your spine. Did that work? No? Then dig up Christopher Reeves and compare your spine against his" style thread.

So Geodude, don't be coy. These genitalmen are cads of the first water! Shun them! Shun them openly! :D

[Sid Squid]

i find it ****ing annoying that people in the tech section post up telling people how to do things yet they don't have a clue themselves, just mindlessly repeat what someone else has said or what they've googled.
A problem that all tech forums face, this one is no different. There are a couple of common posters in the tech sections whose knowledge is err... a little gappy to say the least. Of course the real danger there is that a confidently written post that sounds authoritative can lead the unaware into action that proves be regrettable, as far as I'm aware this has never happened as truly terrible advice has been spotted, and countered, before anything unfortunate occurred.
I answer many technical questions, if the first page has passed I often don't bother - however good the advice it's likely lost amongst the din.
I think it's too simple to say that people don't gain practical skills due to the throwaway nature of many modern items, or criticise the lack of knowledge that many people have, I personally feel this speaks much of the elevated level of reliability we presently enjoy, Joe Average puts the key in one hole of his H***a and some fuel in the other - every 4000 miles it goes to the dealer and he doesn't need to get his hands dirty. For me a big part of biking would be missing if that's how I did it, but there's absolutely no doubt in my mind that the technical improvements of the last quarter century have made motorcycling a more attractive and realistic prospect for many.
Things were different when I started biking - if you weren't able to accomplish at least the basic tasks you wouldn't be riding anything except a bus for long, and this was well understood - discouraging some from ever joining in.
That said I reserve the right to criticise some people for a lack of understanding, not because they don't have the skills, but because they won't acquire them, seemingly there is a foppish pride in not knowing how such menial tasks are accomplished, testament to this; the various breakdown services have as an all too common callout reason the flat tyre, on a car.
This means that there are, the length and breadth of the country, persons who would wait for the AA man, which means what - an hour, two? Rather than break out the jack and the brace themselves, for these people I have significant disregard.
Knowing this suggests, mostly, our membership are at least willing to improve, by which I am greatly heartened.

Some people should definitely STFU though.

[Wideboy]

wise words, i couldn't be a mod of the tech section for the reasons you have brought up... i don't particularly do diplomacy

i still think its a matter of people wanting to increase their post count. when they repeat an answer that has already been posted in the very thread means either they are stat padding or just wanting to jump on some sort of "im the best" bandwagon

[The Idle Biker]

Sid and Geodude should be honorary Guildfordonians. I'll raise a motion at the next cabinet meeting.

I'm still not convinced Wideboy offers anything special.

[jambo]

Couldn't be bothered to read whole thread, probably reg-rec, check charging circuit.

Feel the ride.

Jambo

[Wideboy]

Sid and Geodude should be honorary Guildfordonians. I'll raise a motion at the next cabinet meeting.

I'm still not convinced Wideboy offers anything special.

I'm the eye candy you fool, I'm also a very accomplished candle light dinner speaker aswell as a total babe magnet

[widepants]

I'm the eye candy you fool, I'm also a very accomplished candle light dinner speaker aswell as a total babe magnet
dont forget that you're shy and retiring

[Sid Squid]

Couldn't be bothered to read whole thread, probably reg-rec, check charging circuit.
S'right, either that or the alarm, 'rip it out' - best thing you'll ever do.

[Thunderace]

S'right, either that or the alarm, 'rip it out' - best thing you'll ever do.

Thank god someone else is normal!:cheers:

[Sid Squid]

http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ1hizwaJffc0GrjoQyo1whiVsutX1QE sTdvfVtJDodrsCU46DX

http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRghOxu2SEAG1Tol1oHJLQSF3DxPidrt j4qTG2EYs4-CSMIZ4zk

Just to be clear.

[Thunderace]

http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ1hizwaJffc0GrjoQyo1whiVsutX1QE sTdvfVtJDodrsCU46DX

http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRghOxu2SEAG1Tol1oHJLQSF3DxPidrt j4qTG2EYs4-CSMIZ4zk

Just to be clear.

Have I missed something? Or are you just very odd?

[Sid Squid]

Have I missed something?
Yes, I suspect you may have done so.
Or are you just very odd?
I could deny it, but frankly this is difficult to argue with.

Anyway, think on it like a crossword with significantly less than cryptic clues.

[The Idle Biker]

Yes, I suspect you may have done so.

I could deny it, but frankly this is difficult to argue with.

Anyway, think on it like a crossword with significantly less than cryptic clues.

I know. I know. :smt115 Clever me.

[metalmonkey]

I'm still waiting for the undo button to be invented, so when yet again I screw up and I'm shout sh*t yet again (lost count on those of times) it can undo so I don't spend hours undoing a rather simple error!

I have learnt a bit just by doing it myself, along with some good advice at least I know how some of my bike works quite useful really.