Zen and the art of Motorcycle Maintenance

[Anonymous]

Well, nothing to do with that book, but are there any places in the NW that do basic motorcycle maintenance courses?

I am still scared of taking anything apart on my bike, and would rather get ripped off by a dealer than damage my new baby!

What important things should be done regularly?

One question I have is chain-lubing, on my old bike (before I got a scottoiler) I would just spray the whole chain in lube and let it sit in for a bit. However, part of me thinks that's not right and I caused damage that way!

[jon]

My local college used to do a motorcycle maintenance evening course. Next time i've enough free time i'm going to join it, but for now i'll just have to be happy finding screws on my garage floor every time i've finished putting her back together :roll:

[Warren]

dunno about the course, but its something id be interested in.


chain lubing . . . . you should clean your chain every once in a while, but the spray on is good.

to clean, place a bit of cardboard under your chain,
get some parafin and a rag, douse the rag in parafin and wipe the chain.
repeat with the wiping and the application of parafin.

then wash off with water.
relube


job done :)

15 mins max

[Spiderman]

Suugested to ride the bike before you clean the chain as it will be warmer and easier to clean.
Also the lube will work its way round better on a warmer chain...then allow to stay on for as long as poss before riding again.

[SteveR]

my local college - adult education centre - runs a course on bike maintenance. I'm currently doing the part 2. All good stuff, and you get the opportunity to see other bikes in bits.
Don't be afread of the bike. make sure you have a decent toolkit, and tirque wrench. Oil and filter changes are so easy. spark plug changes can be a little difficult - more fiddly though. It's the brakes that you really need to maintain on a regular basis. Again, not difficult - just fiddly or time consuming, in the first instance.
The SV is a pleasure to work on (apart from the front spark plug), and you will wonder just how some service shops have got it so wrong.

[BURNER]

Dunno about courses round here.

Get yourself a Haynes manual and with the OE manual that came with the bike you should have enough info to sort most stuff. If not just ask on here :wink:

[xaun]

I've noticed my brakes squeeking off and on. Particularly, my back one. I checked my pads, and they don't look like they need replacing. Has anyone else had problems like these?

[Warren]

I've noticed my brakes squeeking off and on. Particularly, my back one. I checked my pads, and they don't look like they need replacing. Has anyone else had problems like these?

take the calipars off
clean them up with brake cleaner and an old toothbrush
clean the pistons
check the seals are ok.
put copper grease on the back of the pads.

clean the discs with brake cleaner and a cloth.

put back on the bike.


notice the difference.