[appollo1]

i am in no way mechincally minded and with my car I always thought that if i attempted to do any work on it myself and messed it up then it would cost me a lot more money to get it fixed. mechanics at garages are supposed to be the professionals and if in doubt they are the people to carry out any repairs.

Then I got married and my father in law who worked for the RAC for over 30 years used to have a go at me for wasting money. He has shown me basic maintenance that i can do myself oil, filters, etc. He has also shown me how to change the brake pads but if i am honest i doubt i will as it is such an important feature that if it went wrong could have disastrous consequences.

With my bike i think the same. I know how to change the oil and check the tyre pressures, lube the chain etc.

I wouldn't attempt anything else myself just incase.

Thankfully i have a few friends that live nearby that are far more mechanically trained than me and their hourly rates are far better than a garage. Also they let me look over their shoulder to see what they are doing.

I know i should learn more but there will always be that niggling doubt in the back of my mind.

I look at a Haynes manual and can honestly say that it doesn't make sense to me.