what maintanence do you do yourself?
 

just wondering what maintanence is in the realm of the moderatley mechanically minded? This is my first bike and i would like to do most realistic jobs myself in order to learn a bit and not get screwed over by garages.

Re: what maintanence do you do yourself?
 

I do most things on mine (curvy), that's one of the reasons I got her and not a new bike so I don't keep thinking I'm going to kill it or how expensive it's going to be if I do...! No major experience on bikes (serviced alot of cars tho) and have done (so far) new chain and sprockets, oil, plugs, air filter, brake fluid change and new pads for around 150 squid - try finding a garage that would charge you those prices and if you do let me know....! You will save megabucks and it feels properly good to be able to work on it yourself. Plus as I found, any questions/difficulties you run into can usually be sorted with a post here...! Get yourself a haynes manual and take it slow and most things are possible to be fair.

Re: what maintanence do you do yourself?
 

Likewise, but I found watching someone capable first is much more instructive than trying to learn from the manual. I.e., would you be happy if your surgeon had learnt his craft from a book rather than a teaching surgeon? :study:

Re: what maintanence do you do yourself?
 

do what you are 100% happy with and double check everything before and after, ask for help where you are not 100% sure and if all else fails take it to a garage, i am sure that does not matter where you are in the UK (if you are here) there are people that can give reputable mechs around the country you can go to

Re: what maintanence do you do yourself?
 

Basic jobs I've learnt as a mechanical noob so far are:
Chain tension adjustment
Oil change/filter change
Spark plugs
Air filter change
TPS adjustment
Clutch cable + worm drive lubrication

That seems to cover most of the minor servicing requirements then some and doesn't take a great deal of skill to learn. I've found i've slowly had to buy a few tools a long the way but no doubt they'll pay for themselves in the long run.
I'm leaving things like valve clearances to the people who do it for a living. Bear in mind I'm mechanically inept, if I can do these jobs, anyone can.

Re: what maintanence do you do yourself?
 

Good moaning :D

Everything, no money to pay anyone lol. Most complex was a rebore, I've never got into a gearbox yet.

Re: what maintanence do you do yourself?
 

The SV is a very easy bike to cut your mechanics teeth on. I had absolutely no experience whatsoever but between Haynes and the advice on this forum you can pretty much tackle anything. Make sure you feel confident in what you're doing though - you have to ride the bike afterwards!

Re: what maintanence do you do yourself?
 

thanks everyone!!!

Re: what maintanence do you do yourself?
 

Everything, with the exception of changing the tyres, although i do take just the wheel into the garage to avoid getting ripped off.

Re: what maintanence do you do yourself?
 

I watched YC and learned alot from him/sv & gixerjunkies forums. Never done mechanical stuff til I started riding, now I'll happily do:

Oil & filter
Air filter
Spark plugs
Bulbs
Chain adjustment
Fit aftermarket master cylinder
Braided lines
New brake pads
Overhaul/fit calipers

Basic stuff to alot of people but easy to get wrong in many cases.