Maintenance and breakdowns.

[Bri w]

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

You got time to clean it but not to maintain it?

I haven't got time to do both.

[yorkie_chris]

Seems like a strange one to prioritise.

[dizzyblonde]

I can see a point from Bri( I think)
If you are sat there washing your bike, you get to pay attention in detail, I do. People who work hard don't get much chance to pay attention to much detail.
A good example of this is the impact driver incident Chris. Working too many nights all the time in winter, how was I to know I had a crack in the alternator cover?. Only on very close inspection was it found.
I go over my bike in fine detail when cleaning. Especially when I've been on a lot of nightshifts. Thats paranoia on my part though.
Also if you bike is covered in sh1te all the time....what do you know if its hiding something.

[Bri w]

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

Seems like a strange one to prioritise.

It gets checked frequently, and it gets a visit to the local bike shop more frequently than the service schedule. Oil, brake & clutch fluid gets changed before its due. It gets its tyres changed before its close to the wear indicators.

Unfortunately, courtesy of a cage driver, I've got one arm with little strength, a lower back that doesn't work too well, a right hip that makes getting on the bike difficult and all make working on the bike very painful. The payout means I have a nice bike and someone else maintains it. When I clean the bike it probably takes a whole lot longer than any fit person, and the same with something simple like putting air into the tyres. I can't even, physically, do the chain tension. Now if I had a choice...........

[Bri w]

Originally Posted by dizzyblonde

I can see a point from Bri( I think)
If you are sat there washing your bike, you get to pay attention in detail, I do. People who work hard don't get much chance to pay attention to much detail.
A good example of this is the impact driver incident Chris. Working too many nights all the time in winter, how was I to know I had a crack in the alternator cover?. Only on very close inspection was it found.
I go over my bike in fine detail when cleaning. Especially when I've been on a lot of nightshifts. Thats paranoia on my part though.
Also if you bike is covered in sh1te all the time....what do you know if its hiding something.

You're right, when I clean it it gets a really thorough check so that I can get it sorted before it actually needs sorting. And I'm also paranoid about keeping it in tip top condition.

[dizzyblonde]

Originally Posted by Bri w

It gets checked frequently, and it gets a visit to the local bike shop more frequently than the service schedule. Oil, brake & clutch fluid gets changed before its due. It gets its tyres changed before its close to the wear indicators.

Unfortunately, courtesy of a cage driver, I've got one arm with little strength, a lower back that doesn't work too well, a right hip that makes getting on the bike difficult and all make working on the bike very painful. The payout means I have a nice bike and someone else maintains it. When I clean the bike it probably takes a whole lot longer than any fit person, and the same with something simple like putting air into the tyres. I can't even, physically, do the chain tension. Now if I had a choice...........

Some people just immediately think we are all more obsessed by shiny shiny, than taking a moment to think that there can be other reason for not doing things ourselves.

Originally Posted by Bri w

You're right, when I clean it it gets a really thorough check so that I can get it sorted before it actually needs sorting. And I'm also paranoid about keeping it in tip top condition.

But we still take pride in our bikes

to me the main priority is keeping the bike going. Checking chain, oils and water are more important than anything like keeping clean and blingy bits.

Question, I have a service package with a local motorcycle company so why am i greasing wheel spindles, brake pins and calipers and re-adjusting clutches and chains myself?

[Lissa]

I really get p*ssed off with the 'you should be riding, not polishing' brigade sometimes. I'd love to be out riding, but when Pete is on late shift and I'm here by myself I'd much rather spend my time cleaning and polishing the bike than sat like some sad **** in front of 'I'm a z lister, strictly can't dance, get me out of here 'cos I have no X factor.'

We have a bike we are proud of. We like to keep it maintained and clean. You want to ride a sh*t-pit, that's your choice, but don't knock people who like to do otherwise.

[dizzyblonde]

I am lucky I have a YC to do work on my bikes. If I need something done I just give him a call.
I used to argue like hell about doing stuff myself with Monsieur Carnivore. He was always insistent that I had a Clymer manual and a Haynes at hand and I should learn, it would take a right good kick up the butt to get him to do something for me or indeed help. He was more than capable of fixing them.
Chris never questions if I ask, as he knows I really don't wish to do work myself, its nice to have an understanding of what he has done, but I am not comfortable with many things to try on my own
. I have helped Chris on a few occasions and we have discussed alsorts of issues, occasionally be guided by him and have done work like brake calipers and cylinder heads....still doesn't encourage me to get on with it without him. Nor do I have the tools.

I prefer to give a few notes to Chris and be satisified the bike won't fall apart.
But then again, I get more pleasure in cleaning and polishing than getting in up to my armpits in grease

[yorkie_chris]

Originally Posted by Bri w

Now if I had a choice...........

Perfectly understandable then, from your earlier post I figured you'd chosen to do things that way around. Sorry if I misunderstood.

Originally Posted by Lissa

when Pete is on late shift and I'm here by myself I'd much rather spend my time cleaning and polishing the bike than sat like some sad **** in front of 'I'm a z lister, strictly can't dance, get me out of here 'cos I have no X factor.'

Again perfectly understandable.

Originally Posted by Lissa

I really get p*ssed off with the 'you should be riding, not polishing' brigade sometimes.

We have a bike we are proud of. We like to keep it maintained and clean. You want to ride a sh*t-pit, that's your choice, but don't knock people who like to do otherwise.

What you mean not take the p*ss out of you shiny sportsbike riders? (or even shiny sportsbike ballast)
You got no chance!