Service helping hand needed

Tools wise you should have a kit under the pillion seat. That covers almost all the sizes you'll need for most jobs. The quality is poor but they will get you by and you can replace them with decent stuff as you find you need to. Generally, a good metric socket and spanner set, different size screwdrivers, and pliers, and a torque wrench will see you through general servicing. As you do more you'll see what's missing. I had a very good tool kit due to owning an old Landrover but I find myself adding to it every so often to buy better, or just because it's a manly thing to do

[Sir Trev]

Got to say that you really need to spend a little bit on a simple tool set. You'll find the under-seat roll is not really up to much and it will be more frustrating and restrictive in what you can do. Something like this will get you started and you can add to it as you pick up more skills.

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/s...egoryId_165572

Going for the Pro kit will last longer and cover a wider range of tasks if you can stretch to it.

You also want to buy a workshop manual too - very useful step-by-step for noobs. And we're all here to help if you're not sure as you've already seen. What a nice bunch we are!

Originally Posted by -Ralph-

Looks like you've plenty of offers, but I'm near Kettering and have a fully equipped garage if you want to bring it over here.

Ralph, let me know if that offer still stands.

Originally Posted by Sir Trev

Got to say that you really need to spend a little bit on a simple tool set. You'll find the under-seat roll is not really up to much and it will be more frustrating and restrictive in what you can do. Something like this will get you started and you can add to it as you pick up more skills.

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/s...egoryId_165572

Going for the Pro kit will last longer and cover a wider range of tasks if you can stretch to it.

You also want to buy a workshop manual too - very useful step-by-step for noobs. And we're all here to help if you're not sure as you've already seen. What a nice bunch we are!

Yeah, you lot seem to be a happy bunch except for the Ace and maybe NTEC

I've got Haynes and I'm picking up this tool this easter weekend.

If Ralph's offer still stands then it means I can get to meet a reasonably "local" rider since the MMR is now going to be AMR because of the crap weather we had last weekend!

Ace is happy really, you just need to meet him in person.

full of chuckles, that guy.

Originally Posted by Spank86

Ace is happy really, you just need to meet him in person.

full of chuckles, that guy.

I bet he is; I was just making a joke.

I'll be looking forward to meeting him soon.

[Tomor]

If you are a new rider, he will make sure you are as safe as a bunny and have a few chuckles along the way

Originally Posted by Tomor

If you are a new rider, he will make sure you are as safe as a bunny and have a few chuckles along the way

Just what a new rider needs and I happen to be one

Originally Posted by Sir Trev

Got to say that you really need to spend a little bit on a simple tool set. You'll find the under-seat roll is not really up to much and it will be more frustrating and restrictive in what you can do. Something like this will get you started and you can add to it as you pick up more skills.

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/s...egoryId_165572

Going for the Pro kit will last longer and cover a wider range of tasks if you can stretch to it.

You also want to buy a workshop manual too - very useful step-by-step for noobs. And we're all here to help if you're not sure as you've already seen. What a nice bunch we are!

Hey Sir Trev,

The tool-kit you recommended was out of stock at my local Halfords so had to settle for something else:

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/s...atalogId=10151

I took on a few tasks today and I feel quite good with myself.

I set out to do an oil and filter change for the very first time, and also decided to change the plugs too. I also wanted to check the air filter.

I spent some time reading through old posts to get an idea of what I was going to be up against; also had the Haynes manual........great tool for a n00b like me

A trip to Flitwick motorcycles and Halfords got me sorted with all I needed.
The tool-kit from Halfords proved very valuable; I used quite a few of the sockets..........the most useful being the spark plug socket because the one that came with my SV didn't fit!

Draining the oil was easy, however changing the spark plugs took such a long time because I had to remove the lower and upper fairings to get to the front plug........whoever designed the SV engine shot be shot!!

I've got large hands, so I couldn't get my hands behind the radiator after undoing the bottom nut and pushing it forward. In the end, I had to remove the radiator which meant that the coolant spilled out.........so I added "Replacing SV Coolant" to the list of things I did today.

Daylight ran out on me, so I had to pack it in as I couldn't see what I was doing any longer; hence I've got a few more tasks to finish after church tomorrow.

The oil-filter and plugs are in and I've put some oil, however I haven't turned the engine on yet because by the time I got the coolant in it was already too dark..........and I would hate to disturb my neighbours at night cos the pipe is a bit loud.

I plan to give the bike a good wash and some dose of WD-40 before putting the fairing back on............at this point, I'm actually wishing my bike was a naked one

I've also got 2 sets of indys to replace the tiny front and rear LED indys the previous owner fitted. Lastly, I've got a set of levers to replace the standard ones.

Hopefully, the bike would fire up tomorrow once everything is all in

I spent this afternoon finishing up from where I left off yesterday.
I'm happy to say after topping up the bike with engine oil and topping up the coolant, the bike fired up to life at the first crank!

The next job I had was to give the bike a good clean since all the fairing had been removed. I also gave the fairing and mirrors a good wash and gave the chain a good clean.

Fitting the fairing back was a bit harder than taking it off and I had to enlist the help of my 7 yr old princess because her tiny hands could reach behind to hold the nut for me.

Once everything was back in its right place, I took the bike for a quick 15 mile spin and then lubed the chain

I'm planning ride down to the Southend Shakedown tomorrow; hopefully I'll get to meet a few of you folks there!