Most satisfying thing to do with a bike (other than ride it)

Getting new bits then thinking ok how exactly does this fit?

[Sid Squid]

Originally Posted by northwind

So what's your favourite bit of messing about with bikes?

1) Carb/TB balancing, the last job of a service and the one that makes it all run nice

2) Previously worried but now pleased owners.[/i]

kick the ****ing thing over cos it wont start. again.

piece of ****.

[dirtydog]

Originally Posted by keithd

kick the f*cking thing over cos it wont start. again.

piece of sh*t.

woohoo, i'm not the only person that does that sort of thing

Originally Posted by BigApe

I think it's great to be able to stop and actually be able to help another stranded biker get back on the road when they were actually wondering what the hell they were going to do or what's wrong with the bike.

That's true. You've reminded me of a Sunday run a couple of years ago when I was out with a few guys from another forum. We decided to meet in Invermorriston, and head for Ullapool. 2 VFR's, a Fazer6, Bandit6, ZX6R and me on the SV.

We stopped at Achnasheen for fuel at the village shop. Now it's worth looking on the map to see just how remote this place is. 40 miles to Kyle or Inverness and 30 to Ullapool and nothing inbetween and it's Sunday. Nowhere else is open and the roads are quiet. We're about to head off when a Black SV can be heard. It's misfiring then lunging forwards. Oh dear.....

A guy gets off, very disgruntled but also seems extremely happy to see me and my SV. Have you got your toolkit? I'm missing an allen key for the tank. I've just come up from Morecambe, and for the last 20miles, on one cylinder with the other intermittent. We whip off the seat, tank and pull the rad forward and check his plugcap. It's ok though? Check the rear.... ah plug cap is resting, rattling on the plug. The plug needs checking but my plug spanner is broken so we start checking the other tool kits... did you know a fazer plug spanner is fine for the rear cylinder on an SV? RESULT!

That felt like proper teamwork, and great that we could help the poor fella otherwise it's a cold, cold place to spend the night huddled beside your bike.

[tinpants]

Originally Posted by haggis

That's true. You've reminded me of a Sunday run a couple of years ago when I was out with a few guys from another forum. We decided to meet in Invermorriston, and head for Ullapool. 2 VFR's, a Fazer6, Bandit6, ZX6R and me on the SV.

We stopped at Achnasheen for fuel at the village shop. Now it's worth looking on the map to see just how remote this place is. 40 miles to Kyle or Inverness and 30 to Ullapool and nothing inbetween and it's Sunday. Nowhere else is open and the roads are quiet. We're about to head off when a Black SV can be heard. It's misfiring then lunging forwards. Oh dear.....

A guy gets off, very disgruntled but also seems extremely happy to see me and my SV. Have you got your toolkit? I'm missing an allen key for the tank. I've just come up from Morecambe, and for the last 20miles, on one cylinder with the other intermittent. We whip off the seat, tank and pull the rad forward and check his plugcap. It's ok though? Check the rear.... ah plug cap is resting, rattling on the plug. The plug needs checking but my plug spanner is broken so we start checking the other tool kits... did you know a fazer plug spanner is fine for the rear cylinder on an SV? RESULT!

That felt like proper teamwork, and great that we could help the poor fella otherwise it's a cold, cold place to spend the night huddled beside your bike.

Brilliant! The spirit of biking is alive and well and currently on the Scottish leg of its World Tour.

Don't often see that with car drivers.

Sorry! My point is that that is quite often the best part about biking. Helping your fellow bikers.

[fizzwheel]

Cleaning it, I like cleaning my bike, I like the satisfaction from having a minging dirty bike and then cleaning it and polishing it and then thinking

"man that looks soooo much nicer"

[Balky001]

I don't mind doing some work on the bike but I really only enjoy the ride. But the biggest pleasure I get when not riding it is the oil change and generallly lubeing the bike - it always makes it feel like new.

Polishing.

I love polishing my car and bike, taking the polish off and seeing a completly smear clear paintwork.

Then go over the exhausts and frame in metal polish
Then clean over the wheels etc.

I like my bike looking spotless, however, using it every day as a commuter really doesn't help, especially at this time of year.

When the weather perks up though, i'll be out cleaning it properly.

Due to my car passion, i've got more polishes, t-cuts, good soft rags etc in a hugeeeee box that goes to all car shows with me, so i've had plenty of practice

I like to hug my bike....