(04-11-05) Do you wrench your own bike? - Page 2 - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

**Freakinout** · 04-13-2005, 08:53 PM

I will attempt anything, but that doesn't mean I'm always successful. That usually means i just do it again till I get it right.

sunny · 04-14-2005, 10:58 AM

i do everything.
i haven't yet needed to rebuild the engine, but when the time comes i will do that myself. i just don't trust anyone.

EastCoastMotion · 04-14-2005, 11:13 AM

I do everything that i possibly can bymyself.....but im not anal about not getting help or letting someone help me fix it.......just want it to be fixed so i can ride again

jaydog19833 · 04-22-2005, 09:12 PM

I do almost everything and what I don't do I don't know how to. What I don't know how to I plan to learn as soon as possible but my bike's so new that I won't need to do half the stuff for a while. (I realize you may need to re-read the first sentence a couple times).

Dave2122 · 04-22-2005, 11:14 PM

Half the fun of motorcycling for me is working on them!

Bluejeans · 04-23-2005, 12:02 AM

I want to do more than I do, but frankly, I'm just very mechanically challenged. I did change my oil last weekend. It's the first time I've done it myself and I was quite proud of myself.

I wanted to adjust my belt (due to an annoying belt squeak), but I chickened out and let my buddies down at the Powersports shop do it for me. They are VERY reasonable, don't mind if I watch closely (as long as I don't try to help or offer advice) and are good about telling me everything they do.

They spent nearly an hour adjusting my belt and both front and rear pulleys and charged me $15. I rode away happy.

Gixxerdale · 04-23-2005, 12:06 AM

Start with the simple stuff like the oil change that you did. Then maybe the air filter or spark plugs. Pretty soon you'll be digging deeper and doing more. It gets addicting, just like riding.

stevie c · 04-23-2005, 08:47 AM

I voted oil change and lube, but I am like Inspiron, I will do work that is on the cosmetic side, but any internal mechanics (dirty stuff!) and I let the shop do it.

Dwayne Hicks · 04-23-2005, 03:19 PM

I'd love to - will save me money in the long run, but I cannot find a manual, and I would not know where to begin.

simplegame · 04-24-2005, 02:09 PM

All I need is a copy of the shop manual for the specifications and I will do it all. I had a mechanic work on my bikes twice and I didn't fall for that again. And these were factory mechanics! I decided if I wanted it done correctly I would do it myself. And I have a degree in auto mechanics and lots of tools!

leansipper · 06-18-2005, 03:02 AM

just lubes and oil. i have to take tha bike in to my guy for major work.

Zoe Dotes · 06-18-2005, 08:18 PM

I come from a long line of people who were very talented with their hands. My Grandfather was a cabinet maker. My Father was a machinist. My Brother got all those genes. I have the kiss of death when it comes to fixing mechanical things. So, I even had the dealer install all the accessories. Sad, but I can’t afford to mess things up!

Mavman · 11-10-2005, 10:44 PM

Voted oil change, don't have chain, but have changed final gear oil......done some mods by myself and a couple with the help of fellow forum members from this forum and hope to pick up on some tips to do LOTS more.

GSX1100FL · 11-11-2005, 03:56 AM

I wrench on my bike but if it gets to the internal engine I leave that to someone who is more than happy to help relieve my wallet of the all mighty dollar.

bakdoor · 11-15-2005, 06:34 PM

I'm voting "no" on this one. Not that I'm afraid of wrenching...hell, I'll drop the tranny out of my Jeep, replace u-joints, axleshafts, tear the entire front end apart, but I have no desire to work on the M. I did put my gel seat on, but the way I look at it, if I'm wrenching on the Jeep and the wrench slips off, I bang my knuckles and the transmission or something. But if I'm wrenching on the bike and the same thing happens, I'm either scratching paint, chrome, or denting something. No thanks!

Uechi Kid · 11-28-2005, 01:24 PM

I do as little wrenching on any of my vehicles these days. I just don’t like it. Never have. And I can now afford to have someone else do it.

CManT1914 · 11-28-2005, 10:37 PM

I do everything myself. I haven't had to do anything to the bike except oil and chain lube and air filter. But I'm about to have to do a starter switch. On the mustang, the only thing I haven't done is the gears (way to complicated), subframe connectors and mufflers since I can't weld. But all the engine work (heads, cam, intake, bolt-ons), including exhaust work, all the suspension, everything else has been done by me.

Carlitos · 11-29-2005, 04:24 PM

My M50's still too young for any major stuff, but beyond the initial 600-mile dealer re-inspection it's all me.

schlutzer · 05-16-2007, 01:13 AM

I voted "no one touches my baby" because I like to learn how everything works myself...I dont mind getting help from others but I do the work myself if i can.

everything ive had somebody else do the bike, has had some kind of a problem even the people at the LBS...there has been a problem with crossed threads or quick patch ups(like a gob of silcon so i wouldn't know my drainplug is mangled till i do the next oil change when they arent around...

I mean my damn shop teacher stripped 4 screws on the clutch case before saying "you know, i think these are too tight, I need the impact screw remover" I get nervous when somebody else has a tool around my bike.

alot of people dont get it....BE GENTLE SHE'S OLD, nearly twice my age haha

GregR1 · 05-16-2007, 01:17 AM

i do everything on my car and my bike, except special machining stuff (boring or decking a block) or balancing the engine guts. sometimes i even make my own special tools to get a job done, or fab up a custom piece of linkage or whatnot.

the only time a mechanic sees the car is to run an emissions test or do a safety (legal requirements).

View Poll Results: Do you wrench your own bike
Yes, but only for oil changes and chain lube	52	24.53%
Yes, everything but engine rebuild	89	41.98%
Yes, no one touches my baby	46	21.70%
No, only mechanics work on my bike	23	10.85%
What's wrenching?	2	0.94%
Voters: 212. You may not vote on this poll

04-13-2005, 08:53 PM	#21 (permalink)
Freakinout Tire Eating Moderator Join Date: Jul 2004 Bike: 2001 Suzuki TL1000S Location: Texas Posts: 2,617	I will attempt anything, but that doesn't mean I'm always successful. That usually means i just do it again till I get it right. __________________ Freakinout

04-14-2005, 10:58 AM	#22 (permalink)
sunny Leaned over, knee down Join Date: Nov 2004 Bike: '97 suzuki savage, '90 honda shadow, '75 kh400, and a broom Location: fort worthless Posts: 4,678	i do everything. i haven't yet needed to rebuild the engine, but when the time comes i will do that myself. i just don't trust anyone. __________________ "blah blah blah, the world revolves around me, blah blah blah, your perception of events can't possibly be valid, blah blah blah, i wasn't there but i know everything about everything, blah blah blah." - 95% of the male population. you WISH this post was brought to you by rum.

04-14-2005, 11:13 AM	#23 (permalink)
EastCoastMotion Seat Tester Join Date: Mar 2005 Bike: 2002 RM250 Location: Bordentown NJ Posts: 95	I do everything that i possibly can bymyself.....but im not anal about not getting help or letting someone help me fix it.......just want it to be fixed so i can ride again __________________ "Pain is Temporary, Pride is Forever" NUCC '07

04-22-2005, 09:12 PM	#24 (permalink)
jaydog19833 U.B's LoveChild Join Date: Jun 2004 Bike: 04 GSXR 600 Location: Lake George, NY Posts: 1,288	I do almost everything and what I don't do I don't know how to. What I don't know how to I plan to learn as soon as possible but my bike's so new that I won't need to do half the stuff for a while. (I realize you may need to re-read the first sentence a couple times). __________________ Anyone can fire a bullet. Only the good ones can steer one. Bend your elbow, move your arse, and stick the knee out.

04-22-2005, 11:14 PM	#25 (permalink)
Dave2122 Sprocket Pilot Join Date: Sep 2004 Bike: Which one of the 9? Location: USA Posts: 887	Half the fun of motorcycling for me is working on them!

04-23-2005, 12:02 AM	#26 (permalink)
Bluejeans Clunked into first gear Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Maine Posts: 226	I want to do more than I do, but frankly, I'm just very mechanically challenged. I did change my oil last weekend. It's the first time I've done it myself and I was quite proud of myself. I wanted to adjust my belt (due to an annoying belt squeak), but I chickened out and let my buddies down at the Powersports shop do it for me. They are VERY reasonable, don't mind if I watch closely (as long as I don't try to help or offer advice) and are good about telling me everything they do. They spent nearly an hour adjusting my belt and both front and rear pulleys and charged me $15. I rode away happy. __________________ There are 10 kinds of people...those who know binary and those who don't ------- 1995 Intruder VS800 - Black w/blue metallic flake 2003 Savage - Teal Green

04-23-2005, 12:06 AM	#27 (permalink)
Gixxerdale Forensic Bug Splatter Analyst. Join Date: Mar 2004 Bike: 02 GSXR 1k Location: The warm and twisty roads of SoCal Posts: 3,027	Start with the simple stuff like the oil change that you did. Then maybe the air filter or spark plugs. Pretty soon you'll be digging deeper and doing more. It gets addicting, just like riding. __________________ Proud Father of a U S Army Soldier... The key to life is to die young...at a very old age... Ride like you own the road...and...someday the road will own you.. My Favorite Ride? Tomorrows!

04-23-2005, 08:47 AM	#28 (permalink)
stevie c Sit speling cheker Join Date: Mar 2004 Bike: GSX-R 600 K1 Location: Northants,UK Posts: 1,631	I voted oil change and lube, but I am like Inspiron, I will do work that is on the cosmetic side, but any internal mechanics (dirty stuff!) and I let the shop do it. __________________ Stevie C '02 Gixer 600 K1,Yellow and Black (fastest colour!), always beats red ones!! Why put off until tomorrow what you can get someone else to do for you today.

04-23-2005, 03:19 PM	#29 (permalink)
Dwayne Hicks Sprocket Pilot Join Date: Sep 2003 Bike: 2003 Honda CGL 125 Location: South Africa Posts: 857	I'd love to - will save me money in the long run, but I cannot find a manual, and I would not know where to begin. __________________ I live in my own little world. But it's OK. They know me here. Its 106 miles to Chicago. We have a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, its dark and we're wearing sunglasses. Hey, psycho, we're not getting back together. Now get out of my Van Halen t-shirt before you jinx the band and they break up.

04-24-2005, 02:09 PM	#30 (permalink)
simplegame In Training Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 137	Shop Manual All I need is a copy of the shop manual for the specifications and I will do it all. I had a mechanic work on my bikes twice and I didn't fall for that again. And these were factory mechanics! I decided if I wanted it done correctly I would do it myself. And I have a degree in auto mechanics and lots of tools! __________________

06-18-2005, 03:02 AM	#31 (permalink)
leansipper Newbie Join Date: Jun 2005 Bike: 02' KAT 750 Location: PHX Posts: 23	just lubes and oil. i have to take tha bike in to my guy for major work. __________________ i luv traffic...makes u feel like u ridin' that much faster

06-18-2005, 08:18 PM	#32 (permalink)
Zoe Dotes In Training Join Date: Mar 2005 Bike: '05 C50 Limited - traded in for '07 C90T Location: Rome, NY Posts: 136	I come from a long line of people who were very talented with their hands. My Grandfather was a cabinet maker. My Father was a machinist. My Brother got all those genes. I have the kiss of death when it comes to fixing mechanical things. So, I even had the dealer install all the accessories. Sad, but I can’t afford to mess things up! __________________ When all else fails, read the Manufacturer's Handbook!

11-11-2005, 03:56 AM	#34 (permalink)
GSX1100FL Puddle Runner Join Date: Oct 2004 Bike: GSX1100FL Location: Missouri Posts: 381	I wrench on my bike but if it gets to the internal engine I leave that to someone who is more than happy to help relieve my wallet of the all mighty dollar.

11-15-2005, 06:34 PM	#35 (permalink)
bakdoor Seat Tester Join Date: Oct 2005 Bike: 2005 Boulevard M50 Location: Bear Creek, PA Posts: 69	I'm voting "no" on this one. Not that I'm afraid of wrenching...hell, I'll drop the tranny out of my Jeep, replace u-joints, axleshafts, tear the entire front end apart, but I have no desire to work on the M. I did put my gel seat on, but the way I look at it, if I'm wrenching on the Jeep and the wrench slips off, I bang my knuckles and the transmission or something. But if I'm wrenching on the bike and the same thing happens, I'm either scratching paint, chrome, or denting something. No thanks!

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11-28-2005, 01:24 PM	#36 (permalink)
Uechi Kid Fourth gear and illegal Join Date: Sep 2005 Bike: 04 M95, Yamaha VStar 650 Location: Antioch, Ca. Posts: 749	I do as little wrenching on any of my vehicles these days. I just don’t like it. Never have. And I can now afford to have someone else do it.

11-28-2005, 10:37 PM	#37 (permalink)
CManT1914 Fourth gear and illegal Join Date: Aug 2005 Bike: 2003 Suzuki GSX-R600 Location: Killeen, Texas Posts: 745	I do everything myself. I haven't had to do anything to the bike except oil and chain lube and air filter. But I'm about to have to do a starter switch. On the mustang, the only thing I haven't done is the gears (way to complicated), subframe connectors and mufflers since I can't weld. But all the engine work (heads, cam, intake, bolt-ons), including exhaust work, all the suspension, everything else has been done by me. __________________ Chris 2003 Suzuki GSX-R600 \| 2001 Suzuki GZ250 SOLD \| 1994 Ford Mustang GT SOLD

11-29-2005, 04:24 PM	#38 (permalink)
Carlitos Seat Tester Join Date: Nov 2005 Bike: '05 M50 Black Location: Emmaus, PA Posts: 65	My M50's still too young for any major stuff, but beyond the initial 600-mile dealer re-inspection it's all me.

05-16-2007, 01:13 AM	#39 (permalink)
schlutzer Where Am I ? Join Date: Jan 2007 Bike: '79 GS 425 to learn on Location: Stratford, ON Posts: 37	I voted "no one touches my baby" because I like to learn how everything works myself...I dont mind getting help from others but I do the work myself if i can. everything ive had somebody else do the bike, has had some kind of a problem even the people at the LBS...there has been a problem with crossed threads or quick patch ups(like a gob of silcon so i wouldn't know my drainplug is mangled till i do the next oil change when they arent around... I mean my damn shop teacher stripped 4 screws on the clutch case before saying "you know, i think these are too tight, I need the impact screw remover" I get nervous when somebody else has a tool around my bike. alot of people dont get it....BE GENTLE SHE'S OLD, nearly twice my age haha __________________ Somthing my dad's told me many times.. "There are two types of riders...The ones that have gone down, and the ones that are going to go down"

05-16-2007, 01:17 AM	#40 (permalink)
GregR1 ... Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 2,308	i do everything on my car and my bike, except special machining stuff (boring or decking a block) or balancing the engine guts. sometimes i even make my own special tools to get a job done, or fab up a custom piece of linkage or whatnot. the only time a mechanic sees the car is to run an emissions test or do a safety (legal requirements).