Self service on simple parts.

[Masda74]

Just wondering if there are people out there that do their own service, like change brake pad and brake fluid. Or even does their own chain adjusting. Change the oil and oil filter. Pretty much i want to start doing these simple things and save myself some money. I have access to the necessary tools if i don't have them.
Are there any online manuals for bikes that we can get for free from some website. or are there any sites that would show how it is done?
Well maybe i should ask is there anyone willing to show how it is done?

[Gordo]

Hi Masda74,

I tend to do all my own maintenace on both my bike and my sons.

I am quite mechanicaly minded though so I doesn't worry me taking on major jobs,

I recently had to rebuild the front end of my sons bike after he bent it, I shudder to think how much this would have cost if I had to pay a shop to do it.....

Online manuals mmmm, dunno I guess just do some searching on the net, but If you can get your hands on a Haynes manual for your bike grab it because some settings and tolerances you don't wanna guess !!!

[Rob]

No problems with DIY fluid and filter changes, Pads, and chain adjustments etc. Fu&k paying someone else to do all that simple stuff.
My wife does all her basic maintenance on her fireblade, and it only took a bit of easy learning, if your keen to learn. There is no stopping her now, and she has had the carby's in bits etc. I do all my own, but I only do it for a hobby, not full time. I find it quite therapeutic. Motorcycles are fascinating pieces of engineering, and its good to know a bit about what makes that missile your riding work.

A bit of a different story with the more technimickle stuff. Mobile mechanic type guys like Gavin, Mark DeHaas, or other guys up north here Derek Ball, and Russell Speak are well worth getting to know. Dunno how it affects your warranty though in some cases.

There is a good article here about being a mechanic, thats well worth a read. Shows how mechanics see people.
http://www.dansmc.com/yourshop.htm

And the rest of Dans stuff is here that shows some basics.
http://www.dansmc.com/MC_repaircourse.htm

Get those hands dirty eh :!:

[Masda74]

Robbie
Thanks for that. i'll be doing some reading for the next few days.
As for the warranty. umm well.... what is that again??
I would like to become more technical minded so that when the warranty no longer is there i can do these things without having to worry about paying someone else for it.
Great links dude.

[stinker]

Every bike/car i've owved i've always done my own maintainance.

Go to pitstop bookshops web page and order the Haynes workshop manual for your bike. there $54.95 + $4.50 delivery to your door and worth every cent. Basically for my self i can do without it for simple stuff, but i've found its saved me quite a lot of time stuffing round with even simple jobs.

A good investment if u ask me + its extra knowledge on that amchine your riding. If you change your own oil/filter/plugs/air filter/brake pads it would have paid itself off.

Robbie: you know a Michael Eamer, correct?

[Rob]

Thats a good point about getting the manual too. There is heaps of handy info in them. Also fireblades are pretty well represented with technical info on the net, but you have probably seen these 2 :

http://www.cbrworld.net/global/cbrworld.asp
http://www.fireblades.org/

Both have forums with technical sections.

Yep I know Michael. Last time I saw him was at Wanneroo in December, and he had a sling supporting a bad shoulder.

[ausgixxerpilot]

I do it all myself except for dyno work and painting.
I have the factory workshop manual for the 954 on CD and a hard copy of the 929. The Haynes manual has finally been available for a couple of weeks and covers the 929 and 954.
Parts fiches are not too hard to find online but Honda seems to be the rarest. They most useful for ensuring you aren't missing any bits and show how all the pieces go back together :-)

[Masda74]

Thats a good point about getting the manual too. There is heaps of handy info in them. Also fireblades are pretty well represented with technical info on the net, but you have probably seen these 2 :

http://www.cbrworld.net/global/cbrworld.asp
http://www.fireblades.org/

Both have forums with technical sections.

Yep I know Michael. Last time I saw him was at Wanneroo in December, and he had a sling supporting a bad shoulder.

Thanks for that. i was not aware of those sites. will book mark em. some more reading to do. lolololol

[Luke]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAP...item=2460311216

ive got one of these on CD for my 636. i was lucky enough to find it for free someone has sat there and scanned in 514 pages from the kawasaki workshop manual.

if this is like mine it would be good value for 10 bucks

[TRX]

i do a bit but one thing i am worried about is o-rings and stuff. In the Haynes Manual it states that you need new o-ring on the sump drain botl etc, but i have no idea where to get new o-rings so i just re-use them.

anyone (madmax) know where to get o-ring,s or should i pop down to the local yammy dealer?

[ausgixxerpilot]

i was lucky enough to find it for free someone has sat there and scanned in 514 pages from the kawasaki workshop manual.

I think the factory makes them in PDF form for the dealers.

[ausgixxerpilot]

anyone (madmax) know where to get o-ring,s or should i pop down to the local yammy dealer?

Coventry's, any auto spares shop, most bike dealers (but probably $5-00 each!), Metric Men in Ossie Park are good.
Sump plugs and such should have crush washers which you can also get.

[DRKSIDE]

Ummm, yeah: go the home service jobs but if your going to bleed your brakes (and dont know how to)...go see a proper mechanic who will teach you how. I recently tried to bleed my brakes after shipping my bike to Canberra. After 2 hours of f**king around...I had a to take it to a qualified mechanic to get the wrk done ...long story...

[zipdrive]

I'm in IT business and we refuse to read manuals!!
I've recently rebuilt my r1 for the track.. didn't have to flick a single page of any manual.. i trust my she'll be alright torque wrench and locktite.

[Flakey]

I'm in IT business and we refuse to read manuals!!
I've recently rebuilt my r1 for the track..  didn't have to flick a single page of any manual.. i trust my she'll be alright torque wrench and locktite.

I'm in the IT area too... Manuals are for when ya really get stuck!

Me and a mate rebuilt a 94 YZF600R with only the torque values for the head... full top end rebuild inc hone, rings, pistons etc... Just got a shop to reseat and replace valves and seals.

Started first go... 8)