Author Topic: Doin' It Fer Muhself! (Read 4134 times)

Sven · « **on:** April 22, 2007, 08:45:34 PM »

At the risk of losing my milk-fed veal reputation, I managed to change my own spark plugs and air filter today.

A couple years ago, I attempted to replace the air filter, and found that I couldn't get the various hoses loose from the bottom of the tank. So I ended up having the shop do it for me a couple times.

This year I figured everything should be looser, so I got my buddy to come by and help hold the tank while I disconnected everything, and with the OEM service manual, replaced the plugs and air filter myself. Now that I've done it, I think it would have been possible to do the plugs without removing the tank, and the air filter by only raising the tank out of the way.

I also finally got the rear suspension adjusted a notch firmer, which we'd never been able to get to budge before.

I really get a sense of accomplishment out of doing these things myself, and appreciate being able to avoid the cost and inconvenience of having the shop do it.

So now I've done my own oil and filter changes, clutch and brake fluid changes, brake pad replacements, and now spark plug and air filter. I'm not too excited about anything that takes more specialized equipment (like mounting my own tires or tackling something like fork oil or carb sync/adust), but doing routine stuff for myself feels great!

Red01 · « **Reply #1 on:** April 22, 2007, 10:29:14 PM »

You're now as good as ~50% of the dealer mechanics around.

PaulVS · « **Reply #2 on:** April 22, 2007, 11:11:54 PM »

Next thing you'll be trying to get us to believe you pump your own gasoline.

Sven · « **Reply #3 on:** April 22, 2007, 11:30:43 PM »

Quote from: "PaulVS"

Next thing you'll be trying to get us to believe you pump your own gasoline.

Oh no, I have helper monkeys to do that!

http://www.helpinghandsmonkeys.org

Sven · « **Reply #4 on:** April 22, 2007, 11:35:19 PM »

I never did ANYTHING automotive until I I got el bandido. My Dad made me watch/help him do stuff on his cars abckin the days when you COULD do stuff on cars without propietary software and diagnostics...before the era of "replace the chip and toss the malfunctioning part". He had his own garage from before puberty, so naturally, I wanted NOTHING to do with anything automotive...I much prefer e-life. (Strangely, I am really good at HOME repairs, while my Dad can't plump to save his soul.)

When I got my CRV a few years ago, I vowed to quit running my vehicles into the ground, and with the Bandit, the cost and inconvenience of "having it done" made me slowly but surely start doing my own routine stuff. I still follow my own process...move slowly and look at the bookd 14 times before touching anything, but I really enjoy the sense of DIY!

CWO4GUNNER · « **Reply #5 on:** April 23, 2007, 12:38:05 AM »

Sven · « **Reply #6 on:** April 23, 2007, 08:50:20 AM »

Quote from: "CWO4GUNNER"

...he decided to use an air impact wrench to install his spark plugs

Like I sai, I move slow and consult multiple books when it comes to automotive stuff. Some things you havea feel for, some things are like work.

pmackie · « **Reply #7 on:** April 24, 2007, 01:20:17 AM »

Ahh Sven...with the level of experience your getting, your just about ready (and your bike is too

) to change fork oil.

Just make sure you have the correct size wrenches, a way to block up the front and a bunch of your patience. You can likely check and replace your brake pads while your at it.

Sven · « **Reply #8 on:** April 24, 2007, 09:40:11 AM »

Quote from: "pmackie"

...your just about ready (and your bike is too) to change fork oil.

My "forks" are fine, I just checked this this morning. Dunno about el bandido's forks, though...

pmackie · « **Reply #9 on:** April 25, 2007, 03:50:35 PM »

Only a suggestion...fork oil should be changed every 2-3 years to keep things clean and working.(just like brake fluid). Not really a hard job, and a good time to have a serious look at the brakes as well. (though I see you said you already changed pads.)

Sven · « **Reply #10 on:** April 25, 2007, 09:06:05 PM »

Quote from: "pmackie"

Ahh Sven...with the level of experience your getting, your just about ready (and your bike is too ) to change fork oil.

Just make sure you have the correct size wrenches, a way to block up the front and a bunch of your patience. You can likely check and replace your brake pads while your at it.

The process looks laborius but doabl, other than figuring out how to hold the bike up while the front wheel is missing.

The OEM schedule is "inspect" every year or 7.5K miles, and describes a visual inspection of what I can see without taking anything apart. I've done that. The rest will have to wait for a more ambitious time.

dgc · « **Reply #11 on:** May 09, 2007, 11:08:02 PM »

i think the key is not to get discouraged and stay calm. years back my firend used to work in a bike shop and me being a general motorcycle enthusiast used to hang there after school (freshman or sop college), just trying to soak it all in. at the time (well, that hasnt improved much) i didnt have whole lotta dollo so the owner would cut me a breake or just let me do my own litle maintanance.
first time i decided to change my own oil i managed while talking to my buddy to strip the oil pan threads. oh, i really shouldnt be even reminding myself of that.

well, with the bike on the lift, and me standing above it, and couple of people talking to me, i just went the wrong way. i just thought the bolt was really tight (like the one on my terrible pontiac 6000), so i laid into it...and made myself look reaaly sharp.

some just take little longer, but nothing beats that nice sense of accomplishment.

ps now i change my own oil all the time

Author Topic: Doin' It Fer Muhself! (Read 4134 times)

dgc