MT Riders Club

After the failure of my bike to get home (under it's own power, saying that it's still 9 days until the truck brings her home) from my adenture in the sahara I have decided that I really need to get to know her intimately.

Her Tax, MOT and Insurance are all due next month so it seems the perfect time to SORN her and give her a proper once over.

As many of you will know I am the worlds worst mechanic and generally need help with every thing.

My first question I am I likely to be successful or will I need to end up giving it to my local bike mechanic?

Second what specialist tools will i need?

Thanks for all advice??

Yeah i would say you can ,... i know everyone says this but print off all the manuels ??? thea are life savers

Its not difficult if you take your time and work methodically.

Take a look at my latest project, basically scrap to factory new.

http://gallery.me.com/stevecopeland#100489" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I am no great mechanic but i managed an engine removal top end rebuild and refit to running stage in a weekend. I do have air tools for those stubborn nuts like clutch centre,crankshaft pulley,spragg gear etc but they are not essential. Work methodically from the manuals,take your time and drink plenty of tea. After my bikes teething troubles when i first bought it there was a lack of confidence in the bike until i virtually stripped and rebuilt everything myself. You should be fine and there is always help in abundance on this forum
Steve.

I'm rubbish as well mate, I'm a complete numpty when it comes to servicing/repair/maintenance.

But I reckon with the help of the manuals and the forum I could do it. And I plan to do just that once I get myself a garage/workshop. You seem a smart bloke so I think you'd be ok too.

So long as you can read you can learn to do almost anything.

You were not born with any knowledge, you went to school etc and learnt the 3 Rs.

For an MT you don't need much in the way of tools, you don't need Snap On quality, just cheap spanners etc will do for a start.

Start with the simple tasks, build up your confidence and before you know it the jobs done. Don't waste your hard earned money paying someone to do what you can do.
Use this forum, ask if you don't know how to do something, there is a vast pool of knowledge amongst the members.

I bet after your recent experience you already know a bit more about Rotax clutches.

All the best

Dave

If Franc can do it, anyone can do it.

I followed your adventures in Morrocco , admiration for going Im not that brave to venture into africa , a shame it all went pear shaped, glad you got back ok and bike on its way.

I am not a great mechanic,I fly a desk for a living , but Ive learned a few things:, the important thing is to read the manuals in detail, know exactly how to do the job , ask questions , and get a decent collection of tools (boot sales are a great cheap source). If the socket , spanner , screwdriver etc is not quite the right size thats when it gets frustrating and things dont come apart. dont need top quality tools, just a good selection and the right sizes.
Take your time, if things need undoing that are tight, a blast of WD40 or penetrating oil a day or two before can work wonders.
start with simpler jobs to gain confidence.
If you get stuck and frustrated , leave it and wait til another day , think about it and ask (before reaching for the hammer!). The solution usually presents itself the next day. Mates are usually happy to help out with advice , lend tools , extra pair of hands etc .
Observe very closely how things fit together and come apart, take photos,write things down , put the bits in labeled bags so it can all go back in the right order .

butchery tools like hammers, molegrips , impact drivers etc should be used sparingly and preferably not at all as that can inflict serious damage

This forum has been fantastic for the MT for me, amount of advice, tips etc picked up has been invaluable. MTs are pretty good to work on , the components are quite tough and forgiving and mostly easy to get at .

(I am actually in the middle of an engine rebuild on my 2nd bike (a 250cc BSA), which is likely to take months but is progressing steadily and is a big learning curve for me, I cant afford to pay to get it done, bike wont run as the engine is knackered , so really had no choice but to have a go , armed with a Haynes manual . I now have an engine in about 100 pieces , can now see what is wrong with it,shopping on E**y for bits, but I am fairly confident it will work again ).

anyway, hope my ramblings have been of some use,
cheers and good luck.