Do you work on your own bike?
- Thread starter James
- Start date
I do what I can. If it is only wrenching then I do it. I have machine work done for me. I don't have the tools to bore a cylinder, but I do hone. In fact I'll be honing my XR600 cylinder tonight. I had a new rod installed on my crankshaft because I don't have a large enough press to get that job done. Anything else and I do it.
The question should have the word "bikes" instead of "bike."
A lot of it has to do with time and knowledge. I mostly like wrenching. Many do not. Some are afraid that they will screw something up. Some lead such hectic lives that they just don't have the time to mess with it. One reason for me is that I have had mechanics literally try and kill me. For example I once had a wheel fall off on the freeway because the tire shop forgot to properly torque the lug nuts. There have been several other examples. At least if I pull a bonehead move I only have myself to blame.
The question should have the word "bikes" instead of "bike."
A lot of it has to do with time and knowledge. I mostly like wrenching. Many do not. Some are afraid that they will screw something up. Some lead such hectic lives that they just don't have the time to mess with it. One reason for me is that I have had mechanics literally try and kill me. For example I once had a wheel fall off on the freeway because the tire shop forgot to properly torque the lug nuts. There have been several other examples. At least if I pull a bonehead move I only have myself to blame.
I do practically everything and always have. Actually the Husky hasn't needed anything but normal maintenance although I have done a fair amount of custom fabrication for it.
Are Husky's considered reliable? I have no experience with them.
I bought my 94 TE610 a few years ago...it haddn't been ridden for a year or so...started (left side
) 1st kick. Usually starts within 3 unless I forget to "turn it on"! Whne we went out Mem weekend it started on the 2nd kick. Except for the leaks, which may be a result of my overfilling the case is the only problem I have with it...oh, and the forks (must have been tied down to tight without a fork saver.............
)
I'm the last person on earth that would in fact trust anybody to do anything to my bike, other than valves and cylinder head, which will be sent out to Paul at ASRacing when the time comes. If you can read directions (shop manual), have the proper tools, and patience and time, anybody can do basically anything to their own bike, and know it's done right with no question. I feel sorry for people that feel they need to take thier bike to the dealer, the worst place on earth to have anything done.
All of the basic stuff, and some more in depth stuff... I know people that pay to have their tires swapped. I can replace a tire in less time than I can load up my bike and drive to the shop... and the more often you do it, the less hassle it is, AND the better you get at it (for trail-side expertise)
I wish I had the time to learn how to do everything, and the confidence to do everything. I "could" do fork seals, but the initial investment of tools (I have 3 different sizes of forks) seems a bit much (as an example)
I wish I had the time to learn how to do everything, and the confidence to do everything. I "could" do fork seals, but the initial investment of tools (I have 3 different sizes of forks) seems a bit much (as an example)
