Just an idea...

[chromium05]

I was just reading a US based bikers forum looking for a bit of tech info and saw something that grabbed my attention.

Basically, some of the guys on there organised meetings where they went with thier bikes and did maintenance jobs on thier own bikes under the watchful eye of experienced bike mechanics.

I know there's a few people on here with a lot of bike mechanic know-how, and plenty more of us with next to none.

I thought it might be cool to do something along similar lines.

Obviously, a meeting place is needed (white hart the natural choice but I can appreciate that Kev might not want a bunch of filthy bikers littering his car park with oily debris). Also needed are people with the know how and time to spare to show us the ropes (Lateshift?)

If those attending forked out £20 or so each(to split between those doing the overseeing) for a few hours "tutoring" and the priviledge of a bit of knowledge - I reckon it'd be beneficial all round.

Anyone?

[Lateshift]

Whilst i find it flattering that i am included in this apparent pool of talent, i have to admit that i left the spanners behind years and years ago because i got fed up of getting dirty hands, i do the odd bits and pieces now and again and will do the odd favour (even help out with what i know) but i leave things like this now to those that look after my bikes, basic maintenance is one thing, basic fault finding another but actually doing the nitty gritty i am far too lazy (and too busy now i am finally back at work) so i end up paying someone (unless i force myself into doing it :D ).

I couldnt commit to anything at the moment as i am concentrating on getting back into the swing of things at work, but i am sure there are plenty of others with more than enough credentials on their CV's to make this happen, i can think of at least 4 people on here straight away ;)

In principal its not a bad idea but even if i was involved in this i certainly wouldnt be taking money from anyone for it, you do it because its all about biking spirit, helping your mates and all that :)

and getting someone else to scrape their knuckles instead of your own ;) :D

[chromium05]

^ I mentioned your name as you are the first person that everyone on here turns to for help and it is always valued.

With regards to a payment for the afternoons, I know some guys on here are mechanics and a few have thier own workshops. This sort of thing is thier line of business. I wouldn't expect to walk into thier workshops and get my carbs balanced etc for nothing, and I, for one, would gladly pay to be shown how to do stuff like this.

I don't know anywhere that I could go for mechanics courses for bikes.

If any mechanics fancy doing the "teaching", I'm sure there's a fair few of us would be very interested.

[Perilous]

Whilst i find it flattering that i am included in this apparent pool of talent, i have to admit that i left the spanners behind years and years ago because i got fed up of getting dirty hands,

Didn't think mechanics got their hands dirty anymore. They all wear those latex dentist gloves these day don't they.:grin2

[STEALTH52]

I don't know anywhere that I could go for mechanics courses for bikes.


thats a point, where do they do bike mechanics courses? i fancy doing that

[Lateshift]

Didn't think mechanics got their hands dirty anymore. They all wear those latex dentist gloves these day don't they.:grin2

they are for the people with the rubber fetish! :D

can't beat pit gloves :D

(thats if i am not feeling too idle to put a pair on :D )

[harriebird]

Didn't think mechanics got their hands dirty anymore. They all wear those latex dentist gloves these day don't they.:grin2

i favour marigolds, just coz i dont like getting cold hands in the winter :grin2

[richy rich]

you can do motocycle maintainence courses at colleges.... i no you can do it at my college..(bit far away from all you though)

[sluff]

Well going back to the original idea for a moment,,, I’d certainly be up for it,,, I’m the first to admit to being a bit of a clot with these sort of things,,, I can make it move,,, just can’t make it work!!!

[kasandrich]

Right, I am no expert but I am quite competent, I wouldn't dream of taking a single penny off of anyone, how many are interested in this, and want to learn basics?

If the number of people are manageable I will offer my services to teach basics at my house, in my garden shed.


Rules are:

No freebies, .......don't come to me because you want something done for nothing, only come to learn, I don't intend to get my hands dirty, (but I am sure I will ;) ) I intend to tell you how to get your hands dirty.

Bring a Haynes manual for your bike with you.

Items I think we could cover:

Routine checks:
Tyre pressures if you want to go that basic.
Chain tensioning, cleaning and lubricating, and wheel alignment.
Oil level checks.
Clutch cable adjustment.

Standard service items:
Oil & Oil filter changes
Airfilter changes
Spark plugs, checking (including engine burn assesment), adjusting and replacing
Brake pad check
Brake caliper check
Brake fluid replacement

More advanced stuff:
Valve clearance, check, but not adjustment....leave that to a workshop, explanation given. (not Ducati......sorry!)
Electrical charge system testing.
Wheel bearing replacement.
Brake caliper strip and replace seals.
Brake bleeding.
Exup valve maintenance
Cable lubricating

Is that the sort of things people are after?


Tuesday evenings 7pm until 9pm is best for me, Braintree will be the location.

Anyone who wants to assist me in running this is very welcome, contact me.

How many are interested?

[The Guvnor]

(white hart the natural choice but I can appreciate that Kev might not want a bunch of filthy bikers littering his car park with oily debris)
?

End of next month I have a new garage ! Suitable for 4 or 5 bikes inside alone ! More than welcome to visit me one night in the week if you want. How bout a wednesday when everyone is down ? two birds with one stone and all that :grin2
Just let me know.

[Mi5ter E]

Well I Hope Im Not Being Out Of Place By Nominating Him For Stuff He Dont Want To Do But Why Dont We Have A Chat With Micktl As He Has The Garage Space And Bike Lifts And Stuff And The Experties To Do This And Has A Good Way Of Explaining Things To Dumb Asses Like Me In A Way Id Under Stand Lol

[The Guvnor]

Well I Hope Im Not Being Out Of Place By Nominating Him For Stuff He Dont Want To Do But Why Dont We Have A Chat With Micktl As He Has The Garage Space And Bike Lifts And Stuff And The Experties To Do This And Has A Good Way Of Explaining Things To Dumb Asses Like Me In A Way Id Under Stand Lol


Even better idea !:clap

[Lateshift]

He was one of the people i had on my list, the only reason i didnt advertise him is because whilst he has the kit to run something like this he also has a business to run and it shouldnt interfere with that (none of my business i know to question that :) ).

it will be purely down to Mick to decide if he wants to get involved in something like this, i am sure most people would agree that it would be welcome, i just hope people remember the fact that in any business like this it shouldnt be taken advantage of and always respected as a favour first and foremost, although i havent seen anything on here that would suggest people would take it for granted anyway so its probably just me being daft :D :D

[MickyGixer]

:laugh1 Guy I work with races in the Suzuki cup. Spoke with him this morning and he is going to have a chat with me next week about the idea as he may have a couple of Kwaka/Honda and Suzuki race mechs that would do it for a few pints in the week between races/technical meets....:laugh1

[Mi5ter E]

well i just micktl s name forward coz he has given me loads of advise and has been very helpfull (and he loves playing with bikes)
bike like mr lateshift said that would be up to micktl to deside

[sluff]

Either way,,, I’m in!!! Although shifts are a bit of a beach!!!

[MICKTLS]

Morning All i dont mind sorting out and helping out but id like to know when people are thinking of this happening also numbers ? ...cant really do daytimes mon -fri ............ as lateshift says its my work time but perhaps we could sort out an evening or even a sat morning or sunday morn once a month .... but all have a chat and let me know ok ............Mick

[2E]

This sounds like a great idea!! :grin2 :jumping2 :jumping2

I've been thinking about taking a bike course atm as i only work part time so am pretty much free from Monday-Thursday all day... although dont quote me on that as this month is particularly busy with insurance stuff, bike test, and parties i am sposed to be going to, and of course.. working.:shooter

Chromium... i believe it was you who asked about Bike Courses, i believe connexians sort out apprenticeships in Bike Mechanics at numerous colleges.. im not sure what college it was at now, but i was looking at one not so long ago. The apprenticeship is with BMW though so not sure if that changes your mind!!:laugh1

As for the number of people, if your interested make a list, ill put my name down for it.. just add your name to the list.:grin1

1.Tooeymaster

...

[MICKTLS]

im not looking to get any work from this but if everyone is still interested in doing something like this then let me know ..........i suggest once a month on a sunday morning from say 9 am till something like 11.30 am or 12 noon id just like to know numbers so if any of you that are interested in attending then kindly sort out and let me know thanks .........:grin2

[kasandrich]

Funny isn't it, theres lots of people keen until someone starts a list and says add your name! Then we only get Tooeymaster.

I would happily come and assist at Micktls's sessions, but sunday mornings are bad for me (clashes with shooting). But on that bassis there may well be others that have a problem with sunday mornings, so I will offer as an alternative weekday evening sessions at my house in Braintree.

If anyone would like to attend a weekday evening session in Braintree, please PM me.

[Mi5ter E]

micktl i have a clutch cable that needs fitting and a m8 that needs his top yoke through a bit so what Sunday u thinking of doing it?

[2E]

Funny isn't it, theres lots of people keen until someone starts a list and says add your name! Then we only get Tooeymaster.

Oi!! What you trying to say!!!:shooter

I work sundays so not really good for me, Weekdays are usually fine i just have to book in advance....Ill have to work out the route to Braintree if thats the weekday option ;) Last time i went to braintree it was by bus.. so i know roughly the route.. but not the streets etc.:grin2

[Mi5ter E]

Oi!! What you trying to say!!!:shooter

I work sundays so not really good for me, Weekdays are usually fine i just have to book in advance....Ill have to work out the route to Braintree if thats the weekday option ;) Last time i went to braintree it was by bus.. so i know roughly the route.. but not the streets etc.:grin2



well thats pub night m8 so i wouldn't hold your breath for that coz we don't wanna take business from the gov now do we

[MICKTLS]

it certainly wont be this coming weekend ,as theres no kids about first complete weekend just to think of ourselves { not being nasty to the kids but } so its more of a case when people would prefer ok guys

[robsal0230]

As i have recently developed a ticking noise from the engine , I would definately be up for this but I do think the "host" should be compensated in some way.

[DoodleBug]

Well I have brake lines/master cylinder which Mick will be fitting. I will be a paying customer but if people want to arrange it for a Sunday soon they can always watch and learn! If that suits Mick that is!

[kasandrich]

well thats pub night m8 so i wouldn't hold your breath for that coz we don't wanna take business from the gov now do we

........what every weekday?

Its a bit of a treck from your place Tooeygeezer, it needs to be here to make sure we have all the tools we may need, but you are very welcome, which evening takes your fancy?

[2E]

Well it certainly wont be for a shot yet my friend, but thanks for the offer...obviously i dont want to trespass on your time schedule here...:shooter

The best day would probably be a Monday, Tuesday, or Wenesday though. Atm the only thing ive got to majorly do with my bike is work out why my headlight bulbs keep blowing... we have assumed that its water getting into it with the aid of the grand fairing. atm i have no low beam, so ride round on park lights, and for seeing have to use full beam...
Quite annoying really, so id love to get some help with anyone whos handy with a multimeter as i also know theres a bad earth somewhere on the bike.:reading

Another problem is the screw socket inside the headlight casing has come lose so i have some 5-minute Epoxy to attempt to glue it back to the plastic when i get a chance...:clap

The distance doesent bother me to be honest.. id probably stop in chelmsford to fill up (if i need to which i probably would) and then check my directions.. When ive arranged a date ill run it past you... any other offers for help or advice for the problem would be greatly appreciated.:grin3

Thanks

:grin2

[bayonet]

Atm the only thing ive got to majorly do with my bike is work out why my headlight bulbs keep blowing... we have assumed that its water getting into it with the aid of the grand fairing. atm i have no low beam, so ride round on park lights, and for seeing have to use full beam...
Quite annoying really, so id love to get some help with anyone whos handy with a multimeter as i also know theres a bad earth somewhere on the bike.:reading

.:grin3

Thanks

:grin2I had a recurring blown rear light bulb on an FJ1200. Turned out all I had to do was make some new rubbers for the mounting bolts. The old ones had hardened and the vibration was killing the bulbs off really quickly. If your head lights have rubber anywhere in the mounting points try replacing this.

[2E]

Thanks for that mate.. i dont recall seeing any rubber bits, the bulbs held in place by springs. We think its water as when i got the last bulb out, it was blue and white.. looked like a fine piece of art, and the high bulb still worked as did the park.. but again the low light didnt...:shooter

Strange isnt it!!:grin1

;)

[bayonet]

Thanks for that mate.. i dont recall seeing any rubber bits, the bulbs held in place by springs. We think its water as when i got the last bulb out, it was blue and white.. looked like a fine piece of art, and the high bulb still worked as did the park.. but again the low light didnt...:shooter

Strange isnt it!!:grin1

;)Not the bulb holder, but the actual lamp housing mounts, usually a rubber washer or something around a bolt to stop vibes. I cut up some old Africa Twin footrest rubbers for my FJ. I was blowing a bulb a week because of having to ride a few miles on the rumblestrip between the hardshoulder and lane 1 on the M11 during some major roadworks and associated traffic jams. I only used to lose the taillight bit not the combined brakelight in the same bulb.

[Mi5ter E]

[quote=kasandrich;102516]........what every weekday?quote]

no what i was saying was if u wanted to do it on a week night u should do it on another night to wed

[chromium05]

Well...seeing as how I started this thread I am in.

However - I just sold my heap of isht bike so am wheel-less currently. Anybody know of a Hornet available anywhere (I quite like these and are a bit different from the usual bandits etc (I think))

[Mi5ter E]

no but as u no i have a nice fzr 400r which is on ebay for 750 start price

[kasandrich]

[quote=kasandrich;102516]........what every weekday?quote]

no what i was saying was if u wanted to do it on a week night u should do it on another night to wed


Absolutely! but nobody had mentioned wednesday LOL

[DoodleBug]

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