DirtRider . Net MX, SX, Arena Cross, Off-Road Community

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Posted by: buju

I wish there was a good newbie tutorial out there, that would at least explain all the terms you people use and give some basics. There are so many questions that I see being asked repeatedly on the boards here, and they're always answered with all kinds of engine terminology... If I knew what all these words meant, I would know how to fix everything!

For example, I've been looking around at how to winterize my bike. The only help I can find comes in the form of "main jet access plug hand turn engine drain crankcase carb float bowl, etc. etc. etc."

Now that's all fine and dandy but I'm an idiot and haven't even been able to get my XR to run right because I can't understand all this jargon. I don't understand if some of that is only related to two-strokes, but I don't even know what my crankcase oil is or if I have any. There's just no way to understand people's advice if they use terms that aren't explained. And I can't find a source that explains what a crankcase or a float bowl is. And I can't count how many "Jetting 101" articles I've read that don't make an ounce of sense to me, because you have to understand how it works in order to understand the newbie guide!

All I want right now is to figure out how to winterize my bike so the carburetor doesn't explode and the camshaft rusts to the intake valve of the flywheel.

Posted by: Milk

Man, Im n ot sure what to tell you. I think reading everything you can and asking questions is good. The only way to understand what things are or what a part is is to ask and learn. I think the more you are around it, the more you will eventually know. I dont know much but technical people can dumb-down information if you ask them in a nice way. People here are friendly and full of info. You have been around long enough to know that!

Posted by: rickyd

May want too go pick up a manual for your bike, a good source of info, and directions on how too work on your bike..
Rick

Posted by: shifting

First of all, your not an idiot. An idiot would sit back and quit, not asking any
questions. Sencond, feel free to ask anyone to explain what they mean.
I've been riding for about 7 years and I learn something new every time I get on DRN. You know your way around, you found the flame board and flamed ...us, so just keep digging and asking questions. The only stupid question is the one you don't ask! :thumb:

Posted by: TwoStroker

Copy and paste this in you tool bar(or type if your board). Its a tread over on the KDX forum about what to do for winter.

http://www.dirtrider.net/forums3/showthread.php?s=&threadid=88938

Posted by: MrLuckey

First of all I see you are here in lovely St. Louis with myself, GnarlyKaw, H2O, Colemanapp and a few others. Don't winterize the bike at all, most of us will be riding at least a couple times a month all winter long. E-mail me and we'll try to hook up down at St. Joe or something.

Drnspode@charter.net

Posted by: TheJunkMan

I think the stuff on eric gorr's site is pretty informative look there also that KDX site too.

Posted by: buju

Thanks for your help, everyone on this board is too kind...

Hope I didn't come across as too much of a jerk, it's just real frustrating trying to understand everything when I'm completely new to the sport. Then again, that's why I came to the flame board

MrLuckey, I'll definitely send an e-mail your way, but before I go riding I think I want to put some work into my XR, maybe take it to a mechanic since I'm not sure what I'm doing yet... And I need to buy some serious jacket and gloves to ride in the winter. But hopefully I'll get it done soon and come out with you guys some time.

Thanks
Ben

Posted by: gxdragon

Ben, i'm learning too. I did a lot of nodding my head and smiling while guys where talking about their bikes. I had no idea what they were talking about. Now I have an idea what they are talking about but still don't know how to do much of this stuff myself. I did a search on "motorcycle repair" and "motorcycle maintenance" and found a website http://www.dansmc.com he provided some good information and I just bought a book to explain the basics to me "Motorcycle basics techbook". It explains how engines work and the differences between 2 and 4 strokes. maybe soon I won't have to pay the mechanic $60 an hour to do the basic stuff that I should be able to do.

Good luck :thumb:,
Guy

Posted by: Danman

Definately check the above listed site. When I read you first post I was thinking of suggesting that site! I have read the whole thing and its great read. He explains thing pretty basic and has pics to show what some of the parts he is talking about look like.

Posted by: Patman

You want an excellent place to start besides just asking here on DRN? CLICK
I assure you this purchase will give you plenty of great information in a reasonably easy to understand format.

Posted by: GETMETOCA

The manual for your XR is a sure bet. Getting a mechanically inclined buddy to help you work on your bike hands-on is another, you'll learn LOTS when you're actually in the thick of it and its a lot of fun too. Read and ask questions. I'm doing a whole lot more basic maintenance on my bike than I was a year ago and I'm actually starting to understand what my friends are talking about. Good luck.

Posted by: rv6junkie

Find some riders to hang with. Almost every friday night the local riders gather in my garage to bench race. We just BS about everything motorcycle. That kind of conversation will teach you more in an hour than you'd ever get in a book.

Some of the information is true too. You can get real drunk at the same time.

Posted by: TheJunkMan

Quote:

Originally posted by RV6junkie

Some of the information is true too. You can get real drunk at the same time.

So that is what has been happening tome and my buddies, I thought it was the gasoline

www.howstuffworks.com is also a good site if you do not know how say your carb acctually works.

Posted by: olderndirtmom

Quote:

Originally Posted by gxdragon

Ben, i'm learning too. I did a lot of nodding my head and smiling while guys where talking about their bikes. I had no idea what they were talking about. Now I have an idea what they are talking about but still don't know how to do much of this stuff myself. I did a search on "motorcycle repair" and "motorcycle maintenance" and found a website http://www.dansmc.com he provided some good information and I just bought a book to explain the basics to me "Motorcycle basics techbook". It explains how engines work and the differences between 2 and 4 strokes. maybe soon I won't have to pay the mechanic $60 an hour to do the basic stuff that I should be able to do.

Good luck :thumb:,
Guy

Bringing back this old thread....Wondering if, a few years down the road you found the site helpful, and educational?

Also, wondering if anyone has any other reviews/thoughts on at-home study of the basics (in addition to the obvious recommendation of referring to the service manual)? Thanks!

Posted by: Patman

Eric Gorr's "MX & OFF-ROAD PERFORMANCE HANDBOOK" would be a good source of info as would any of the bike specific books he has on his site.

Posted by: Ol'89r

Quote:

Originally Posted by olderndirtmom

wondering if anyone has any other reviews/thoughts on at-home study of the basics (in addition to the obvious recommendation of referring to the service manual)? Thanks!

olderndirtmom.

For basic terminology, click on the 'MotoSpeak' link at the top of the page.

Posted by: olderndirtmom

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ol'89r

olderndirtmom.

For basic terminology, click on the 'MotoSpeak' link at the top of the page.

thanks ol'89r.

I've found the MotoSpeak helpful, albeit limited. I'm truly looking for engine study courses. I think a lot of the kids (and other youngunfilled mushbrains like myself) could use some direction. A lot of the sites I've looked at over the last year I've seen referred to on DRN so I am hoping I'm barking up the right trees, so to speak.

In short, I'm gaining momentum to actually buy a set of tools (to be kept away from the abyss that is my hubby's mess), a junk bike so I don't screw up my bikes, and teaching self and 11 year old some tricks. Be nice to know the function of the parts, rather than just rip things apart and put them back together. Though that is good, too, I suppose.

Thanks Patman. I've been to his site, and have a couple books in mind. Helpful recommendation.

More recommendations anyone?

Posted by: Ol'89r

[QUOTE=olderndirtmom] a junk bike so I don't screw up my bikes, and teaching self and 11 year old some tricks. Be nice to know the function of the parts, rather than just rip things apart and put them back together. QUOTE]

That's an excellent idea mom.

Can I call ya mom for short?

Many, many years ago, my first bike was a 'box job'. (That's a bike that is completely disassembled and comes in a box. Or several boxes.) It didn't run when I bought it. It didn't run when I sold it and it never ran in between. But, by taking it apart and putting it back together, I learned how the engine worked. How the gearbox and clutch worked and the basic things about the workings of an engine.

It didn't matter if I messed something up since I didn't have much of an investment in the bike and It wasn't that important if it ran or not. What I learned about the engine was much more valuable than my initial investment, somewhere around 35 bucks.

I strongly suggest you do that. If you have any questions, we will be glad to answer them as you go along. That's what DRN is all about, helping each other.

I truly applaud you for working with your 11 year old like that. That is very cool.

Posted by: _JOE_

I agree, if you know how something works it is much easier to diagnose a problem or perform any sort of repair or maintenance. I highly recommend Eric's book, the 3rd edition is now available. It explaines almost everything, though in a general way. With this and a good service manual you can generally feel fairly confident to tackle most repairs yourself. A digital camera is also a great tool. If something looks pretty complicated take pics as you disassemble. You and your child have alot to learn about a very interesting hobby, good luck.

Posted by: xsnrg

Quote:

Originally Posted by olderndirtmom

thanks ol'89r.

Thanks Patman. I've been to his site, and have a couple books in mind. Helpful recommendation.

More recommendations anyone?

Talk about a cool mother for a boy! Sure beats baking brownies or decorating cookies!

Posted by: rmc_olderthandirt

Quote:

Originally Posted by olderndirtmom

thanks ol'89r.

I've found the MotoSpeak helpful, albeit limited.

I also disagree with some of the "definitions". For example, "bail" is NOT a bundle of hay. That would be "bale". And "basket case" used to refer to a situation where someone attempted to fix something themselves, got in over their heads and end up bringing all the parts to a repair shop in a "basket".

Quote:

Originally Posted by olderndirtmom

I'm truly looking for engine study courses.

Way back when I was in high school they used to teach "auto shop". They sure don't do that out here anymore.

Quote:

Originally Posted by olderndirtmom

In short, I'm gaining momentum to actually buy a set of tools

More recommendations anyone?

Spend the money and get a good set of tools. You can buy some really cheap tools but you get what you paid for. There is nothing I hate more than having break and in turn mess up what I was working on. One time I was using a cheap breaker bar trying to loosen a tough nut and the @@#%^& thing shattered in my hand. Not only did I smash my knuckles on the frame of the car but I had shards of steel embedded in my palm.

There are some really good brands, such as Snap On but they are very expensive. There are a few respectable brands. I have always used Craftsman tools. On the rare occasion that one has broken (don't put a four foot cheater on a 3/8" socket....) I just took it back to Sears and got a free replacement. Buy a full set when they are on sale (there are usually good tool sales around Father's day!)

If you are going to buy a bike that needs fixing to get experience on then I would recommend that it not be too old. A ten year old bike is fine, still lots of aftermarket parts available. But a 20 year old bike can be a real pain to find parts for. If you have the time and space make a big project out of it, strip it down to the bare frame then build it back.

Hint: Take pictures, lots of different angles, before you take it apart and at regular intervals through the process. When it comes time to put it back together the pictures can be very useful in figuring out what went where.

Good luck!

Rod

Posted by: olderndirtmom

Quote:

Originally Posted by xsnrg

Talk about a cool mother for a boy! Sure beats baking brownies or decorating cookies!

Well, I'm probably too old to have another kid, but I'll keep that under consideration if I ever adopt a boy. Meanwhile she's pretty excited at the idea. (The 11 yr old is a girl...Waiting for her first motorcycle, too.)

But thanks!

I probably should have gotten her started years ago because she has loved tearing things apart since she was an infant. I've been nothing but a hindrance til now! However....This really smart guy I know told me there is no age restriction on learning interesting things. WHO KNEW!???

Ol'89r, yes, mom is fine. I was wondering about buying some sort of cheap box bike. But $35... Wouldn't that be like 10 grand in today's dollars?? Surely I can find something cheaper??

Totally kidding. I will begin searching.

Rod & Joe, thanks. Given how many digital cameras I have laying around here, it still wouldn't have occured to me to document my progress (or destruction, as the case might be). double "doh!" Thanks.

Keep those ideas coming!!

Posted by: olderndirtmom

Okay, so you guys got me so jazzed up with this idea that I made my family haul stuff out of our basement (kind of more like a tall crawl space) for three hours today!
TALK ABOUT MOMENTUM BUILDING!

Now if I can just sell enough of this cr** to fund the tear down bike...

Posted by: Ol'89r

[QUOTE=olderndirtmom]
Ol'89r, I was wondering about buying some sort of cheap box bike. But $35... Wouldn't that be like 10 grand in today's dollars?? Surely I can find something cheaper??

Totally kidding. I will begin searching.
QUOTE]

OUCH!

Shot through the heart.

It's a good thing I'm such a thick skinned ol' fart.

Mom. Check around an see if there is a motorcycle salvage yard near your home. Go there and tell them what you are doing. Ask if they have an old XR or XL Honda single engine that is junk. Something around 100cc's. Don't worry about getting parts for it or even getting it running. Just something to take apart and put back together and figure out what makes it tick. Those old Honda engines haven't changed much in the last 20 years and a surprising number of parts are still available for them.

Should be a lot less than $10,000

and they may even just give you one when they find out what you are going to do with it. Once you and your daughter have learned about the workings of the engine, you will be ready to step up and spend some money on a whole bike.

Posted by: olderndirtmom

I will look around per your instructions. It's gonna take me a few weeks to get things set up, though.

I'll post a pic of what I find before we rip it apart. Thanks very much!

Posted by: Bodge

buju- All of the jargon will come to you in time. I started here a few years ago just reading and messing w/ my bike, now i know them inside and out. Just be patient, read everything you can and dont be afraid to get your hands dirty.

Posted by: peanuts

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/motorcycle1.htm

Check it out. It'll teach you the basics. Certainly not everything you need to know, but it gives you a foundation.

Posted by: olderndirtmom

thanks. I had seen the 2 strokes/4 stroke discussion in howstuffworks last year when I bought my bikes. I don't recall looking at the motorcycle read, though.

I also found this site, which has some great articles on-line:

http://www.bikebandit.com/partsband...p-bike-running/

(Just one of many articles with pictures! )

I also found an excellent reference through a DRN kdx discussion to this article. (It references three other good overview articles):

http://www.dirtrider.net/justkdx/kips.html

Here is another DRN post with step by step pictures:

http://www.dirtrider.net/forums3/sh...81&page=1&pp=10

(Seems like the kawi/kdx folks love to take pictures as they work.)
~~~~~~~
7/5/01 update.

Two weekends worth of cleaning, moving, and selling... but The Prep is done. Everything is sold. Books arrived today. The engine will be here Monday. I'll sleep with Eric Gorr's book & some wrenches under my pillow and expect to be a genius by the time the engine arrives....

7/6/07 Duh. How can I be so slow to THINK!! Like not thinking of using those cameras to document my destruction, I never thought to tap into a resource close at hand.

My buddy who used to work as a certified mechanic for Honda here has agreed to let me look thru his tool-box to get a better idea of the right stuff/quality stuff I'm going to be needing for the task at hand. With any luck, the post-honeymoon bliss that caused him to quit the second job he loved so dearly will cloud his judgement. I'm hoping he'll decide to unload those tools.

That would be sweet. If not, at least I'll have a much better idea of what I'm going to need in the long run. Win Win Win.

Posted by: olderndirtmom

L'il Spud grabbing two of my socket wrenches from the spotless "shop" (aka porch) I just set up:

"I am Rodney Copperbottom and I can fix anything"...

(Lil Spud is like one of those klepto birds that steals shiny things and hides them in her nest. At least half a dozen of my shiny things emerged from her bedroom toy box this week....)

Our first two projects are non-moto.

1.) Completely tear down, lube, and adjust a ten speed touring bike (age 21 years, number of times ridden, less than ten...)
2.) Clean, lube and adjust the rear derailleur and flat on my "tank" (about town bike similar to a mountain bike).

First Question for you Ol'89: My porch has screens and jealousie windows. It is dry, but subject to the variations in seasonal humidity, etc. Do I need to do anything special to keep the tools from taking on moisture? Silica in the storage bins, etc. etc.? Did they even have tools before they invented climate controlled work cells and what did those ancient people do to make sure the tools etc. didn't rust?

Posted by: Ol'89r

Quote:

Originally Posted by olderndirtmom

[/list][B]First Question for you Ol'89:Did they even have tools before they invented climate controlled work cells and what did those ancient people do to make sure the tools etc. didn't rust?[/I]

Well, as you can well imagine mom, most of my tools are carved from wood and stone and wrapped with leather straps. Rust is not an issue, my biggest problem is termites.

Although, the moisture can change one of my 12 millimeter open end wrenches to an 11 millimeter on a very inclement day.

These days they have this shiny stuff on the tools called chrome. Rust is no problem unless you have machinery that is made of cast iron. The machinery will come later. Now that you're hooked.

Moisture is a problem for the insides of engines though. If you plan on having an engine sitting apart for any length of time it could cause parts of the engine to rust. Security may be an issue where your tools can be seen from outside. Tools have a way of disappearing.

Dust is a big issue. Make sure your work room is dust free and dust tight under the doors.

Posted by: olderndirtmom

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ol'89r

Dust is a big issue. Make sure your work room is dust free and dust tight under the doors.

This isn't some male trick to get me to operate a vaccuum and learn to clean is it???

Big Machinery would be Way Cool.....Make me a list of what I'm gonna need, will you?....

THANK_YOU!

Posted by: nsxxtreme

Quote:

Originally Posted by olderndirtmom

thanks ol'89r.

If your just interested in how an engine works save yourself some money and buy a lawnmower. Seriously, the basics are the same wether it be a lawnmower,dirtbike or car.

If you want to learn about two strokes buy a weed wacker or something. You might also take a small engines course at you local community college.

Posted by: fatcat216

1 year follow up to this "I'm new to dirtbiking how do I learn about the mechanical stuff" thread:

My 12 year old has been keeping busy after school tearing a bicycle apart. She is patiently awaiting the go ahead to rip apart the "real" bikes....apparently more interested in ripping them apart than riding them right now. Our first tasks are the easy stuff: teaching her to change the oil, clean the air filters, tighten spokes...checking the chain slack, etc. Oh and some slightly more interesting stuff: cleaning the jets on one bike, jetting another for summer riding. Then we'll move up to destroying an actual engine. I mean, dissecting one.

Unfortunately, with the fun stuff comes the harder parent teaching your kid part...Getting her to focus on keeping things in order and putting them back together. She disappeared for several hours and hands were coated in black, so, the interest is definitely there...It is just a matter of finding the right approach.

The manuals (bicycle and motorcycle) I tossed in her direction have so far been ignored. The books don't grab her interest either. She's going to be willful and not educated. Argh. Not good for the mom, by any stretch. I'm no Parent Magician!! However, today I stumbled on a couple of videos that may be useful in keeping the parent-child will-clashing to a minimum if we watch them together. I'd like to add them to the above list of references for beginners trying to get past nodding stupidly at the natives to understanding what it is they are saying.

The first is a website which has several somewhat comprehensive beginner's courses in engines.

http://www.cambridgeol.com/id/10694/Small_Engines.htm

You can buy a single video out of any series or the entire series. Very pricey as they are marketed toward educators. They are very short. I ordered two for starters- to check out the quality and "hold my 12- year olds interest level". (Mechanical Science & Engine Disassembly) Mostly I'm just hoping to jump through the "you need to be organized and conscientious" hoop. For me, worth the dollars. Maybe not for you. Like I said, These are not cheap. There is also a way cool 3 part cd-rom where you fool around with an engine displacement calculator and compression ratio calculator...And multiple choice tests for those who are so driven to be empirically scored and validated. Could be fun....again... mid-range pricey.

Two much better values (if we are talking $ per minute) are two motorcycle videos produced by Motopowervideo Productions LLC.

Basic Maintenance I DVD for all Motorcycles
http://www.createspace.com/Store/Sh...e.jsp?id=215545

and

keihin carb tuning
http://www.createspace.com/Store/Sh...e.jsp?id=215036

(They even have one on installing your rekluse clutch.)

I'll let you know if she can sit still for them & how the quality is. She seems to prefer the tried and true get your hands dirty and get in there approach. But, we'll see. She can sit still for the history channel, so this can't be any worse.

Can it?

Thanks again for the tips. The book and other reading selections have been excellent. I've added quite a few others to my library since 1 year ago. It's a slow moving ship, but it is moving, and on course.

The kid is primed. Keep your fingers crossed I don't wreck it for her.

Posted by: fatcat216

Update to the updates. I'm dedicated to adding to this list of resources for the newcomer who really wants to learn about engines and motorcycles.

I purchased the above videos. They are great for a general understanding. The ones for educators (cabridgeol.com- link) are very short, overpriced for the information passed, and a bit silly. Having said that, my very immature and non methodical 12 year old sat down, took notes and it held her attention. She was ready to tackle a lawn mower engine. Most importantly, there was no parent child angst as I tried to explain and she didn't want to listen.

I couldn't-with good conscience- recommend someone pop money down on that, at that price. For an educator with 20 or 30 kids, sure. As much as I'd be interested in the whole series, they are flat out overpriced and too general.

The two motorcycle-specific dvds are good. I know some of the DRN guys here would have a couple issues with bits of the information. That aside, it is good stuff for a beginner who needs it all spelled out plainly with visuals.

Posted by: fatcat216

But for FREE- I've stumbled on a whole collection of motorcycle repair videos:

The first is a you tube link I swiped from another forum:

Valve Clearance:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEW-...feature=related

I found many other repair videos on you tube- but some of the advice is pretty sketchy. It's a resource to investigate.

A library of posted FREE/QUALITY videos can be found at rockymountainatv/mc.

http://offroadvideos.magnify.net/

I think videos are FANTASTIC resources for those of us who need visuals to get past the jargon.

My work here is done!

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