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

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Posted by: Thump

Who here does basic maintenance on their bikes? Who sends it to a service shop? Oil changes, radiator flush, clutch replacement etc...

Posted by: truespode

I do most basic stuff on my own. I'm also going to be servicing my suspension too.

Ivan

Posted by: JWW

So far I have done everything except suspension service, wheel building, tire changes and lower end work. I have done a clutch plate change.

Posted by: Milk

I do top-ends and basic stuff. I wouldnt mess with my bottom end, but my buds dad Fab Five Freddy would. He can do it all so it goes to his house.

Posted by: Jeff Gilbert

Not to toot my own horn but when I graduated high school in Arlington, I got a nifty little certificate congradulating me on a 99.6 in mechanical aptitude. I don't pretend to know everything but I sure am not afraid to give it a shot. When I do get stumped I call on DRN. My answer would be ...Do it myself.

Everytime I've had a car in the shop, stuff falls off of it when it comes back because the mechanic got side-tracked while working on it and forgot to tighten bolts up. I'd hate to think what could happen to me if I got my bike back from the shop with parts that were prone to fall off. Flying 8 to 10 inches off the ground is serious business mister and I take it that way.

Posted by: BSWIFT

In house as much as possible. If I need machine work, I have sources.

Posted by: Thump

Sorry guys.... just got the poll working, please pick one above.

Posted by: firecracker22

I do basic maintenance, jetting, filters, oil, etc. but I am learning more. I'll do my own top end (with help) when it's time, but I do not want to mess with the suspension. Also I did a couple of tire changes and would much rather get someone else to do it for beer or just plain take it to the shop.

Posted by: rickyd

I do mostly everything on my and the kids bikes.. Only thing i didnt do was the suspension set-up and mount tires on rims.. I like figuring out what and more importantly why something broke/failed on my bike..
Rick

Posted by: Philip

I do everything on Josh and my bikes except suspension. I set the clickers but thats about it. All motor work and basic maintenance is done by me. Suspension is done by Shay Racca.

Posted by: Green Horn

So where's the "I just ride it till it falls apart" selection? Naw, I do some minimal stuff but the rest of it I call Patman for.

Posted by: va_yzrider

My bike has never been in the shop. However, I've never had a catastrophic lower end failure (knock on wood). About the only thing I won't and haven't attempted is to split the case (need a few more tools than I have for that one). Most stuff is pretty easy once you do a little research on it and aren't afraid to tear it back down if something is wrong.

I've heard too many horror stories about bikes coming out of the shop missing half the bolts that they went in with.

Dirtrider.net and Yamaha of Troy's parts fiche have been EXCELLENT sources of information for me over the past few years. I guess it is time to send some of the money I have saved to DRN for a Support Membership!

Posted by: Jon K.

"Masterful" might be too strong a word, but if I don't do it, it don't get done.

Posted by: Rich Rohrich

Over the years I've learned the value of paying experts for certain critical tasks, so I let MX-Tech take care of all suspension work outside of fork seals. While there is little doubt I could do the work myself, I'll never have the skills or insight to do it as well as Jeremy can. Seems like money well spent.

Posted by: JuliusPleaser

I'm a master at one thing, but it has nothing to do with bikes.

Posted by: bclapham

i do everything, including suspension valving and and engine tuning, but in no way am i a materfull mechanic- i usually mess things up the first time and then learn from them mistakes. However, i am not confident that some kid at the local shop could do any better a job than me on most things. also, i couldnt have dont most of the things above without the help of DRN members and one or two good friends.

last night i met with a guy from my local message board that i have never met before- a enginnering major at UCSD- he made up a madrel to mount cylinder heads in a lathe and we modifed the cylinder head on my yz250 (to Erics specs of course)- that was cool.

but after the improvments of riding speed that has come with recent fitness, i wonder if i should have left all my bikes stock and gone to the gym instead!

Posted by: zio

JP, does it have to do with fishing?

I'll attempt anything outside my forks and lower end. And I'm always game to pay for a tire change.

Posted by: Y2Z

with a little bit of help from my dad, i can do top ends and just about everything else, but last time i tried to take apart a tranny it was just a big mess.

Posted by: GETMETOCA

I have found that you can get quite a bit accomplished using various kinds of imported beer as the catalyst. But I can finally change my oil and clean my air filter on my own.

Posted by: Green Horn

Quote:

Originally Posted by GETMETOCA

I have found that you can get quite a bit accomplished using various kinds of imported beer as the catalyst.

Yes but in MODERATION. Ask me how/why I broke one of the pinch bolts off the triple clamp?

Total Buzz Kill

Posted by: jmics19067

tough one for me to pick honestly.

I chose the last one even though I wouldnt call myself masterfull mechanic. I am a decent mechanic and will do anything on my bike even if it is only in an effort to learn more about fine tuning.

Posted by: Papakeith

The only thing I won't/can't do on my bike is bore the cylinder. I just don't have the equipment for it. Other than that, while not the greatest mechanic in the world, I take great pride in knowing my machine inside and out.

Posted by: Zoomer

I usually do all the work on my bike. I let MX tech do the suspension allthough I have the tools, and gauges to do it and have done it after being screwed by another company.

Boring/plating-Eric
Special valve work-RR

Everything else I usually do.

BTW- THUMP> what happen to my avatar

Posted by: Senior KX Rider

They lost some of the avatars when they moved to the new forums Mike. They are working on getting them all back up

Posted by: Zoomer

SEE, Change is not always good!

Posted by: KiwiBird

I'll do everything but rebuild/true a crank or rebore/plate a cylinder. I take repairs involving machining or welding to a buddy who does it better than I will ever be able to.

Posted by: agitt73

just cant do back shock or lace rims

Posted by: drzgod

I said I was a masterful mechanic because I do most everything on my own, but I don't consider myself an expert. Suspension tuning really escapes me, I've tried to glean info from the suspension forum, but I really need to understand the fundamentals first. But, I've had Jeremy setup my last two bikes, so maybe I'm smarter than I think?

Posted by: ScottYZ250

I'm a mechanical idiot. I change the oil, air filter, chain & sprockets, stuff like that. For suspention or top ends, I pay to have it done. I have several reliable sources. I keep my bike in shape, just don't do all the wrenching myself. No confidence when I'm alone I guess

Posted by: SFO

I just ride it.
(Looks like I am the only one...)
Especially with friends like RR.

Posted by: Thump

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoomer

BTW- THUMP> what happen to my avatar

When you put the spank to me like you did at DW03 you didn't think there would be no consequense did you?

We're working on it bubba.

Posted by: Zoomer

Quote:

Originally Posted by SFO

I just ride it.
(Looks like I am the only one...)
Especially with friends like RR.

So SFO,,,,,Yamaha has you doing what at the Supermotards?????? Just telling the riders how to ride

:thumb:

Thump. just wait tell next year, when I get back in shape!

Posted by: plysWfire

So far I've done everything on my bike, except re-valve the suspension. I'm by no means a master mechanic, just poor. Most of my garage projects are out of necessity, not desire. If I could drop a couple of bills for a top end, I might consider it, but for now it's me doing what I can. I'm getting ready to tackle a complete bottom and top end rebuild on my 96 CR250. I've split a few cases before, but never on this bike. I'm a little nervous.

deano...

Posted by: CAL

I do everything except MAJOR work. I'm fixing to do my first suspension revlave...we'll see how that goes.

Posted by: bbbom

We do all the work on our toys out of necessity - no way could we afford to take them to the shop. Besides, it's kinda fun to have dirtbike/snowmobile/jetski repair night in the shop every so often.

Crank up the woodstove and the tunes, bring some pizza home and everyone gets to work on their bike (or whatever needs work). My little girl loves to help grease bearings, and she learns colorful language when we are beating the swingarm bolt out of the bike for the 3rd night in a row.

Karl has the knowledge and he is happy to teach me and the kids how to do the work. We don't have equipment for boring and major stuff but we have friends that do - a bit of beer works wonders.

It's good to see my kids learn to be comfortable working on the bikes. My son just went through all the bearings on his 80 and did a top end with Karl's help.

Posted by: WaltCMoto

Ive done complete engine rebuilds, but I can get those pesky fork seals fiquered out yet.

Posted by: RMFanatic

What about us that are not masterfull mechanics, but do almost everything to their bikes. Where's our category?

Posted by: KelvinKDX

I do most everything myself but am smart enough to know when something is over my capabilities. Lower ends i send to Eric - (when the case has to be split). If i need to machine or weld something i take it in to work along with lunch to show my gratitude to the guys doing the work.

Posted by: Fox Girl#4

Quote:

Originally Posted by truespode

I do most basic stuff on my own. I'm also going to be servicing my suspension too.

Ivan

I have put everything on mmine like fox decals and ricky carmichael stuff
FoxGirl#4 (reply)

Posted by: bluerider125

i do every single thing on my bike and my family's bikes. my YZ just crapped the main bearings in my race today, (I WAS IN FIRST PLACE, ONLY 1/2 LAP TO GO!!

) and i'll be splitting the cases to replace them. i dont know why anyone would go to the shop for someone to turn a clicker in 2 clicks and charge you 20 bucks for the "labor"- same with the clutch replace. 5 minute job, unless you're replacing the basket, then it's a 20 minute job.

what do i win

Rob

Posted by: bluerider125

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbbom

We do all the work on our toys out of necessity - no way could we afford to take them to the shop. Besides, it's kinda fun to have dirtbike/snowmobile/jetski repair night in the shop every so often.

Crank up the woodstove and the tunes, bring some pizza home and everyone gets to work on their bike (or whatever needs work). My little girl loves to help grease bearings, and she learns colorful language when we are beating the swingarm bolt out of the bike for the 3rd night in a row.

Karl has the knowledge and he is happy to teach me and the kids how to do the work. We don't have equipment for boring and major stuff but we have friends that do - a bit of beer works wonders.

It's good to see my kids learn to be comfortable working on the bikes. My son just went through all the bearings on his 80 and did a top end with Karl's help.

that's the way it should be!

do you use the 5hunert piston for a coffee can plug?

that's great you're teaching your daughter to be comfortable with "icky nasty grease" you're raising your young pups the way people should. mad props dogggg!

Posted by: bbbom

Thanks bluerider125, we must be doing something right - just got the kids' report cards and they are both top in their classes AND their teachers report that they are very helpful with other less fortunate kids. Straight A's and straight 1's in behavior! :thumb:

I truly believe that it is because we spend so much time doing things as a family riding and working on our rides. Trailriding is a great way to teach kids how to look out for each other and to help them develop confidence in their own abilities. Actally, wrenching on the bikes does the same thing for them, working together and solving problems. It could also be because if they don't hold up their end, they know big bad mom will make the toys disappear.

No coffee can plugs with the 5hunny piston, but we have a wall full of bent handlebars from my learning period (which is still ongoing). My son has the best pair or bent bars though and he had only ridden with them for 15 minutes, according to Firecracker, it was a pretty good crash.

Posted by: wibby

Before I found DRN last March.... I could change my oil and clean the carb, thats about it.

Now I do mostly everything, I've redone my suspension, changed the swingarm and linkage bearings, put in new topend, cleaned the KIPS, replaced my seat cover (what a PITA that was!), I'm still learning about jetting, I've learned how to change a tire!

I'm kinda nervous about the bottom end but it might be within my grasp

Posted by: fender92883

I can clean my air filter and change oil. I can also do basic grease maintenance on steering & swingarm. I can change fork boots

. I haven't messed with the engine or suspension, though. I just changed my first tire the other day...

Posted by: brake check

i don`t like the idea of someone else touching my bikes...i`d rather screw it up myself!

Posted by: RMFanatic

Well I originally posted a response in basics and top end, however I am about to dive elbows deep into rebuilding my YZ-400F, and I do mean rebuild. The main's went and I am going to do a full top and bottom end, plus the frame is going to get a powder coat job at the local powder coaters( I know how to paint, but I don't know from beans about powder coating).

Posted by: maxkiks77

workis good it teaches you to take care of your bike instead of wrecking it and relying on someone

Posted by: mdkuder

I done everything but tear into the motor but when that comes along I'll learn as I go. Hey, just a big well toleranced puzzle, how hard can it be?

Posted by: Mudd Slinger

In the past, I pretty much did everything myself including engine work. I rebuilt more than one bike from top to bottom except the machine shop work. I recently got back into dirt bikes with my kid and wow bikes have changed (1970s to now). I am taking one step at a time and eventually I hope to learn them inside and out again.

Posted by: Can Can Kev

i do everything, working at a bike shop it makes it easy i always get tips from mechanics on how to do stufff and i can always borrow the right tool for the job, jetting, fork seals, clutch top end lower end u name it, im going to community college for motorcycle mechanics so its going to be my carrer .... maybe a factory mechanic in my wildest dreams... but oh well i enjoy working on scoots regardless...

Posted by: RACINRAY

why pay for someone elses tools take. the money and buy a service manuel amd youre own tools and learn somthing and yes i do all my repairs .

Posted by: bcVulcan

Quote:

Originally Posted by Green Horn

Yes but in MODERATION. Ask me how/why I broke one of the pinch bolts off the triple clamp?

Total Buzz Kill

Don't feel bad. I did it stone sober.

Posted by: 91-YZ250-Chris

i will do everything I can that I have te tools for, from a clutch job to brakes to the engine. I just wont touch a tranny...yet

Posted by: Dirtbikerider227

i do all the basics like airfilters, oil etc. I also do some of the engine work with my friend. I almost never bring it to a service shop

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