Wow I feel retarded

[Kerry]

Positive first, then negative.

If you connect the negative terminal first, then just about every piece of metal on the bike becomes "hot" electrically.  If a wrench or some other tool happens to touch both the positive terminal and one of those pieces of metal at the same time ... ZAP!

It's best to connect the positive terminal first, cover it with the "little red riding hood" ...



...and then connect the negative terminal.

[Jusiat]

Woohoo! Shes purring just like a kitty cat B-). While I was walking outside to but the battery in, some water( probably two ounces worth) came out from that drain vent (where the clear tube goes) and got on my hand. It didnt hurt, and right after I wahed my hands with soap and warm water. Felt good to do my first 'Wrench job" on her, even though it was just recharging the battery   I did it myself! Thats what counts!    :guns:

Next wrench job: Cleaning the chain with WD40 and a metal tooth brush  :nana:

[cobalt135]

careful with the wire brush on the chain...there are little "O" rings that seal in the grease between the side plates that you could damage if you get to aggressive.  Also when you finally lube the chain a little goes a long way!  Too much and it will just fly off and make a big mess.  You'll learn how much lube is too much when you have to clean it off your swingarm and wheels Oh, try to keep any oil, grease, WD-40, or the like off your brake discs and tires.  Could cause some grief later on.

[TR]

Welcome to the forum and to motorcycling. I noticed the marines don't train they people very much on engines, cars and trucks, because a bike works almost the same way, however I understand you hesitate on doing the wrench yourself. You'll find it is easy as you keep on trying, and will find some tasks are simpler than others, the trick is to have the right tools, wrenches, sockets, etc. so start to gather the tools.

Good luck...

[Kerry]

I'm with cobalt135.  Just use a discarded toothbrush on the chain.

[Jusiat]

I have some surface rust on the chain, so I was thinking about just brushing the outsides a bit with the wire brush and getting some of that rust off. Should I spray WD40 on the inside of the chain? Or just the outside where all the rust is? Also. Like I said, I dont have the chain lube yet. So should I wait till I get the lube to clean the chain? Or should I just clean it now? I also noticed that inside the engine theres some collected dirt. I tryed to wipe it down with a wet clothe and only some of it came off. Can  I use the WD40 and a rag practice to clean up the engine?

[vfrocket]

you can use WD-40 to clean just about anything that is metal.

Use the toothbrush on the chain and clean with WD-40. I like to use chain wax personally, but that is a personal preference. WD-40 will work fine.

A little surface rust on the chain is not the end of the world, just clean and lube well with WD-40.

[raylarrabee]

Sorry to sound like a shill for Walmart, but anyway...if you need some socket wrenches, metric sockets, allen sockets, and other hand tools, Walmart has some cheap sets available.  Sears has more pricey, higher quality sets.  IMO, the Walmart specials will do just fine for the occassional mechanic.

[ConanLloyd]

Welcome and thanks for your service.  If i may make a suggestion, you might want to mosey over to http://www.beginnerandbeyond.com as well.

It's a new rendition of the former beginner bikes web forum.  Tons of helpful people over there and there are bound to be a few in your area who can help with practices, wrenching and other stuff after your class.

Ride safe

[AR5ENAL]

davipu, that is the most assenine comment I have ever seen posted on this MB.

...or "assenine"    :ducks:

[Jusiat]

Is gasoline supposed to leak out of the side of the bike? I was cleaning the side of the bike, and I guess pushed it to much to the right. It started to tilt, so I caught the handle bar and seat, but it was too late. It was going down. It went down bt very lightly. As soon as it hit the gound gasoline started pouring out from somewhere. I lifted it the way I saw on some website where a lady shows you how to pick it up. I lifted it without a problem. I dont know where it was leaking from. I rubbed the side of the tank, and felt no gas on it. About 6 ounces poured out. Is this normal?

[scratch]

Yes, it probably came out of the overflow tube down by the right footpeg. You may have a little difficulty starting it up again, that's because if it drained from your carburetors, they need to be filled up again. Turn the fuel selector, located on the left side of the bike, from ON to PRIme, for a few seconds, and then back to ON.

[raylarrabee]

Seriously, is this a joke to get us to solve every possible issue a total neophyte could encounter?

If it's not a joke, please, please, please stop trying to work on your bike yourself, at least until you get a manual.  You are apparently both clumsy and not "mechanically inclined."  At least refrain from working on any safety type items (brakes, controls, etc.), so you don't f%$k up and get hurt.

If it is a joke, hurray!  Honestly a very funny joke, and well done...you did a great job of portraying a total dummy.

[Jusiat]

I sat on the bike, and it kinda lowered a bit. Is it supposed to go down a little bit? I thought that springs were supposed to make the bike super stiff? Also, I read that the reason why the motorcycle seat was that long was because it was meant for a passenger? Is this true? I didnt know a motorcycle was a two seater.

[ajgs500]

You have got to be kidding me.  Yes the bike will lower.  Mine does and I only weigh 115 soaking wet.  And if you try real hard and get some midgets, assuming they could reach the footpegs I bet you could get 3 people on there.

[Jusiat]

I was kidding, but the tank question was real. What the hell am I supposed to think when gas starts pouring out of my bike? Oh yeah its normal for a bike to pour gas when it falls, no big deal.

[ajgs500]

yes it is completely normal for the gas to come out when the thing falls over.  Just pick her back up and assuming nothing is damaged it should be alright.  And refer to scratch's post if it doesn't start back up.

[Jusiat]

I know I've been kinda annoying with all my questions. I just wanna know the most I can before I start riding, and no Im not trying to wrench on her before I get the repair manual. Im not "Mechanically savvy", and Im also not clumsy. Is my asking questions bad? Or would it be better for me to go riding down the street with no helmet on and not know ANYTHING about the bike, and or common occurences. Sounds great, right?

[natecoop]

Jusiat, even though i am new to this site, i wanted to say congrats on the bike and be safe.  good to see other service members on this site.

while you are on this site and in the MSF course, your mind should be a sponge...  learn everything that you can about your bike, how to take care of it, and most importantly how to ride it!  

here is my two pennies of advice:
* RESPECT the machine - be good to it and it will be good to you.
* take it easy, go slow.
* wear proper gear (helmet, gloves, long pants, etc. - being military, it's a requirement).
* once you get the basics down and you're ready for more learning, pick up a copy of "A Twist of the Wrist II" by Kieth Code (it's a little more advanced).

enjoy your new ride and have fun!  ride safe!!

-nate

[Jusiat]

Thanks very much Nate I sure am trying to absorb the most I can on this bike.