Ok time to act like the bike newbie i am. I have had my license since 1999. But I'm a computer geek not a mechanic. So my first bike (an 80 CB650C) was always kept up and fixed by a friend. And my new bike is currently taken care of by a bike dealer. This is getting quite expensive.

Im about to go $700 in the hole for the work the bike needs and most of its labor.

So all that leads to this obvious question. If you wanted to learn how to repair a motorcycle what, or where, would you go? I don't like the idea of using my GS as a test subject. Since she only has 6400 miles on it (its a 93) and like I said I'm spending a bunch to make it roadworthy again. So do I go out and get another old CB by a Haynes manual and just try everything?

Do I go to a school and learn from a professional?

Thanks for your help in advance

Get a Haynes or Clymer manual and just follo the instructions in there if something goes wrong. Hell, get a project bike and a manual and fix it up if you want to learn to repair a bike. That'll take you through all phases of repair.

Get a repair manual and go at it.  I seriously doubt anyone here has been to school for bike repair.  Most repairs are relatively simple on these bikes.  Sometimes you screw up, but hey, you learn something out of it.  If you have any kind of troubleshooting skills, you can successfully diagnose and repair most problems once you understand how the engine and associated mechanical components work.

Well, yeah i know i should have done this first, but I'm reading through the FAQ forum here. And I'm loveing those links to the Sgt's FAQ's. What a great way to learn.

Now I'm beating myself up for paying for an oil change. But I want to do some of the things from the front page. Like the fenderectomy and move the reflectors and such. So I guess I will experiment on my own GS for the simple looks stuff. And maybe towards the end of the summer i'll see if i can't add a CB for the sake of learning. Honestly I miss the old beast a lot.

Thanks for the information. Please keep adding more thoughts on how you all learned.

I wrenched on my '69 VW bug a lot...  I learned all kinds of things the hard way... I haven't wrenched on my GS much 'cause I don't have the tools, the space, the time, the interest, or the talent...  But, simple stuff like oil changed, chain adjustment (ha ha ha unless your me), etc are pretty easy to rip through with a book...

Just don't OVER TIGHTEN all the bolts and if you're wary ask here before you rip into it.  You might F up a few things in the beginning, but replacement parts are cheaper than shop labor. 

4d

Quote from: Wrecent_Wryder on April 03, 2006, 03:35:18 PM"How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive: A Manual of Step-by-Step Procedures for the Compleat Idiot"

The greatest mechanic book ever written. 

It was funny (and punny) too...  The section on doing the valves said something like, "The bug has to be cold when you adjust them...  And not "Sat for a hour cold" but "Sat all night long, cold as a stone, cold." 

And how long to warm it up?  "I don't know... Until it's warm...  About enough time to smoke a cigarette." 

3d

Quote from: fodder650 on April 03, 2006, 02:33:04 PM
So all that leads to this obvious question. If you wanted to learn how to repair a motorcycle what, or where, would you go? I don't like the idea of using my GS as a test subject. Since she only has 6400 miles on it (its a 93) and like I said I'm spending a bunch to make it roadworthy again. So do I go out and get another old CB by a Haynes manual and just try everything?

I've done three things: 1. I got the manuals for my bikes, 2. I've watched others more experienced than I, and 3. I've taken free motorcycle maintenance seminars (Doc Wong RAWKS!). Plus, there are SO many knowledgable folks online and here at GSTwin who are always willing to offer advice (and even lend a hand when they're closeby).

I'm lucky to have a boyfriend and stepson who know a lot about bikes and their maintenance, but I feel confident that I can do a lot of the work through reading and watching the wise ones! The next valve job on my ratbike will be done 100% by yours truly. I watched my boyfriend and Kerry's video reaaaaaaaally closely the first time 'round! 

You can do it, too!! 

fodder650  - like you've read here, pick up a Clymer manual - they are tremendously helpful and well worth the 20-something dollars you will pay for it. I plan on doing all of my own repairs / maintenance with the exception of any engine work -- a comfort level thing.

Quote from: Wrecent_Wryder on April 04, 2006, 03:22:50 AMI sort of miss those old bugs- there was always SOMETHING you could do to get it running again.

Ed-Zakly!  They rarely run great, but they always run.     I want another bug pretty badly...  A '66 or older.  [/threadjack]

Ok i'll order a Clymers manual. I'm going to print out the Sgt's Faq's from the other link (just a lot of fun to read). And I'll follow the faq's and guides here and start simple with the fenderectomy and reflectorectomy during the summer.

I already have the ignition advancer on the bike. So now I'm tempted to do a jetkit. But from what I remember those arent real fun to do. Especially if you arent to comfortable doing it.

So I'm sure this is in search somewhere. But you're all being so helpful. Let me ask this question straight. Can you do a jet kit with the stock exhaust? Or if I replace is their a decent slip on/exhaust that won't raise the noise level at idle and midrange to racebike levels?

One of the things I loved about my old CB650 was how quiet it was. And the GS doesnt get noisy until you really kick it.

Again thanks for all your help. Now I'm looking forward to doing some of the detail work on the GS. But I still might use this an excuse to get another 80's Honda custom project bike

I'll leave your last question to one of the pros...

But what is "the Sgt's Faq's"?

Quote from: groff22 on April 04, 2006, 10:01:25 AMBut what is "the Sgt's Faq's"?

For example: http://www.uponone.com/viewhowtos12.php

You can find 'em here: http://www.uponone.com/howtos.php

The best way to learn IMHO is to read as much as you can then go and get your hands dirty (or better yet get yourself a pair of Mechanix gloves so you don't scare away the ladies after you're finished  )  The point is, you just gotta hop in there and give it a go. It may be scary at first, but after a little bit it becomes kinda fun.  There's not much you can break, just be gentle and  pay attention to what's going on and you'll be fine.

I addition to the shop manual, you should also get yourself a good set of tools.  I personally like Sears Craftsman tools; they're great quality American tools, have an unlimited  lifetime warranty (if you break a tool, and you will break a tool, they replace it no questions asked), and they're not *too* expensive (well cheaper then Snap On and the like).

Start off with a basic mechanics tool set.  You should at least have a 1/4" and a 3/8" drive socket wrench, a set of long and short SAE and metric sockets (you *should* only need metric for the GS, but trust me you'll want both),a couple of socket extensions, a sparkplug socket (socket sets usually include the most common sizes), a set of SAE and metric combination wrenches (the wrenches with an open end and a closed end of the same size), and a basic set of screw drivers. 

You may also need a set of torx sockets and allen sockets, but I have yet to work on a GS, so I dunno 

A Craftsman tool set like this will probably run you a few hundred bucks, but look at it this way: 1) after a few uses you'll have made back what you would have paid in labor 2) these tools properly maintained will last you your life time, your children's life time, their childrens life time, and so on.   

Here are a few beginner tips: always use the right tool for a job, if you don't have a tool, go and buy it (or fabricate it).  NEVER EVER EVER use pliers or an adjustable wrench on any nuts or bolts.  And, most importantly, be careful to not over tighten anything, especially if its threaded into aluminum.

Quote from: RVertigo on April 04, 2006, 10:04:34 AM

Quote from: groff22 on April 04, 2006, 10:01:25 AMBut what is "the Sgt's Faq's"?

For example: http://www.uponone.com/viewhowtos12.php

You can find 'em here: http://www.uponone.com/howtos.php

Ahh... Very good, thanks RVertigo

Unfortunately experience is one of the best ways to learn.  The problem is that with experience comes mistakes.  The good news is that mistakes are usually fixable, although sometimes costly!  $$$

For example I was tightening the bolts in the brackets that hold the camshafts on my GS.  The torque wrench I had was a piece of junk and I snapped off two bolts - hey, what can I say, I'm a slow learner!   
I tried to drill the bolt and easy out it but drilled into the aluminum head instead - doh! 

I thought I was done for.  When I stopped hyperventilating I calmed down and found a machine shop to fix my mistake for $30. 

So my advice would be be research whatever repair/mod you need to do entirely, post on this board to fill in any blanks, get the manual and go to town!  Wrenching really is quite fun and addicting once you get into it.  That is, unless it's sunny and 80 degrees out and your bikes in pieces parts - then it sucks.   

Good luck!   

[4

Alright so my GS came home yesterday. And the bill was $714 of which three hours labor worth of cost when into carb cleaning. And of course I was told "But it was less then we expected". Another couple hundred went to the front brake (which sure does look perty now). But after thirteen years it was due for a replacement. But now the bikes idling at over 3000rpm and running rich. Because I'm guessing they set the needles wrong. All this from a Suzuki dealership to.

But this is the main reason I want to learn this stuff. My GS spent the better part of the last two years on my backporch exposed to the elements. But I plan on repenting for my mistakes. I'm going to learn how to keep her running top shape. And then I'm going to start the modifications.

See I'm a short guy who doesn't look right on a sportier bike. But after reading these forums, and after paying half my bikes value in repairs. Damned if I'm not gonna make her look better. I've owned it for over five years. The first day I got it I rode it home on a cold March rainy day in Pennyslvania without rain gear or really a lot of miles under me. That bike showed me I could take her anywhere. And since then I havent even put 1,000 miles on it.

So this year I plan on taking it at a lot. And I plan on using the search tool a lot here. And leaning on all of you guys, and ladies, pretty heavily. While my GS and I get to know each other properly.

Now if I could just get rid of these ugly purple stickers

So on my list to do this summer -
====================
New air fliter - new jet kit - new exhaust
Fenderectomy, reflectorectomy
LED dash update

Quote from: AlphaFire X5 on April 03, 2006, 02:39:09 PM
Get a Haynes or Clymer manual and just follo the instructions in there if something goes wrong. Hell, get a project bike and a manual and fix it up if you want to learn to repair a bike. That'll take you through all phases of repair.

What, in your estimation, could you get a decent project bike for? I mean one that isn't a total loos and will once again be street-worthy, but it'll take some time and work. It seems like even some of the "projects" on craigslist are near $1K, far too much for a project, IMO.

I'd go sub-$500 for an older CB or something like that. shaZam!, even an old, busted GS.

Anyways, how say you? What would be a ballpark estimate on a good price for a decent project?