Where to learn?

Roblas said:

Maybe this has been asked before, but I haven't seen it. I've been reading some books and looking through the treads on this site trying to learn all I can about bike maintenance and modification, but I feel like there's still a bunch of stuff that's not clicking. I don't have nearly enough confidence to start taking things apart on my bike and there's a bunch of terminology that still goes over my head.

So here's my question: is there somewhere I can go to learn this stuff? Are there classes or workshops or whatever where I can get some hands-on experience taking a bike apart and putting it back together? Books are great and all that but there's no substitute for hands-on experience. I know I could get it by taking apart my bike and learning as i go, but if I do that I won't have anything to ride. I can change the oil and the coolant and simple stuff like that. What I'm looking for now is the level of knowledge required to put a GSXR fork on my SV and someday be able to do something like this http://forum.svrider.com/showthread.php?t=93702

I live in California outside of San Francisco, so if anybody's got any suggestions or knows of a thread where this has been answered I'd appreciate the input.

Click to expand...

If you are in any way intelligent, you can teach yourself, with the aid of the members here. The reason I say that is because I'm testimony to it.

Look at the bike as a whole bunch of little bitty projects. If you start with the idea of taking the whole **** thing apart in one fell swoop, you're doomed to failure. If you decide to break it into sections, you'll be good to go.

First, download the service manual from www.sv650.org or find a hard copy of it.

When I joined this site some two years ago, my mechanical aptitude was limited to changing oil, wiper blades, and checking tire pressure.

With the assistance from the guys here, I've taught myself to completely rip an engine apart and put it back together. Over the past two years I've gone from having nothing more than a basic metric ratchet set to having a fairly well equipped garage, limited only by space.

One of the best things you can do is go over to the regional forums and find the one that encompasses your area. Post up there that you're looking for other members to get together for what have become known as "Maintenance Days". Look at the Northeastern board for ideas. You'll see "MD Maintenance Day" type threads. Read through them.

J-Dog and I are roommates, and we both ride an SV (and other bikes). He and I started hosting Maintenance Days at our house a few months back.

It works this way: He or I will suggest a date, say a month or two in the future. We'll put an invite out for anybody that needs anything done to come over. Typically it's a Saturday or Sunday, and we'll have anywhere between six and twenty members show up.

Basically, we ask that those that come to bring some refreshments and food to help host, while J-Dog and I do most of the work. Lew has tossed in a hand when he can come (he's mechanically inclined), as does Jeff. I may be missing some, but they know who they are.

Half of them come just for the company; they either don't need any work done or they got it done the last time they came over.

This helps many members like you get a glimpse into what's done when work on a bike is needed, with assistance from others, before you dive in yourself.

Most of the guys that come over either don't have the tools to do the work or don't have the know-how (or more so, the confidence) to do the work themselves.

Along with that, ask your questions in the Maintenance and your bike's generation-specific Tech forum. We'll walk you through anything you need.

It helps if you have a digital camera and can load up pics so that we can see what you're looking at.

Just ask away!

2 options...
Take a class at your local votech school. They usually offer reasonably priced night classes.

Or buy an inexpensive bike. Maybe one that runs, maybe not. Something that ran until it was parked many years ago would be best. Get the manual for it and invest in a moderately priced tool set. Then you just need time to work on it and most importantly the patience to see the project through. You have no idea how many bikes I've picked up that others bought to fix, took them apart and never did anything more with them.

Gas engines are 100 year old technology, but are built on several centuries of mechanical evolution. Each system in itself is easy to learn but it's very intimidating to look at all of them all at once. Take your time and learn them one by one, as you need to learn them. And web sites like this one are a great resource when you get stuck, SV related or not.

Roblas said:

Maybe this has been asked before, but I haven't seen it. I've been reading some books and looking through the treads on this site trying to learn all I can about bike maintenance and modification, but I feel like there's still a bunch of stuff that's not clicking. I don't have nearly enough confidence to start taking things apart on my bike and there's a bunch of terminology that still goes over my head.

So here's my question: is there somewhere I can go to learn this stuff? Are there classes or workshops or whatever where I can get some hands-on experience taking a bike apart and putting it back together? Books are great and all that but there's no substitute for hands-on experience. I know I could get it by taking apart my bike and learning as i go, but if I do that I won't have anything to ride. I can change the oil and the coolant and simple stuff like that. What I'm looking for now is the level of knowledge required to put a GSXR fork on my SV and someday be able to do something like this http://forum.svrider.com/showthread.php?t=93702

I live in California outside of San Francisco, so if anybody's got any suggestions or knows of a thread where this has been answered I'd appreciate the input.

Click to expand...

I would suggest downloading the service manual for your bike... Getting some tools is a no brainer... Allen keys, Metric wenches, 1/4 and 3/8 socket sets. You will need a clean area where to work. Concrete floor is best. You are going to need at lest a small work bench. Get at least a rear stand... And get a front one when you can... You will also find use for tall car stands.

Now when you are going to start taking parts apart be organized... Get your self a box of zip lock bags and a sharpie to level everything. Get a couple plastic boxes to place parts in. You can use a storage box to clean parts out with a paint brush and kerosene. Kerosene is fuel so no sparks flames or heaters near by.

Read about a job you are working with before you get started... A lot of it comes from experience. So read your manual, take off your tail section and clean everything... Next time you will already know how to go about it...

Read your manual and then... Check out your air filter condition... Lift the tank and see what is under there... I remove the passenger seat and use a strap to keep the tank up...

Clean up dust and grime with Simple Green and another paint brush... Rinse with water... And use Armor All to make the job easier next time... A clean bike is a pleasure to work with...

Replace your spark plugs before they give you problems. This can give you clues as the performance of your engine... Change the oil and oil filter regularly and when you fill it up get it to the full mark. warm up the bike let it sit for a minute and check the level again. Bike must be level. Top off with oil as needed.

Clean and service your chain regularly. A loose chain is better than a tight chain. Get yourself a chain alignment tool... Makes the job way easier. The chain service is only a pain, if you believe it is. If you clean it as good as you can, and lubricate it properly it pays off with extended service life.

Remove your wheels and inspect your wheel bearings... if there is anything other than a constant smooth feel on the bearings replace them as a set. They are like $25.00 - $40.00 a set. Clean and lubricate the axle and dust seals before install. I use synthetic grease...

Use brake cleaner on your rotors regularly. Any oil or contaminants left behind, will be inbeded in your pads... You can also sand lightly the brake rotors surface and even the pads

Little things like this will give you hands on experience.

The GSXR front end at least on 2 generation SV650 can be done by yourself in 3-4 hours.

If you have questions just ask. But try to do your homework first... Some guys get easily annoyed