Do you like working on your bike. I always struggle to get off my erse and go and make a start. Especially if the weather is crap. The thing is, once I'm actually working on it, I'm as happy as Larry. (Who is Larry anyway. )

When its done, I get a fair bit of satisfaction knowing that I've done it myself.  :cool: Or maybe that just becasue I've saved money.  :eyebrow:

I've started to get some tools together, which has always been the major problem. The money I've spent on tools has been easily recouped by the savings on garage bills.

I'm doing stuff now that I would never have considered a few years ago. This was brought home, when I was working on the viffer recently. I'm surprised that I managed to get the viffer back together again. I think the wife thought I'd eventually have to pay for somebody to take it away.  :cool: But, back on the road it is and I'm enjoying every minute of it.

I don't mind working on the bike as long as i've got an idea of what i'm doing.
I did the thing this weekend with the crankcase covers and now they're shining like a new pin.
Sorted the clutch out too (thanks ff).
just need to get the rattle out of the engine now its noisy on the side stand but quieter when it's upright I suspect cam chain tension but christ knows????
:verysad:

GS's do tend to rattle a bit. There's a fair bit of cam end-float as standard which can be ignored. They also tend to shake the clutch centre loose - does the noise go away when you pull the clutch in?

It's just a case of taking the cover off, removing the pressure plate and re-tightening the centre nut. If there's a tab washer you can hammer it flat and re-use it as long as you fold it over in a different place. It's worth treating yourself to the correct sized socket as it also (I think) fits the front sprocket nut.

If it's a GS thou they tend to shake the clutch basket loose - there's some shock absorber springs in the back that aren't really up to the job. There's a place that splits the drum and fits better springs if it's really shagged.

I don't do spannering on anything major like engine or safety related like brakes as I don't have the patience or trust myself to do it properly.  I'll fit accessories like luggage and huggers and stuff like that but in the last 4 years I've only owned bikes which are within their warranty period so if anything major went wrong it would be into the dealers for them to fix.

As for who is Larry Happy as Larry

Striking resemblance old chap...

Me, I can clean the bike... that's it. No more, no less... tried fitting the hugger and broke it so that's it. Now anything needed gets done at the local workshop (Parsons at Radstock) who, I have to say, are splendid chaps and do a good job at a good price and don't (appear to not anyhoo) talk bollox 'coz I don't know much about bikes. And, I can stand and watch them work if I like

That's a good site.

They didn't have 'Get off at Paisley' though.  :sus:  :laughcont:

For those not in the know. Paisley is a couple of stops before Glasgow. If someone said they had got off at Paisley, it meant they have went the full road, when they were with a burd. If you know what I mean. I think this method was recommended the the Catholic church but they called it something else.  :sus:

I dont trust anyone enough to work on my bikes-dealers may be a lot better than when I 1st started out-but I doubt it.I have the tools & manuals, sometimes its a chore, but like BD said, you do get a sense of satisfaction when its all back together again.

I'm of the same mind as you Dp.
I can't quite find it in myself to trust dealers/garages whether it be Bikes/cars or whatever.
I've seen too many horror stories on telly of people putting their pride and joy in for work only to find out it's not been done properly or just not done at all.

DP & Image, that's fine if you have the time / inclination / space chaps... but me, I don't have the time and find I'm better off doing "my job" to earn the extra to pay for the dealer to do theirs... if you see what I mean.

I think that, as yet, I've not had a bad experience with the bike being serviced... that may change of course.

However, come the revolution and when I have the time I shall have my little workshop (I've got two now, but they're full of books by bugger ) and I shall do it myself...

I should add that I earn £1.50 a day... so the Hagon's looking like a year of overtime

Are you still selling your body then.  :devil:  :laughcont:


There is lots of stuff that is beyond my knowledge but I'm leanring stuff all the time. Every little bit of knowledge gained makes me a bit more confident about tackling harder jobs. The problem can be getting somewhere to work. Working outside with drips running down your butt, doesn't make spannering enjoyable.

Blandy old bean, call me a cynic-but I just dont trust bike workshops-I've heard too many horror stories.
I really hope your local garage or whatever is the dogs bollocks, but as you mention I have the time & inclination to do it myself-if my bike goes bang at 150 mph I only have whats left of me to blame
Also my Scottish half shudders if I spend money.

Aha! Thought so I meant no offence, of course, simply making a point t'was all old chap

I do concur with the point about going bang... right now I trust them more than I trust meself though, used to work on cages OK (rebuilt a rover v8 once indeed!) but lack time and motivation I s'pose.

It's not that "money no object" applies, of course, but right now the bike seems to be cheap to run. Standard servicing, tyres etc. all v. reasonable.

However, I recall someone telling me about the servicing on the Bandy requiring tappets. I told them about it... but it sounds the bloody same to me to be honest. I may buy a hand-book and investigate matters further... perhaps a winter job if I can sell some books

Here's a bit of a tip if you're doing anything complicated when working on your bike.
Buy one of those cheap polaroid cameras and take some shots of key points in the process of dismantling that way you have a record of what you've been up to and can always go back to the piccys if you get stuck.    Works for haynes.

I like working on bikes but it's hard to find the time.

When it's my main road bike I prefer to have someone do the job if I can afford it so it's back on the road as soon as possible.  However, I shall shortly be spending some time putting a new exhaust on, cos after shelling out the £250 to buy it, I shall be skint!  And I have lots of miles to do this year.

And as there is an MOT coming up, I guess I'll have to check the brakes too, I've done some work on brakes and am now fairly confident with them - but I always take it slowly and yell for help if I'm not sure.  I've learnt a lot by working on my old superdream, but haven't tackled any engine work yet.  That may come soon if the rattle turns out to be the can chain!  But with a bit of luck it may just be the balance shaft that needs work.

 :bowdown:

I have no idea of what you speak, BG, but it sounds technical and I doff my cap in your general, knowledgeable direction... :buttrock:

I can talk the talk - it remains to be seen whether I can walk the walk!

Back on topic:

I would, but the bike is still under warranty. However, as soon as I can, I fully intend to.

That's a fecking first... what's this, family man attitude  :swivel:

Hilts, at the rate you're clocking up the miles it will be a classic before the next service is due

Cheeky feck - lard arris yourself!


(cross-topic that one  :eyebrow: )

I'll have to go away more often, turn my back & the old Hilts/BW double act commences

I'm like Porky without the pie... clearly I'm Pie rather than porky

You got that right  :swivel:

You know, I've actually missed this..    :laughcont:  :laughcont:

Tis like the good old days.

'Ol Blandy's just jealous, gawd bless 'im.

Besides, the Fazer is a classic already  :cool:

The way you ride 'em... like Benny Hilll

Benny who?

What does he ride like?










where is this going I dread to think

Who cares where its going-as long as its going somewhere?

You said that deliberately to make it go as far off topic as possible, didn't you?

Well it worked!  


:p