I enrolled with my local college to do an evening class course in basic motorcycle maintenence as I'd like to be able to do more stuff myself but lack knowledge and confidence... Even though it was only the second week tonight I feel I've learned o much already! I took off the rear whell from an old ZZR600 tonight, checked the wheel bearings, state of the tire and rims, brake pads and calipers, sprocket etc then refitted the wheel, adjusted the chain and aligned the wheel again :) Feel really pleased with myself and having a great instructor and classmates helped too... Once I've learned more and done more stuff I'll have the confidence to do more on my own bike - which is a really great feeling :) Would thoroughly reccomend it :)

Zail, that's excellent news! Congrats. You can do it! Every repair is just a series of small steps. Do each step as best you can. Each time, it will get easier. :thumbup:

Good job! Sounds like fun...

It would be great if our colleges or tech/vocational schools had such a course. Here in the US, we don`t have the motorcycle population you have in the UK. Very few people use their bikes for transportation--they use them to cruise around, maybe do a tour, but generally it is just going for a ride. I do that on my bicycle, and use the motorcycle for doctors appointments, visiting family, attending meetings, and some pleasure riding.

Sounds like a blast. I really would enjoy something like that.

It would be great if our colleges or tech/vocational schools had such a course. Here in the US, we don`t have the motorcycle population you have in the UK. Very few people use their bikes for transportation--they use them to cruise around, maybe do a tour, but generally it is just going for a ride. I do that on my bicycle, and use the motorcycle for doctors appointments, visiting family, attending meetings, and some pleasure riding.

If it's any cocelation, I use mine as my main mod of transportation as long as there isn't any snow on road.

What a great idea! That really sounds cool. Do they take old guys?

Ed,

Check this out:

http://www.dansmc.com/MC_repaircourse.htm

Cool, thank you.

You're more than welcome. I would ask Alex for a sticky, but it's not specific to our bikes! :)

VIEWER BEWARE, VERY VERY GRAPHIC PICTURE

http://www.gixxer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=242261

Dumb ...! This says it all "I started the bike, put it in gear and let it idle." You don't even have to go to the link. You all know what happened! :(

I really want to take a course like this but don't know where to find one. I have NO mechanical experience whatsoever and am way too scared to just start messing with my own bike and accidentally mis-adjust something or forget to tighten something enough... Could end badly.

I really want to take a course like this but don't know where to find one. I have NO mechanical experience whatsoever and am way too scared to just start messing with my own bike and accidentally mis-adjust something or forget to tighten something enough... Could end badly.

hehehe, on top of that, I could never remember which hex/bit fits what wrench or how to adjust torque wrench =P