One of the most important thing about spinning your own wrenches is to know what you are capable of and having the right tools for the job. And knowing how to use them.
I had a broken kick starter shaft replaced in 1965 because I didn't have the tools for it then. In 1978, I had the valves shimmed on a Suzuki because I didn't have the special shims or the tools needed again. Then... never mind, hasn't been a then since then. Frame ups don't scare me and for a long time I've bought any tool I didn't have. Yeah, gets expensive. Still, hell of a lot cheaper than dealers, and I never have any problems with what got done. Nobody even touches my tires either, except this guy I'm training.
that brings back some memories, back in the 80's, I had a GS1000, then the valve shims were about 5 bucks ea. being the shims were on top of the lifter my dad suggested cut a circle of .001 shim stock and place under the existing shim to make up the difference in clearance. rode the bike many miles, no problems and saved a lot of$$.
I was taking lawnmowers apart and learning how to fix them when I was in grade school. I grew up a po boy and the only way I could have a bicycle/car/motorcycle was to buy one that was cheap and needed work so I could fix them myself cheaply. These days I still do most all of my own wrenching. It gets to be a problem though with a lot of the electronics requiring specific high dollar scan tools and all.
And yes, not everybody can do it. I think the world of my brother in law but I don't want to see him with even a screwdriver in his hand, he has no mechanical skills at all.
You and I must be brothers from different mothers bigjames. I grew up a po' boy too. My first bicycle was built from stuff I dug out of the trash, and scavenged for parts anywhere I could. My first car wasn't much better. A $150 POS that I had to learn to keep it going. I learned a lot!
These days, I do all my own work....except for my truck. If it needs anything beyond oil changes, I let the techies with the scanning gizmos do it.
My garage is extremely well equipped, with mig and tig welders, plasma cutter, lathe, milling machine, etc. If I need a tool to do a specific job, I get it. My drag race car has many many "Fabbed by Mike" components. If I can't find what I'm lookin' for, I build it. Chances are even if I found what I was looking for, it would need work to make it fit and function anyway.
There are those of us who can those of us who try and those of us who have no clue.
I think that's the biggest difference from bikers from yesteryear (up to the early 80's) and today. Back in the day, at least 90% were in the "can or try" category.... very, very few in the "I have no clue" category.
I learned how to turn wrenches from my Dad, my Uncles, and my Grandfather over 40 years ago. Worked summers in my uncles body shop when I was a kid. Blown cars and bikes apart and re-built them. Every Christmas my Grandfather would buy me craftsman tools, I still have them. It's in my blood.
Couple that with the fact that nearly every time I take something in, it either gets F'ed up, something else gets F'ed up, or it doesn't get fixed.
I understand that not everybody has the tools, know how to do this. Based on what I have encountered over the years, it's best to know when you are in over your head and get help or stop. I'm always willing to help.
I have the whole "righty-tighty" thing down, a service manual, and youtube. There is nothing I won't attempt that doesn't require a digitech. If I don't have the tools, it's the perfect excuse to add to my collection.
I've discovered that they're really not all that complicated. Have a beer or six and go spin some wrenches.
I come from a time when you either knew how to wrench or you didn't ride much, habits been good to me for 4-1/2 decades on 2 wheels, Built many a bike from a bare frame and a pile of boxes, sig bike being one of them.
Originally Posted by AJSHOVEL
I think that's the biggest difference from bikers from yesteryear (up to the early 80's) and today. Back in the day, at least 90% were in the "can or try" category.... very, very few in the "I have no clue" category.
If you can say, in the day, good chance you do your own wrenching. The older guys that have come along in the last 10 years or so rarely do any of their work.
There is hope, second generation (my youngest) is working on bikes for friends.
01-02-2018 | 09:55 PM
