Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Bodger Fix
Bodger Fix What they don't show you in the repair manual - tales of duct tape, bailing wire and WD 40. Bodge, Bush Mechanics, farmers fix, patch, temporary repair, or whatever your definition, tell us YOUR best story of a bodge that got you home!
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 10 Jul 2011
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Nottingham
Posts: 49
Mechanical knowledge required for a Europe trip?

I'm thinking about going round a bit of Europe this summer, but have next to no technical knowledge re. my bike (or that many others for that matter, it's a 2004 R1150GSA). My current level would be changing a filter or the oil.

Don't get me wrong, I want to learn but frankly I'm scared stiff of breaking something which would could substantial amounts of money to correct...

Anyway, re. the Europe trip, is it really necessary to have that much technical knowledge?

Thanks,

Alex.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 10 Jul 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Oxford UK
Posts: 2,102
Well, this is how I'd approach it. Presumably the bike is reliable enough in everyday use for you to consider taking it on a European trip. If that's the case then you've got three possibilities once you're underway. Either nothing will go wrong - in which case your lack of mechanical knowledge isn't a handicap, or something will go wrong. If it's something terminal - engine explodes, forks snap, bike is stolen etc then no matter how much mechanical knowledge you had it wouldn't have made any difference, so no knowledge is fine.

It's in the middle, where something has gone wrong but with a bit of knowledge you could have fixed it that your concerns lie. Suppose it won't start one morning or some sort of clanking noise suddenly appears. You've got no idea what's happened so what are you going to do? The answer is to find someone who can figure it out. Europe is full of people who can do that - dealers, roadside breakdown guys, even other bikers who'll sometimes stop. The downside is that it usually takes a bit longer than it would if you could do it yourself and you'll have to pay for their time (parts you'd have had to pay for anyway). Effectively you'll be trading your time and a bit of "what's that noise" worry for your lack of knowledge.

If you get some good breakdown insurance, a list of BMW (and other makes) dealers, and a mobile with enough battery life and credit to withstand the runaround you'll be given when you try to phone anyone I would have thought you'd be ok. Just make sure the bike's been really checked over before you go - and that doesn't just mean a 12K service or whatever. Get it looked at with a "stitch in time" mentality - what could go wrong.

Also, you don't have to be a time served mechanical genius to be able to fix simple stuff. Common sense will get you out of a number of problems. I came back from northern Spain some years ago with the end cap of the silencer held on with a couple of matchsticks and a short length of wire I found in a gutter at the side of the road.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 10 Jul 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: West Yorkshire UK
Posts: 1,785
RAC card and a phone that works.

Don't worry, don't panic, don't mess with things you don't understand.

Nothing goes wrong you are fine except the RAC ripped you off for a hundred quid and did nothing but be ready to answer a phone. It's In-Sewer-Ants, you hope it's money down the drain.

You put Diesel in, some grease monkey is going to take the **** out you when telling the RAC how much they owe him. You won't have a clue, you'll just be given the keys back.

The drive shaft goes, you get a week touring in a hired Nissan Micra and the trip from hell coming home on Quesy Jet. The bike will be dropped off a month later at your home, utterly filthy and just as broken but otherwise fine.

Put any thoughts of spending £10000 on a new BMW (just as likely to break) or an Enfield, five hundred piece tool kit and a year of night school aside, you'll get better service in Budapest than Brighton or Bradford.

Andy
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 10 Jul 2011
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Gloucestershire
Posts: 376
Join the AA / RAC / motoring organisation of your choice. Put their card in your wallet. Forget about it and enjoy the trip.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 10 Jul 2011
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Nottingham
Posts: 49
Yup, seems like the best idea. I'll have to tackle my lack of knowledge later on.

Thanks all.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 11 Jul 2011
gixxer.rob's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Back in Melb
Posts: 287
the odd one out

It seems I am the odd one out here but I think you should try to get a least some basic nuts and bolts knowledge about your bike. It never hurts.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 12 Jul 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,598
You dont need to know a lot, nor have the inclination to fix your own bike.
It does in my opinion help if you know a little, perhaps able to do a simple annual service and change a chain.
best thing would be to ask some honest mechanic to service your bike -and- at the same time look out for any impending problems. Maybe fit a new chain/sprockets too soon and keep the old ones for spares. Many people make the mistake on running on worn out consumables whilst carrying brand new spares. do it the other way round.
I know of BMW riders who have had diaphragms in their saddlebags for so long that when they came to use them they were already perished. When I service my bile it is a chance to recycle some of my riding spare parts.
But unexpected things will happen. Once I had a total power failure on a BMW. battery killed and some wires burnt including the power cable to the starter motor. But it did break up the journey. I left it in a garage, Euro 35 labour and the rest normally priced parts. It did allow me to make different friends and get to know the town better Oddly my TP insurance unexpectedly paid for my two days hotel bill

On my last trip to see the flytrap in Poland I had a big end fail, so it rattled all the way home. Unexpected and I did not carry the appropriate Parts. Once home I put it in the garage, ride in ride out. cost about a third of the cost of an efi problem on my Volvo. It is now not only fixed, but bigger and better
thing is not to worry too much and just deal with things as they arrive. I ride with a rough idea of where I intend to go, but neither the route or schedule is at all fixed.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 12 Jul 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: West Yorkshire UK
Posts: 1,785
Quote:
Originally Posted by gixxer.rob View Post
It seems I am the odd one out here but I think you should try to get a least some basic nuts and bolts knowledge about your bike. It never hurts.
Depends on the person IMHO. I've known riders who knew nothing beyond what they remembered from the service manual and did fine. An old boy who'd you'd have thought would have had a cheauffeur once asked me to change a Bentley headlight bulb for him in a hotel car park, no problem, he spoke four languages, I know machinery, we are all different and get by together. It wasn't as though you could die of starvation waiting for the ADAC or a garage to open in Frankfurt.

Unfortunately, I think a little knowledge is dangerous in the wrong hands. I've met countless riders who've read tales of doom on the net and get it into their heads some percieved rattle is the big end on it's way. The worst ones decide to take a look and in trying to get the head covers off their BMW's accidentally break the seal on the cam chain adjuster. If you can avoid the screaming voices of doom in your head and the urge to fiddle, the more knowledge the better of course.

I once met a bloke in Norway carrying a spare drive shaft for a GS. It was an expensive means to hold a tent flap down. Leave the contents of the garage at home, you'll never have the right bit with you.

Andy
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 14 Jul 2011
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Nottingham
Posts: 49
Heh, that's the key isn't it - having the knowledge to know what is a problem and what isn't.

Either way, for my forthcoming trip around Europe, a RAC or AA card will do the job I think.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 14 Jul 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Moscow
Posts: 1,117
All highly sensible replies. But the one thing not addressed is Lagan's lack of mechanical confidence.

OK - he can change oil and filter.

How about brake pads, fuses, all bulbs, correctly disconnect and remove battery, chain/sprocket adjustment/replacement (where appropriate), clutch cable, spark plugs, wheel removal, top up other liquids ?
All fairly small, simple, straightforward tasks, quickly learned and building in knowledge and confidence by working on various parts of the bike. The forums and FAQ sections of model specific websites will go through these tasks in detail.

Armed with these skills (and tools!) you will at least have something to play about with while waiting for the breakdown truck to turn up !
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 14 Jul 2011
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Sheffield
Posts: 994
This is another entirely personal choice thing I guess. I love getting my spanners out and figuring out what's going wrong (and tend to ride very breakdown-prone bikes as a result), and some people would rather have the confidence of knowing something's been done by a professional (or rather that they will have some comeback if it goes wrong).

I'd rather do my own wiring and plumbing and plastering than pay someone, which is why my house looks like sh*t! My mate would rather pay someone to do his house up which is why he doesn't have a bike collection, neither one of us is 'right'.....
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 15 Jul 2011
gixxer.rob's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Back in Melb
Posts: 287
Quote:
Originally Posted by Threewheelbonnie View Post
Unfortunately, I think a little knowledge is dangerous in the wrong hands. I once met a bloke in Norway carrying a spare drive shaft for a GS. It was an expensive means to hold a tent flap down. Leave the contents of the garage at home, you'll never have the right bit with you.Andy
Yes there are idiots everywhere but I still think having basic knowledge is nothing but a good thing.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 15 Jul 2011
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: London
Posts: 404
Not been said so far so I'll chuck this in.
Use your eyes.

Everyday on the trip, and on the lead up to it, outside your tent/hostel/hotel, have a good look at your bike. At least a minute, two or three are better. Wander around it and study it. Even if you don't know what you're looking for, or at. But note what you see, all the bits, where they are, how they're held in place, how they connect visually.
Waggle things if they look as though you'll learn something from doing so.
(Riders who clean their bikes regularly do most of this anyway, but only on cleaning day - I don't clean much).

When you attach the day's luggage, do the same, look all around and underneath wherever it is that the luggage fixes to.

One day you may see something different, something missing, in a different place, something with a fine crack, or covered with some substance that wasn't there before, a patch of rust or bare metal that wasn't there before. An empty hole. So on and so on.

Gives you a chance to find something before it trips you up in the middle of nowhere where phones don't work, or much worse, there're no people to help.

If you find something strangely or worryingly different, at least you have a chance to visit a garage or bike shop first.

Anyway, to answer your question:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lagan View Post
re. the Europe trip, is it really necessary to have that much technical knowledge?

Thanks,

Alex.

No, unless your bike has been severly mistreated before you acquired it, and not serviced as the makers advised you.


Enjoy your trip
__________________
TTR250 - London to Cape Town
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 12 Aug 2011
Tenere99's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 177
Rat

Buy a running rat bike for cheap. Take it to bits and put it back together again. hands on is the only way.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 14 Aug 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: London
Posts: 286
Europe is easy enough, everyone wants to help you out. I'd say go for it. My understanding is the 1150 is a great, solid and reliable bike. Plenty of people riding them on the continent would say so so I reckon there's plenty of help available there.
There's nothing to stop you from doing both though, do your trip and brush up on your basic skills. Fixing a bike is really not that hard, I'm talking about basics here. So long as everything is checked regularly on a boxer you've got very little really to worry about. Oil changes, plugs, brake pads and the likes are all easy enough, and if you can do any of that then chances are the only thing you're really lacking is a bit of experience.
Have you considered just riding it and not bothering with RAC/AA cover? I mean if something happened you could just buy it online and then tell them you broke down the next day.... I mean you could do that....
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Crazy european Capitol-Trip, knowledge wanted! Enduroreisende Route Planning 6 14 Dec 2008 17:27
Round Trip Ticket to Russia Required?? liketoride2 Trip Paperwork 6 11 Aug 2005 20:17
Is a Carnet required anywhere in Europe? SKILLO Trip Paperwork 12 5 Dec 2004 22:52
People with desert racing and local knowledge required alexanderwest Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else 0 20 Apr 2004 16:18
mechanical knowledge noiles Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else 2 27 May 2001 13:25

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 09:47.