Course: Basic Motorcycle Mechanics & Maintenance
 

Learn basic maintenance by servicing your own bike over a week-end, under supervision of a qualified bike mechanic.


OK bikers & bikerettes – I've had enough interest in this, that its time to put the idea into practice.


I will be back in the UK by the end of June, so that is when I've arranged the first course for.


I wish we could do this for free - but after paying people at least their expenses, sorting out dry, warm facilities where we can work and sleep (and shower) for the weekend etc. The cost will be around £85.23 per bike for the 2 days.


I will buy lubricants, cleaners etc. in bulk, so we can all save. (And you don't have to ride with bottles of icky stuff in your luggage)

Will arrange to have tools available which people may not have - will sort this out on a one-to-one basis.



Only 8 bikes can be worked on at a time - so book your space now.

COURSE DETAILS:


Where: Near Kendal in the gorgeous country side of Cumbria



When: 18 - 20 June 2010


Accomodation: (2 nights) Bunk type barn with shower/bathroom facilities & kitchen. Bring your sleeping bag.


Meals: Group catering for breakfast & light lunch. Tea & coffee. Pub meal at night (pay your own). I quite like the idea of getting some of the local people involved, maybe arrange a hog roast or lamb or something for the evenings. Will get back to you with costs etc.

Basic Motorcycle Mechanics - Course Outline
 

OK guys, a rough outline of what we 'll aim to cover over the weekend.

If there are specific things not listed that you're interested to learn - let me know.

COURSE CONTENTS:

Fault Finding
• Basics
Tools
• Good practice & tips
Brakes
• Checks for brakes
• Replace brake pads
• Checks for hoses
Wheels
• Checks
• How to adjust spokes
• Check bearings
Swingarm
• Checks
• Lubricate
Fuel lines
• Checks
Spark plug
• Checks
• Clean and regap & replace
Valves
• Check valve clearance & adjust
Air filter element
• Clean & replace
Clutch
• Checks
• Adjust
Drive chain
• Checks
• Adjust
• Clean and lubricate.
Steering
• Checks
• Lubricate
Fasteners
• Checks
Sidestand
• Checks
• Lubricate
Forks
• Checks
Shocks
• Checks
Carburetor
• Checks
• Adjustments
Engine oil
• Change & replace filter
Lights & switches
• Checks
• Adjust headlights
Battery
• Best practice & tips on maintenance
• Checks

Count Me In
 

I'd be up for this weekend, it's about time i learned some maintenance skills.

Having said that i will still retain the right to push my bike over, kick it and go off in a huff like i've been doing for the past thirty years or so. :innocent:

Roamer

Me please - definitely need a bit of this! :thumbup1:

Belle

Hi,

Yup, I'd definitely be interested in coming along. :)

Alex

Hi,sounds great, unfortunately work commitments mean these dates are no good for me,are you planning any more courses after this one?
Andy

Definatly intrested, but am working at that week-end,
Out of intrest whose bike would ppl be working on? our own.

I looked at doing night school bike mechinics but missed the dateto register & would need to have shift changed to start an hour later.

XT Girl

If places are still available, I'd like to be included please. Great idea.

Thanks

Simon

Sounds cool XT girl

Any chance you will be able to give tips to guys with Bavarian tractors that think they know it all?:thumbup1:

Count me in please
 

Hi XT Girl. Great idea.

Please count me in (hopefully there is still availability) and advise me what arrangements are for confirming booking/paying in advance etc etc.

I have a KTM 950, but dont hold that against me

Hello everyone!
 

OK - I'm back on line and am putting together the details etc.

Will post a little registration form in the next few days.

For those who asked about other dates - definitely! If we get enough people together, we can keep doing it.

Also - I'm thinking we might follow up the basic course, with something more detailed and specific - lets gauge demand.

Ofcourse!

I have one tip: Buy a Jap.

Let me know when will be more suitable for you - we might be able to put something together.

Leat me know when will work for you.

Hi XT,
Will check the calender as I do very odd shifts & will get back to you.
Selous if your reading this maybe we could travel up together?
Andy

Where do I sign up?
 

I will be back in Blighty in a week or so and would love to come. What time will we get away on the 20th? I have a sailing course starting the next day on the other side of the country.

I will be bringing my VFR. The XT and KLR will be staying in Colombia.

Sounds great!

Count me in if there are still places available!

Regards,
Andy

But what about the Butterfly effect?

I would have loads of extra money left over if I bought a Jap......money is the root of all evil......and the world doesn't need anymore evil.....perhaps the evil I may cause with that money was just enough to push the world over the balancing point and into total chaos(guess it's already in chaos--but you get my drift!).....that's why I must continue to ride a Bavarian tractor.....I guess.....it's my destiny......

I'm surprised.....such a renowned and respected world traveler and perhaps the most dedicated and knowledgeable aficionado of the XT world-----would be so careless in her advice---perhaps you've been distracted lately?:rolleyes2:

Actually I was looking for a class in "motorcycle theory"--think your going to teach one of those later in the year?

Dates!
 

Hello everyone!

Thanks to no fault of my own, and completely unexpectedly I am suddenly finding myself a week into my long awaited, long planned trans african trip. (See my posts elsewhere and hopefully soon updated website!)

Miracles never cease.

Sooooo. I am afraid I wont be back for three months!

Also, to avoid us clashing with summer holidays, I think the best dates will be in early SEPTEMBER.

I have sorted a mechanic out -- and secured TWO DATES in September.

So -- NEW DATES ARE:

11, 12 September

and

24, 25 September


ALSO -- I have sorted out a BOOKING FORM -- which you can complete HERE (updated)

Safe travels
 

Good luck on your trip. It should be even more fun in September when you can tell us all about it.

Regarding the form though, it seems to be kicking up an error when you click submit:
"
Method Not Allowed

The requested method POST is not allowed for the URL /mechanics.html."

Fixed it.

Course Dates
 

Unfortunately am away first set of dates & am working 2nd set & do not have enough holiday to book days off! Are you planning any more courses for the future?

Dates
 

Yes, the idea is to keep going if it works well - will post some more dates in due course.

This is a great idea. I can't do this weekend but would love to do a course like this over the summer at some point. Let us all know when you have more dates.

Rob

I think it was last year Rob :confused1:

Yep, was last year - but I haven't heard from Mardi for yonks - anyone seen here anywhere?

Mechanic course
 

Is this course or anything similar being repeated this summer? Ideally not too far from London...

Thanks!

goo & others..

this may be of interest..

Bike Smart

i did the course in feb this year in haywards health. good value for 2 days, fun and i learnt a lot. the idea is that you take your bike along, plus spares (or pre-order these) and carry out a service on your own bike over the weekend. i'd recommend it for folks who are new to biking.. maybe first 1 or 2 years of bike ownership. no previous knowledge required but if you've got specific questions or problems you've attempted and would like a little help with the guys are very accomodating and willing to spend time talking and tinkering after class. all in all i'd definitely recommend.

Good luck :thumbup1:

£125? That's not much more than paying someone to do the service for you :thumbup1: and at least I would have some idea of hat I was doing afterwards :D