Help needed!
 

Hello guys and girls!
I'm planning a big bike trip on my Bonneville T100 and I am really lacking on the the repair side. I'm going alone and up until now I've managed to relay my fears with "oh, there will be a mechanic.....!" I did register for the maintenance course at South London College, but it isn't running this year due to a lack of interest!

So what I'm looking for is someone who could teach me a few basics, maybe over a few evenings or an afternoon sometime for a couple of beers or COLD, HARD CASH! Really, whatever suits you best! I can come to you!

I'm in Sussex/Surrey (Horley), so within a 30ish mile radius would be good. Any takers?:D

Depending on what you're doing / where you're going you might find the Bonnie doesn't need much maintaining. My friend's 20yr old Triumph did 10,000 miles round the US back in the autumn and the only maintenance was a tyre and oil change done at a dealers.

I was going to suggest some of the practical features on offer at the UK HUBB meeting this coming summer might be of some help but the links to the pages don't seem to work. In any case you probably need to be "hands on" rather than just watching someone else do stuff.

I'd be happy to spend a couple of hours to run through some of the basics with you. It would be general stuff though as I don't know Triumphs specifically - plus I'm a bit further away than your 30 mile radius (near Oxford).

A couple of years ago I retired from a life time of earning a crust firstly by repairing motorcycles and then the last 22 years by teaching in a FE college engineering department. One of my responsibilities there was to set up a motorcycle repair and maintenance course for students intending to go on to find apprenticeships. So I write with some experience.
First, I would think about the time left before you depart on your intended trip and consider what you skills can realistically manage to master. It takes a long time for a novice to learn the underpinning knowledge and master the skills necessary to become competent. So unless you are looking at taking your trip some years in the future, I would say it would probably be better just to learn some essential skills before you go. For example tyre changing (there is a good HORIZONS video that deals with this), puncture repair, how to adjust and replace a drive chain, how to replace brake shoes and / or pads and other simple maintenance and repairs.
Get hold of either a Haynes or Clymer manual for your bike and have a go. Use the manual and start with the simple stuff. Chain adjustment, topping up fluids, replacing bulbs etc and build your confidence. Then move on to practicing removing the wheels, start with the front since it is usually easier. Then you can progress to other more difficult tasks. It's all PRACTICE, PRACTICE, as far as dismantling, reassembly and maintenance is concerned.
Where the real skill comes in is being able to make a diagnosis and that will come from understanding how the various systems work and the experience you have already gleaned. To help you understand how systems work you could look at the various tech books published by Haynes and a book published by Pearson called Motorcycle Maintenance and Repair, which is for work based learning courses but it will give a useful insight into understanding motorcycles.
Above all don't be afraid to have a go. You will inevitably make mistakes, but a few mistake made before you go should result in less on the road.
I hope the advice is helpful, but do ask on this forum if you are stuck. I have no experience of modern Triumphs, but there are plenty of knowledgable folk around always willing to assist.

Tech books
 

Two good books for amateur motorcycle repairers are:

Motorcycle Workshop Practice Techbook

Motorcycle Electrical Techbook

Hi Bonnie 25

+1 for what plainhorse said

I may be you a few years on! I had no experience, scant DIY ability (still limited) and did that motorcycle maintenance course (city of bristol). It showed me some things were SO easy to do (giving me confidence) and for others confirmed I was NEVER going to do them. The main benefit of the course was learning what jobs fitted which category.

With a Haynes manual I have easily done normal services, changed brake pads, lines and discs, changed chain and sprockets and recently changed a tyre. I have resolved to let others do engine work and balance carbs.

I found working on an old low value bike (zzr600) and basic dirt bike (xr400) gave me confidence. Dirt bikes in particular are designed to be easy to service as they need frequent attention so are good to learn on.

I'd pick a simple job (that doesn't feel intimidating to you), give yourself plenty of time, MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TOOLS and just follow your Haynes manual step by step.

Some great posts above!
+ there is a self maintenance workshop somewhere in London - it could be near the Oval area of south London, I suggest you make a search for that.
They keep an eye on what you are doing and loan tools etc

Yes from what I've read it has a good reputation.
Here is a link: Oval Motorcycle Centre Motorcycle DIY workshop, maintenance, service, repair and training workshop

Thanks guys! All really helpful stuff. I think I have done too much reading and am starting to imagine slightly unrealistic breakdowns (in a flood, on a mountain, in the dark..........). I've been reading the Haynes all week!
Thanks again.
B