Dumb questions

[Jak]

The more I read here the more I realise there are so many things I could do to the bike myself rather than paying someone to do it for me So if I ask some really dumb questions please forgive me - I've been riding bikes for 25 years and I'm only just getting round to learning we all have to start somewhere

First question ... I was gonna change the oil & filter - but is there a knack to getting the screw undone on the crankcase? I can't shift it and I'm worried I'll knacker the screw if I try too hard (or should I just persevere?).

It needs some serious tlc, so at some point soon I'm going to take the bike off the road for a week and give it a thorough clean (in 2½ years I've never done that ) I also need to sort the chain out coz it's a mess and probably needs adjusting. I think I'm gonna need to buy a stand - but that raises another question....

What kind of stand?

Bear in mind that I would be getting the bike on and off the stand on my own and I am not that strong - and the bike probably weighs 3 times what I do!. (I said that on another forum and got flamed - basically got told that I shouldn't be riding a bike if I can't handle the weight of it - I did point out that one of the guys rides a cruiser and when he dropped it it took 2 of them to lift it) No way I'm asking any of them for help with dumb questions, hopefully you guys will be gentle with me

[HolerTogni]

Hi Jackie!

My answers / opinions:

First question ... is there a knack to getting the screw undone on the crankcase?

No knack - just use adequate tools eg a hexagon socket wrench and twist it open (counterclockwise ...) a little minimum force is necessary and (hopefully not) an extension of the lever to increase the leverage could be helpful to apply the minimum force necessary.



It needs some serious tlc, so at some point soon I'm going to take the bike off the road for a week and give it a thorough clean (in 2½ years I've never done that ) I also need to sort the chain out coz it's a mess and probably needs adjusting. I think I'm gonna need to buy a stand - but that raises another question....

What kind of stand?

Bear in mind that ... I am not that strong

A stand that is very useful and does safe a second stand (i.e. e.g. a front stand if one had bought a race stand already) is for example "Werner's Ständer"

This stand is operated like a "normal" (unfortunately not on the TRiXie) main stand with the foot and therefore doesn't require too much power - and little preparation. But just watch this

http://www.werners-staender-shop.de/wernerMQ.wmv

and you can get an idea therof.

But now a (dumb?) question from me:
What is meant by the abbreviation "tlc"??

Greetings from Munich!

[Jak]

What is meant by the abbreviation "tlc"??

tender loving care

[trixynut]

Hi,

As Holer says, no knack to undoing the bolt (presume you mean the drain plug?) just use a good fitting spanner or socket.

A rear paddock stand is what you need, and some bolts or paddock stand bobbins to go in the holes in the swing arm to pick the bike up on. I think they are M8 size? Don't get a stand with the cups that go under the swingarm, get one with hooks.

What I do is put the bike on it's sidestand, but with the sidestand on a block of wood so it's almost upright. Then put the paddock stand hooks on the swingarm bolts and press down and up she comes. Not a lot of effort needed.

The first time using a paddock stand is a bit scary, but then you get the knack and its a piece of pi.... er, dead easy!

Dave.

[Wombat]

Trixynut's right, once you've used a paddock stand a few times it's easy as. Yeah, go for a stand with the hooks. The other style that go under the swingarm are totally useless.

Bob

[ekoja]

Jac my girl
Go the the section of this forum that has the downloads, all will be explained
With regard to draining the oil I think you should ignore the phillips screw and undo the hex bolt that the screw sits in. Don't overtighten it when you do it up, try and do it up to the correct torque setting (can be found in aforementioned downloads section.)

Regarding the stand,I think Bob is right the stand with the hooks would appear to be better I got the stand off Meemo which fits under the swingarm and it is a bit fiddly to fitup but it does work and it is dead easy to hoist onto the stand.
Hope that helps

[HolerTogni]

Hi Jackie!

As to the stand again:
I also use a stand with hooks, but to hoist it up safe when alone I use reusable cable ties to secure the hooks to the bushings in the swingarm. Otherwise the hooks tend to slip out of the bolts - not dangerous but annoying ...

Or maybe go for this one

Half of the price of "Werner's Ständer" (but only a rear one!) and has got special adapters that snap in the bushings

[phuk72]

Tip 1 - buy the most expensive socket set you can afford and then throw away any of the 12 point sockets. Only use 6 point sockets on motorcycles as the manufacturers have a habit of making bolts out of cheese!

Tip 2 - never bounce or hit a socket bar. If it ain't moving, try tightening it a little first and then loosening. If it still doesn't move, try a longer bar.

Tip 3 - ebay really is the cheapest place to buy tools.

Tip 4 - use the Haynes book of lies as a 'how do they do that' type book and use the factory manual for torque settings etc.

As for a stand, it all rather depends on what you want to do and how seriously you are going to take it. Rear paddock stands are great if you want to remove the back wheel, lube the chain etc but utterly worthless if you want to remove the swinging arm. Equally front paddock stands are great for removing the front wheel but not good for removing forks.

It is also worth bearing in mind that some rear paddock stands and hooks restrict the access to the rear wheel nut and chain adjusters and that the cups are in fact quite useful.

Front and rear paddock stands can be picked up for about £50 a pair wihout too much looking about.

If it were me, I would be buying an Abba stand - bit more money but ....

[Dee]

Regarding stands, from one (slightly less strong) female to another (and another one very reluctant to use paddock stands since my boyfriend's bike fell off his), have a look at this: http://www.abbastands.co.uk/product_details.asp?id=1 The Abba stands are pretty good, they act a little like a centre stand and fit into the swingarm pivots. You've got to dismantle the gearchange linkage to get the left side on, but it only takes a 10m spanner and a few seconds.

Regarding the sump plug, as everyone has said, you'll be fine with a decent socket or spanner (try not to use the open ended style on that, though). A handy tip is to use your good hand to undo it whilst keeping your other hand on the other end of the spanner/socket, so as to steady it. If it's not coming undone - and I know this sounds silly - but you're not tightening it up by mistake, are you? What do you mean, am I speaking from experience? Of course not!!! *

Keep a Haynes manual handy, and if you have any mechanically adept mates, then bribe them with tea/coffee/booze/food/whatever to come over to yours and watch you doing some work on the bike.

The more you work on your bike, the easier it gets - honest!

* Many, many years ago, I hasten to add.....!

[Doyle171]

I recommend ABBA stands for one Man/Women operation because you are not loading the rear shock which allows you to remove the swingarm if required, you also don't have any balancing to do.

Apart from that get a haynes and follow the steps, if unsure of anything post a question.

Jak we all have to learn sometime and i don't think we have any Cocky Norman know it all on this forum thankfully.

[slowsider]

I use a 'cup' stand cos I had it already, and once you have the technique it's relatively straightforward.

If you plan to do maintenance, invest in decent tools. A torque wrench with the relevant range is reassuring to have and not excessively expensive.

Have you thought about doing an evening class? Even if you can only get a car maintence one it will give you some practical skills and confidence.

A quick google brings up these:

http://www.webbikeworld.com/Motorcycle- ... ticles.htm
http://www.visi.com/~dalebor/maint.htm
http://www.flamesonmytank.co.za/DIY.htm

[Jak]

Gee - thanks guys - knew this was a better place to ask. Unfortunately I moved 200 miles away from my reliable biking mates - so I'm kinda on my own with it! I know a fair few bikers round here now, but not well enough to invite them over!!!

Really appreciate the advice on stands - I'd best fire off a letter to Santa (otherwise known as my credit card company ). I think I'll probably go for an Abba stand - I'm really not sure about paddock stands (not helped by Dee ).

As for draining the oil - ekoja were you watching me lol ... I think that's where I was going wrong.

I'm not totally useless - I'll tackle most things on the car and round the house, but when it comes to the bike I've always been wary of making a mistake!

I'm sure these won't be the last dumb-ass Q's from me

[burty]

I've got a pair of paddock stands from Busters, they were damn cheap at less than £50 for the pair with the hooks to fit to the rear stand. As has already been said the front stand is useless for anything other than removing the front wheel - (for anything else I use a trolly jack under the engine or the bar through the bellypan fitting thing approach.)

As for getting the bike on the rear paddock stand it's pretty unnerving initially but you get the hang. It doesn't require any strength really. I find that removing the pillion seat pad gives a nice easy way to grip the rear of the bike with your left hand whilst hoisting the bike up with the stand with the right this way the bike isn't going to fall over easily even if you do get it wrong.

I always thought that the ABBA stands were good, I played with one at a show a few years ago but couldn't bring myself the spend the money. I've never had a job on the bike I couldn't do without improvising some method of holding the bike up, even removing swingarms.

As for tools, Halfords do a good range of quality tools. It's worth investing in a good quality socket set IMHO. Good tools will easily outlive your bike.

[Kevtrx849]

Don't forget that there are 2 drain plugs Jak. For replacing the oil filter i use a screwdriver type socket on the bolts. Impossible to overtighten. Try this and check for leaks, if it's still leaking have 2 weetbix and try again. You get great satisfaction out of doing the jobs yourself too. You might want to invest in some cotton gloves for working on your bike as i know how much of a deterent it is for girls to get there hands yucky. It's important to have a beer close by (or other tasty beverage) for when the jobs done so that you can reflect on a job well done and all the cash you've saved.
As for race/paddock stands ,it's all about technique and not muscle Jak. I've seen lots of people try to muscle there bikes onto centre stands when all that the job requires is downward pressure and a push.
CYA, Kev.

[Red Rex]

.... and I know this might not be much help to you Jak (and it's been covered before) but I had a pair of 'bobbins' made up with a M10 tapped hole thro' the middle which are a permanent addition to the swing arm just in front of the axle. Now I can wheel the bike around with the paddock stand attached and use it safe in the knowledge that it won't fall off. Maybe smile at a tame engineer (Honk?) to make a few sets for the club??