How to Start working on your own Motorcycle

How to Start working on your own Motorcycle | Feat. Killswitch Queen

Рет қаралды 6,520

Күн бұрын

It can be really intimidating when you get a new bike or a new to you bike to start working on it yourself. Especially if you know nothing about motorcycles or engines and how they work. Even if you do know a little, it can be stressful to take on the possibility if you touch it it might work again.
Olivia and I are here to try and help you get started.
Makes sure you go give Killswitch Queen some love: / killswitchqueen
Things we Mentioned:
*The Essential Guide to Motorcycle Maintenance: amzn.to/2CAGUxD
Find a Haynes Manual for your Bike: haynes.com/en-us/motorcycle-m...
Find a Clymer Manual for your Bike (Best for "Vintage" Motorcycles) : www.clymer.com/motorcycle-ser...
*Simple Metric Tool Kit: amzn.to/3erK0BY
*Simple SAE Tool Kit: amzn.to/2ByjnMY
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Пікірлер: 141

@robertsmith7130 3 жыл бұрын

Great job young lady! I’m 71, been riding for 60 years. Every time I watch your clips you remind me what riding is all about! Thanks.

@SenditSteph 4 жыл бұрын

My better half has been working on his own bikes since he was a kid. I like to get my hands dirty when the motorcycles need work too. He is super supportive and I try to be a good apprentice. It may not be my forte but I try to absorb everything I can to learn to work on my own motorcycles. 💪🏼😆 Love the video, very encouraging that anyone can learn to do this if they are willing.

@daveb272 4 жыл бұрын

Always do my own work. That way if something does happen while out on the road, you know what your looking at.

@AstheMagpieFlies 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks David! :) My thoughts exactly, if you did the work you know exactly what was done to the bike, and the more likely you'll be able to diagnose future issues.

@TerrenceLP 3 жыл бұрын

Great job and never be afraid to fix stuff. But realize with each step safety is the #1 reason to learn how to do it RIGHT! That's it! Being self-sufficient is key to having non-stop fun

@2woofs784 2 жыл бұрын

New to wrenching, Thanks for the tips. I take before pictures of things I'm working on and label them as I take them apart so I can see how they go back together. Prayers Flying for safe travels

@MathQwest 4 жыл бұрын

I recently took my motorcycle to a shop to have new tires installed. They inspected the bike during the process and said that I had a couple oil leaks and it would cost a little over $1,000 to repair. I did not have the work done. Called a friend to look at it and neighter one of us could find the specific leaks they mentioned or any other leak. Since then, I decided to work on my bike as much as possible. Thanks for the video.

@myakkacityriders1341 4 жыл бұрын

Love the short and sweet message Have three bikes. And maintenance is the most important thing to do.

@imafarmboy2 4 жыл бұрын

The only time a dealer touches anything of mine is for warranty work. I work on everything I own and a lot for other people. Everything from excavators and bulldozers, bikes, vehicles right down to chainsaws and lawnmowers. It has been my greatest skill.

@AstheMagpieFlies 4 жыл бұрын

That's awesome!!! :D haha that's an incredibly valuable skill! My Dad is also very good at being able to tackle anything mechanical lol

@dmedina6835 4 жыл бұрын

I started with a tool kit and ended up making my garage a harbor fright motorcycle shop lol best video ever!!!!!!!! 2 of the most awesome woman riders on the planet earth!!!! Yall rock

@AstheMagpieFlies 4 жыл бұрын

Haha! My brother is getting close to that 🤣 Thanks D ☺️

@fredthebarber 4 жыл бұрын

Great bunch of advice here, and I love seeing the collaboration! I do a fair amount of the work on my motorcycles. I let shop’s change and balance the tires for me, and I’m probably gonna skip doing the valve clearances myself. I have manuals, but watching KZfaq videos is way better for me. I keep a repair/service log for each bike too. I have every oil change listed with the date, and mileage, as well as whether I changed oil and filter or just oil. I have the torque specs written right there in my log so I don’t have to search the manual for them each time. It took a surprising amount of research to figure out which spark plugs were correct, so when I installed mine I stapled the front of the box right into my repair log to save the hassle next time. A suggestion I would make is finding a tool store in your area, not a big box store with a tool section. You often find higher quality tools, sometimes on sale, and you can get knowledgeable staff to help you find what you need.

@AstheMagpieFlies 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Fred! I love it! It's like your motorcycle has it's own diary :)

@myjudge45410 3 жыл бұрын

Some things I will do and some things I won't. Checking valve clearances is something I can do, because I have done it on diesel engines and gasoline engines, I just don't want to do it on my bikes. Clutch replacement, I could and would do it if I had an issue on the road and I could find the parts. Tires, air cleaner, plugs, and other small things I do because it is cheaper and it keeps me in practice. I have a local mechanic that I knew before he had his own shop and he does great work at a very fair price. If I don't fix it and take it to him I am supporting him and getting good work done on my bike. I also will straighten any bent crash bars, panniers, or other things that my wipe outs mess up.

@johnthomas2485 3 жыл бұрын

A horrid experience with a bicycle chain made me leery of changing the chain/sprockets. But I've got no issue changing oil, removing the wheels to reduce tire replacement costs, putting on accessories.

@g.b.gareful5569 4 жыл бұрын

Amanda, you are doing such an excellent job with your videos. All of your "how to" videos are very informative and in depth way past the normal. I do work on my own motorcycle but I bought one that is friendly to the rider/mechanic like me. I change and balance my own tires and have been changing my own oil for years. Thank you for the hard work you put in to bring us these great videos.

@AstheMagpieFlies 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much! I really appreciate that! haha I always feel like I'm only just scratching the surface lol it's so hard to include everything without it being like two hours and atrocious to watch.

@g.b.gareful5569 4 жыл бұрын

@@AstheMagpieFlies well, yes, you can always go deeper into anything but I have learned a lot from some of your videos. I'm an older rider and when I started riding there was a very limited amount of information out there, now there is a ton of it. It's easy to see and learn when things are put into context but not so much if you don't know what to look for, that's what I like about your videos.

@ywr969 4 жыл бұрын

i work on my own bikes, but since i'm a former cage mechanic, that's a given. as a bonus, when you work on your own bike, if something goes wrong on a trip, you're far more likely to know how to fix it yourself; that can be very important if you break down in the middle of nowhere, without cell service.

@AstheMagpieFlies 4 жыл бұрын

That DOES give you a bit of a head start 😜 Exactly! And it def relieves a lot of stress around potential engine troubles if you know how to diagnose it!

@2wheelsandatent 4 жыл бұрын

Great stuff!

@legust6426 3 жыл бұрын

Super! A "must" for all beginners!

@Rocketwinger 3 жыл бұрын

Great video! Although working on your bike is amazing, it can be very intimidating. I always recommend you simply start by washing YOUR BIKE!!! This gets you more familiar with your bike and you can start by touching and seeing how many things you can pick up on the road.

@BudzzableRides 4 жыл бұрын

A good supply of bandaids for your knuckles is handy too!

@AstheMagpieFlies 4 жыл бұрын

🤣 ya one of the befits of being a girl is that my hands are smaller and get into the small spaces a bit easier with a few less scrapes and bruises than my brother and dad lol

@CindyBallreich 4 жыл бұрын

I bought a non-working (for 30 years!) 1973 Honda CB350 knowing only a tiny bit about how motors work and owning only a handful of tools. I lucked out and found an amazing FB group for this bike and a parts dealer (Common Motor Collective) who makes how-to videos. It took me about a year and a pretty big pile of money, but I got it running!! WooHoo! End-Screen Crew: I took my V-Storm to the dealer for warranty work and for a recall. I also had them mount new tires because they can do it in 10 minutes (even though they charged me for an hour). Otherwise, I do my own work, but I doubt I could do anything with the EFI.

@AstheMagpieFlies 4 жыл бұрын

!! YAS! That's awesome Cindy! I'm hella guilty of just asking other people to do my tires because they're just so much freaking faster at it XD Not that I've tried. BUT I CAN Get them off the bike and back on myself haha the whole getting the tire off the rim and back on part I'm still learning lol two years of watching techs do it still hasn't got it into my head haha

@scottquier929 4 жыл бұрын

First accessory should be there manufacturer's shop manual. Aside from all the usual public places, one can usually be purchased directly from the dealer.

@AstheMagpieFlies 4 жыл бұрын

lol yesss *high five* Scott!

@MarkAmazingo 4 жыл бұрын

I’ve pretty much done everything but replace the tires on my 2015 H-D Street Glide Special, which has over 95K miles since I bought it new. I’ve done cams, cam plate, lifters, oil pump, compensator, primary chain, drive belt, clutch, rebuilt the transmission and much more. In the Winter of 2018 I also put a new engine in myself. Highly recommend the factory service manual and use a good torque wrench and the proper loctite where required. I stripped out my primary drain plug, and it was an expensive lesson to learn. Now I torque everything to spec.

@AstheMagpieFlies 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Mark! :D That's awesome! Haha glad I'm not the only one who has stripped their drain plug! Glad I was with my dad who has plenty of experience rethreading stripped bolts/holes.

@OLDBD1 4 жыл бұрын

Awesome 👏👍🏼

@AstheMagpieFlies 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much! :)

@ejchedester8283 4 жыл бұрын

Love this video!!!!!!! So timely as I just did my chain and sprockets last night. Thank you!!

@whitmeza 4 жыл бұрын

Freaking love this!!!!! Thanks for sharing ladies. 🖤🖤

@AstheMagpieFlies 4 жыл бұрын

YAY!! Thanks so much Whit

@charlieb9944 4 жыл бұрын

Working on my other half's bike is what actually made me want to start to learn to ride - it is WAY less overwhelming then going under the hood of a car, and I thought 1) this is great fun because I can pretty much SEE EVERYTHING. 2) if i got my own I could fix it myself!!! Right - better do my CBT then :D - Charlotte, UK - love your vids, please keep it up. You are inspiring me to learn how to ride and be a good rider.

@AstheMagpieFlies 4 жыл бұрын

That's awesome ! 😃 Yes! Thanks Charlie!

@chuckvt5196 4 жыл бұрын

Great video!! I enjoyed it!

@AstheMagpieFlies 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much Chuck! :D

@toby621 4 жыл бұрын

i do all my own work on my bikes and cars the best way to find out how to fix things you dont know about is youtube 👍👍👍😊😊😊

@theChestnutMtnTinman 4 жыл бұрын

Great info 😎😎

@AstheMagpieFlies 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much!

@SaddleTrampTV 4 жыл бұрын

Very nice video, Amanda. Enjoyed watching the two of you give your input on this.

@Bill_CBR 4 жыл бұрын

Excellent video and collaboration with Killswitch. I'm a huge fan of doing the work myself. Here in S. FL I find that ethics have been tossed out the window and most places are crooks. They don't call them $tealer$ for nothing. Working on your own bike or car/truck can be so rewarding. It also helps you to not get taken advantage of when you do have to take it in. I'll have to go check out her channel now. Had to go subscribe to her as well.

@AstheMagpieFlies 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much Bill! I do think there are people who genuinley want to help people, but a lot of the dealership networks focus on the profit over the customer. A lot of independt shops start out with good intentions and then slowly go sour. I have a lot of friends who work in the Industry both Independent and Dealerships. There's def shady people out there, but having seen it both from the consumer side and "behind the scenes" motorcycles are a puzzle and even the most trained mechanics are still coming at it like us ya know, trying to run down the list of diagnosis, some of more experience than others, and some well...some learned how to do an oil change and wire some handlebars and thinks that means they can work on bikes now. Welll that turned into a tangent! haha I hope you enjoy Olivia's content! She is a rad human!

@Surefiresecurity 4 жыл бұрын

I do as much as I can. Oftentimes, work schedules mean that I don't have time to do big mechanical jobs so it has to go into shop. I don't have the tools or space to tyre work so its off to the shop again. I won't pay for oil changes though, that i do myself with the basic tools. I am well versed in electrical stuff so i can usually do things like wiring up extra lights and add-ons myself.

@markmcguire7988 4 жыл бұрын

Great tips! It's also good to be educated when you are talking to the dealer. A little knowledge goes a long way in getting respect. A service note for those who, like us, want to do long trips........... plan ahead! Keep a list of dealers in the general areas of where you are going. If you are going to need an oil change, tires, brakes, etc. then call ahead. Can you make a tentative, flexible appointment before you leave or a week in advance? Do they give priority to out-of-town riders? Order ahead or do they stock needed parts? Knowing that there is needed service down the road provides a little peace of mind.

@richardmourdock2719 4 жыл бұрын

Great advice... and in the spirit of Itchy Boots, I want to give a "beeg thumbs up" to Sports City Cyclery in Great Falls, Mt. I've stopped there twice during long trips, no appointment just on the road. Once they put new tires on my Goldwing (I had called before heading west to make sure they would have a set that fit) and once stopped by for a basic oil change. Both times, they put me in "priority" as a guy passing through. And on the Goldwing trip, I asked them to change the air filter …. they went out of their way to tell me that was an 8 hour job (really) and essentially talked me out of it. When I got home, I watched vids and did it myself and the air filter really didn't need cleaning. So. Top Class place in Great Falls, MT!!

@AstheMagpieFlies 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Mark! Yes being able to understand and communicate clearly to techs and service writers def makes dealing with dealerships smoother, and gives you a better perspective of the amount of time and work that goes into some of that work (which means you're at least a LITTLE less sour when you get the bill HA!) I believe I mentioned doing a bit of that research in the Planning a Motorcycle trip series ;)

@fgjhham89 4 жыл бұрын

1:35 Yes! I have that book!

@AstheMagpieFlies 4 жыл бұрын

Yaaa! :D

@NEOATHS 3 жыл бұрын

I am going to throw out my 2 cents here for whatever it maybe worth! If you are just starting out and have no tools, you can get a nice tool set from Craftsman (a suggestion) that come with there own box and each tool has its own spot in the box. The set should be in both metric and standard up to 1 inch. As you add to your tool arsenal have a good toolbox to keep them in. Books are another tool, a shop manual for the bike you are working on is a must in my opinion.

@seaninness334 4 жыл бұрын

I'll get to these eventually when I have something to work on. Subbed to Killswitch, thanks for the introduction and the encouragement.

@AstheMagpieFlies 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you Sean! :)

@helensmotodiaries3413 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the great tips! Just this week I was reflecting on the fact that when it comes to motorcycle maintenance, I tend to get stuck in the following cycle: 1. Get motivated enough to start learning about it. 2. Try to figure it out on my own and not being able to. 3. Reach out to people in my immediate motorcycling circle who all happen to be men. 4. Be talked down to by said (well intentioned) men. 5. Get fed up and just take it to the professions and spending the next 6 months in blissful ignorance and financially recovering from said maintenance. 6. Repeat. :(

@AstheMagpieFlies 4 жыл бұрын

GIRL I FEEL THIS. When I first started trying to learn, at first my grandpa was supportive but when I kept asking questions he would just tell me to give up and take it to a shop (which really wasn't an option with Lazarus) and all the other (men) that I talked to told me I had no business working on it myself 🙄 Jokes on them, I'm the only one who's touched Lazarus in the last four years 💪. You GOT THIS! For real though KZfaq and Shop Manuals are amazing resources, it does take patience and a willingness to do things over again to get them right even if that means setting it down and coming back to it the next day 👌

@nessh 3 жыл бұрын

@Helen’s Moto Diaries Girl, I am so sorry!! Your step 4 super sucks! I’ve actually been contemplating taking a Moto Mechanics class for that very reason!! Anyways, keep at it! I’m also starting from knowing nothing haha I’m new at it all too. BUT, I can say one thing, the fact that you keep going round on that cycle shows you have tenacity and perseverance... otherwise you would’ve given up by now.

@Steve-ps2tw 4 жыл бұрын

All of my Hondas I had no problem tearing into. Even did tires on one. My Harley goes to a certified tech for maintenance, mods I do though.

@AstheMagpieFlies 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Steve! Yes for some reason my Hondas and my Suzuki I don't feel a whole lot of hesitancy working on, the Tiger was a wholllle other story lol

@SmallADVentures1973 4 жыл бұрын

Great video, my friend! I do work on my own bikes some, more as time goes on and I learn more. I do almost all of the regular maintenance, but have not done a valve adjustment (not on a bike anyways, I have on air cooled VW's over the years haha!), and try to do more each year. 😊✌

@AstheMagpieFlies 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you friend! Valves can be intimidating, I think working on forks is the scariest thing in my mind XD

@Its2loudyer2oldmotovlogs 4 жыл бұрын

I've been so busy I have tons of vids to catch up on lol Loved this collab with killswitch queen! And yep I pretty much do all the work on my bikes. I used to have a guy I trusted to work on my bikes when I didn't have the time but he has retired. Again loved this collab two of my fav female motovloggers in one vid :) Hope you had an awesome weekend!

@AstheMagpieFlies 4 жыл бұрын

Man! it's almost as bad to find a new person you trust to work on your bike, as it is to find someone you trust to cut your hair XD hehehe (the secret of this joke is that my grandpa hasn't gotten his hair cut in almost a year and a half because his barber retired lol) Thanks so much :D

@WildOn2sVlog 4 жыл бұрын

This is different topic. Lol. Good stuff. I been working on my bike when I can. Seems you learn so much about “ your” bike when you actually open things up.

@AstheMagpieFlies 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks haha I get he question a bit so I figured it was worth answering!

@kennethanderson1685 4 жыл бұрын

Excellent video and excellent tips. I will change oil and filter. Let my mechanic do everything else.

@PaddyOutback 4 жыл бұрын

Excellent stuff. It's great to see a video about motorcycle maintainance that doesn't assume the the person watching is really knowledgeable about it. I take the Strom to the dealer for services- It's still under warranty. I can do the basics such as an oil change, cleaning/lubing/adjusting the chain and a few other basic bits. I freely admit that I'm not the most mechanically minded person. I'll get better though.

@AstheMagpieFlies 4 жыл бұрын

haha Thanks Paddy! :) I'm glad I'm not the only one that feels like a lot of the 'how to' technical videos on KZfaq assume that you're an engineer already XD

@indianbell5211 4 жыл бұрын

Awesomely! Great information, Amanda 👍 Yesterday...yes, yesterday I just did my own rear tire (just didn't have a balance machine), but I did it! *2016 Indian Chieftain my Spirit 😊Accomplishing it & confidence buster is amazing to me. I already do my own oil change & lights. Thank you so much for sharing!😊👍🤗🏍

@AstheMagpieFlies 4 жыл бұрын

Aww Thank You Indianbell! I'm glad it was useful! Also high five on the rear tire!

@jaystoudt 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for these tips Amanda. I to am visual and like to follow step by step instructions with pictures (when I can). In the the last year I have started doing most of my own work if it is within my ability and I have the right tools. Any chance I get to learn something new is a bonus. Have a great day.

@AstheMagpieFlies 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Jay! :D

@ronmimnaugh7674 4 жыл бұрын

Anything like valve adjustments or new tires I take in because I have a reasonable shop and have done each on my own before. It is worth it to have them do some things because they are reasonable and have the right equipment (tires) I don't mind digging in when a bike is out of warranty though.

@AstheMagpieFlies 4 жыл бұрын

Glad you have a shop nearby you can rely on :)

@RideOnTwo 4 жыл бұрын

Another great, super informative video Amanda. Small things like changing oil, plugs and air filter are a good place to start for those that are a little intimidated. I am taking the BMW to the dealer to keep my 3 year warranty in tact but I generally do all of my own maintenance. I will usually only take the bike in for jobs I do not have the expensive tools to complete.

@AstheMagpieFlies 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks :D Yes! Especially higher end brands have so many specialty tools! Even Lazarus has one bolt above the Stator that you can only undo with one of the wrenches that came with the bike haha Glad I didn't toss that kit! XD

@bernardbuhrs8639 4 жыл бұрын

Freakin awesome colaboration👍😉💪

@AstheMagpieFlies 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Bernard!

@ScramblerStories 4 жыл бұрын

I try to fix my bike myself. Dealer when I mess it up or get stuck!

@jd9308 4 жыл бұрын

Great to encourage fellow riders to start getting their hands covered in grease lol! Unfortunately my brain doesn't compute well with motors. I can do the basic motor and gear oil changes, spark plugs, air filter cleaning things of that nature. For doing engine or anything taking apart, I go to a professional. I get it apart just fine it's the getting it back together that goes wrong lol!=)

@AstheMagpieFlies 4 жыл бұрын

lol Thanks Jd! haha I feel the 'getting it back together' struggle! I take a LOT Of photos and have a notebook most of the time, so I can put it all back the way it's supposed to lol

@rikenglebert7558 4 жыл бұрын

Love it:-) I just bought a torque wrench as the first step in assembling my bike specific kit. I figured for all the tools I need to do the basics & change tires the cost will be four trips to the shop (each trip is usually $300.00) I have tools and an awesome garage but I wanna be one of those bad asses (Tim Collins or Amanda Z!) who can do maintenance on a national forest two track in the middle of nowhere!!! thanks for the inspiration (-: peace & love

@dennisp.5053 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for a great video. In the later part of 2008, I was laid off from my job as an industrial robotics engineer and being bored I decided to take up motorcycling. I perused Craigslist for a suitable machine. I found a 1986 Suzuki Cavalcade GV1400, I rebuilt it after the original owner had issues with it, and left it sitting for years. Flash forward to 2015 and my soon to be wife and I rode it from Whidbey Island WA to Ozark MO and back in the span of 2 weeks. We had zero issues with the bike, the same can not be said with the weather.

@AstheMagpieFlies 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you for watching it Dennis! :D !!! I LOVE Calvalcades! They're a dying breed. What an awesome story thanks so much for sharing that with me!

@603Rydes 4 жыл бұрын

I will never threaten my Spyder with a wrench or other implement of destruction. I am one of the least mechanically inclined people on the planet, plus, if I lay down on the floor it takes 3 people to help me get back up again. I have a trusted mechanic that is worth every penny. I look at it as my way of helping the economy and keeping a good person employed.

@nessh 3 жыл бұрын

Awesome video! I’m totally gonna pick up that moto maintenance book.

@nessh 3 жыл бұрын

Also, just want to confirm- when you said purchase the manual for your bike you said the “factory or service manual” and I’m supposing this is NOT the same as the manual that typically comes with a bike (like from a dealership)? Because the manual I got for my bike (from the dealership is not even half as big as the manuals you were holding. Lol

@AstheMagpieFlies 3 жыл бұрын

Yay! lol yes I'm talking about like the Clymer or Haynes manual for your bike. What do you ride? here's the Haynes Website: haynes.com/en-us/motorcycle-manuals and the Clymer Website : www.clymer.com/motorcycle-service-repair-manuals/product

@nessh 3 жыл бұрын

@@AstheMagpieFlies Hey, thanks for the links. I ride a Z650 (just got it last October), but I’m really interested in dual-sport and adventure bikes too. I actually just discovered the KLR650 that Kawasaki dropped in Jan. and I see how people can easily get out of control and have multiple bikes. Lol

@nessh 3 жыл бұрын

I checked both websites, neither has the manual for my bike- but I did manage to find it online, now that I know what I’m looking for. Thanks for your help!!

@Bweizr 4 жыл бұрын

On my Shadow I actually did valve adjustments, but when I bought my Victory Octane and the Versys 1000, I bought the service plans. I'm almost out of prepaid services on the Versys, though, so when that runs out I'll do my own oil changes again. Valve adjustments I'll pay someone else for but I'll see how long it takes to get in there at the spark plugs and the air filter.

@AstheMagpieFlies 4 жыл бұрын

Awesome!

@johnnodine7436 4 жыл бұрын

A good tip is use the tool kit you carry when you work on your bike at home. You will find out exactly what tools you need and don’t need.

@AstheMagpieFlies 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks John! lol I think I mentioned that in one of the Planning a Motorcycle Trip Episodes ;)

@neilmackinnon3371 4 жыл бұрын

Great content Amanda, the complicated bits on modern bikes are the electronics.... scary stuff. End screen crew answer: I am a self trained mechanic and I work on all my bikes myself. I have built engines and custom bikes from scratch for a looooooong time.

@AstheMagpieFlies 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Neil!! For real, the "Brain" in bikes 2018 and newer are just getting a little too complicated for my tastes haha. Especially the "knock over sensors". One of my friends had a BMW that fell over in their driveway and got stuck in Limp mode for two months before the dealer could turn it off lol

@neilmackinnon3371 4 жыл бұрын

@@AstheMagpieFlies Yup, that's the kind of thing. One of The Awesome Players had to get $50 of bits'n'bobs JIC the side stand switch on his Husky 701 takes a whack out on the trail. I guess it all adds to the richness of ridin motorcycles.... I guess.

@kevinsterner9490 4 жыл бұрын

Great video. You can fix just about anything with KZfaq University. Yes I do basic maintenance on all my bikes, I have not done anything serious like valve adjustments but I may in the future

@AstheMagpieFlies 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Kevin! KZfaq is def helpful! Although some things you need the book for since everyone's model years etc are different. lol It's easy to find videos about bikes /like/ lazarus but not exactly my year and model so I do lean on my manual a bit.

@randlayman2668 4 жыл бұрын

Great video girls, as a career motorcycle mechanic my best advice is a torque wrench, manual and take your time!! Ride safe ride far,Rand

@AstheMagpieFlies 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much Rand :D It feels good to have your stamp of approval :)

@graemesaxon2067 4 жыл бұрын

Its a time think for me minor things and services yes but major services straight to the bike shop

@blueghost3647 4 жыл бұрын

On my v star 2009 650 I do do my own work adjustment the valves had to diagnose and replace the stater put kiryoken grips on and new mustang seat

@AstheMagpieFlies 4 жыл бұрын

Awesome Steve!

@TravisSteeves 4 жыл бұрын

I work on my bikes myself. I prefer to learn every moving part and memorize torque specs for the import things. I’m not mechanical by nature so if I can do it, anyone can! Watching you, killswitch queen and a few other vloggers gave me the courage last week to save a classic from the wreckers. So for me the video this week is almost ironic lol.

@AstheMagpieFlies 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Travis! :D That's awesome! I can't imagine memorizing torque specs haha my brain is not good at that part XD Also SO STOKED to hear about your classic! Thanks for saving a piece of history from the wrecker!

@TravisSteeves 4 жыл бұрын

As the Magpie Flies I’ll do one better and ride it down to RMR next year 😃

@mikedanaher3413 4 жыл бұрын

I’m completely capable of doing my own maintenance on my bike. However I’m a over the road truck driver. I tend to have the dealer do the work so I can spend my time off riding.

@AstheMagpieFlies 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Mike! Heck ya, Time is Money! and when your free time is limited I don't blame ya for wanting to spend that time having a good time and not doing maintenance haha

@NX4rider 4 жыл бұрын

Do the basics myself except setting and adjusting the valves. Tools for that job for my bike are hard to find where I live.

@HillCreature-tp6ze 4 жыл бұрын

Don’t be afraid, I just did my valves... dive in... have fun ride safe... 👍

@robertvincent562 4 жыл бұрын

So far... The only thing I won't do myself is install new tires.

@mutley5272 4 жыл бұрын

Good intro vid to stoke interest. A key blocker for many is that if you only have 1 bike, you don’t want to just dive-in, mess it up and then have no transport. Ideally new mechanics need a 2nd bike to fix up and learn on, and if something goes wrong they’ve still got something to ride and they’re not rushing or bodging the bike which can be extremely risky.

@KnobleMoto 4 жыл бұрын

I teach classes in motorcycle maintenance and repair for the DIY crowd in Cleveland Ohio. I also have how to articles on my blog and youtube page.

@dmax9948 4 жыл бұрын

I am currently researching motorcycle shops in the Vancouver/Portland area to service my R1150RT. If I can't find one, then it's off to the dealership. :(

@WrightWayAround 4 жыл бұрын

yes i work on my own bike unless it valves adjustments

@AstheMagpieFlies 4 жыл бұрын

👏 awesome Kerry!

@johnthomas2485 3 жыл бұрын

I invariably buy a motorcycle that Clymer and Haynes don't put out a manual for

@iniomtheoyaa8739 4 жыл бұрын

👍😊👍

@AstheMagpieFlies 4 жыл бұрын

@RugerM77 4 жыл бұрын

I exclusively work on my own bikes. I know it’s done right and I learn at the same time. I don’t trust stealerships.

@AstheMagpieFlies 4 жыл бұрын

Yes! Being able to know exactly what you did, and what has been done to the bike is so invaluable.

@cruisingprimate1072 4 жыл бұрын

Dealer, because of warranty.

@AstheMagpieFlies 4 жыл бұрын

☺️👍

@Mooney327 3 жыл бұрын

I just want to thank you... it was this video that led me to The Essential Guide to Motorcycle Maintenance and The Killswitch Queen. I recently bought my first bike, a 73 Honda CB500...I didn’t know what I was getting into, but I read the book, built up my confidence, and now I’ve been wrenching in my garage, getting to know my bike inside and out. I actually haven’t even ridden it yet because the carbs needed cleaning, and basics like oil change, spark plugs, and new tires... but I’m almost there-nervous as hell and excited af-and I’m loving the experience. Even blogging a bit of it to preserve the memories. So if anyone cares to read a 40 year old noob’s experience, guywhoboughtamotorcycle.wordpress.com Thanks again for making these videos.

@richardmourdock2719 4 жыл бұрын

Wha??? you stripped your drain plug? Granted, it was likely an aluminum block, but I've got to ask.... So just how long was the cheater bar Amanda? I'm betting it had to be at least two feet or maybe even three feet long...……… and likely had a foot applying the pressure, too.

@AstheMagpieFlies 4 жыл бұрын

Haha! It WASan aluminum block on a 30+ year old motorcycle, and the previous owner hadn't changed the oil for almost two years. There was no cheater bar lol just me squished under the bike on the center stand listening to Dad try and tell me how to do it, and as I was tightening it suddenly got loose XD and as I was trying to get it to be tight again turning away, my Dad said "Oh! Don't try and tighten it too much or you'll strip the aluminum" HA thankfully we had another steel bolt that was just a smidge bigger than the original plug and we rethreaded the hole, but I had to drain all the oil again haha

@richardmourdock2719 4 жыл бұрын

@@AstheMagpieFlies No cheater bar? Wow. Note to self: "Don't arm wrestle Amanda".

@AstheMagpieFlies 4 жыл бұрын

🤣