Be Your Own Mechanic: No More Excuses!

DISCLAIMER:
This article should give you the confidence you need to finally start servicing your motorcycle. No matter what kind of bike you have or style of riding you do, there is no real good reason you shouldn't be your own mechanic. However, if you fail at everything you try and blame your teachers for it, then please don't continue.

Many riders don't service their own bikes. But what are the alternatives? You can either ride it until it blows up or even worse... give it to a mechanic.

If you've ever filled your own gas tank or held a wrench, you can service your bike better than a garden variety mechanic. Think about this: most of them care more about your wallet than your bike. Why would you entrust a stranger without a high school diploma to care for your most prized possession? I don't.

Let's take a look at those excuses you make while neglecting your motorcycle and examine just how stupid they really are:

"I'm no mechanic!"

There is no shame in that. You decided to do something important with your life. 

For a guy that uses two different types of moisturizers, I have never fancied myself a gear-head. So if I can do it, you can too. Since you are cautious about your first time performing a brake discpad change, you will probably double-check everything. You're already ahead of the competition! That is two more checks than Doyle, your local brain-dead mechanic, performs.

"I eat from the value meal, there is no way I can afford all those expensive tools!"

It's surprising how much work you can do with only a 10mm wrench. Simply put, you don't need much. With some know-how and what can fit in my small toolbox, I have done everything from a simple oil change to replacing worn steering head bearings. In fact, I took my bike to a shop to ask for an estimate on the head bearings. In a frenzied panic, I quickly tried to ride away after he answered. My helmet just barely fit over my head because my mouth was gaping open so wide. He asked for ¥40,000. With some help from a friend, I got the parts and did the work ourselves for less than a back-alley handy. I spent the savings on beer for my friend, hot Japanese girls, race fuel, and time away from work to write you this crucial advice.

So fork over a bit of cash, and get yourself some basic tools. You’re years late already, so get a move on. As an added bonus, you'll have tools handy for any other automotive or housework your significant (yet naggy) other requires of you. Also, holding a tool instantly increases your sex appeal. Just look at any calendar targeted at lonely woman for proof.

"I don't have the time"

Really? But you have enough time to get your bike to the shop, try and explain it to Doyle (who just nods in agreement with a seven-mile-stare), and pick it up again. Also add on the time it takes to do the whole thing again when the problem comes back due to shoddy workmanship. Make the time and… who knows? You might actually enjoy it! Working on a passion is points spent towards valuable and necessary me-time.

"Sounds boring..."

Brushing your teeth, checking your daughter's homework, and kissing your wife goodnight are boring. But you still find the time for them. That is because you want to have a decent smile, a daughter who doesn’t end up working at a waffle house, and a wife who doesn’t run off with Doyle. In other words, you maintain the important parts of your life. So why shouldn't that include your bike?

You might be surprised at the peace of mind you find while performing some basic maintenance or troubleshooting a problem. A lot of people experience the same thing. Hell, there is even a  bestselling book written about it!

"Well, mechanics aren't all that bad. Right?"

Wrong again. A smart or honest mechanic would cease to be a mechanic. I finally stopped taking my rides to shops when I was 18. After some basic suspension work I had done, I picked up my wheels. I drove less than a minute before I heard a loud *CLUNK*. I got out of the car, and saw a shiny 28mm wrench smiling up at me. The "expert" mechanics didn't even double-check they had everything in order, and left a tool attached to my rear shock. It now sits in my toolbox as a constant reminder to do the work myself. I hope your realization comes before adding your horror story to the countless others out there.

Ok... So where do I start?

Many roads lead to Rome... if Rome happened to be a place you gain motorcycle maintenance expertise. Start with any of these three. Choose one TODAY:

1. Get inspired! Pickup a copy of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert M. Pirsig. Simply a great book.
2. Get smart! The internet is an amazing source of information for motorcycle maintenance. With countless forums, blogs, and YouTube how-to videos, you will never be without support. And if you have the cash, buy a service manual for your specific model. It is an easy reference for specifications like fluid levels, torque values, and part numbers. (scroll to the bottom for a link to helpful videos)
3. Get clean! Grab some soap and clean that dirty thing you call a swingarm. A good cleaning will reveal some parts in need of attention, and gives you a better understanding of your bike. Oh, and stay away from pressure washers! They do more harm than good. (link also at bottom)

Got it? Good. Next time you are on a road trip and something goes wrong, you can impress all your friends with your know-how. Maybe you’ll even fix their bike on the spot! Start leading a stronger and more independent riding life by taking responsibility of your bike. 

Finally, I will leave you with some TIPS for your journey on becoming a self-sufficient biker.

• Buy in bulk. It's frustrating to run out of something you use all the time. Good things to stock up on
• Latex gloves (for dirty work)
• Shop towels/rags
• Brake and Parts cleaner (cheap and effective)
• Fluids (Gear oil, Engine oil, DOT4 brake fluid, coolant) 

• Buy used tools Most tools outlive their owners. Garage sales and online auctions are a great place to find a deal.
• Buy quality tools. Since you might be stuck with that phillips screwdriver for the rest of your life, a nice handle might be worth the extra couple of bucks. Used and quality don’t have to be mutually exclusive.
• Righty-Tighty Lefty-Loosey ;)

If you have any questions or concerns, leave a comment below and I’ll do my best to reply.
Thanks for reading. Oh, and remember, no more excuses!

Here are some useful LINKS to get you started.

How-to CLEAN your bike (UK web series)

How-to service yourbike (mrmaxxstorey's videos)

With pricey tools, 
service manuals the size of Womp rats, 
and terms best suited for the engineers of a particle accelerator, 

it's no wonder 
many riders shy away from doing mechanical work. 

But with a passion for bikes, 
a dash of intuition, 
and a willingness to help your mistreated bike, 
you can be of great service.

Your bike will love you for it. 

It treats you well, 
so return the favor.