Do you maintain and repair your own motorcycles?

[Aberdale]

Since I'm a newbie, I was curious how many members work on their own motorcycles. I suppose that since the nature of this forum is "naked Goldwings", that working on these 30-40 year old bikes is a necessity since few of the current dealership mechanics were even born when these bikes were new.

But for those that also own modern motorcycles, I was curious how many work on them as well. Some of my newer bikes must be taken to the dealership for service and repair because I don't have the computer software required to work on them. It's becoming frustrating to me that I can't work on some of the newer machines, and in some ways it makes me appreciate old iron that much more.

I apologize if this has been covered in the past, but I couldn't find it in the "search" function with the keywords I used.

'dale

[Oldewing]

Self repair is kinda is the backbone of this site, It is what we do. Most of us , just because of money, some because of the love of tinkering, and some because no one on earth would do what they do with motorcycles...(Cyborg and HOTT come to mind)..

[Lucien Harpress]

You forgot the "I maintain and repair my own motorcycles, but they don't always work correctly afterward"...

[Whiskerfish]

Yea used to be I would have the shop do my tires but now I do even those. Now the only reason they ever see the shop is for the annual safety Inspection.

[Aberdale]

You forgot the "I maintain and repair my own motorcycles, but they don't always work correctly afterward"...

Ha! Good one. Been there - done that. Of course that's just an opportunity to work on it some more.

'dale

[ritalz]

I'e always been one to do my own work. Last time mine was in a shop was back in the 70's and it came home in worse shape than when it went in. Figured out pretty quick that I could do better even if it took longer. Still have to go for safety inspections but nothing more.

[rcmatt007]

the only time I have a bike in a shop is when it is something I absolutely cannot do.... So I think only once in the past 42 years (not counting sending my '78 heads to Robin

[x01660]

My mechanic is a really good friend of mine, and I always help him with work. He shows me what to do, explains what he's doing, and lets me get my hands dirty.

I had a 1985 GS1150 that was a frame and engine parts and we built that bike together.

And he's gonna supervise me and have me do a lot of the work on the engine that we're building for my 1100; 1233 piston kit, P&P head, V&H 4 to 1, 348/282 cams..... I'm excited!

But mostly its me being his tool b****, and I'm ok with that.

[twooldwings]

if i needed a repair that would require the services of a professional mechanic @ $85 plus per hour, that bike would then become a parts bike and i would move on to the next one in the stable. i've never even sat on a new bike , and new technology is a GOOD thing, IMHO, but if they can't be fixed with basic tools and know-how then i'm not interested.

[pidjones]

I do take the wheels in to have tires mounted. And when the GL1800 was on warranty, I had them do a covered repair (speed sensor down in the motor). But. I do the air filter on the 1800 which scares some people, and the valves. Don't know if I would go into the transmission on a bike. Never worked on one, but there is a first time for everything!

[robin1731]

I work on mine. Also work on a lot for other people. Some stock, some highly modified, and everything in between.

.

[x01660]

if i needed a repair that would require the services of a professional mechanic @ $85 plus per hour, that bike would then become a parts bike and i would move on to the next one in the stable. i've never even sat on a new bike , and new technology is a GOOD thing, IMHO, but if they can't be fixed with basic tools and know-how then i'm not interested.

This. I'm spending BIG bucks on my motor build. I could get a new bike for the cost of what I'm investing.

I can also do 80% of repairs on the side of the road with simple hand tools.

There's something about breaking a clutch or throttle cable, spending 15 minutes of cursing on the side of the road, then continuing on. Versus a busted hydraulic line, or a failed ride by wire sensor....

All of the bikes I've ridden are older than me, and I think it'll stay that way for the forseeable future.

[scootsx2]

With the exception of the GL1800, I do all my own work. Too much tupperware on that bike.

[Rat]

I don’t do much of my own .... unless forced .... but I have supervisable friends ....

Gord(how lucky I am)Jones

[stretch160]

I have saved enough in potential labor fees over the last couple of decades to pay for a new bike. The 60+ sets of tires, alone, I went through could have cost up to $6,000 in labor if I hadn't mounted and balanced every set myself.