Encouraging Maintenance Posts

[MGPilot]

I think there are a number of us with basic mechanical skills that would enjoy working on our bikes more, but don't have the model or task-specific information that would make us comfortable changing oil, adjusting valves, adjusting throttle cables, etc.

For those of you that do have that knowledge & experience, I encourage you to create posts with pictures that walk semi-novices through the steps needed to do these things. If you've been doing this for years, a lot of what you do seems so obvious, why bother?  Because if you haven't been doing it for years, a lot of it isn't so obvious and owners don't want to screw up their bikes or make stupid choices simply because they didn't know better.

Just like dealers are spread out, a lot of owners are far enough from dealers that it would help to have some complete information about typical maintenance or repairs.

If we can get enough posts, maybe we can convince Luap to create a separate maintenance section so these would be easy to find.

I have been on some sports car sites that have done this. It can really help people take care of their vehicles and share the wisdom and expertise of owners. As a post, it also allows people to ask questions, to refine what's presented, etc.

I recognize that there are some posts like this already. But it would seriously be a help to have clear, complete posts to guide maintenance for those who would like to try.

[Huzo]

I think there are a number of us with basic mechanical skills that would enjoy working on our bikes more, but don't have the model or task-specific information that would make us comfortable changing oil, adjusting valves, adjusting throttle cables, etc.

For those of you that do have that knowledge & experience, I encourage you to create posts with pictures that walk semi-novices through the steps needed to do these things. If you've been doing this for years, a lot of what you do seems so obvious, why bother?  Because if you haven't been doing it for years, a lot of it isn't so obvious and owners don't want to screw up their bikes or make stupid choices simply because they didn't know better.

Just like dealers are spread out, a lot of owners are far enough from dealers that it would help to have some complete information about typical maintenance or repairs.

If we can get enough posts, maybe we can convince Luap to create a separate maintenance section so these would be easy to find.

I have been on some sports car sites that have done this. It can really help people take care of their vehicles and share the wisdom and expertise of owners. As a post, it also allows people to ask questions, to refine what's presented, etc.

I recognize that there are some posts like this already. But it would seriously be a help to have clear, complete posts to guide maintenance for those who would like to try.

So bloody obvious it's brilliant

[Old Jock]

Wholeheartedly agree

However there is some wonderful stuff out there already, my faves are Gregg Benders "This old tractor" and Guzzitech DK which have a lot of good great articles (except mine) on the bikes.

http://www.thisoldtractor.com/topics.html

http://www.thisoldtractor.com/guzzitech.dk/gb_en_index.htm

AND I forgot Carl Allison's wiring diagrams here (WARNING MILDLY RACY PIC AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE MAY NOT BE WORK FRIENDLY)

http://www.thisoldtractor.com/guzzi007/sportissimo.html

I'm not saying don't add please do, but some may not be aware of these sources............ ....admittedly they are mainly applicable to the earlier bikes

John

[Jeeron]

This old tractor is probably one of the best sources you can get in English that I've found. If you understand..... or can live with google translate....

This is the technical forum of the Dutch Guzzi club, the forum that I use for technical stuff. There is nothing, these guys don't know it's crazy. I learned to tinker and troubleshoot with the aid of Workshop manuals and my dad's help. But most of it comes from the MGCN forum.
http://www.mgcn.nl/forum/index.php?showforum=2

[kidsmoke]

Timely thread! My bike was thoroughly gone through at Rose Farm when I bought it, and I've put 3500 miles on it since. This weekend will be my first oil change and wanted to check valve lash as well. I've got some soot kicking out between the header and the muffler on the port side...not sure about that. Also considered pulling the headers and cleaning them thoroughly off bike...

Not too worried about the oil. Bought the appropriate filters and gaskets from MG Cycle, determined the oil (without starting a thread!!20W50 VR1 racing / dino, btw) I've obtained the specs on valve lash, and thought perhaps I could find a youtube on the process. There are a couple on loop 750 / 850, but nothing on the Big Block 1100. While I know the technology translates between the two, sure would be cool to be led by a ring in my nose through the process.


edit to add....here's a fine write up, with photo's, on the 1100 valve adjustment. Is the author among us?

http://motogoose.com/tech-tips/ev11-valve-adjustment/

[MGPilot]

And for my personal benefit, my Norge has suddenly become more sensitive to throttle inputs--particularly rolling on or off the throttle is jerky.

A previous post said, hey -- check/adjust your throttle cables.  I'd be happy to.  Uh.........  but haven't before and a detailed sequence would be great.

Would be nice to have a place we can refer questions/problems that someone has addressed.

Would be good to encourage owner involvement and increase practical knowledge.

[twowings]

Norge shop manual:

http://www.harpermoto.com/norge-1200.html

[sidmonsters]

Completely agree--of sound mind and body, but not experienced with moto mechanics.  Got the Euro mirrors and turn signals for my Stelvio thanks to the many inputs on this forum, then went forward with the exchange. BUT, had to piece together the fairing removals and disassembly from various posts and one youtube video (BTW, those goofy "push nuts" on the fairings remove so quickly if you elevate them just a bit with a regular head screwdriver, then slip a curved needle-nose pliers under them and just rock and lever them up and off..my meager contribution..,but I relied on another post recommending using a socket to push them back on; would've been head-scratching without that tip).  If I weren't a quick reader and such a stubborn so and so I could've made a botch of even that relatively simple task (described as "plug and play" easy by various posters with no more than that).   And this was cosmetic stuff--don't know if I would try more truly "mechanical" stuff without a step-by-step description or video already reviewed and accessible.  Great info on this forum, many skilled DIY guys, just need more one-stop shopping instructables for us noobyahoos.
FWIW

[oldbike54]

 Geez , you guys don't want much   

 Dusty

[twowings]

We want you to get professional help, Dusty...soon.

[oldbike54]

We want you to get professional help, Dusty...soon.

 Wonder if we can arrange a group discount 

 Dusty

[PJPR01]

Geez , you guys don't want much   

 Dusty

...and the best part is Dusty...you get to organize it, alphabetize it and keep it orderly too!  Sounds like a job for the school librarian! 

There are a number of good pics with threads here...going back and updating those might be difficult, but future ones, if folks are inclined to document their repairs I'm sure would be well appreciated and a handy reference.  Getting the knowledge online would help many years of future owners...and then folks will need to learn to use the Search function first...

 

[oldbike54]

...and the best part is Dusty...you get to organize it, alphabetize it and keep it orderly too!  Sounds like a job for the school librarian! 

There are a number of good pics with threads here...going back and updating those might be difficult, but future ones, if folks are inclined to document their repairs I'm sure would be well appreciated and a handy reference.  Getting the knowledge online would help many years of future owners...and then folks will need to learn to use the Search function first...

 

 No , organizing that mess will be a job for someone with much better organizational skills than mine , like a certain business/financial management type in Houston 

 Dusty

[pete roper]

Right, just to upset the apple cart.........

Over the last couple of years I've become increasingly unwilling to document stuff on the web and particularly on this board because the level of what I consider *Ordinary* technical proficiency has dropped through the floor.

Look, if there are folks wanting to work on their bikes and do routine maintenance I can fully understand that but it also has to be understood that you need some basic understanding of 'How Shit Works'! Recently we've had people setting their valve clearances on the wrong stroke, puting their wheels back on and getting both pads on one side of the disc not noticing and then being surprised that it was noisy when they braked and a host of other similar acts of what could be dangerous incompetence.

That being the case and given the ever more litigious nature of the world it's only a matter of time before someone does screw up badly and then starts looking around for someone to blame!

It's not a matter of wanting to dissuade people from working on their own machines. It's simply wanting them to recognise their limitations and/or getting the general knowledge they need before just thinking, "Well, these other blokes are doing this so anyone can!" And throwing themselves in head first!

A really good first step is reading a few books. A second good step is attending a course at your local adult educational facility. Most of their 'Maintenance' classes tend to be aimed at cars but the basic principles of routine maintenance and especially how engines work are similar regardless of how many wheels a vehicle has.

Pete

[twowings]

I beg to differ, Gandalf...

pass on as much knowledge as you can to the willing before you pass on...pay it forward...

[rtbickel]

I would have to agree with Pete on having some level of competence and knowing your limitations.   It's quite embarrassing when you've gotten in way over your head and you have to bring in (bring your fubar to) the pros. 

[PJPR01]

I would have to agree with Pete on having some level of competence and knowing your limitations.   It's quite embarrassing when you've gotten in way over your head and you have to bring in (bring your fubar to) the pros.

Which reminds of a sign I saw in a shop a long time ago:

Shop Standard Hourly Rate:                               $50 /hour
Hourly Rate if you watch:                                   $60 / hour
Hourly Rate if you watch and make suggestions:  $75/ hour
Hourly Rate if you worked on it before:               $100 / hour

 

[malik]

I would have to agree with Pete on having some level of competence and knowing your limitations.   It's quite embarrassing when you've gotten in way over your head and you have to bring in (bring your fubar to) the pros.

Embarrassment I can live with comfortably, how else are you going to learn? You've got to keep pushing your level of incompetence a little further out each time. The experts' (bless them) advice may only start to make sense once you have an idea of what bits they are talking about. It helps if you can recognise when you really don't know what you are doing and be willing to seek advice, help, knowledge. And have fun doing it, too. I have a gearbox at home that I'm going to need help with - we either put it back together incorrectly, or there is something worn we didn't notice.If you are going to do stuff yourself, you must take responsibility for your mistakes (a learning opportunity) as well as rejoice in your successes. All good stuff.

[John A]

If I screw something up, whatever it takes to correct it is the price of knowledge . Most of the time I can learn without the mistakes by reading over the machine, setting a clear idea of what the outcome should be and being patient . Observe the details. Watch/help someone else .Ask questions, read.

[krglorioso]

...and the best part is Dusty...you get to organize it, alphabetize it and keep it orderly too!  Sounds like a job for the school librarian! 

There are a number of good pics with threads here...going back and updating those might be difficult, but future ones, if folks are inclined to document their repairs I'm sure would be well appreciated and a handy reference.  Getting the knowledge online would help many years of future owners...and then folks will need to learn to use the Search function first...

 

BPReynolds is a librarian.  I nominate BP!

[oldbike54]

BPReynolds is a librarian.  I nominate BP!

 I was gonna suggest MGPilot , being his idea and all , but the Bipper will work also 

 Dusty

[pete roper]

Embarrassment I can live with comfortably, how else are you going to learn? You've got to keep pushing your level of incompetence a little further out each time. The experts' (bless them) advice may only start to make sense once you have an idea of what bits they are talking about. It helps if you can recognise when you really don't know what you are doing and be willing to seek advice, help, knowledge. And have fun doing it, too. I have a gearbox at home that I'm going to need help with - we either put it back together incorrectly, or there is something worn we didn't notice.If you are going to do stuff yourself, you must take responsibility for your mistakes (a learning opportunity) as well as rejoice in your successes. All good stuff.

So what's' sit doing Mal? And what age bike is it out of? Early smallblock boxes were a prick of a thing! No idea why?

Pete

[pete mcgee]

Interesting thread.
I can see both sides of the argument.
I am relatively fluent in 5 aircraft types engine and airframe, and I know my mk 3 LeMans down to bolt level, so I consider myself slightly above average in the mechanical knowledge/hand skills area.
That was until I took on an old BMW R100 rs.
I have since discovered that Guzzi's are "easy" and when working on a BMW you need a special tool to take a dump.
Even fricken wheel bearings are an over complicated form of German revenge.
It really questions your self confidence.
And after all of the above In comparison to Pete Roper, Tom Newell( Queensland version to PR) and Ray Peake( BMW guru) I know nothing apart from my own bike.
To those who have a different background and haven't been twirling spanners for over 30 years, have a thought about what you want to achieve and whether you are confident in achieving it, simple maintenance is achievable IF you take the time to research what you are going to do and take it a step at a time.
Your first job should not be shimming a gearbox or a final drive.
Small steps first and built on it.
And if you aren't confident people like Pete are there for that very reason and are in all probability cheaper and quicker, more so if you own anything fuel injected.
Cheers

[pete roper]

A mate of mine I was chatting to recently made a pertinent point which I had a good chuckle over. There is a job called 'Mechanic'! If it didn't need any skill, knowledge or understanding, not to mention training and experience, it wouldn't be a f- king JOB would it!

[oldbike54]

 Yeah Pete , if it was easy ...  Look , no doubt the Guzzi world , like the airhead world , is inhabited by talented folks , most capable for sure . The info is available , but it must be paid for in sweat and tears . Now , if one of our gurus makes a video , we will certainly find a home for it , but I wouldn't hold my breath .

 Dusty

[blackcat]

I recently had to pull my CX down for a clutch and seals and even though I have the manuals and had no problems with the job I would like to thank Mr. Roper for his excellent pictorial on striping the engine, saved me time and made the job much easier. Much appreciated!!

Yes, rebuilt my CX engine using Pete's Pics and it all went reasonably well. And the engine is still together going on three years, and I don't know how many miles later.  And I don't consider myself to be a mechanic by any stretch of the imagination.

Thanks Pete.