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doing my own work

2K views 16 replies 13 participants last post by  01 winger 
#1 ·
I just finished installing new front brake pads, went easier than I thought it would be,actually it was a piece of cake. finished rebuilding the forks last week and put them back on,again not so difficult. took the top shelter off and replaced the air filter and while I have it off I'm going to install an ipod player. I am not the greatest wrench in the world but I got a set of freds dvd's and got all the confidence I needed to do these tasks. I'm a guy that needs to see things and if I just had the service manual to go by none of this would have gotten done.thank you fred. of course all this being said I haven't rode the bike yet,the battery is still in the basement on a tender,while I've been freezing my arse off working in a unheated garage,so everything could just fall apart when I take it for a ride but I've been having fun doing this and learning my bike and saving beuacoup dollars
 

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#4 ·
There was a thread a day or so ago about the government spending millions of dollars on silly stuff. Well, I say that there is a need for someone to find out why mice are so attracted to goldwing airboxes. The damn things build nests in about half of the Goldwings at one time or another. What is so appealing about this one spot on this one particular motorcycle? :shrug:
 
#8 ·
I'm one of the same. Not a mechanic by any stretch of the imagination but have done fluids, plugs, lights and air filter. When I did the air filter I found a broken part where the unit bolts to the frame. I figure it was done at the dealer when I had to have my entire wiring harness replaced under warranty. That convinced me to buy the videos and do my own maintenance. Next will be the rear tire. I bought an extra rim and it came with an almost new tire on it. I will try the layover method. I also have Fred's videos. I'm alittle afraid of trying the break pad change but will give it a go when they need to be replaced.
 
#9 ·
Work

It's always nice to see a fellow rider that can and does his own work. You take your time and are able to check other things while you are at work. Not to mention the money you save can go back on the bike or for more trips. Job well done. Be safe and enjoy the ride. Larry
 
#10 ·
We have much the same mindset..I enjoy doing the work myself..
 
#12 ·
I'm one of the same. Not a mechanic by any stretch of the imagination but have done fluids, plugs, lights and air filter. When I did the air filter I found a broken part where the unit bolts to the frame. I figure it was done at the dealer when I had to have my entire wiring harness replaced under warranty. That convinced me to buy the videos and do my own maintenance. Next will be the rear tire. I bought an extra rim and it came with an almost new tire on it. I will try the layover method. I also have Fred's videos. I'm alittle afraid of trying the break pad change but will give it a go when they need to be replaced.
I had the same thoughts about pads before changing them.. Front or back.. afterwards.. What was all the fuss about.. I did find the person who changed the rear pads had done them incorrectly having one pad out of it's groove making it about 1/4" low and wearing away the rivets on the rotor.. New rotor needed .. The guy obviously had not watched Freds CDs
 
#13 ·
Hands on videos are definitely a life saver and as many have said before me, the first repair or service just payed for the cost of the videos. It does help to have a good collection of tools accumulated over many years as well, but if you do have to go out and purchase that new tool, you'll still be money ahead. I'm sure when you get the battery back in your bike tedr, that it will fire right up and you'll sleep well that night. Congratulations! The first step is usually the biggest. No looking back now.
Bob
 
#14 ·
Good job!

Whenever I work on my bikes I get that great feeling of accomplishment, knowing that it's done, it's done right, and I didn't spend a fortune to have someone else do it -- and then wonder if it's done right!

Makes me think of Tom Hanks in "Castaway":

"I made FIRE!"
 
#15 ·
well. I got the bike back together today and just took it for a ride in 25 degree temps and guess what,NOTHING FELL OFF. so let me tally,$20 air filter,$95 front brake pads,$79 ipod player thing,$45 all balls front seals and bushings,$10 oil filter,$25 oil,(which I haven't done yet,)$75 freds dvd's,$35 service manual,=$384. I figure in true working time about 20-25 hrs and at my shops rate of $75 hour I saved $1875 plus I cleaned and greased and checked out many things which no shop would have done. a few observations that I have are I'm not really sure on some of these torque tolerences, they just don't seem to be tight enough,so I of course tweaked them a little. I didn't have one screw or bolt leftover,stripped or lost,except for that damn allen bolt in the bottom of the left fork that i stripped so I guess I should add another $16 to my total which is what the machine shop charged to get it out.I really enjoyed these projects and was glad to be able to learn my bike better,and in all honesty everything from putting the seat back on,the top shelter and the brake pads went relatively smooth, although I did freak myself out when I started the bike,let the ecm reset itself,which took about 25 minutes for the fans to come on, and put it in reverse,pressed the starter button and nothing happened,tried it about 4 times and still nothing happened,and then noticed that the little orange "S" was lit up. put the kickstand up and back I went,whew.so all I have left to do is the brake fluid change,the antifreeze change and the oil and I'm ready for the nice weather
 
#17 ·
well. I got the bike back together today and just took it for a ride in 25 degree temps and guess what,NOTHING FELL OFF. so let me tally,$20 air filter,$95 front brake pads,$79 ipod player thing,$45 all balls front seals and bushings,$10 oil filter,$25 oil,(which I haven't done yet,)$75 freds dvd's,$35 service manual,=$384. I figure in true working time about 20-25 hrs and at my shops rate of $75 hour I saved $1875 plus I cleaned and greased and checked out many things which no shop would have done. a few observations that I have are I'm not really sure on some of these torque tolerences, they just don't seem to be tight enough,so I of course tweaked them a little. I didn't have one screw or bolt leftover,stripped or lost,except for that damn allen bolt in the bottom of the left fork that i stripped so I guess I should add another $16 to my total which is what the machine shop charged to get it out.I really enjoyed these projects and was glad to be able to learn my bike better,and in all honesty everything from putting the seat back on,the top shelter and the brake pads went relatively smooth, although I did freak myself out when I started the bike,let the ecm reset itself,which took about 25 minutes for the fans to come on, and put it in reverse,pressed the starter button and nothing happened,tried it about 4 times and still nothing happened,and then noticed that the little orange "S" was lit up. put the kickstand up and back I went,whew.so all I have left to do is the brake fluid change,the antifreeze change and the oil and I'm ready for the nice weather
Good job this will be my 9th year haveing my bike like you i bought Fred's DvD's and my bike has not been to a dealer for work i do my own.Tire changes and all.
 
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