The friendly "dumb" bike questions thread
Discussion
DanielSan said:
So my real question is, can anyone give me reasons not to get my bike licence? If I do bother doing it, the aim would be too just ride at weekends and the odd nice day.
The downsides are small - it's expensive to learn the whole DAS (but easy to get hooked via CBT) and get the right gear etcIdeally you also need indoor storage for the bike, preferably somewhere you can keep dryish over winter.
The upsides, however, are absolutely massive.
Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it.
Northernboy said:
Just go and do your CBT. There’s no major outlay or commitment if you do that, and it’ll probably tell you how much you’re going to enjoy it.
This.Think of it like an experience day: you'd pay far more for a few laps in a supercar around your local track. If you want to take it further DAS is still sensible money for the play time you get, and unlike other experience events, you actually get something at the end.
Northernboy said:
lukeyman said:
Sorry, yeah, waggle felt at the rim.
Had a trip Wales way planned today too!
Changing bearings isn’t a massive job, but it’s worth dropping the wheel out and checking that that’s what it is.Had a trip Wales way planned today too!
Assuming it’s held in lance by the standard bolt through the middle, did you undo that before adjusting, and then tighten it properly afterwards?
I've taken the wheel out now. Bearings all feel fine. The spacer that sits outside the sprocket carrier looks like this though:
That spacer has more clearance on the axle than any of the other bits. I wonder if I pulled the something slightly out of line yanking on the front sprocket? Especially if I hadn't quite got the axle nut tight previously. Anyway, I might as well swap tyres and see what its like once back together.
I’m not sure what the issue is with those. Spacers should be dirt cheap, and if they are I’d get new ones, and also replace the bearings.
It’s a bit of a pain, and might be unnecessary effort and expense, but if there’s no other obvious issue then it’s as good a place to start as any.
Before doing that though I’d go to a workshop and ask one of the mechanics to try wriggling the wheel too. They can probably tell you immediately if it’s knackered or OK, and quite likely what’s the cause too.
Nowadays I’d also then ask them to change the bearings for me, having both injured my fingers and knackered my wheels trying to remove and replace them myself without the proper tools, and it’s not an expensive job.
It’s a bit of a pain, and might be unnecessary effort and expense, but if there’s no other obvious issue then it’s as good a place to start as any.
Before doing that though I’d go to a workshop and ask one of the mechanics to try wriggling the wheel too. They can probably tell you immediately if it’s knackered or OK, and quite likely what’s the cause too.
Nowadays I’d also then ask them to change the bearings for me, having both injured my fingers and knackered my wheels trying to remove and replace them myself without the proper tools, and it’s not an expensive job.
Bob_Defly said:
Quick question.
I've never changed a spark plug before, and the hole seems pretty deep:
How do I know if there is any dirt in there? And if there is, how do I get it out so it doesn't fall into the engine?
Any other spark plug advice would be welcome too, before I mess something up.
Hose pipe or compressed air?I've never changed a spark plug before, and the hole seems pretty deep:
How do I know if there is any dirt in there? And if there is, how do I get it out so it doesn't fall into the engine?
Any other spark plug advice would be welcome too, before I mess something up.
A few specks of dirt isn’t going to be a problem, they’ll just be blown down the exhaust.
Bob_Defly said:
Quick question.
I've never changed a spark plug before, and the hole seems pretty deep:
How do I know if there is any dirt in there? And if there is, how do I get it out so it doesn't fall into the engine?
Any other spark plug advice would be welcome too, before I mess something up.
Assuming the pic is your plug - you can see it's clean as a whistleI've never changed a spark plug before, and the hole seems pretty deep:
How do I know if there is any dirt in there? And if there is, how do I get it out so it doesn't fall into the engine?
Any other spark plug advice would be welcome too, before I mess something up.
I tend to do them when the engine is warm - alloy expands more so they are looser, you should wait for it to cool before replacing - time for a coffee
Make sure your plug socket fits and has a rubber cap to pull the plug up the hole
I also use a small amount of copperslip on the thread of the new plug
Don't over tighten - read the box !
If in doubt - Stop
Had a new one last weekend. Even if it's a bit old and rough, wash and care for your bike. ESPECIALLY if it's a bit old and rough. It gives you a chance to get up close with all the little nooks and crannies.
I was cleaning my BSA for the first time in a while and realised the front brake was loose!
I was cleaning my BSA for the first time in a while and realised the front brake was loose!
A500leroy said:
DanielSan said:
So it seems there are no reasons not to then. Damn 
Some git may nick itA500leroy said:
Some git may knock you off while chatting on a mobile phone
You get impressive scars and free food (in hospital) and sympathy and a payout A500leroy said:
Its a ball ache putting proper riding gear on a hot day
You lose weight by sweating.
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