BMW R1200R R1150R/T F800 K1200R R1100R/T R1250R RnineT Message Board

I've never done much wrenching in my life. So far it's been pretty well limited to changing wheels, batteries, oil & filter, and taking the tank of our bike (which I managed without nicking any O rings!!!).

As many of you will (I hope) understand, I like less and less taking the bike in for maintenance since I would much rather care for my bike myself. As I get closer to the end of my warranty period, another reason for me not to do my own work dissapears.

My question is, is the task of doing all the maintenance on our RRs so complex and sensitive that a reasonably intelligent and patient but inexperienced person can't manage it without risking damage to the bike?

I also have no tools appart from the socket wrench that I bot to change the oil and filter and what's in the tool kit. I know that I will need a torque wrench (been doing it by feel so far), some feeler gauges, a twinmax, some nipples for bleeding the lines. Is there anything else that I really need?

Thanks for your input

Justin

take a look here for some real good guidance: http://www.ibmwr.org/r-tech/oilheads/index.shtml

95% of the maint is very doable. To me it is still worth it to take it to the dealer once a year to have the codes checked and just have an experienced eye make sure the bike is safe.

when it comes to tune-up, fluids, and tire changes, do it yourself.

Bill

Edited, and moved on...

Thanks guys, now I'm just wondering who voted no!

Cheers,

Justin

What better bike to gain your confidence in your abilities, than a bike whose cylinders are sticking right out there in the open? It's all about your own level of comfort. Once you get over that initial feeling of being intimidated by the unknown, you can do most anything.

I did some of my own wrenching, and I left the some of the other stuff to guys who do it on a regular basis. I saved myself some money, and I established a report with my local dealership. By the way, I did a good job of adjusting my valves, and I did a bad job.... it can go both way. But nothing ventured, nothing gained. Damnn but you feel GOOD, after interacting with your own bike. Try it, you just might like it.

Curious, for those of you who do their own work what do you do and what do you leave to the pros?

A Newbie working on his own bike? I just voted NO. If you insist on doing it yourself I do have some good advice that I hope you'll take. The first 1 or 2 times you do a 3 zone oil change or tune-up I recommend you do it as a student of someone somewhat experienced in working on MotorCycles. Even something as easy as changing the rear gear oil (zone 3) can cause $eriou$ damage if you allow a few dirt grains in the fill opening or insufficiently tighten the drain bolt.

I know that not giving a couple hundred dollars to a dealer is the motivation (and reward) for doing it yourself, but there is no substitute for skill, knowledge and experience when the mission is to make things perfect and do no harm. There is an excellent 37 page .PDF file of spoon feeding instructions available here:
http://www.advrider.com/Wisdom/OVADv2.1.pdf
You can print it out to help prevent you from making costly/stupid/serious Newbie mistakes.
Again, Don't go it alone the first few times.

{Why aren't "Links" working?)

Id say if you have to ask that you should start out simple
and progress slowly leaving things you dont fully
understand to the pros

Just my .02

Wayne

you'll need more tools than you now have to be sure, but don't hesitate taking on this new challenge. There's more than enough help, right here on this site,if you get stuck or are unsure - all you have to do is ask.

It's about an easy a bike to work on as there is - it would be a good candidate for a tech-school type project for motorcycle tune-up/repair. The mechanicals are accessible for the most part but so is the wealth of knowledge here. As others have said here, the machine will be much less mysterious after you get your hands dirty but you need to be patient - and don't be timid about asking for help - there are many here capable and willing. Jump in!

Give it a go and see how you feel. If it doesn't work out you can always pay to have your mistakes fixed. Or you can fix them yourself and be that much ahead next time. It helps if you have someone more experienced to consult with at first, and later if problems pop up.

A good reason to be a member of this board, by the way. Good luck.

Kevin

Pay attention to what Cyclerob said

I have to go along with what Cyclerob and Dean-O said.
For a newbie with essentially no tools, the rewards are low and the risks are high.
Just as the old saying goes, "A fast rider on a slow motorcycle will always outrun a slow rider on a fast motorcycle", an experienced wrench with limited tools will do better work than an inexperienced wrench with a full tool box.
But a newbie with very limited tools is a dangerous combo.
Talk to the community colleges near you and see if they offer a motorcycle maintenance course, or even level 1 of a motorcycle tech course. HUGE headstart.
And/or, as suggested, hang with some experienced amateurs who do their own work and learn.
Then you will know better which tools to buy and how to use them. Start with some knowledge before you buy a bunch of tools, unless you just want a nice tool collection. When the time comes, get recomendations for tools from this board, but as always, use your own judgement in evaluating what you read!
Clymer has a new service manual now that includes the 50R...not the best manual I've ever seen but pretty good. Buy one...use it.
Start with very simple tasks, use your new torque wrench, go slow, think, move up when ready. Learn to use & rely on 1/4" drive sockets for most fasteners. Nothing larger than 3/8" drive for larger fasteners. Always use the smallest tool that will do the job. They generally provide the best "feel" and let you use a light touch.
Don't be mislead by some over-anal types who would have you doing daily, nth degree rocker arm end play adjustments and over-done valve clearance & throttle body massaging. Cover the basics, do them well, go ride. Repeat. These are tough bikes and do not really need a lot of maintenance. But DON'T neglect them either.
If you just must become an "Anal Alice" on this stuff, get some knowledge, experience and tools first.
But it's always better to just go riding.
Fast & safe!

Thanks very much for all the advice. I hadn't thought of the community college option - might be something interesting. Too bad my local dealer doesn't do maintainance training sessions as some others do.

Cheers,

Justin

Justin -
Whatever you do don't give up on this.
Hey, it ain't brain surgery and it can be a lot of fun and very rewarding.
And save a few $$$!
Just go at it smart & slow...ask good questions, listen to the answers.
Sounds like you're pretty typical on what you've done to your bike...that tank is no fun!
Let us know.