Do you enjoy maintaining your motorcycle?

[Rabidsnipe]

I woke up this morning about 8 am to start working on installing Ivan's jet kit in the FZ1.  I've noticed this before, but it is super relaxing to me to work on the bike.  It is almost therapeutic for me.  I imagine having the right tools and a clean working area helps, but I could probably wrench on my bike all the time.  It is very peaceful.

[garry]

I voted no. I would rather be riding than wrenching. I do the simple stuff, but can't say I enjoy it. It's just a PITA. I do it because it has to be done and I'm too cheap to pay someone to do the simple stuff. Having a spacious, heated, comfortable, well-lit garage would help no doubt and let me do stuff when it's dark or raining or cold out.

[MisterSmooth]

I like cleaning them.  Does that count?  

We go through a lot of Lemon Pledge in my garage.  

[FiremanBob]

Robert Pirsig explained it perfectly in ZAMM.

[Mr.Black]

Basic stuff for now.

[Frankienuckles]

It's kinda funny that I enjoy doing most mechanical tasks on my bike because I hate working on cars. Some thing can be a pain though, fork rebuilds come to mind.

[photomd]

Yep.

[Rabidsnipe]

I voted no. I would rather be riding than wrenching. I do the simple stuff, but can't say I enjoy it. It's just a PITA. I do it because it has to be done and I'm too cheap to pay someone to do the simple stuff. Having a spacious, heated, comfortable, well-lit garage would help no doubt and let me do stuff when it's dark or raining or cold out.

It is amazing how much difference having a ton of light makes.  The first thing I did to my garage when we moved in was install 6 double 48" fluorescent light fixtures.  It makes a world of difference.  Also, having the right tools for the job also makes it a lot easier and lot more rewarding.  Knowing that it was done correctly and that you didn't jack something in the process is  a nice feeling.

I will say I was slightly frustrated today at something a previous owner had done.  While removing the philips head screws that hold on the side air box covers I broke the plastic tab that was retaining the nut on the other side of the cover.  Why did this happen?  Because someone thought it would be an ingenious idea to use high-strength loctite on a bolt that threads into a nut that is held in place with a plastic tab.  Some people shouldn't be allowed to even buy tools.

[Blunder]

I used to enjoy working on my bikes, but not so much anymore. Too many fiddly bits in cramped quarters for my fat-fingered shovel hands. An old airhead BMW or a Guzzi would appear to be more suited to me. Tools are not a problem. An electronic diagnostic machine is probably the only thing I lack and where do you plug one of those in on an R90S or 850 Le Mans?

[kevin_stevens]

No.  I hate wrenching on things.  Something always goes wrong, or I'm missing a tool, or a part, or etc ad nauseum.

I do it because (usually) it takes less time, effort, and money than arranging for someone else to do it, and then checking to make sure they did it right.  But it's definitely not the goal, it's the means to the goal.

KeS

[Motocentaur]

I enjoy it a lot. Being DIY-capable is an important criterion for any bike I own. In fact, part of the reason I got the Ural was to expand my mechanical repetoire with more frequent maintenance . . . "opportunities."


Actually, the Ural has been very reliable, but it does require frequent routine maintenance.

[JReazor]

I voted no. I would rather be riding than wrenching. I do the simple stuff, but can't say I enjoy it. It's just a PITA. I do it because it has to be done and I'm too cheap to pay someone to do the simple stuff. Having a spacious, heated, comfortable, well-lit garage would help no doubt and let me do stuff when it's dark or raining or cold out.

[garry]

It is amazing how much difference having a ton of light makes.  The first thing I did to my garage when we moved in was install 6 double 48" fluorescent light fixtures.  It makes a world of difference.  

That's the main reason I don't enjoy wrenching. My little single car garage can only have lights in the back half where all the storage/crap is at. The bikes are in the front half that is only lit by a single bulb on the garage door opener. Portable lights are a PITA, but I use them. Mostly I just wait until it's nice out and do the work outside in the driveway where I can see. Having nearly 50 year old eyes doesn't help any either (can't focus up close, need more light to see details, etc). But working outside means daylight on a nice day only. When I'd rather be riding.

We may re-organize the garage/basement when young son heads off to college in September to move the storage inside and make the back half of the garage available for moto parking and wrenching.

The wrenching itself isn't bad when things go according to plan. It's the poor working conditions and probability of something going wrong (stuck or stripped bolt, etc) that ruin it for me.

[black hills]

I enjoy it, although it is sometimes an exercise in patience I think it teaches you things and makes you appreciate riding if you know how everything works.

[veefer800canuck]

The only thing my bikes ever go to the dealers for is tire mounting and balancing.

And even at that, I remove the wheels and carry them into the shop loose.

I love doing planned maintenance, but hate doing full-on repairs of broken shit.


I usually halfway-disassemble the bike each winter, alternating between the front end and the back end every other year, to clean and grease the related bearings, and generally inspect everything and look for problems cropping up.

I do not tolerate loose or poorly lubricated chassis/driveline parts (or whatever else).
I mean, that's what your life is riding on, so it's gotta be clean, lubed, and tight.

[Papa Lazarou]

A qualified Yes,

I like working on my bike when what I do to it actually works-last year, I had gremlins in the Triumph. Didn't enjoy that too much.

[stevent]

I wouldn't say I enjoy it, I try to do as much as I can because I'm a cheapskate and I don't trust shop mechanics to be as meticulous and  thorough as I am. I wouldn't choose to spend a day dicking around with the bike if I could help it...

[Rabidsnipe]

I love doing planned maintenance, but hate doing full-on repairs of broken shit.

+1  That's why the question is maintaining your motorcycles.  Repairing stuff sucks.

I'm also impressed by how few people have responded they don't roll their own:  1/39.  Although maybe the title weeds those guys out from the beginning.

[county]

It is ok most of the time.

What amazes me is this last 15 year m/c boom has spawned a whole generation of riders who don't know jack shit about how their bike works...and have no interest in learning.  At x miles they take it to the dealer and say do the maintenance and ride off when it's ready.

A real tribute to the m/c industry for making bikes today that are damn dependable.....

[xbud]

 Hearing all the horror stories from people with incompetent dealers makes me want to wrench on my own stuff, plus it's not the mechanics life on the line when you leave the shop it's your own. Also if you have to recheck the work, your probably better off doing it yourself anyway.

[bogfro]

Nope, don't enjoy it.  But I do it, mainly because I want to make sure it's done right.  Haven't had to take either bike in to the shop yet, and hope I never have to.  I have the bikes to RIDE them, and I do maintenance because it has to be done to be able to ride them.

[Blunder]

It is ok most of the time.

What amazes me is this last 15 year m/c boom has spawned a whole generation of riders who don't know jack shit about how their bike works...and have no interest in learning.  At x miles they take it to the dealer and say do the maintenance and ride off when it's ready.

A real tribute to the m/c industry for making bikes today that are damn dependable.....

Like FJRs?

I don't like working on my bike, but I still do it. As someone else stated, can you trust your local shop to do the work? We've all heard the claim that the valve lash doesn't need inspecting or something along the line of "they all do that".

My knuckles are skinned and fingers are flattened and will continue to be so. Cover your children's ears cuz I know how to swear.

[mugwump58]

If the stealerships instilled so much as a minimum of trust and timely service I'd be tempted to let them work on the bike. Each winter I tear down as much as is practical so that the riding season is occupied by riding, oil , brake pad changes and valve adjustments.

[tdeboeser]

Can't vote... I used to love wrenching - on anything.   But now I would rather just ride.  But dealers suck, so I'll be wrenching for the rest of my riding days.

Tom de

[Fourstring]

I always enjoy it as long as things are going well.  As soon as the job turns to crap (often, in my case) I'm less about enjoying it and more about getting it done.  So, I stick to the simple stuff.

[county]

Like FJRs?

Among others....when I got back into riding back in 2002 I asked a friend who rode a lot about bikes....he said and I found it to be true for the most part...."you cannot buy a bad bike"...they are so fucking dependable.

[tomek]

Maintenance,tire changes, small repairs,etc suck.There is  no creativity involved in that kind of work,it seems well trained monkey could handle it.But due to monetary reasons,time savings,distrust to dealerships I do it anyway.

On the one hand I enjoy engine blueprinting and generally performance improving kind of work.Or custom painting.
Something that generally requires you to use your brain.

Proper work place is a key.Enough space,light,temperature control and well equipped tool chest are very important.  

[Hotbrakes]

I sure do.  I've even started inviting friends over to help them.  Plus its the only time I get to drink beer while spending quality time with the bike.  And with a garage floor like this...who wouldn't?  Just installed yesterday.  Can't wait to start turning wrenches on it and covering it in oil and tire marks!

[scramblerracer123]

I use to enjoy it, but have grown to dislike it.  I would much rather spend the time riding.

[Rabidsnipe]

See this:
http://www.yamahafz1oa.com/forum/showthread.php?t=103471

for an example of when it isn't fun.

Forked up my carbs attempting to install an Ivan's jet kit.

But look on the bright side, what took me a whole day to do before (pull the carbs) only took about an hour the 2nd time.  

[nater]

Its fun--when things are going sucessfully.

[Wanderer]

I don't see an option that fits me, really.

Installing new farkles and periodic maintnence  
Troubleshooting and fixing broken  

I can- I just don't like it.
The only thing I can't do is tires.  I don't have the tools or desire when my local shop will do it for $20 a weel while I wait.

[243Win]

I'll give it a "qualified" yes.  I do it to all my vehicles just because I can, the idea of handing it off bothers me somehow.

Some vehicles I have no choice, no shop is going to work on my '86 500 Interceptor -- as long as I have that bike I will be in charge.  Last repair was to replace a cam-chain tensioner -- no trivial task, but after being down in the guts of that bike and seeing how nice and clean it is after 31k miles and 24 years, I've got a lot of confidence in it now.

On my DR650, it is a matter of "I must be able to fix it" as I'm liable to ride to somewhere where there is no help and I have to fix it myself so knowledge is power and more importantly, confidence in the machine.  Same as my Jeep in that regard.

A pleasant, well lit place to work makes it all the nicer.

In a nutshell, I do it as I have to to keep it all together and myself on the road.  I might be throwing a wrench or two across the shop in the middle of a repair, but in the end, the satisfaction makes it worthwhile.  My problem is too MANY mechanical toys where your free time can be overwhelmed taking care of them, rather then enjoying them.  There is a fine balance between the number of toys and your free time to maintain them vs using them.

[Paintman]

Must be yes lol since alot of my fleet is 30+ yrs old and help alot of friends with thiers use to work for Honda back in the now its just for fun tinkering is my therapy

[Zerosum]

I would, if I had a garage with heat, power, and room to work.  As it is, my bikes live in an unheated, unpowered shed.   I still do the necessary tasks, but no, it's not much fun.

[Dan K]

sometimes.  I enjoy it more than paying someone else, but I only do minor routine maintenance.  

[forester]

I LOVE to maintain my motorcycle.  

Dudes, I own a V-strom.

Therefore, the Maytag guy works harder than I do.  

[Sputnik]

Yes,
When I can take my time and bond with the bike, in a "soul craft" kind of way.
I would NOT enjoy it if I did not have a garage to work in.

http://www.amazon.com/Shop-Class-Soulcraft-Inquiry-Value/dp/0143117467/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1272489911&sr=8-1

[SuperHans]

I've always like working with my hands and the knowledge I gain from trying something new. I just wish I had a better work space. I'll buy whatever specialty tools I need since I figure the cost of the tools is still usually less than having someone else do the job.

There's really not much I wont try when it comes to working on the bike. Sure there are times it can be frustrating, but I always find it satisfying in the end.

[rabbott5]

I usually do any major work when the weather is bad.  Winter, early spring or late fall.  I put off checking the valves earlier this year because the weather has been so nice.  Finally had a day last week when the weather was wet and windy.  It keeps the cost down and gives me a chance to look the bike over for anything that might be going bad.  

[Andrew]

Yes YES  and YES I love it.

Spent the last 20+ years of my life working as a mechanic and I still love to repair things.

Last year I moved into management, had to take my tool boxes home (nice to have a fully functional work shop at home  )

Now I spend my time at work managing people and turning wrenches only when home.

So Yes I "get to" do all the work on my machines and several others as well.

Life is good

[tigertom1965]

Yes I like wrenching on things. However it almost always goes bad since I had to learn on my own.

Need a couple of wrench sessions to see how things are done correctly to truely enjoy it.

[Phodius]

I'll change the oil and maintain the chain...that's about it.  

[Texatl]

I love working on my bikes.  I hate trying to fit it in between kids and all they have going.  Not enough time in a day really.  But some of the best times were rebuilding my GS750, I loved that stupid ugly bike.

[jeepinbanditrider]

I enjoy it a lot.  Infact I wouldn't have it any other way.  Spinning wrenches and modifications really make not only my motorcycle habit but my car habit that much more enjoyable.

[Uncle Leo]

I hate it. But I'll do the minimum necessary, if only out of necessity.

I was so pleased when it rained last week that I put  the ST out in the driveway, and now it looks mono-colored.