Basic Motorcycle Maintenance course

Its in London, usually on the last Tuesday of the month so Im doing the one on 31 January. Its only 35 quid. They do advanced courses for things like changing your shims (which I did and realised why I feel so much better about paying someone else to do it )

http://www.ovalmotorcyclecentre.co.uk/web/docs/OMCNewsletter.pdf

 

It sounds like a great idea, but might be a bit far for most.

 

Yeah, I havent seen anything similar being offered anywhere else. They also hire out benches and tools if you want to do it all yourself.

 

Come down to my place and I'll show you all you need to know(motorcycle maintenance that is !). Checking valve clearances is pi$$ easy and if you do it yerself, you'll know it's been done, unlike if you take it to a stealers and they charge you for not doing it!!!

 

Stay out, stay out it's trap! People have entered his shed never to be seen again.

 

Get back in yer coffin Les , the sun's out

 

Would be nice to attend something like this, but as Paul says its quite far out for most of us...their prices do seem a tad high if they are simply renting benches and tools out.

 

Not here it's not.

 

Mid Kent Motorcycling used to offer this as an adjunct to their motorbike training. weekly at a tenner a time, I believe...

 

Checking valve clearences is an easy job, thankfully the modern motorcycle engine rarely pushes them out of tollerence either. But when they are out, it can be a tedious job to do. Of course the trick is to check 'em yourself, if they're out pay to have them done then check em after to make sure they did it!

I'd agree £20 an hour is a bit steep to borrow tools, given you can probably find a mechanic that can do most jobs in less time and charge the same rate.
Would be interesting to see what the basic course actually covers though, as they say they're having a seperate one on brakes. Personally I'd say brakes were pretty high on the list of things you'd want to be able to check are okay

As Mega says, think it came up before also, there's a few people on here could walk you through how to and what to check on your bike in terms of basic appreciation and understanding. Some can even probably do it without the funny accent

Don't worry about the advance course, I can tell you how an engine works in 4 words: Suck, Squeeze, Bang, Blow!

 

That's a motor cycle engine, yeah..?

 

Not on my bike it isnt! :-( Yamaha have put it in such a strange angle that it took me so long to get to it that its not worth it. On which planet do you know mechanics that charge £20 an hour, all mechanics I know charge 60 quid an hour :-S

Ill let you know how I get on but Skorch, you could look into this as another idea for a little home business

 

Clearly going to the wrong mechanics! Must be lower overheads out here in the sticks, I'll only charge you £45 how's that?

Definately worth a shot at the course if you fancy it, even just for the self confidence. If you find what they cover and i'll tell you it over lunch

 

Alan's maintenance course:
10am start: A Fred Dibnah-esque voice loudly says "Put petrol in the top and air in the bottom".
10:01am: The end.

However, never (ever) ask him to demonstrate how to put air in the bottom as it can be painful.

 

You lot are fookin phillistine peasants. I have a cutured accent and am trying to educate you fookin heathens. Why do I bother, southern numpties

 

Oo-er Mr Watt, youre a married man but thanks for offering to check my valva....

 

If you can find a mechanic that charges 25 quid, I will, erm, believe your side of the story

 

The Harley dealership near me charges nearly £75.00ph ex vat, totals close to £100.00 ph ....... Fekers ......

 

Bhanstormer BMW charged me £28 / hr excl VAT