Oil change
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4th Gear
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 8
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From: San Diego, CA
Oil change
No, this isn't one of THOSE threads. Just wanted to share a really great experience I had. Was out in the garage making room to knock out the 10k service on my Slim, when my 14 year old son comes out and asks to help. Kind of blew me away, as he has never showed any interest in bikes or cars or anything mechanical in the past, but of course I'd let him help. So, I started with a brief overview on the basics of an internal combustion engine, pointing things out on the bike and showing him how it all works together. Then we got to work. I let him do most everything as I walked him through it step by step. Cleaning, inspecting, lubricating, checking torque values, 3-hole oil change, adjusting the clutch, throttle and idle cables, you name it. He started off apprehensive, but by the end was turning that wrench with confidence. I can't think of a time that I've ever been more proud of him than I was that afternoon. It was a great bonding experience for us both, and for him, a rite of passage into manhood. I really hope he retains his newfound interest and look forward to many more projects together. Anyway, thanks for reading. If you guys have similar stories, I'd love to hear 'em.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 842
Likes: 64
From: N. CA & East TN
I wish my father had any mechanical skills and did that stuff for me. I try to show my kids a lot of that stuff, but i don't do a lot of work because i was never taught any of that. Good job dad.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 13,532
Likes: 34,720
From: Pine Flat Dam/South Bay Area, CA
My dad had me out in the garage by the time I was 5 cleaning parts & scraping gaskets. When I got my first flat tire on my bicycle he told me as he fixed the tire he was only going to show me once how to do it & from then on I was on my own. I thank my dad for teaching me how to be self-sufficient.
Advanced
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 55
Likes: 1
From: Killington, Vermont
No, this isn't one of THOSE threads. Just wanted to share a really great experience I had. Was out in the garage making room to knock out the 10k service on my Slim, when my 14 year old son comes out and asks to help. Kind of blew me away, as he has never showed any interest in bikes or cars or anything mechanical in the past, but of course I'd let him help. So, I started with a brief overview on the basics of an internal combustion engine, pointing things out on the bike and showing him how it all works together. Then we got to work. I let him do most everything as I walked him through it step by step. Cleaning, inspecting, lubricating, checking torque values, 3-hole oil change, adjusting the clutch, throttle and idle cables, you name it. He started off apprehensive, but by the end was turning that wrench with confidence. I can't think of a time that I've ever been more proud of him than I was that afternoon. It was a great bonding experience for us both, and for him, a rite of passage into manhood. I really hope he retains his newfound interest and look forward to many more projects together. Anyway, thanks for reading. If you guys have similar stories, I'd love to hear 'em.
Next time I think I want to come over and help. I think I would learn a thing or two.
Seriously thats great. Start them young, and they gain more interests. Much better then sitting in front of the tv playing video games
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 10,562
Likes: 5,149
From: Robbm sucks
We always had chores growing up. That included everything from cutting and hauling wood, to shoveling snow to helping renovate various houses. Sure it sucked sometimes because while a lot of the kids were out playing on a Saturday, we were working.. but I learned a lot of different skills.
I have twin 6 y/o girls and I try to teach them anything I can. I let them help when it's safe to do so.
So many people these days can't even change a damn tire.. I don't get it.. why wait 3 hours for AAA to show up when you can do it in 5 minutes?
I have twin 6 y/o girls and I try to teach them anything I can. I let them help when it's safe to do so.
So many people these days can't even change a damn tire.. I don't get it.. why wait 3 hours for AAA to show up when you can do it in 5 minutes?
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 21,084
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From: The Wasteland
Maybe you should find a nice used dirt bike or Dual Sport for him. That would give him some experience riding and give you an excuse to do some more maintenance (bonding) with him.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2014
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From: pacific northwest
No, this isn't one of THOSE threads. Just wanted to share a really great experience I had. Was out in the garage making room to knock out the 10k service on my Slim, when my 14 year old son comes out and asks to help. Kind of blew me away, as he has never showed any interest in bikes or cars or anything mechanical in the past, but of course I'd let him help. So, I started with a brief overview on the basics of an internal combustion engine, pointing things out on the bike and showing him how it all works together. Then we got to work. I let him do most everything as I walked him through it step by step. Cleaning, inspecting, lubricating, checking torque values, 3-hole oil change, adjusting the clutch, throttle and idle cables, you name it. He started off apprehensive, but by the end was turning that wrench with confidence. I can't think of a time that I've ever been more proud of him than I was that afternoon. It was a great bonding experience for us both, and for him, a rite of passage into manhood. I really hope he retains his newfound interest and look forward to many more projects together. Anyway, thanks for reading. If you guys have similar stories, I'd love to hear 'em.