Being your own mechanic is not only satisfying but learning how to turn a wrench on your own bike is an invaluable skill when you're out on the road by yourself.
One addition though, aside from the cost savings, is that I dont have to wait from several hours to several weeks to have the work done. I can do it when I have the time, and get it done on MY schedule.
I went out on a group ride once and broke the shifter pawl. After limping it back home (stuck in high gear), I broke it down, and was at the dealers ordering the parts when the group got back. Total time since breakdown, about two hours. Dealer wait time at that particular time was about a week. I got the part in a few days later and was back on the road long before it would have even been looked at otherwise. Granted, another shop may have had a shorter wait time, but I also had the satisfaction of saving a couple hundo in labor fees, and knowing that it was done "right"
It takes time to get into it, and sometimes a bit of money too when you get in above your elbows however I'm always amazed at the guys who can do it all themselves... they are the ones you want riding with you when something goes wrong.
I am no stranger to wrenching. I worked on all my muscle cars since the 80’s in high school. Never worked a lot on bikes. Had dirt bikes as a kid, tune ups oil changes nothing big. Same with my 1st and 2nd sportster. When I got my wide glide I had a builder do all the work, cams, head work, and much more. Very expensive. No I have the fxr. I did a cam, lifters push rods. Cleaned and rejetted carb. I plan on doing pistons, heads. I have big plans for the fxr. So much more rewarding and a lot less expensive.
I do the basics on mine, but I think my greatest fear is being in over my head. "Thinking" I have everything just right and then finding out it's not or messing something else up in the process would **** me off to no end. I also wonder if I have the patience for it. I'm not against doing my own wrenching, just skittish about it.
What amazes me is the people here "wrenching" on expensive toys that they have no business working on. Hang around here, and hearing the oops, or "I have a question", will make you fear buying a used bike.
Too cheap to pay anyone to do anything for one and for two...I wouldn't feel comfortable having someone else work on my bike. What next...want to **** my wife too?
Too cheap to pay anyone to do anything for one and for two...I wouldn't feel comfortable having someone else work on my bike. What next...want to **** my wife too?
There are degrees of mechanicking. Hanging chrome and replacing a final drive belt are a long way apart but to some anything you do is mechanicking. I've never torn deeply into the engine of my road bikes. I've never really needed to. But every winter I do major maintenance on one end of the bike or the other. I have gotten to know the workings and it has helped me on the road a couple of times.
01-02-2018, 03:39 PM
Wrenching Your Own Bike Versus Paying a Shop
