When I was a kid I had a paltry selection of ghetto tools of unknown origin. My brother found a rock and a butterknife and we had to get a bigger toolbox. Having no Dad or other male figures around to guide me, I was left to stumble along as I tried to learn to fix a flat tire, adjust brakes, etc.
Fast forward...I got into Mountain biking and found MTBR.com, where there was a lot of tech help, and I learned quite a bit. Now that I have a motorcycle again, there is a lot that I'd like to learn about maintenance, mods, etc. While people on this board are responsive and helpful, I thought it would be good to have a thread where we can share tips that we would share if we were teaching our younger son or daughter...for example, someone told me that generally speaking, you should lightly grease most bolts when assembling bikes and parts. I would never have known that. When I went to add some Ti pieces, they told me about Anti-seize. That is something I could pass forward here. Tightening nuts on a sprocket or wheel in that funky pattern where you jump across and back to apply the pressure evenly is another.
I vividly remember trying to get a pedal off my bike one day and I saw a great opportunity. My sister's boyfriend, who was a 210 pound jock knucklehead, said "give that to me" and practically had a aneurism trying to remove the pedal to impress my sister. I took the pedal back as he muttered about it being seized, smiled knowingly, and took it right off. Left pedals are backward threaded (but I didn't tell him that). Ah, my glory days.
It would be way cool to have everyone contribute tips and have this keep growing. We could even include negative takes...what you learned from mistakes.
I'd like to hear what you all think.
Joel
thats what the whole tech forum is for. :P
Quote from: Billyzoom on March 18, 2010, 10:25:07 PM
I'd like to hear what you all think.
I think the only lessons that ever stuck, despite having a fantastic teacher/etc, were the ones I royally screwed up.
I encourage people to hose themselves every chance they get-it's the best way to learn.
Quote from: MrIncredible on March 19, 2010, 06:44:01 AM
I think the only lessons that ever stuck, despite having a fantastic teacher/etc, were the ones I royally screwed up.
I encourage people to hose themselves every chance they get-it's the best way to learn.
+1
I've unfortunately only had a few fantastic teachers, but lord knows screwing up sticks to me like white on rice.
Quote from: PhoenixS4R on March 19, 2010, 07:33:30 AM
+1
I've unfortunately only had a few fantastic teachers, but lord knows screwing up sticks to me like white on rice.
All my friends eat yellow rice.
Good idea. I learned the hard way, too. Most of it stemmed from a distrust of mechanics from getting burned. I teach my 5 and 8 yo daughters everything from carpentry to bicycle and motorcycle mechanics (and how to open a beer bottle w/o an opener [cheeky] ). I try to make it fun for them. Besides, those little fingers come in handy when you lose a bolt or washer somewhere in the middle of the bike. ;D
Quote from: MrIncredible on March 19, 2010, 06:44:01 AM
were the ones I royally screwed up.
YUP.
or the ones where I thought I was really over my head and was in "unknown territory" and ended up realizing that it wasn't all magic, smoke, and mirrors.
Quote from: He Man on March 19, 2010, 07:53:02 AM
All my friends eat yellow rice.
Eating anything yellow is cause for concern, ie snow
[evil]
Quote from: PhoenixS4R on March 19, 2010, 09:47:46 AM
Eating anything yellow is cause for concern, ie snow
[evil]
depends on how often it snows in said area. aint too much snow up here, got about 3 feet this year, and that was only for 2 months. 2 god awful months.
:(
If you royally make the beast with two backs up, just dont have shitty tools, and youll be okay cause then youll be royally make the beast with two backsing up shit that shouldnt of happened like stripped bolts.