Hints and Tips

DISCLAIMER

DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, NO MATTER WHAT, EVER, EEVVEERR GET INVOLVED WITH MOTORBIKES!!!!

You will go insane thinking about what to do next, will make you poor and for those of you who are of the male population, will become very expensive in the brownie points department!

 

We are still learning things as we go, so we will keep updating this page as we progress.

For now most of these will be very basic, but helpful none the less.

 

1. When fitting O-rings or gaskets where they seal against oil, smear a small amount of fresh oil on the O-ring or gasket to help it stay in place and seal. (NOTE: Just to be sure, if its an O-ring sealing against engine oil, smear it with fresh engine oil, if its anything to do with forks or suspension, smear the O-ring or gasket with fork oil etc)
2. Before I refit any engine covers (clutch cover, sprocket cover etc) I like to clean the threads of the bolt and the hole, with a tap and die, set then a small amount of copper grease on the bolt. This helps to keep the thread in good condition, minimise the risk of getting any debris in parts and make it easier to install/remove it at a future date.
3. I prefer to try to work in something with short sleeves or with my sleeves rolled up. This reduces the risk of a spark or open ignition source, lighting any fuel or flammable liquid residue on your sleeves.  
4. Again for your own health and safety, it's a good habit, particularly when there could be old engine oils involved, to wear nitrile/latex gloves. Old engine oil is a carcinogenic, so it doesn't hurt to protect yourself from it.
5. I always keep ph neutral, non-toxic de-greaser and a roll of cloth or paper towl nearby. Comes in handy more often than you think it would!
6. If I'm working on the bike (as apposed to anything on the bench) I stick a catch mat or oil mat beneath where I'm working. Even if there's no fluids involved, the texture of these mats, means if you drop any nuts/bolts/washers etc they don't go far! If there are fluids involved, then its there to save you cleaning up the mess, which, with a project like this, will happen!
7. I always have some music or the radio going, ready for those moments of despair, where all you want to do is give up, you can just break into singing! "LET IT GO! LET IT GO! CAN'T HOLD IT BACK"... ohh sorry got carried away there... My mistake...

Again, as we progress more and learn more, we will update appropriately :)