Bike Maintenance

[Patrycja]

Hey,

I'm new to biking. About a month ago I got endorsed and bought my first sports bike - 2006 Ninja EX500.

I wonder - how did/do you learn about the proper maintenance of your bike? I want to make sure that my Prince is in a great condition, but MOM seems to be so detailed and tedious... Is there any other (easier?) way?

My friend did a thorough inspect. once I first bought it and said that it's in a perfect condition, and I have nothing to worry about, but it feels bad to do nothing (except for minor cleaning/lubing/pressure checks) to take care of it.

I can't wait to get my hands dirty !!!

Let me know what did you do to learn about how what works and how to fix/maintain your bike by yourself ?

Thx

[CookinBeans]

ATVs & Motorcycles Repair Manuals, Workshop Manuals, Special Tools

Motorcycle Repair Course

Ex-500.com - The home of the Kawasaki EX500 / Ninja 500R - Index

Road warriors - ADVrider

A shop or owners manual will have a list and the mileage to indiacte when certain things need to be done. Also, Ron Ayers not onoly sells parts, they have a parts fuche that provided blow-ups for better understanding of thing like where gaskets, clips, washers, etc should go, what' to look for if you decide to check your own valves, etc.

Model-specific founs are usually good places to hang out and learn/ ask questions and so on. Advriders isn't really about just one model, but there is a TON of knowledge there.

Finally- hang out in motorcycle types of places and just talk to people.
Biggie; Advertise a social gathering of other newbies who want to get together and share tools, worries, advice, doughnuts and coffee- whatever. Sopmetimes you can find independant -or even dealership- mechanics to hold sessions like how to change your oil, how to do whatever for one day. Sometimes they do it for the good will, sometimes hoping to pick up a frustrated customer. Never hurts to ask around.

Good luck.

[Easy Rider 2]

Originally Posted by Patrycja

but MOM seems to be so detailed and tedious... Is there any other (easier?) way?

I'm new here but not to riding.
Get to know and love your MOM !!

Not necessary to learn it ALL at once, just follow the time/mileage schedule and take one thing at a time.

Chain maintenance, for instance, is an ongoing thing and will probably get your hands nice and grimmy.

[Morbo the Destroyer]

The best place to start is the owner's manual. It has a chart that shows each of the maintenance items (oil change, spark plugs, chain, etc.) and how many miles between service for each one.

There will be some basic information on how to perform the work, but the best way is to have someone with experience do it with you the first time. If that's not possible, you can buy a Chilton manual for your bike that will give you step-by-step instructions.

[Morbo the Destroyer]

The best place to start is the owner's manual. It has a chart that shows each of the maintenance items (oil change, spark plugs, chain, etc.) and how many miles between service for each one.

There will be some basic information on how to perform the work, but the best way is to have someone with experience do it with you the first time. If that's not possible, you can buy a Chilton or similar how-to manual for your bike that will give you step-by-step instructions.

[The_AirHawk]

Anything FOG sez on the EX500 Forums or email-lists should be followed pretty-much as if Muhammed himself said the Angel Gibril read it from the Golden Book of Allah.

[CookinBeans]

???



Who / what is "FOG", and what did that mean in general?

[The_AirHawk]

Originally Posted by CookinBeans

???



Who / what is "FOG", and what did that mean in general?

FOG = F#$&in' Old Guy - the nickname for a guy that's essentially been riding, racing, wrenching, and tuning EX500's since Moby D!ck was a whale-sperm. It's been awhile since I tuned-in to the EX500 forums and email-list; he may have gone to that great racetrack in the sky by now.

But chances are he's probably crusty enough to still be hangin' on. If he don't know it about an EX500, it's not worth knowing.

[Patrycja]

Originally Posted by CookinBeans

ATVs & Motorcycles Repair Manuals, Workshop Manuals, Special Tools

Motorcycle Repair Course

Ex-500.com - The home of the Kawasaki EX500 / Ninja 500R - Index

Road warriors - ADVrider

A shop or owners manual will have a list and the mileage to indiacte when certain things need to be done. Also, Ron Ayers not onoly sells parts, they have a parts fuche that provided blow-ups for better understanding of thing like where gaskets, clips, washers, etc should go, what' to look for if you decide to check your own valves, etc.

Model-specific founs are usually good places to hang out and learn/ ask questions and so on. Advriders isn't really about just one model, but there is a TON of knowledge there.

Finally- hang out in motorcycle types of places and just talk to people.
Biggie; Advertise a social gathering of other newbies who want to get together and share tools, worries, advice, doughnuts and coffee- whatever. Sopmetimes you can find independant -or even dealership- mechanics to hold sessions like how to change your oil, how to do whatever for one day. Sometimes they do it for the good will, sometimes hoping to pick up a frustrated customer. Never hurts to ask around.

Good luck.

Wow! Thanks for such a detailed response. Sounds like there are quite a few options out there - me gusta!

BTW, I just got my bike inspected again and still doing good - freshly pampered feels so nice and smooth... Next time, will do it myself

Thx

[Patrycja]

Originally Posted by The_AirHawk

FOG = F#$&in' Old Guy - the nickname for a guy that's essentially been riding, racing, wrenching, and tuning EX500's since Moby D!ck was a whale-sperm. It's been awhile since I tuned-in to the EX500 forums and email-list; he may have gone to that great racetrack in the sky by now.

But chances are he's probably crusty enough to still be hangin' on. If he don't know it about an EX500, it's not worth knowing.

Sweet - I'm going to check EX500 FOG Sensei out, thx

BTW, a 'whale-sperm' ???