How do you learn? - Star Motorcycle forum: Yamaha Star Raider, V-Max, V-Star, Road-Star discussion forum

ridermama · 09-22-2009, 02:50 PM

My question isn't really a how to but I want to learn "how to". Did you take some course on how to fix your bike? You know like a mechanics course? Did you learn by trial and error?

I have found that with the internet there are so many more things that one can do for themselves now. Is fixing your motorcycle one of them?

I'm afraid to experiment to try to fix it, for fear that I will make it worse.

wrider · 09-24-2009, 10:28 AM

I fix my bicycle myself if it gets light problems. But I never touch my motorbike. I prefer to get it done by a professional. I am afraid my trial will get things worse and I end up spend more to get it fixed.

mcdunn · 09-25-2009, 12:08 PM

There are certain things that I will try and others that I won't try. If I am having electronic parts I leave it to the professionals. With the availability of youtube I feel fairly comfortable with attempting to fix other problems.

backrider · 09-26-2009, 04:30 AM

I always use a professional to do repairs and maintenance, but I always watch and learn. That way I know when my bike has a problem before it goes real big.

rider · 09-26-2009, 05:41 AM

If you have an older bike to practice on, that's usually the way to go. Otherwise, like the others have said, take your bike to a professional to ensure the job is done right.

Ikantride55 · 11-18-2009, 07:39 PM

From oil changes to adjusting my v star's valves, mounting my own tires. Why pay someone else to do something thats really not that hard. All it takes is a bit of mechanical ability, tools, a shop manual and the time. I JUST CAN'T see paying a shop 65.00-90.00 per hr. to do something that I can do for myself. the big plus is that if my bike EVER breaks down , I have the the tools and the knowledge to fix it!

ScottyMac · 01-31-2010, 11:28 PM

Anyone can work on a bike if you can hold a screwdriver and a wrench. The resources are readily available on the internet and it will save you lots of money and hassles through the lifetime of your bike. I will try to post pictures of any work I do.

The first thing you should do is get a service manual. You can find free copies of Star service manuals (PDF format) if you Google them. The service manual will have diagrams of every part of your bike and step by step instructions for anything you will ever have to do.

It's also a good idea to mention the model and year of your bike when asking questions. I have a 2001 VStar 1100... so naturally I've had to work on the starter and the starter clutch... neither of which I replaced. What would have cost me over a thousand dollars at a shop I managed to fix myself with only a couple hours work and a few cents worth of nuts, bolts, and wire.

09-22-2009, 02:50 PM	#1 (permalink)
ridermama Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 25	How do you learn? My question isn't really a how to but I want to learn "how to". Did you take some course on how to fix your bike? You know like a mechanics course? Did you learn by trial and error? I have found that with the internet there are so many more things that one can do for themselves now. Is fixing your motorcycle one of them? I'm afraid to experiment to try to fix it, for fear that I will make it worse.

11-18-2009, 07:39 PM	#6 (permalink)
Ikantride55 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 2	i do 99% of my own work From oil changes to adjusting my v star's valves, mounting my own tires. Why pay someone else to do something thats really not that hard. All it takes is a bit of mechanical ability, tools, a shop manual and the time. I JUST CAN'T see paying a shop 65.00-90.00 per hr. to do something that I can do for myself. the big plus is that if my bike EVER breaks down , I have the the tools and the knowledge to fix it!

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09-24-2009, 10:28 AM	#2 (permalink)
wrider Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 25	I fix my bicycle myself if it gets light problems. But I never touch my motorbike. I prefer to get it done by a professional. I am afraid my trial will get things worse and I end up spend more to get it fixed.

09-25-2009, 12:08 PM	#3 (permalink)
mcdunn Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 30	There are certain things that I will try and others that I won't try. If I am having electronic parts I leave it to the professionals. With the availability of youtube I feel fairly comfortable with attempting to fix other problems.

09-26-2009, 04:30 AM	#4 (permalink)
backrider Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 26	I always use a professional to do repairs and maintenance, but I always watch and learn. That way I know when my bike has a problem before it goes real big.

09-26-2009, 05:41 AM	#5 (permalink)
rider Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 25	If you have an older bike to practice on, that's usually the way to go. Otherwise, like the others have said, take your bike to a professional to ensure the job is done right.

01-31-2010, 11:28 PM	#7 (permalink)
ScottyMac Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Maple Ridge, BC Posts: 1	Anyone can work on a bike if you can hold a screwdriver and a wrench. The resources are readily available on the internet and it will save you lots of money and hassles through the lifetime of your bike. I will try to post pictures of any work I do. The first thing you should do is get a service manual. You can find free copies of Star service manuals (PDF format) if you Google them. The service manual will have diagrams of every part of your bike and step by step instructions for anything you will ever have to do. It's also a good idea to mention the model and year of your bike when asking questions. I have a 2001 VStar 1100... so naturally I've had to work on the starter and the starter clutch... neither of which I replaced. What would have cost me over a thousand dollars at a shop I managed to fix myself with only a couple hours work and a few cents worth of nuts, bolts, and wire.