Highyellow1
New Member
Is anyone aware of a motorcycle maintenance course available near central NJ? Maybe something that is held at a vocational school or community college?
Thanks in advance.
Thanks in advance.
Maintenance Class
- Thread starter Highyellow1
- Start date
bluers
New Member
Don't know of any schools, but between this site and Youtube you should be able to get answers to any questions you might have. When I bought my '01 GSXR 750 years ago I took it to Suzuki and asked how much an oil change was. They said $100! At that point I decided it was time to learn to work on my bike. I have always worked on cars so it was a fairly easy transition.
Anything in particular you are looking to learn how to do, or just basic maintenance?
Anything in particular you are looking to learn how to do, or just basic maintenance?
Highyellow1
New Member
All good points and definitely doable, would prefer the immediate/direct feedback of having someone there. If I can't find anything I'll definitely go this route. Thanks.
Evil Cupcake
Control Rider
With a little bit of searching and through specific motorcycle forums you can ussually find PDF copies of maint manuals too that walk you through most everything...and has correct torque values so you don't strip bolts on your bike.
HondaGalToo
Control Rider
Yeah, definitely get the factory service manual. Hard copy if you can't find it online. What bike? Someone may have it.
Bubba Zanetti
Member
John and I (we have a maintenance schedule for the bikes we ride so we turn wrenches often ;-)) would be more than glad to have you do an oil change under our guidence. Its easier than you think and all stuff is at the track 
BZ
BZ
cbrcrducmonster
Member
I'm currently enrolled in one.. ocean cty voc tech. is / was giving it, 200$ one day a week 630-930pm 11 weeks great course full shop anything one needs too learn. I sorta of know alot of the stuff but fit my schedule so signed up
Highyellow1
New Member
Ducmonster - that seems like exactly what I'm looking for! That's about 30-40 mins from Wrightstown, correct? Do they ask you to bring your own or do you work on school owned bikes? Finally, would you recommend it? Thanks for the info.
Jsin/Hondagal - thanks for the info, I'll look into that.
Bubba - thanks for the offer. How far are you from NJMP? Is that the track you normally ride?
Jsin/Hondagal - thanks for the info, I'll look into that.
Bubba - thanks for the offer. How far are you from NJMP? Is that the track you normally ride?
Bubba Zanetti
Member
I am a couple hours from NJMP in Delaware. I normally ride NJMP and God willing will be their May 13.
If coimg out, let me know.
BZ
If coimg out, let me know.
BZ
Highyellow1
New Member
Won't be there on the 13th as my daughter's bday is the 12th & will be out of town for that.
I'll contact you once I know a date I can attend.
I'll contact you once I know a date I can attend.
Bubba Zanetti
Member
Sounds good
BZ
BZ
PresidentHudson
New Member
Do you have the contact info for this school?
physicistkev
Control Rider
Don't be afraid to turn a wrench.
-Be aware of how well you reassemble.
-Loctite and safety wire are your friend.
-Torque wrenches are MANDATORY. Over tightening a bolt can be much worse than under tightening one.
-Buy the OEM service manual, or search for it on the web and then buy one if you cant find it. This is like owning a helmet, you always have to have it.
-Tools can get very expensive and are usually the reason people go to service shops. I always forget that not everyone has all the tools I have when talking about working on something. You don't always need the special tool, but it sure makes the task a lot simpler. Sometimes, you have to have the special tool.
It's not as hard as it looks and you shouldn't be afraid, however... You are going to be running down a track at high rates of speed on something you are going to put back together, so make sure you do it correctly. For your sake, and others. This isn't meant to scare you, but it is a reality and worth understanding.
-Be aware of how well you reassemble.
-Loctite and safety wire are your friend.
-Torque wrenches are MANDATORY. Over tightening a bolt can be much worse than under tightening one.
-Buy the OEM service manual, or search for it on the web and then buy one if you cant find it. This is like owning a helmet, you always have to have it.
-Tools can get very expensive and are usually the reason people go to service shops. I always forget that not everyone has all the tools I have when talking about working on something. You don't always need the special tool, but it sure makes the task a lot simpler. Sometimes, you have to have the special tool.
It's not as hard as it looks and you shouldn't be afraid, however... You are going to be running down a track at high rates of speed on something you are going to put back together, so make sure you do it correctly. For your sake, and others. This isn't meant to scare you, but it is a reality and worth understanding.
andykurz
Member
^ really good points. It gave me two additional thoughts.
And the process of safety wiring is so important too. It not something I was familiar with prior to working on bikes, but it ensures that you've checked everything. You can look at your safety wired bike in one minute and know that it is good to go because you wouldn't wire a bolt that you didn't finish torquing. On cars, or bikes without wire, I can't tell you how many times I put bolts in finger tight and then forgot to tighten them later!
No Harbor Freight here!
And the process of safety wiring is so important too. It not something I was familiar with prior to working on bikes, but it ensures that you've checked everything. You can look at your safety wired bike in one minute and know that it is good to go because you wouldn't wire a bolt that you didn't finish torquing. On cars, or bikes without wire, I can't tell you how many times I put bolts in finger tight and then forgot to tighten them later!
Highyellow1
New Member
All good points which is why I'd like to get some experienced help before I start going off on my own.