Ideas to learn more on cycle repair....

Afternoon everyone, I've had my XJ750 for about 7 months and in that time done *some* work on it but for of the bigger stuff, I've taken the bike in. Most of the reason I haven't done a lot of work is because I don't have a garage so anything I do I have to finish the same day. I've always been a technically inclined person, simply love taking things apart, fixing them and putting back together, just never done a big project with bikes so I've been thinking about learning more on this, keeping it as a hobby now but possibly in the future expanding to something else.

I already have a full time job so I'm not getting into this right now for any sort of business/money but do generally have a weekday off so I was thinking to really start learning more doing a few things like....

1. Finding/renting a small garage and really start wrenching my XJ - I'd basically try to plan a complete rebuild.

2. Finding some 'official' training on cycle repair - I know these are not hands on and this is why I have #1,3 , but anyone taken the online repair cert. courses like Penn Foster or Ashworth? Only ask because they are cheap and just trying this as a fun thing to learn for now. Maybe a cert. would help IF I did ever want to work in an actual shop?

3. Asking some shops around town if they need any help and since I already have work, I'd gladly work one day a week for free just being a shop monkey if that meant getting to learn.

Anyone have any other tips/ideas on getting into more mechanical work? If I ever could, I think I'd love to have a little repair shop and/or buy bikes, fix them up and flip them even if it's still just some part time work.

Thanks!

 

1. Find a used engine on the cheap, and work on that first. Youll feel better about your mistakes if you're not worried about ruining an engine that you plan on using.

2. Make as many mistakes as you can.

3. Evaluate your mistakes and learn from them.

4. Listen to the old farts, they've made every mistake you will, and some you've never thought of.

 

Very good advice, much appreciated and I've always unfortunately learned so much more from my mistakes than anything else.

 

You don't need an on-line course.
You are a member of XJBIKES.COM.
You DO need a manual, a digital camera and patience.

There are a lot of brilliant and eager to assist people here.
Ask questions, remember, there are no dumb questions.
Use the Search function here also. A lot of people have 'been there, done that'.

 

You will need the tools of the trade...of course.....your tool box...if you have one.....

All the info you need to know is right here in this forum.....

I am sure a local shop always like free help......if you are there just to learn....great idea....

 

I have been learning on the go. The first things I have used:
- kroil
- JIS screw driver
- impact screw driver
- torque wrench

They will help you to take most things apart and back together.

I have learned from the kungfu masters on the site.

 

keep your eye out on the side of the road, craigslist, or the classifieds for broken/unwanted lawn mowers etc. they are fun to take apart and put back together - and if you screw it up, no harm done.

this is a really good article too:
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/engine.htm

I think #3 is a great idea too. I learned how to repair guitars that way.

K-moe is right too.... best way is to do it, make a few mistakes, and learn from them.

 

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/motorcycle6.htm

 

jus ask questions on this forum EVERYONE on here is more than happy to help you out as much as they can!

 

Give this a read:

http://www.dansmc.com/mc_repaircourse.htm