My Learning Experience. So Far, So Good

As I think I explained way back in my intro, I bought the XJ as a project bike. I am taking a course in motorcycle maintenance, now in week 8 of 10, and what better way to learn than on an easy-to-work-on model with readily available parts? Since I didn't pay that much for it to begin with, the exposure is minimum. If I were to really FUBAR it, which I am not planning to do, well... better this one than my $8k FZ1.

Well, so far so good. A few weeks ago, I doubt I could have even pointed out a carburetter. I'm not kidding. Now I'm pulling them off, completely cleaning, tweaking and putting them back on. Same with the starter motor. I've replaced the header/muffler, shocks, battery, solenoid and fusebox.

Along the way, I've solved problems, other problems have cropped up, still others I have created. Lots and lots of spinning of wheels and frustration. Plenty of doing things several times, taking a lot longer than necessary, all part of the learning curve. I'm won't go so far as to say it's all been fun, but the knowledge gained in invaluable.

She's still running. So far. I haven't touched the clutch, the front brake needs rebuilding, the forks still leak, and the valves need adjusting. Still lots of "fun" ahead.

I don't know that I will ever get her purring like a kitten. She does run better than when I got her, but still far from perfect.

Getting my hands dirty is something I've always wanted to do. Great thanks to all here for their kind, patient, and VERY helpful advice.

 

i feel ya man. although this is only my second bike and the only bike i currently own, im going through the same thing. i feel like a sponge. constantly staying up till 2am reading about carbs and how to fix stuff then i go out and learn how to do it. I wish i had your situation though (where i had alot of bikes and used my xj as a project) alot of times im too scared to do something major to my bike because im scared that ill mess it up and wont be able to ride for a week or something. if i had multiple bikes id go crazy on one of them and probably learn twice as fast. and i hear ya about the hands dirty thing. when im done with working on my bike or friends bikes theres something so great about smelling like gas and oil and having your hands look like rubber. ive never been the kind of person who could own something like a motorcycle yet not know how to fix it myself. so its just a great feeling.

you sound like your doing well with cleaning carbs and putting them back in. any advice for a fellow learning xj'r whos gonna start doing carb work for the first time. how did it go your first time? anything to watch out for being new to it? i need more confidence thats for sure.

 

There is absolutely no substitute for experience. You can read a lot, ask questions, get advice, follow procedures etc. But there is only one way to learn, and that is to JUST DO IT.

I am not one to give specific advice. Sometimes you learn just by instinct. Other times you learn by making mistakes and wasting a lot of time. All I can say is be patient, and if you feel yourself getting overwhelmed or burned out, it's time to take a break.

Things always look and go smoother the next day. Always.

 

Then it becomes..."Ride this bike, or work on THAT bike"

IDK about you, but I know what choice I would make. :wink: