Maintenance Discouragement
#11
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Besides the factory Honda service manual (which you should already have downloaded a copy of), there are many helpful tutorials/how-to's here on the forum to help you. Of course, you can always ask questions as well. There''s no shame in asking questions either...but do your homework too! ;-)
There's a maintenance-schedule in the service manual that can serve as a guide to maintenance intervals. However, if you don't have the service records for your bike, you will have to start at whatever your mileage is now.
Many maintenance tasks you *can* do at home w/ basic hand-tools & a set of bike stands, w/o having to know how to tear down an engine & re-build it. ;-) Many of these tasks, save LOTS of money... being able to remove your own wheels to change tires(whether you do it yourself or take them to tire shop), chain & sprocket installation, fork service (replace dust & oil seals) & complete re-build, changing brake pads & maintaining the brake system, changing hoses/fuel lines, oil & filter change, air filter change, radiator/coolant system flush, etc etc etc.
Example... In the past 12-18 mos alone, I've done the following - changed tires, oil & filter changes, flush radiator/coolant system, changed brake pads & flush/bled brake system, changed my fuel line, re-built my forks (& used spare set to keep bike up & running while I was rebuilding the originals), changed/installed new chain & sprockets, changed wheel bearings, checked valve adjustment, etc. I'd shutter to think how much that would've cost at shop! :O ;-) Being a yr-round rider, those maintenance intervals come faster than seasonal riders but the point is still the same.
Glad you weren't injured w/ that broken chain. I've seen some nasty injuries from broken chains & they always serve as reminders to always check the chain & chain-slack. Good chain maintenance is a vital part of everyday riding safety. I highly recommend the chain & sprocket tutorial here on the forum by Incognito if you decide to learn to do it yourself...https://cbrforum.com/forum/how-mecha...et-swap-97641/. <-Its a very well written & documented tutorial that anyone should be able to follow.
In aviation, there are pre-flight checks b/f flight. To that, there's a walk-around visual inspection (including engine), controls check, etc. You should do the same w/ your bike. It only takes a few moments to do this & could mean the difference in the outcome of your day. ;-)
Hang in there. Don't get discouraged. Keep a Positive Mental Attitude. Take on any/some/most of the maintenance items as your experience progresses.
#12
#13
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You are not alone my friend.
When I had my Nighthawk, I did most of the maintenance to it myself. There were off occasions where I did take it to the shop because I either didn't have the time, or didn't feel like screwing anything up.
I feel though that once you get around to maintaining it a lot, and branching out and trying new things, it'll be no sweat. Having a manual is a definite must.
When I had my Nighthawk, I did most of the maintenance to it myself. There were off occasions where I did take it to the shop because I either didn't have the time, or didn't feel like screwing anything up.
I feel though that once you get around to maintaining it a lot, and branching out and trying new things, it'll be no sweat. Having a manual is a definite must.
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