Transporting a Motorcycle

[glhs837]

We have a closed in aluminum motorcycle trailer it has a place for the front tire and ties down the side of the trailer..easy..

You know he already has it home, right?

And Mike, if you think those checks are beyond you, or just want the confidence booster of an experienced person backing you up, I am sure one of the forum bikers would be willing to help you out. Same for the oil change. Filters can be had on Amazon for cheap, motorcycle oil, if you prefer that over automotive synthetic can be bought at Wal-Mart or Autozone for about 1/2 of what the dealership would charge.

 

[GWguy]

You know he already has it home, right?

And Mike, if you think those checks are beyond you, or just want the confidence booster of an experienced person backing you up, I am sure one of the forum bikers would be willing to help you out. Same for the oil change. Filters can be had on Amazon for cheap, motorcycle oil, if you prefer that over automotive synthetic can be bought at Wal-Mart or Autozone for about 1/2 of what the dealership would charge.

We all have hammers and persuaders.... standard equipment.

Mike, if you didn't get one already, get a full shop manual for your bike. You may not ever need it to rebuild your motor, but it is great reference and how-to.

 

[aps45819]

Yay! Sounds like time for a forum group ride!

you can show him how to ride the mini-ninja

 

[ShyGirl]

you can show him how to ride the mini-ninja

woot woot

 

[desertrat]

Yay! Sounds like time for a forum group ride!

Way past time. Lets do it!

 

[Mikeru]

What he means, I think, is that you pay $300 for a lot of checks that you can perform yourself like coolant level, tire pressure, chain adjustment, and the dealer charges you double for the oil and filter, and $80 an hour for the mechanic, when the skill required is about what a trained monkey would be capable of. Of course, they lead you to think it's required that the dealer do it, or no warranty for you, but that's not true.

Really? Ah, the whole voiding the warranty would be the biggest reason I'd be afraid to do it all myself.

You know he already has it home, right?

And Mike, if you think those checks are beyond you, or just want the confidence booster of an experienced person backing you up, I am sure one of the forum bikers would be willing to help you out. Same for the oil change. Filters can be had on Amazon for cheap, motorcycle oil, if you prefer that over automotive synthetic can be bought at Wal-Mart or Autozone for about 1/2 of what the dealership would charge.

People have told me I should change my own car's oil, but it's always the lack of the tools, a lift, etc. that I've never really seriously considered doing it.

A motorcycle is different, it's definitely something I'll have to consider. I've gotten like 130 miles on the thing already, and the mileage will only get higher the more comfortable I get at riding.

Yay! Sounds like time for a forum group ride!

Way past time. Lets do it!

Haha, sounds fun!

 

[glhs837]

Yep, the federal law that makes it so that you cannot be required to use factory parts, as long as you use stuff that meets factory spec also can be used to ensure you have the right to do your own maint, as long as you can prove it was done to factory specs.

So, if you know the exact procedures, and the torque values involved, and use stuff that meets or exceeds factory spec, and can prove that, no issue. They might talk tough, but federal law, Moss-Magnuson, is on your side.

Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Oil changes for cars, most of them, dont require a lift, can be done with ramps that cost about $25-$30, I think, a pan that costs $5, those are of course reusable, and a little knowledge. Tool are a simple socket or wrench set, and, for the first one, a filter wrench. Since filters are always installed hand tight, you should not need the filter wrench after the first time. Takes about 20-30 minutes. Used oil can be taken to the landfill for recycling.

 

[desertrat]

Yep, the federal law that makes it so that you cannot be required to use factory parts, as long as you use stuff that meets factory spec also can be used to ensure you have the right to do your own maint, as long as you can prove it was done to factory specs.

So, if you know the exact procedures, and the torque values involved, and use stuff that meets or exceeds factory spec, and can prove that, no issue. They might talk tough, but federal law, Moss-Magnuson, is on your side.

Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Oil changes for cars, most of them, dont require a lift, can be done with ramps that cost about $25-$30, I think, a pan that costs $5, those are of course reusable, and a little knowledge. Tool are a simple socket or wrench set, and, for the first one, a filter wrench. Since filters are always installed hand tight, you should not need the filter wrench after the first time. Takes about 20-30 minutes. Used oil can be taken to the landfill for recycling.

Oh yeah? Come over and do my T Bird next time.
I know, you said most. I think you need a quadruple jointed arm to reach it.

 

[glhs837]

Some are harder, agreed. SILs late 90s Ford Escort, can be done without a lift, but requires the sacrifice of a little flesh to the the mechanical gods. Have to shove the main wire harness out of the way, and jam your arm down between the shock tower and the engine. Filters on the back of the block, stupid choice.

My Charger, have to remove a belly pan, but thats only four small bolts, and the filter is right there, hanging down like God intended

 

[GWguy]

I could never figure out why manufacturers insist on putting oil filters on the side of the block mounted sideways, like my GMC. As soon as you loosen the filter it drips all down the side of the motor and down your arm.

And even tho it's a truck, I still have to jack the thing up to get under it.

 

[desertrat]

Some are harder, agreed. SILs late 90s Ford Escort, can be done without a lift, but requires the sacrifice of a little flesh to the the mechanical gods. Have to shove the main wire harness out of the way, and jam your arm down between the shock tower and the engine. Filters on the back of the block, stupid choice.

My Charger, have to remove a belly pan, but thats only four small bolts, and the filter is right there, hanging down like God intended

I had to take the right front tire off my Nissan truck and it was so close to the hot cable on the starter it was scary!

I could never figure out why manufacturers insist on putting oil filters on the side of the block mounted sideways, like my GMC. As soon as you loosen the filter it drips all down the side of the motor and down your arm.

And even tho it's a truck, I still have to jack the thing up to get under it.

Even tho mine is a 4x4 I need to get more clearance. I have ramps tho'.

 

[glhs837]

I could never figure out why manufacturers insist on putting oil filters on the side of the block mounted sideways, like my GMC. As soon as you loosen the filter it drips all down the side of the motor and down your arm.

And even tho it's a truck, I still have to jack the thing up to get under it.

Quite simple, an engineer who never had to do oil changes thought it made more sense,for packaging, whatever.