There is a common theme with a lot of people who fiddle, and that is the creation of other problems. To fix (or at least mitigate the risk of) a problem before it starts: 1. KNOW what you are doing, don't guess. Do your research, read your manual. Consult others who know, browse the internet for videos and information. Don't just dive in and 'see how you go'. There is a reason an automotive mechanic and an automotive electrician need around 3 years of training to do the job they do, don't expect to just know as much as them straight up. 2. Have a STRUCTURED approach. Logic is a powerful tool. Understand what is up and downstream of the item you are looking at and how it fits together and interacts. Don't just go throwing money at the bike and expecting it to fix itself - you may not fix it and be much more $ out of pocket which doesn't help you. 3. BENCHMARK. If you are changing something, know where you started from! Take photos, use a marker, anything to help you remember the original settings. So if you ever get down a path and can't figure it out, don't beat yourself up - you can always put it back to the way it was. 4. Learn to FILTER opinions for the right information. You need to be able to distinguish between BS opinions, and information that is actually going to help you. A lot of people are backyard mechanics, but only a limited number actually know what they are doing. Target your questions to those individuals who do know what they are doing. 5. Get the RIGHT tools. Sometimes investing in that $30 puller or that new socket set will save you a lot of pain and suffering later on. Plus, you have the tools for later. If it's a one off job, remember ebay? Good way to get most of your money back. 6. Don't SHORTCUT. Do it once, but do it right! Don't do bodgey, bodgey is expensive! Do things the right way. Companies don't write instructions blindly, they are very aware of both the advantages and consequences of doing things in certain ways. 7. Last of all, learn to LISTEN. People aren't giving up their time to answer your questions so you can go and do whatever you want anyway. There's probably more to add to the list, but these are the things I try to follow.
Nah nobody in particular, there's a lot of people who tinker - including myself! Just a way to try and help people think outside the box before tinkering, and to help us to help them.
Good advice, so I'm thinking if I heed it well eventually I'll come up trumps somewhere. And so I've got this first job coming up, very basic, replacing the horn... if you can call that a 'job', it's more like a j... But I'm also contemplating a carburetor journey, so maybe need a cork/white board whatever, cause I reckon I'm gonna need all the help I can get referencing every part I tinker with... well, I'm still stuck on rule #1. ... did I mention I've got this first job coming up?
I've just been blindsided by a simple technicality of zero experience -- regarding brake calipers. I never foresaw that the caliper seals could warp themselves from brake fluid etc. and thus would usually be replaced when disassembled. By not having a seal kit the bikes down for a few days at least.
