I never knew anything about bikes except how to stop and go before this bike. I now have it down to the frame. You just have to dive in a little at a time. If you screw something up...we got your back.

 

We're born incredibly intelligent. However, we all need help from time to time.

 

Wrstar is right and I actually have learned more by screwing things up. Sick isn't it?!

 

its the way it works man. think of it like learning in order to help others. Once you know this and this and this about the bike when someone else states the same thing you make their life easier. I try to help whoever I can when they have a problem, and if I don't know I try to point them in the right direction. I however am learning more and more daily lol.

 

We are all really aliens that have come to this earth for the purpose of conquest! We just enjoy getting around on warriors/emoticons/emotion-1.gif

 

Get a service manual. I prefer the factory ones. Go to sears when they have there tool kits on sale. Put a radio in the garage and have some fun.

=]

 

Actually, it's 1.21 Gigawatts.

 

Red_Dragon, There is nothing wrong with that. This is supposed to be fun. Do what you want and outsource the rest.

There are some really smart and gifted people here, who are willing to share. As you spend more time here you will be amazed at what you can pick up, and you will want to do more yourself. When I first came on this site, I didn't know what BAK meant. (Big Air Kit).

 

If you feel inclined to try mods, start with something simple, like a pipe/muffler. The feeling of accomplishment it nice. If you don't complete the mod you can still outsource the remainder and you will have learned something. You can't lose.

 

It gets easier, just by some tools and have at it. And you can get the McGyver on DVD at BJ's... If you post pictures with a food processor mounted on the back fender somebody will come over and set you straight.

 

I'm just a country boy who reads alot on this site

 

Thats how I did it. I was like Warstar, never touched a bike with a wrench until this bike. I still don't know sh*t, but I started with small things like, oh you know, an oil change. On most things i've needed help. But now I don't sweat an oil change and I'm not afraid to put a wrench to a bike anymore, and I know what most things on the bike do, what they should be connected to etc. Its really great to say to people "then I relocated my fuel pressure regulator" instead of "I had the dealer put on an airkit for me"

 

quote:Originally posted by RexWarrior

Actually, it's 1.21 Gigawatts.



At least we now know who the real geek is.....[/emoticons/emotion-2.gif]

 

I once lived next door to a guy who was one of the best X-Ray techs in the world! He,however, had absolutely no mechanical aptitude. His wife had to put up the curtain rods in thier house cuz he was totally clueless. Different strokes etc. I started working on bicycles when I was about 7 years old. As you can see from my profile, I'm now 103! You pick up a few things along the way when you're that old. Everyone starts at the bottom. The nice thing about this 4M is that if you have the desire, and aptitude, the learning curve can really be shortened. Just don't be too embarassed to holler for help as soon as it's needed!!

 

A point that nobody has brought up is that you are probably better off doing your own work than taking it to incompetent dealers. Not all dealers fall into this catagory but... In some cases you are forced into being your own mechanic.
I swore I would not do any modifications to my bike until it was paid for. Ooops guess I should quit swearing... you would think a guy would learn.

 

I wouldn't dream of letting some "assembly line" dealer mechanic change the cams or pistons (or anything else)on my bike. It's not his life lost if something screws up at 80 MPH. I trust me and nobody else. If I lock up, then it's my fault.

 

quote:Originally posted by RexWarrior


Actually, it's 1.21 Gigawatts.



Well, technically yes, but you aren't factoring in watt-loss due to friction and air temp. The flux fluctuates with....never mind, I digress.

RED - everyone is right. I have never owned a bike before this one - have never really even ridden. And my first mods started with taking a dremel to the rear fender and chopping extra plastic, and painting the 102 in the right side cover. WOO HOO!! And as Warstar said, I just finished tearing the bike to the frame and customizing everything including cutting my own fender and wiring my own electrical.

It comes with time...and you will get it.

 

Here's my take on it. The money you save by not paying shop labor rates allows you to go out and buy the tools needed to do the job right. Or at least that's what I tell my wife whenever I make my trips to Sears.

Just don't be afraid to break it. It's all just one big pile of nuts and bolts with a few wires and pistons thrown in. Oh yeah, take lots of pictures when you're taking it apart. You'll thank yourself later.

 

You guys are a big help!

 

honestly- its only nuts and bolts... everything has a place on the bike. if youre unsure how to do something, look it over closely and if it makes you more comfortable- take pictures in stages of disassembly. also- i know alot of mechanics who label nuts/bolts as theyre removed- ive seen guys take large pieces of cardboard, poke holes in it and secure the bolts on the cardboard- with notes/markings written on the board.

i didnt know a **** thing about bikes either. sure, an exhaust system install or minor mods are easy... but when i flipped my 93 GSXR and essentially totalled it- i replaced everything myself in my garage with limited tools and a broken collar bone. trial by fire at its finest.

 

I've had engines and tranny's apart many times in the past, but this was a whole new thing for me with fuel injection and all the electronics stuff. I got pretty over whelmed when I got my pc-111,(and even the ais blockoff) but the guys on this site are the best. I did the pc-111 perfect install using instructions found here. There fore anything I can help someone with I will. Just to kind of "payback" the group.
Seems like we have our own sort of brother/sister hood here.
Love it!
Joe

 

No matter how big of a lame moron you may be, the mech. you take your bike to will be lamer and even more moronic and will charge you for his lameness.Get a good set of metric tools a manual and don't hesitate to ask ?s here.Wrenching on your own bike is very satisfying and you will take FAR greater care than the tool that calls himself a mechanic.

 

Own a snowmobile or a river boat.. go out and drive the pants off them. They WILL break numerous times out in the field forcing you to not only mechanic on them right there but also when you tow it or limp it back home. My wife asks me litteraly every time I come back from snowmobiling, "Well, what did you break this time?" Sad part is, she is right. It is a rare ride when I don't break something, but that is what happens when you ride high performance equipment to the edge.

Of course, I can't afford to pay anyone to wrench. If I had to do that, I wouldn't own the toys. But if it makes you feel any better I would be nervous about diving into the heads or cam of this bike having never done it... not that it would stop me from trying, I would just post a big-ol HELP ME I SCREWED UP on this board and wait for the guys to come to the calling, which I know they would. It's a great board.

At least you aren't wrenching on the windy side of a mountain at 10 degrees in the dark, 20 miles from your truck... been there, done that.

John

 

quote:Originally posted by 102-Copper


ive seen guys take large pieces of cardboard, poke holes in it and secure the bolts on the cardboard- with notes/markings written on the board.


I never thought about that before. I'm trying that nest time I tear her apart. Thanks 102.[/emoticons/emotion-2.gif]

 

quote:Originally posted by DFW_Warrior

quote:Originally posted by 102-Copper

ive seen guys take large pieces of cardboard, poke holes in it and secure the bolts on the cardboard- with notes/markings written on the board.


I never thought about that before. I'm trying that nest time I tear her apart. Thanks 102.[/emoticons/emotion-2.gif]


Well, gee, thanks guys. Where the **** WERE YOU WITH THAT IDEA ABOUT A MONTH AGO when my bike was all over an 18 foot table with bolts in baggies everywhere.

OOOHHH, what a GREAT IDEA...maybe someone can make a "Modification Assistance Table" with a 1/2 scale image of the Warrior from both sides...it opens up like a giant Twister board with little holes everywhere....you take something off, and BOLT it right to the board. That way you know EXACTLY where it goes when you put it back on...AND - added bonus, when you miss your bike, you can go out and SIT on the table. LOL.