Top 10 Newbie Mistakes

[Grimly]

Assuming the factory dealer you had swap your tire would grease your hub joint splines.

Dealer workshops?
Safer to assume they didn't do what you paid them for.

[Admiral Beez]

Dealer workshops?
Safer to assume they didn't do what you paid them for.

Now you tell me.

[Rob S.]

Now you tell me.

Dealers? I wouldn't let them change the urine in my bladder. That's why I walked three miles on Friday through shadeless, over 100 degree heat index to someone I trust.

[bwringer]

Winter is near. This REALLY needs a bump.

[GSXR7ED]

Winter is near. This REALLY needs a bump.

40 days...or so...

Ed

[Himble]

Winter is near. This REALLY needs a bump.

Actually....summer is here down under (and a significant %age of Australia is burning! ) and it STILL needs a bump!
This was the 1st post I read a few years back before getting my fingers dirty on my GS750EC....oh, that's right, you blokes call it "wrenching"!

[Noreg]

Should I use synthetic oil? Can I use mineral oil?

Should I change the winter oil immediately?

I think it has synthetic and its making some white smoke when starting. And I found some oil outside the engine (but that mighr have been previous owner spilling when filling).

[Burque73]

Should I use synthetic oil? Can I use mineral oil?

Should I change the winter oil immediately?

I think it has synthetic and its making some white smoke when starting. And I found some oil outside the engine (but that mighr have been previous owner spilling when filling).

I'll bet if you look through this thread you will see "not reading your owner's manual" as one of the mistakes.

As not to be a jerk, the manual will say what type of oil to use depending on the climate you plan on riding in.

It will also mention storage procedures and returning to service procedures (pg 63 in my manual)

You can download a manual for your bike here.

[markla]

Mineral oil every time

[Noreg]

Mineral oil every time

Thank you, the manual wasn't clear. Mineral oil is also cheapest so thats good.

Im so happy I finally have something I can tinker with, as soon as the season approaches Ill change the oil and filter (ordered some new ones, hope they include the o-ring or whatever).

Not sure how winterized the previous owner made it. And it has been started in -4c (it does not run right then, and dies when choke is all the way in unless you give it throttle). But at 15c in the garage it works normally.

Im so annoyed it will still be a couple of months til the snow clears and I can try it out.

[bwringer]

Might as well bump and add a little something... surprised this isn't already in here.

This was partially covered in the original #5, the warning against carb rebuild kits. The kits are useless imitation junk, and a complete waste of money and time.

The same can be said for petcock rebuild kits or parts. They're also useless imitation junk, and a complete waste of money and time.

This has been proven over and over and over and over and OVER again.


So the newbie mistake would be:

5b) Trying to repair or rebuild a leaking or nonfunctional petcock. The odds of any success are vanishingly low. Replace it and worry about something else for the next 30 years. This is a valve that controls the flow of a incredibly flammable, highly explosive substance a few inches from your crotch. Even if rebuild kits worked more than rarely, it's really not worth messing around.

[Nessism]

So the newbie mistake would be:

5b) Trying to repair or rebuild a leaking or nonfunctional petcock. The odds of any success are vanishingly low. Replace it and worry about something else for the next 30 years. This is a valve that controls the flow of a incredibly flammable, highly explosive substance a few inches from your crotch. Even if rebuild kits worked more than rarely, it's really not worth messing around.

Added!

[Baatfam]

That needs to be made a STICKY!!

(Not that it will ever be read, though )

.

2011...Now in 2020, and this is still not a sticky?

[trevor]

2011...Now in 2020, and this is still not a sticky?

Lol...the "anyone go for a ride..." thread was started in 2009 with over 10,000 posts and it's still not a sticky.

[cowboyup3371]

Lol...the "anyone go for a ride..." thread was started in 2009 with over 10,000 posts and it's still not a sticky.

You do mean 2011 right? I was already on here by then and very glad that thread was started since it made it easier to drool over scenery

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