General Advice

vf24renegade · 09-07-2010, 08:25 PM

Hi All,
I am asking for some general advice. I've read all the posts about swing arm service and stem bearings and wheel bearings and a lot of other things. I plan on doing some of these things during winter non-riding season. I've worked on all kids of machines from jet fighters to surgical lasers and there is generally an accord that if things are working well, don't mess with them. So, my question is, if the motorcycle is performing well and smoothly, should I risk upsetting things by disassembling? Or...if it aint broke, should I fix it?
I know it's preventative maintenance but..

Thanks

kenb · 09-07-2010, 08:42 PM

Its not if it aint broke, dont fix it. Its do what MaKaw didn't do at the factory. Why not make it work better, to live longer, when you have the chance, then wait until theres a problem? You adjust to the bike as it wears, it may be too late for a take apart and lube compared to a take apart and replace.

cactusjack · 09-07-2010, 08:43 PM

There's a good chance that the swingarm bearings don't have enough grease and can rust. The purpose of periodic maintenance is preventative. You want to inspect things before they become problems and leave you stranded somewhere or worse yet, cause an "unintentional dismount". A failure that would be merely annoying or inconvenient in an automobile could have serious consequences on a motorcycle. In my opinions, motorcycles are a lot like airplanes in that you can't afford to wait for a failure, you need to catch a small or potential problem early before it has a chance to fail.

**ringadingh** · 09-07-2010, 09:13 PM

If it aint broke you don't need to fix it, but you have to do the regular maintenance. This is how you find some problems before they get bigger.

Netnorske · 09-07-2010, 09:20 PM

Having said you worked on jet fighters.....would you want to fly one into battle that had not been serviced and inspected regularly....?? Better to do the PM's.... ;)!

VulcanE · 09-07-2010, 10:57 PM

What they all said, and the best suggestion of all is get yourself a factory service manual. It'll pay for itself the first time you use it.

AlabamaNomadRider · 09-07-2010, 11:19 PM

Lots of good advice given. It is always cheaper to do the PM than to wait until it breaks or quits working. Get the service manual and start tinkering.

vf24renegade · 09-08-2010, 11:35 AM

Thanks everyone. It was the ol' angel on one shoulder, devil on the other. Looks like I'm going to be tearing into the old girl this winter. Mostly to make sure these things have been done and then to my satisfaction.

09-07-2010, 08:25 PM	#1
vf24renegade Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Davisboro, Georgia Posts: 56	General Advice Hi All, I am asking for some general advice. I've read all the posts about swing arm service and stem bearings and wheel bearings and a lot of other things. I plan on doing some of these things during winter non-riding season. I've worked on all kids of machines from jet fighters to surgical lasers and there is generally an accord that if things are working well, don't mess with them. So, my question is, if the motorcycle is performing well and smoothly, should I risk upsetting things by disassembling? Or...if it aint broke, should I fix it? I know it's preventative maintenance but.. Thanks __________________ 1999 Nomad + 2000 Drifter 800 Login or Register to Remove Ads
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09-07-2010, 08:42 PM	#2
kenb Advanced Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Galt, Ca Posts: 514	General Advice Its not if it aint broke, dont fix it. Its do what MaKaw didn't do at the factory. Why not make it work better, to live longer, when you have the chance, then wait until theres a problem? You adjust to the bike as it wears, it may be too late for a take apart and lube compared to a take apart and replace. __________________ VBA 00735 VROC 28102 2008 KVN MOB & NS The only hand-held device that should be legal to use while driving is the STEERING WHEEL!
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09-07-2010, 08:43 PM	#3
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	General Advice There's a good chance that the swingarm bearings don't have enough grease and can rust. The purpose of periodic maintenance is preventative. You want to inspect things before they become problems and leave you stranded somewhere or worse yet, cause an "unintentional dismount". A failure that would be merely annoying or inconvenient in an automobile could have serious consequences on a motorcycle. In my opinions, motorcycles are a lot like airplanes in that you can't afford to wait for a failure, you need to catch a small or potential problem early before it has a chance to fail. __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17
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09-07-2010, 09:13 PM	#4
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	General Advice If it aint broke you don't need to fix it, but you have to do the regular maintenance. This is how you find some problems before they get bigger. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
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09-07-2010, 09:20 PM	#5
Netnorske Top Contributor Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Everett, Washington Posts: 5,709	General Advice Having said you worked on jet fighters.....would you want to fly one into battle that had not been serviced and inspected regularly....?? Better to do the PM's.... ;)! __________________ *Kris Olsen* VBA #0691 2017 HD Ultra Limited Low 2013 Victory Cross Country Tour 2012 1700 Vulcan Voyager 2008 1600 Vulcan Nomad 1997 Vulcan 800 Classic *"Growing old is mandatory,* *but growing up is optional"* Custer 2009\|Kalispell 2010\|Cortez 2010\|Crescent City 2011\|Kanab 2012\|Canmore 2012\|Estes Park 2013\|Orofino 2014\|Lake Tahoe 2015\|Red Lodge 2016 Login or Register to Remove Ads
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09-07-2010, 10:57 PM	#6
VulcanE Sr. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Cartersville, Georgia Posts: 4,838	General Advice What they all said, and the best suggestion of all is get yourself a factory service manual. It'll pay for itself the first time you use it. __________________ Cliff "VulcanE" Evans 2005 Blue & Silver 1600 Nomad VBA # 320 VROC # 20381
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09-07-2010, 11:19 PM	#7
AlabamaNomadRider Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Boaz, Alabama Posts: 13,742	General Advice Lots of good advice given. It is always cheaper to do the PM than to wait until it breaks or quits working. Get the service manual and start tinkering. __________________ Gene Cross, Jr. Boaz, Alabama KawaNOW/VBA #1181
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09-08-2010, 11:35 AM	#8
vf24renegade Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Davisboro, Georgia Posts: 56	General Advice Thanks everyone. It was the ol' angel on one shoulder, devil on the other. Looks like I'm going to be tearing into the old girl this winter. Mostly to make sure these things have been done and then to my satisfaction. __________________ 1999 Nomad + 2000 Drifter 800
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