Top tips to starting mechanics - The Girl On A Bike motorcycle garage life mini series

As a home learned dabbling mechanic I know how intimidating getting started on bike maintenance can be. However, doing our own work on the bikes can be in every ones reach! Here is some of my thoughts on how to get started doing motorcycle mechanics, some tips on how to make it easier, where to start, and ultimately just giving it ago. I really hope this gives you a little more confidence to try working on your motorbike yourself.
These are of course some of my ideas on how to get started but I'd love to hear from you on your advice for others? Also, what was the first job you ever did on your bike?
#tools #garagelife #thegirlonabike
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[@ExpresShans]

So refreshing to see a woman teaching us stuff! Thank you

[@TheGirlOnABike]

You are so welcome! And thank you for taking the time to comment and say that 💖

[@disco41]

It’s all about confidence. I learnt from my father in law who was a car mechanic. I had a Land Rover so needed to fix it all the time he wouldnt do the job but just pointed me in the right direction. Eventually I was confident enough to do stuff without him. I do all our maintenance on mine and the wife’s bikes. We have a street scrambler and street twin👍. Top vlog as always.

[@danwest9859]

Lazh git.

[@daveco1270]

Organization is key. I take tons of pics with my phone as I'm taking stuff apart... then I bag and tag the parts. (Fork pinch bolts, front wheel right side spacer, etc.) It's easy to forget what goes where or how it looked before you removed it. Having pics to reference really helps. I started learning about motorcycle maintenance a few years ago when I got my first bike. When you're not mechanically inclined, it's intimidating the first time you take something apart. I remember the first time I pulled the carbs off my 1970's Honda CB750. All of the sudden there was a big gaping hole in the middle of my bike (where the carbs and airbox went.) I was convinced I was gonna ruin my motorcycle.. but I didn't. (Well, it took me a couple tries to get those carbs completely clean and running great, but eventually I did it and it felt great firing the bike up and going for a ride afterward.)

[@leslieaustin151]

Good stuff in this video. I was lucky, trained as a motor mechanic from 15-21 y.o., but one thing we were told that you didn’t cover.... that lovely long hair - keep it tucked out of the way when near any moving machinery (open parts of the bike, the drill press, angle grinder, etc.) mechanical scalping is not a joke. Great videos always! Les

[@WillysPerformanceCycleCtr]

Great advice! I started as young kid working on my on motorcycle because living in a very small town, there was no shop to do maintenance and repairs for riders. Closest shop was 60 miles away! So, I ended up fixing all my friends bikes too. Very good advice and a great presentation! Thanks and ride safe Vanessa!

[@gianni3424]

You are awesome and an inspiration to all.

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Wow that's very kind. Thank you

[@johnpagejr.7628]

Double A+ advice That was the best video I think I have ever seen on motorcycle maintenance.

[@TheGirlOnABike]

wow, gosh, thank you! That's so kind of you. Please feel free to share! Thanks John

[@mortaljorma69]

This video needs a million views, its pure gold.

[@Cris_MT03]

This video has inspired me, because I really want to start motorcycle mechanics but I feel insecure because I know just very little things. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us Vanesa. You're great!!!

[@christina6656]

Thank you for this! I am new to wrenching on my bike. I've changed my oil & filter and maintenanced my chain but chose to take my bike in to swap my back tire. I felt I didn't have sufficient time to do it myself. Next time I will definitely save the money and do it myself. A few weeks ago I mounted a quad lock phone mount with wireless charger and learned how to connect things to my battery which was pretty cool. Had to take apart the plastics on my gas tank to hide wires. Today I will be adding a fork brace which should be pretty simple as well. Each time I add something or maintenance my bike I learn something new about my bike and the tools needed to get the job done.😎

[@TheGirlOnABike]

That's so mega to hear Christina. Super proud of you as it's intimidating starting and I'm happy my video has helped. I have a great how to change a tyre video that should help your money saving plan, even without the Rabaconda it should help, although I highly recommend one for the garage tools. Stay in touch and let me know how you get on

[@soliobarrera4768]

Great video , great advice thanks !

[@TechnMoto]

Your right. Just give it a go.

[@TheGirlOnABike]

👌😘

[@kornelkovacs5662]

Just found your videos, love them. I just got myself an Africa Twin -> just the perfect mixture of off- and on-road capabilities for me.

[@robertgwinn8406]

Cool... ty for sharing

[@tusharpardeshi1268]

Liked it!! Right when few things on my mind to work with.. and it was a good thing to come around and saw a relevant vlog.. Cheers

[@kilobravo6272]

This is awesomly refreshing! It is great to see other people promoting doing your own work. I can't argue any point you have made. Save money, learn and understand how your bike functions. 99% of the time, with the resources and information out there, the jobs undertaken are not that bad. Great video indeed!

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Thanks dude. Mega appreciate the engagement

[@jackwillam.1]

I learned from you, thank you

[@TheMikeAngelus]

OK, I'm going for it. I'm not a complete noob at mechanical work, but I've never actually worked on a motorbike - only bicycles and some car maintenance. I bought my first 125 recently, with neglected chain. It snapped last weekend, leaving me stranded for a few hours while waiting for RAC to get their shit together and send someone to pick me up. I'm going to try and and change the sprockets and install the new chain myself. I got myself a service manual, ordered all the tools, watched a few videos. Wish me luck!

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Yesss amazing!! You've got this. Let me know how you get on! You've so got this 💪

[@g.w.3816]

i recently done my own oil change/filter/air filter and plugs which gave me the confidence to do a full strip and rebuild of my front master cylinder and caliper

[@TheGirlOnABike]

That's mega. Good work!

[@syamlalbalu9003]

All in all mechanic 👍💪

[@richardhartman5995]

Another great video

[@luigiborgia6415]

Vanessa, I use the same approach when start maintenance on my bikes. I enjoy doing those jobs and relax myself breaking the Corona virus bad period routine. Good suggestions and nice video as usual!! go Vanessa ✊ Ciao

[@danwest9859]

I have heard 👂 that your oil can holds a Covit cure?

[@amantek3545]

so inspiring!

[@TheGirlOnABike]

❤️

[@liorgold5303]

Thx for the tips 😊

[@TheGirlOnABike]

No problem 😊

[@amirshay]

Thanks for the motivation and the inspiration boost🙏🏻

[@TheGirlOnABike]

My pleasure!! Thanks so much for watching Amir

[@danielpalmberg3371]

Great vid for getting started! I was lucky enough to find a Haynes repair manual for my Varadero. Dont know how many bikes they cover, but I’m very happy for mine...!

[@agusbasuki7435]

Nice tip from you Vanessa...thanks

[@danwest9859]

Nice tips from you v

[@elsineave6526]

I wish you’d started making videos 5 years ago when I was teaching myself bike maintenance 😅 great advice, I am self taught oil, air, fluids, brakes, bearings and new tyres! new subscriber, love your videos!

[@danwest9859]

All balls air,wind oil and piss then!

[@sheffielduk3428]

I'd love to come on a ride with you! Looks amazing your vids

[@John-gj9db]

Hey. Vanessa, you have such a positive attitude, that is what has pulled you through those really hard dark days after you’re accident. I have been a mechanic for 37 years and I have to say I am impressed with your ability to strip and rebuild an engine, and you have taught me a few things also haha 🙂. Good on you for having the guts to give it a go. I live in New Zealand, if you ever make it here at some point there are endless off the road trails through some stunning Lord of the Rings country. Keep up with the videos. Your great content and positive attitude keep me watching 👍

[@danwest9859]

There's nothing worse than an over ripe kiwi.

[@danwest9859]

Lonely John get one!

[@ronaldjohnson1474]

I remember when my first engine rebuild actually ran. Priceless!

[@TheGirlOnABike]

haha brilliant!

[@danwest9859]

Did you find it?

[@lstavenhagen]

Love the cardboard layout idea! Never occurred to me.. :P

[@TheGirlOnABike]

it's ace hey, saved me many times hehe

[@mikep.9371]

I always buy the Factory repair manual, as the aftermarket ones can miss details. Take bread bags, newspaper bags that are plastic. When you take a fender off put the fasteners in one of the bags and tie to the component. Some bikes require more time taking off parts to get to the maintenance or repair are than the repairs take. A friend has people bring in mc tires for new tubes because they are flat. And the problem turns out that they did not check and air up on a daily or weekly basis.

[@TheGirlOnABike]

oh my goodness, that last point makes me chuckle! I guess it's easy when you know how but that does seem basic hehe. I like the bag idea. Thanks Mike

[@rusty6314]

Your Trials riding is improving and an excellent video as well!

[@TheGirlOnABike]

thanks Rusty!

[@markaitch]

I tried my own maintenance once and learnt a lot...to take it to the dealer in future. Only joking but sadly true. Whenever I tried anything, something would go wrong but that’s just me, don’t let it put others off trying. Nice video.

[@danwest9859]

In this case I'll leave it to the dealer every time

[@Nrgpack]

Nice video Vanessa!!

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Thank you! 😁

[@tshadow6]

I have been changing my own oil/filter, battery and doing the chain maintenance on my 2007 Triumph T100 since the initial break in oil change. I will flush/bleed my own brakes next time they need it. I’ve also changed my own brake pads. Working on your own bike is therapeutic.

[@richardsracingmad]

my lil Tip: if doing a clutch on a bigger/ racier type, make sure that you get your clutch plates in order, and the right way/ face installed. When removing the knackered clutch plates etc., take note on the order lol. Vanessa's point on the cardboard order of bolts etc/ use paper whatever, really can help

[@georgevila6854]

Eres una gran motera!!! 😘

[@AudreyH48]

All valid advice! I'm a mechanic since born essentially haha, but the biggest things for me have been keeping your bikes clean! Yes they're dirt bikes BUT they're also a very expensive toy, take care of them! Best bit of advice I've been told is oil and filters are cheap insurance. Change them on time and often. It's much cheaper to do an oil change and air filter clean then it is to do engine rebuilds. I also am a HUGE believer in not over greasing your chains! It only makes a huge mess later and I can't stand it. I use Motul chain cleaner conditioner and a touch of Maxima SC1 teflon spray, that's it and I have yet to have a failure. Just remember the grease in Oring chain is already inside the chain, you're not adding anything by gooping them up like crazy but you're giving dirt and grime a home and will wear out your sprockets fast that way. Give the Fortnine chain cleaning video a watch, they do a fantastic job at explaining it.

[@danwest9859]

Always keep my playthings clean!

[@zweispurmopped]

Most important: Take your time, think about what you do before you do it and start threading bolts and stuff without tools wherever possible. A friend of a neighbour killed himself with being impatient when putting in a new oil filter on his 1000cc Yamaha. The filter was okay until it got real oil pressure, which was on the A555 between Cologne and Bonn, one of the few bits of Autobahn still without speed limit. It's one long curve. At 150+mph, the oil filter spilt oil over the rear tyre. That was it for him. Careful, attentive DIYers often do better work that stressed out professionals, mainly *bacause* they are in a position to take time and have their minds free to pay proper attention.

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Aw. Thanks dude

[@luciano76464]

Grande✌😉

[@danwest9859]

That's it stop on the trail and check for future problems,naf that ride until it breaks,much more fun!

[@TheGirlOnABike]

haha

[@georgevila6854]

you are a great biker !!!😘

[@danwest9859]

Question! Jordan do you pay money to ask such things?

[@aussieranger2168]

My mates dad mal is a old school bike mechanic he did my dads first ever bike... Honda 900 he bore it out put all this shit on it.. in 5th gear you'd give it some a Lil and it'd fly up on the back wheel in a second this thing was actually scary fast. It was too fast for him it scared tf out of my dad he rode it back to mal said farkkk this man...😄 told him to take off all this shit he had on it to make it wild.. totally illegal set-up.. this was in 80s tho you'd nvr get away with it on street in Australia now a bike like that

[@peterbrophy9442]

Spot On Reply! No such thing as a Goldilocks bike. Best thing, if your lucky enough, is to own more than one, or trade with friends, keep playing around with them all and have fun learning the quirks and strengths of them all and your own abilities...which will grow and then you will have to re-explore all the bikes again to see how “they” changed now that you’ve changed! 🍀🇨🇦🍀

[@danwest9859]

Try saying that on the BBC mate.

[@Glenburrows]

I might have a go on my R80 G/S now, thanks not scared any more

[@danwest9859]

FOGGY IT.

[@bikecommuter24]

Don't be afraid to try it but also be able to say no if its gets to the point its overwhelming or expensive, I've been doing mechanics close to fifty years and I will never know it all there is always something new to learn I learn from younger people too. Keeping track of bolts, nuts and fasteners use what method that works best, LOL I do take photos too, I like zip lock bags and mark on them with a marker. and fun fact on your Sportster I found out with mine when I replaced the clutch the cover bolts are all the same size, makes its easy. 😀 My first mechanic job was on a 1975 AMC Gremlin I replaced a leaky valve cover gasket, three times in fact, first time I over tightened the bolts and put the wrong sealant on it, second time I bent the flange from over tightening and the third time after learning from my mistakes it worked.😀 Absolutely the factory service manual is worth the money, it saves you money in the long run.

[@TheGirlOnABike]

hehe I love the third time learning and nailing it! Thanks Donald, I enjoyed reading your comment. Like the zip lock bag idea

[@bikecommuter24]

@@TheGirlOnABike When I do motorcycle engine covers I do use the cardboard trick myself, I learned it years ago it has saved me lots of headaches, especially on covers that have different lengths of bolts like you said. and one more tip do invest in a motorcycle fuel tank cover, it seems like the shiner and clean they are the more wrenches, bolts, nuts and other bits of metal are attracted to them, if Im doing a big job I'll just take the tank off and place it out of the way with a cover over it. the Sportster is easy two bolts, one plug and one fuel line disconnect.

[@robertwalmsley755]

Puncture repair is essential I’ve saved mc riders and push bike rider out and about great vids 👍😂

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Definitely, thanks for watching I'm super glad you enjoyed it

[@Dan-56]

At the age of 14 I started rebuilding lawn mower engines for the other neighborhood kids to use in their “mini bikes” and go carts 😉. At the age of 18 I brought home my first “real” motorcycle....the chassis was all together and rolling, the engine was disassembled and in a 5 gallon bucket 😱. It’s previous owner took it apart to “fix” something and couldn’t figure out how the put it back together 😳. Many days, and with the help of a Haynes manual, it was back together and running 🏍😃👍. (Amazingly, almost everything was in the “bucket”) That was 45 years and many project bikes ago 😉.

[@danwest9859]

Day dream believer!

[@tahirsharif9461]

Thanks Vanessa. My wife tells me I have pencil pusher hands with my office job, so always good to actually do stuff yourself. By the way, the T7 finally arrived. Still getting used to it, it’s so different from riding a Street Triple when you have shorter legs!

[@TheGirlOnABike]

mega!!! that's awesome. Have you got a lowered seat for it? I have one and it really helps, just gives that little extra ground contact hehe

[@tahirsharif9461]

@@TheGirlOnABike Yes, got the lowered seat but with a 29” inside leg I still struggle when stopping. The down side of London riding is traffic lights and traffic always. Thank goodness for those engine guards I added. Much practice picking up on Day 1!

[@danwest9859]

I can make shorter legs work.

[@silviobacha799]

❤️❤️

[@user-sw2lv3zp6o]

Nice strides. What are they, please? I'm impressed with your go-ahead attitude. The cardboard tip is a good one.

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Thanks dude. Theyre by On Running called cloud rocks. But I've recently got myself some of the new Revolution Race trainers and books and would far rate them higher. I've retired these trainers now as I wore them out hehe

[@user-sw2lv3zp6o]

@@TheGirlOnABike Thanks. Strides = pants/kecks/trousers.

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Oh haha theyre by Revolution race. I have 11 colours now haha definitely recommend

[@TraditionalRiders]

nice bike

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Thanks ✌️

[@troynavaro4917]

Hai daer I enteristed to apply about mechanic bike I like it daer

[@dasautogt]

+1 for more road bike reviews.....if you have anytime left in your days.😲 Geez, fill em up V.😁👍

[@TheGirlOnABike]

haha I'll try!

[@alexruck5493]

Wow

[@jc7654]

👍😁

[@TheGirlOnABike]

thanks JC

[@rolandcraggs348]

My advice? Buy a knackered 50cc scooter that some daft kid has seized. Pull it to pieces and try to fix it with a Haynes manual. If it turns out you have absolutely no aptitude with spanners, you've lost nothing. If you pull that off, you can fix just about anything 👍

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Haha amazing. That's a great shout

[@ethanhunt6725]

Poignant 🥰

[@ManuPithiviers]

you're actually a 50-year-old man right? It's joking about the Japanese motorcycle channel that was on the news. Thank you for your videos, I especially appreciate nice landscapes.

[@TheGirlOnABike]

haha busted! haha

[@rusty6314]

Have you ever done any flat track racing?

[@TheGirlOnABike]

no never! maybe one day but I don't have a big appeal towards it

[@chekavfr]

Привет из России ! Ты реально крутая девчонка!

[@danwest9859]

Who the hell built your extension?

[@TheGirlOnABike]

the garage? We built it ourselves. See my dream garage tour video

[@scldma114]

You forgot scenario 5 (speaking from personal experience here), that is the time when while replacing a fork oil seal on an adv bike you manage to damage the inner pumping rod of the fork. Cost of the oil seal and dust cover 10 euro. Cost of a/m rod? Nihil, it is not available as a single part, you have to buy the whole fork inner cartridge for a quite hefty 800 euros...🤦🏻‍♂️😂

[@TheGirlOnABike]

oh yikes!!! ouch haha

[@jaipallreddyjaipallreddy6319]

Nice vedeyo

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Thank you so much 😀

[@jaipallreddyjaipallreddy6319]

@@TheGirlOnABike try to adventure. Video . Thanks for the reply🌹

[@aodhmacraynall8932]

oi, above average!

[@TheGirlOnABike]

❤️

[@volvogt21]

And buy quality parts that actually fit and do their job properly.

[@danwest9859]

I have quality 👌 parts.

[@DiegoAstorga]

Everything was fine until you say washing your bike regularly. I only wash it when it rains, only after some mudding, because if it rains first and then I go out for some mudding... Well...

[@danwest9859]

Only wash when my wife punches me in the face!

[@saiduldokan2441]

Motorcycle mechanic lagega

[@TheGirlOnABike]

👍

[@danwest9859]

Harley tech,cardboard,seems about ✅

[@TheGirlOnABike]

It's helped me lots hehe

[@Tolandur]

My intro into to start bike mecanics..... buy bike... ride bike..... crash said bike..... spend way to much time on youtube looking at people who know how to fix bike because profesionals are to expensive for your wallet..... take a blind stab at fixing said bike...... ride bike...... crash said bike again breaking somthing different.... spend way to much time watchi.......... yea its an ongoing prosess :-D

[@TheGirlOnABike]

haha that made me chuckle

[@mynamemyname156]

Are you single u are beautiful

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Married 🥰

[@joerivanlooy9230]

boooooooooooooooooooring