3: Bike Maintenance

3.1: Motorcycle mechanic courses

Soundwell College, Bristol. Tel: 0117 931 1889

Telford College, Edinburgh http://www.ed-coll.ac.uk/

3.2: Workshop Manuals

Books that lie

>>More...

3.3: Parts for pre 1980 bikes

http://www.oldbikemart.co.uk

3.4: Motorcycle breakers

There's also - Parts Search - 0800 073 1750 (FREE!) www.uk-biker.net not to be confused with -
PartSearch - 0906 111 9999 (at 1.50ukp per min) and
Part Finder - 09060 330330 (at 1.50ukp per min) No website

3.5: Chain facts and maintenance

http://www.motorcycle.com/mo/mcnuts/chain.html

Chain lube recommendations
Castrol Chain Wax is good but *never* buy the silver-coloured Yoshimoto stuff.
A cheap and effective lube as recommended by Simes is 50/50 grease and gear oil, applied with a brush.
Then, of course, there's the Scottoiler. Details at http://www.scottoiler.com/

3.6: Checking wheel alignment

http://www.ibmwr.org/otech/whelalin.html or

>>More...

3.7: Battery Resources

A battery FAQ can be found at http://www.uuhome.de/william.darden/

Other useful links:
http://www.yuasabatteries.com/maintenance.asp

http://www.motorbikebatteries.co.uk/ has a fitting chart for bike batteries

3.8: Fairing replacement

It seems that this lot may have a number of replacement/secondhand, and replica fairings for the cash-challenged. Ring 01454 323800

3.9: Blue bulbs

For info about all bulb types  http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/bulbs/blue/blue.html

3.10: Tyre dealers

who will put tyres onto a bike, not just onto loose wheels?

>>More...

3.11: Milky white substance in oil level window

This is called 'mayonnaise' and is caused by condensation. It happens when the bike is only used for short trips and it doesn't get hot enough to evaporate. The only way to get rid of it is too use the bike for longer, harder and more frequent trips or to change the oil more frequently.

3.12: stainless steal exhaust manufacturer

http://www.gazbike.demon.co.uk will make any exhaust while-you-wait, either OE pattern or to your own design in stainless or titanium

SparesGB 1 Walpole Road Colliers Wood LONDON SW19 2BZ
Tel:0181 540 7155    UK Free FAX: 0500 834 835    e-mail: sales@spares-gb.com
They specialise in all things Guzzi & Ducati and, have an on-line spares price list at http://www.spares-gb.com

3.13: Recovering bike seats

Try R K Leighton in Birmingham (no phone number, I'm afraid, but they advertise in the specialist sections of the classic press and maybe also in MCN's trade classes). They do seat covers for just about anything, plus they restore, re-upholster and alter. If they haven't got a pattern for a particular cover in stock, send them your old one and they'll duplicate it. Strongly recommended - a good outfit.

See also the Leather Page

3.14: Bike intercoms

Try http://www.autocom.co.uk/

or Graytronics (Burton on Stather, about 5 miles north of Scunthorpe) apparently make an excellent intercom with good high speed performance. Contact Bob Gray on 01724 721080 or email bob@graytronics.co.uk
www.graytronics.co.uk

3.15: Corbin seats

http://www.corbin.com/

3.16: Colour matching bike paint

Try http://www.motorbikepaint.co.uk
They come recommended by a ukrm-er who's had cause to make use of their services.

3.17: Spark plug numbers and letters

http://www.ngksparkplugs.com/techinfo/spark_plugs/faq/faqcode.asp

3.18: Seized or damaged fasteners/studs/bolts

Depends on how much is sticking out and how thick it is.

>>More...

3.19: Removing stickers or glue from paintwork

NOTE: Beware of using anything which is a strong solvent - avoid cellulose thinners, acetone (nail varnish remover) and brake fluid.

ukrm-ers come up with the following suggestions:

White spirit
Decorators heat gun
Use a hot air paint-stripper gun on a low setting (be careful not to get too close as you'll damage the paint)
Contact cleaner
WD-40
Autglym Car Glass Polish
Rain-X
Hair drier
A hot water bottle works sometimes too.

3.20: Tyres

generally they're black

>>More...

3.21: Online catalogue for wiring products

http://www.vehicle-wiring-products.co.uk/

3.22: Plastic welding/repairs/spraying

Autospray, Stoke Row, Barras Green, Coventry CV4
Tel: 01203 443078 (ask for Brian Emery).
They do a good job but can take a while to complete.

H C Racetech, A57 complex, Saxilby Road, Lincoln
Tel: 01522 702800
Does repair and replacement plastic for all bikes

3.23: Tools FAQ

You want to buy some tools

>>More...

3.24: Aftermarket exhausts

Both Gazelle and O S Stainless will make an exhaust to measure in high-grade stainless. How much it costs depends on the number of silencers, downpipes etc. you need.
e.g. a 4-1 from OS would cost about £300 -£350 complete with 10yr warranty.

OS Stainless, Unit 7 J Lloyd, Airfield Estate, New Road, Hixon Staffs., ST18 0PF
email: Roy@osmc.demon.co.uk

Last known info for Gazelle:
Tel: 01239 841715
Fax: 01239 841326
email: brausch@gazbike.demon.co.uk

3.25: Re-chroming

Hard Chrome Plating & Grinding, Unit 195, Boughton Industrial Estate, Newark, Notts NG22 9LD
www.hardchromeplating.co.uk

3.26: Can I jumpstart a bike from a car?

or will it bugger the battery

>>More...

3.27: Reputable service places

UKRM recommends....

>>More...

3.28: Piston rings

http://www.deves.com/

3.29: Diagrams for OEM parts

Kawasaki - http://www.buykawasaki.com
Yamaha - http://www.ronnies.com/micro.htm
Some Honda, Suzuki, KTM and Kawasaki - http://www.motofiches.com/sites/TYRBUW/ & see the main site http://www.motofiches.com/Default.asp for more info

3.30: Handlebars, chains and sprockets

http://www.renthal.com/

3.31: Repairing ABS units

thanks to Mick Whittingham

>>More...

3.32: Repacking end cans

http://www.yft.org/tex_vfr/tech/repack.htm

3.33: BMW parts and accessories

New, used and reconditioned parts and accessories for all models produced since 1955.

http://www.motorworks.co.uk/rd/home.php

3.34: MOTs

http://www.motuk.co.uk/

3.35: Duck tape or Duct tape

Duck tape is one of the brand names for a type of duct tape.
No ... really. See http://www.ducttapeclub.com/

3.36: Carb Diaphragm

try NRP Carburettors - http://www.nrp-carbs.co.uk/. Phone Andy on 0161 832 8646