Worst/most hated part of your bike to work on.

Premixed
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Premixed 9/29/2011 4:06am
9/29/2011 4:06am
they're called spoke nipples and truing a wheel isn't that bad.

clutches are my least favorite because its just a mess of a job. oil everywhere. liquid gasket. especially sucks if you have a suzuki, which comes factory-equipped with basket creep, free of charge, right off the showroom floor.
Premixed
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Premixed 9/29/2011 4:10am
9/29/2011 4:10am
MOTODAD422 wrote:
Washing the bike after mud race.My neighbors think i am nuts cleaning the bike so meticulously, they say its only gonna get dirty again. Also hate...
Washing the bike after mud race.My neighbors think i am nuts cleaning the bike so meticulously, they say its only gonna get dirty again. Also hate circlips on 4 strokes.
when you neighbor says that to you next time, turn to them, calmly and collectedly and say, "well, then, whats the point of wiping your ass if you're just going to shit again?"


shuts neighbors, girlfriends, siblings and innocent bystanders up every time.
ky_savage
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ky_savage 9/29/2011 4:11am
9/29/2011 4:11am
Cleaning and oiling air filters sucks for me. I'd almost rather pay a friend to do it for me. I need to buy some latex gloves so it won't be such a pain. That sticky oil drives me insane.
brakkeman_ 9/29/2011 5:04am
9/29/2011 5:04am
Tires aren't that bad, I try to beat my best time every try. Smile

Changing Fork seals and oil is the worst. Ruined 2 shirts doing it.

DT1 does our filters so that's a piece of cake.

The Shop

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aedwards07
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st cloud, FL US
aedwards07 9/29/2011 5:13am
9/29/2011 5:13am
I dont really have a certain part of my bike I hate doing.But I can say that every time I get a polaris atv in I just want to kill myself.They are by far the worst to do anything on.
alohamx
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Galena, IL US
alohamx 9/29/2011 5:22am
9/29/2011 5:22am
robkinuk wrote:
I bet all of the posters in this thread are 25+ years old???? Seem's a lot of the @home schooled amateur fast kids of today don't...
I bet all of the posters in this thread are 25+ years old????
Seem's a lot of the @home schooled amateur fast kids of today don't even know what an air filter is!, let alone know how to change one!Angry
How can they have empathy with their bikes, ie knowing how to nurse one home to a moto finish when they don't even know how they work?
If your going to home school your kids, chase the pro ride dream, then at least make sure they know how to work on their bike's!Wink
Their parents and paid mechanic aren't going to always be around!
im 15 years old and i know how to do pretty much everything on my bike (except for timing/electronic stuff) give me some time and ill figure out how to do ANYTHING on my bike. not all kids are clueless.
Kryan5
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Etters, PA US
Kryan5 9/29/2011 5:28am
9/29/2011 5:28am
For me its anything to do with the carb. On my 2005 kx250 you can't just twist the damn thing and clean or change jets. The throttle cable gets in the way. So i have to drop the side panels. remove the muffler. remove the the subframe and both of the air boot clamps. The air boot clamps are the worst. To make sure that when putting it back together the boot has to be on there perfect sux. And then i might have to do it all over again if i was wrong on the jetting. Pain in the ass.
mertensmx365
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Millstadt, IL US
mertensmx365 9/29/2011 5:35am
9/29/2011 5:35am
Anything that involves taking the air boot off of a 2009-2012 CRF450 or a 2010-2012 CRF250. That air boot is the biggest pain in the ass to get back on. Even when you finally do get it on, you almost need x-ray vision to see if the thing is making a good seal around the throttle body. I love my Hondas, but for chrissakes the air boot is a bitch.
mxtech1
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Galesburg, IL US
mxtech1 9/29/2011 5:57am
9/29/2011 5:57am
1) Shifter detent spring loading.
2) The plastic fitting for hot start line plunger at the carb on 4 strokes.
3) Laying a set of transmission gears into the case.
4) Steering stem races.
Bry745
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Bry745 9/29/2011 6:07am
9/29/2011 6:07am
MOTODAD422 wrote:
Washing the bike after mud race.My neighbors think i am nuts cleaning the bike so meticulously, they say its only gonna get dirty again. Also hate...
Washing the bike after mud race.My neighbors think i am nuts cleaning the bike so meticulously, they say its only gonna get dirty again. Also hate circlips on 4 strokes.
Premixed wrote:
when you neighbor says that to you next time, turn to them, calmly and collectedly and say, "well, then, whats the point of wiping your ass...
when you neighbor says that to you next time, turn to them, calmly and collectedly and say, "well, then, whats the point of wiping your ass if you're just going to shit again?"


shuts neighbors, girlfriends, siblings and innocent bystanders up every time.
LMAO!! Premixed, I'm definitely going to remember and use that one! Laughing Laughing Laughing
-eagle-
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ZW
-eagle- 9/29/2011 6:23am
9/29/2011 6:23am
I can't say bottom ends or shocks because they intimidate me.
Did one split with a mechanic over my shoulder and still thought it was gnarley.

Forks rebuilds and brake lines/plunger rebuilds are a mess.
Not the worst job on the bike but one of the dirtiest i do.

I hate everything that has to be pressed in for install.
Tires, Linkage, Wheel Bearings, Case Seals,etc.
Actually did the forks and brakes on the front this week. But I truly hate linkage.
Also can't comment on working on the top of a valve muncher.
I've watched and helped on a few but never did one by myself. An 88 in my 50 doesn't count!
mxtech1
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mxtech1 9/29/2011 6:50am
9/29/2011 6:50am
-eagle- wrote:
I can't say bottom ends or shocks because they intimidate me. Did one split with a mechanic over my shoulder and still thought it was gnarley...
I can't say bottom ends or shocks because they intimidate me.
Did one split with a mechanic over my shoulder and still thought it was gnarley.

Forks rebuilds and brake lines/plunger rebuilds are a mess.
Not the worst job on the bike but one of the dirtiest i do.

I hate everything that has to be pressed in for install.
Tires, Linkage, Wheel Bearings, Case Seals,etc.
Actually did the forks and brakes on the front this week. But I truly hate linkage.
Also can't comment on working on the top of a valve muncher.
I've watched and helped on a few but never did one by myself. An 88 in my 50 doesn't count!
Shock rebuilds are so easy! Don't let it scare you. If you can put in a set of fork seals, doing a shock is a breeze. It's an easy learn and a good way to save yourself money because all you have to pay for is the fluid and nitrogen charge (probably $20 or less for both.)

Paul Thede from Race Tech does a really good step-by-step tutorial in his book they sell from Race Tech. It also goes really in-depth into forks and also setup and tuning. Probably the best $20 i've ever spent. The book will pay for itself the first time you service your own suspension and don't have to pay a shop to do it.
mx196
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MA US
mx196 9/29/2011 7:15am
9/29/2011 7:15am
Changing the rear sprocket, its not bad when you have an impact wrench at the ready,but when it's dead and you have to do it between moto's and all you have is the wrenches, talk about bloody knuckles.
DTHA70
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Surprise, AZ US
DTHA70 9/29/2011 7:17am
9/29/2011 7:17am
as an engine builder, none of the internal stuff is hard or frustrating because i take pride in my attention to detail. i have to say getting customers' chain adjuster bolts unstuck, air filters, greasing linkages, replacing shock bearings, old rusty steering bearings and races, seized sprocket bolts, mix of allens and 8mm bolts on yamaha cases, 04-06 kx/rmz 250 racheting timing chain tensioner, I HATE WHEN PEOPLE DONT ROUTE THEIR BLOWBY TUBES AND STATOR WIRING CORRECTLY!

that'll about do it for me.
mxtech1
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mxtech1 9/29/2011 7:21am
9/29/2011 7:21am
It irritates me when I get a bike for service and lost hardware is replaced with stuff found at a hardware store that uses a standard size head.
-eagle-
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-eagle- 9/29/2011 7:50am
9/29/2011 7:50am Edited Date/Time 9/29/2011 7:51am
mxtech1 wrote:
Shock rebuilds are so easy! Don't let it scare you. If you can put in a set of fork seals, doing a shock is a breeze...
Shock rebuilds are so easy! Don't let it scare you. If you can put in a set of fork seals, doing a shock is a breeze. It's an easy learn and a good way to save yourself money because all you have to pay for is the fluid and nitrogen charge (probably $20 or less for both.)

Paul Thede from Race Tech does a really good step-by-step tutorial in his book they sell from Race Tech. It also goes really in-depth into forks and also setup and tuning. Probably the best $20 i've ever spent. The book will pay for itself the first time you service your own suspension and don't have to pay a shop to do it.
Nice, i may give it a shot then.
I learned to do twin chambers through my manual and the youtube videos from rocky mountainmc.
Couldn't believe how nasty the 6.6oz from the inner chamber was.

All the damn shims and finding a place to get it charged was my setback with the shock.
dirthead1
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Southern, CA US
dirthead1 9/29/2011 8:20am
9/29/2011 8:20am
Filters hands down.
neyhart98dad
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Arlington, TX US
neyhart98dad 9/29/2011 8:31am
9/29/2011 8:31am
Sano97 wrote:
just washing the son of a bitch, is startin to piss me off.
been washin them damb near every week since 1977 fuk
Thats so true,and I've only been doing it since 1998.


Tires are easy except for 10" 50 tires,but then again with 2 50 riders,I hate 50's period.

Pit Row

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mjskier
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CO US
mjskier 9/29/2011 8:35am
9/29/2011 8:35am
mxtech1 wrote:
It irritates me when I get a bike for service and lost hardware is replaced with stuff found at a hardware store that uses a standard...
It irritates me when I get a bike for service and lost hardware is replaced with stuff found at a hardware store that uses a standard size head.
One guy who kept breaking down on a trail ride was riding a CR500 that was put together with hardware bought bolts. Nobody had the right sockets to help him out. Some of the washers were made out of drilled out pennies!
MOTODAD422
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Easton, PA US
MOTODAD422 9/29/2011 8:40am
9/29/2011 8:40am
MOTODAD422 wrote:
Washing the bike after mud race.My neighbors think i am nuts cleaning the bike so meticulously, they say its only gonna get dirty again. Also hate...
Washing the bike after mud race.My neighbors think i am nuts cleaning the bike so meticulously, they say its only gonna get dirty again. Also hate circlips on 4 strokes.
Premixed wrote:
when you neighbor says that to you next time, turn to them, calmly and collectedly and say, "well, then, whats the point of wiping your ass...
when you neighbor says that to you next time, turn to them, calmly and collectedly and say, "well, then, whats the point of wiping your ass if you're just going to shit again?"


shuts neighbors, girlfriends, siblings and innocent bystanders up every time.
That is some funny shit right there. I will have to use that.
burn1986
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bossier city, LA US
burn1986 9/29/2011 8:44am
9/29/2011 8:44am
Changing tires, for sure.
peelout
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peelout 9/29/2011 8:50am
9/29/2011 8:50am
everything. it's a four stroke.
MOTODAD422
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Easton, PA US
MOTODAD422 9/29/2011 8:56am
9/29/2011 8:56am
Sano97 wrote:
just washing the son of a bitch, is startin to piss me off.
been washin them damb near every week since 1977 fuk
neyhart98dad wrote:
Thats so true,and I've only been doing it since 1998. Tires are easy except for 10" 50 tires,but then again with 2 50 riders,I hate 50's...
Thats so true,and I've only been doing it since 1998.


Tires are easy except for 10" 50 tires,but then again with 2 50 riders,I hate 50's period.
You just reminded me of the worst maintenance nightmare ever. Clutch cleaning on my kids 50's every week,those spring washers suck.I don't know how many times I pulled the clutch off of those damn things.
Kawirider138
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Kennewick, WA US
Kawirider138 9/29/2011 9:19am
9/29/2011 9:19am Edited Date/Time 9/29/2011 9:23am
Tires suck! I take em to my uncle he does em in like 5 minutes with tire irons not even a machine. oh yeah spokes too I got taken out last weekend and 6 front spokes got ripped out and nipples broke in half
brakkeman_ 9/29/2011 9:28am
9/29/2011 9:28am
mx196 wrote:
Changing the rear sprocket, its not bad when you have an impact wrench at the ready,but when it's dead and you have to do it between...
Changing the rear sprocket, its not bad when you have an impact wrench at the ready,but when it's dead and you have to do it between moto's and all you have is the wrenches, talk about bloody knuckles.
Loosen everything before taking the wheel out.

Put it in gear, loosen front sprocket and leave the sprocket on it.

while still in gear loosen 2 bolts, back out of gear turn wheel, back in gear loosen 2 bolts etc.

take chain off, take wheel out, further loosen the bolts on the rear, and replace your rear sprocket with the new one and put bolts in.

change front sprocket, put wheel in, cut chain, secure chain, bike in gear, fasten front sprocket and rear.

Zero chance of hitting your knuckles on the sprocket.

If you have a buddy there, don't put it in gear and let him work rear brake in stead.
DRTRYDR
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Corona, CA US
DRTRYDR 9/29/2011 9:32am
9/29/2011 9:32am
I hate these maintenance items:

servicing muffler bearings
adjusting the powerband
turning pennies into washers
PaleBlue
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Essex GB
PaleBlue 9/29/2011 9:45am
9/29/2011 9:45am
Ha! interesting stuff. Well enough reading, now I'm off to oil up a couple of filters for the weekend ,replace the front and rear sprockets, replace the chain and do an oil change.

( 9 - nine! bolts on a TM rear spocket and I use a new lock nut on each everytime I undo them).
TX24
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TX24 9/29/2011 10:00am
9/29/2011 10:00am
Tire changing is a lot easier with Tu-bliss tube system. Makes pinching tubes a lot harder and they are lighter.

I rotate three no-toil filters and it's not too bad. Buy a box of cheap disposable gloves from Lowes.

I'll get flamed for this, you can use regular air with a bike pump and it won't hurt anything in your shock.
mag23
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mag23 9/29/2011 10:03am
9/29/2011 10:03am
I'd rather have to change a crankshaft, than get coolant on my hands... wait, you have drain coolant to split the cases, bummer...
hellion
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hellion 9/29/2011 10:37am
9/29/2011 10:37am
Changing Trelleborg Winter Friction Spike tires is the worst by far. First of all, it's usually well below 30 degrees in the garage by that time of year so your hands are cold and the tires themselves are cold (it helps to warm them first but I forget half the time). Second the tires last for five years or so, so they are stiff with age and the beads are usually closed up. Third, there are 250 or so carbide tipped spikes pressing into your thighs leaving little purple bruises everywhere they touch. And to make it worse the 19 inch wheels these days are twice as hard as either the 21 or 18.

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