best 3 tricks

[grog]

what would you say are 3 best things youve learned from this forum, helping maintenance, day to day riding , just making life easier. 4 if you want. for me, the tank breather hole enlarging, tps check from under side cover, rag in between chain/sprocket to tighten axle. couple of others but using shovel to lift rear wheel in really helps. i thought an interesting subject, hope you do also.

[Notty]

I was totally mechanically useless until I started on this forum. I was so proud when I overhauled my callipers and changed the fluid, so simple to most but to me huge !! the tank breather hole enlarging (thanks Simon),  used shovel to lift rear wheel to change my shocks -now polishing forks with all the advice given - fitted external fuel filter - fitted GiPro - added usb power supply - couldn't keep my 14 without the forum 

[grog]

a bloody great story Notty. superb stuff. would take me more than a forum to draw a picture or nail 2 bits of wood together. just hopeless. really happy you learned, no easy jobs in what you did.

[Andre]

I can't tell you (at the moment?). There are so many things I learned here. And there are so many posts that led me to investigate and discover. Many posts that led me to change my views and do things differently/better than before.

Value of this forum? Priceless!

[gsxbarmy]

How to use Word to do write-ups of maintenance articles, speed read every post and be a know it all 

On a more serious note what I have learnt here is that there are an absolute top bunch of people across the world with similar interests who are only too willing to help. And that to me is the main thing about this forum.

[lil4399]

Not been here long but have spent a lot of time reading the older posts.

Main thing I have learned - I have an awful lot to learn!

But I am going to enjoy doing it with all the excellent help from the members.   

[Red Biker]

Yup
So many things learnt here for me, from which tyre,exhaust, to cleaning fuel filter and just last week re fitting the oil pan.
Echo what Barmy says, there's a lovely spirit and willingness to help on here with nothing expected in return.

Soppy Red

[Notty]

Oh forgot - I now know what a torque wrench is - previously I used to do things up tight with an extra half a turn . And I have taken the front wheel off for the first time. until this forum I always took it to the dealer. only bike work of my own was 46 years ago when I used to decoke my yamaha 50's exhaust and head etc Lol 

[Kiwifruit]

Lots of techy stuff, too much to note. How to post Utube clips, good blokes all over the planet to poke shit at, good blokes all over the planet that poke shit back....... learned that many 1400 owners are old, possibly overweight and many suffer chassis defects. Similar to myself really !!
Enjoy ride reports and photos. Happy vibe.

[froudy]

I've learned so much about the GSX14 from members on here..AND given advice when in a position to do so.
Most important 3 are probably..
1. The importance and satisfaction of helping members out when they need advice.
2. How to slot the back plate to advance ignition without needing to spend £50 on an advancing rotor.
3. See No.1 above

[VladTepes]

I managed to remove and replace the rear wheel and got it all right ! Yeah I know pretty pissweak but I was happy. Saved me $ at the tyre shop for sure.

Learned by necessity (and advice from forum peeps) how to change out the oil pan (sump) after I managed to rip it to bits on a speed bump...

But the main best thing I've learned from THIS forum?
How daunting it can be to start (and actively run) a forum!  And especially the reward which comes from that in providing this venue for all this excellent technical advice and camaraderie to flourish, which makes all the time worthwhile !

It is much easier than many forums (from a management perspective) in that the place is populated with awesome people, no trolls or wankers.... and those awesome people are exactly as froudy said - happy to pass on and offer advice (even if it is something they've only learned recently themselves).

Good job people    


You are ALL Spartacus !

[froudy]

You're doing a hell of a good job of it too @VladTepes 

I know how difficult it is to run a forum, being one of only two people that run and maintain DTP (which is sadly dying due to Facebook)

Keep up the good work, because I can assure you that it is a very valuable asset to the GSX1400 owning community

[seth]

top tip i have found is there is always someone who can help .
its the first place to check when looking for spares (including what other parts from other bikes fit and are often cheaper)
its the biggest source of info and step by step how to's i doubt any place can match it
the place has gone from strength to strength due the the people here and how fantastic they are from all around the world  .

[Buddynq]

Yep - got a few

1. Changed fork oil (practised on me mates K1 first  )
2. Replaced Seals in calipers
3. Watched mechanic replace my chain. Some great shortcuts - didn't need to fully remove rear wheel

[KiwiCol]

What an awesome thread Grog, great idea.  What have I learned? too much to mention, but I completely agree with the above posts. 

The biggest thing for me really is the confidence to attack almost anything on the 14!  And this is all because of the forum, with the 'how to' downloads & the online tips from members, you can feel assured you're not alone in undertaking whatever it is that needs fixing, there's always someone available to offer sound / knowledgeable advice.

and as KF says "good blokes all over the planet to poke shit at, good blokes all over the planet that poke shit back..." the great camaraderie.   

Cheers guys