Top 10 Newbie Mistakes

No, Ranger, the extinguisher appeared under the tree this past xmas....just itchin' to use it.....er, I mean hope I never need it......

Haha, I can tell you a bike on fire in your driveway looks cool except when its yours. I still remember my words... "Damn battery, Oh shít fire, I hope none of my neighbors are outside... oh shít its a big ball now, oh shít my gas tank is a flame thrower out of my petcock while IN MY HANDS with fresh paint... OH SHíT WHERES MY FIRE EXTINGUISHER ITS GONNA BLOW!!"

Cutting the rear of the frame off and making a bobber, then you decide the bikes looks like cr@p, now its worthless.

Cutting your nice original exhaust so it can sound like a harley. Now it sounds bad and someone could of used an original exhaust for their restoration.

Not checking your ignition timing on a bike with points.

Not properly lubing all cables on a bike that sat for 20 years, so on your first ride ,the clutch, the tach and speedo cables snap.

No, Ranger, the extinguisher appeared under the tree this past xmas....just itchin' to use it.....er, I mean hope I never need it......

10a. Starting oil, tire, or torque wrench threads

and on a more serious note:

14. Refusing to buy, beg or borrow the appropriate tools or materials for the task at hand (excluding zip ties for those who prefer them on shim changes of course)

[bwringer]

14) Not taking time to find a good shop.

See #13...

[Steve]

No more fire on my bike

.

Ranger, your trials regarding an extinguisher prompted me to request one for christmas from my Mom......good idea....

LOL, 9 months? I see a fire before then and not from me

No more fire on my bike

[rustybronco]

7) Not replacing the old rubber brake lines. Suzuki call for replacing the lines every 2 years so if your bike still has the originals you are 28 years overdue.

But, but, you don't know how long it's taken me to find them!

Believing "I'll catch the parts before they fly out across the garage" when taking something apart.

Got one

Thinking restoring a bike or modifying will be cheap.

Thinking restoring a bike or modifying will be profitable

The most important.

Not having a charged fire exting. On hand and near by while working on the GS.

Got one

Thinking restoring a bike or modifying will be cheap.

Ranger, your trials regarding an extinguisher prompted me to request one for christmas from my Mom......good idea....

The most important.

Not having a charged fire exting. On hand and near by while working on the GS.

[twr1776]

I'll throw a couple out there for the group,

Running OEM suspension front or back with the reasoning "I don't ride that hard". Unfortunately with all the cell phoning and texting cars on the road the likelyhood you will never have a panic stop or emergency avoidance manuver is very slim. Good suspension and sticky tires WILL give you the best chance of avoiding a bad outcome.

Check your tire date codes and replace them if they are over three years old with the many good tire options in all price ranges. This will require a search.

Replacing your old tires and not replacing the most likely OEM valve stems.

Reading through Cliffs site. All of the information needed for proper maintenance and lots of troubleshooting tips are there.

Hi,

Hmmmm, do I see new entries for the "mega-welcome"?

Let's hope it helps the new owners this spring.

Thanks Ed!


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff