Top 10 Newbie Mistakes

[bwringer]

14) Not taking time to find a good shop.

See #13...

 

[mike_of_bbg]

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)

 

[Runningdog]

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

 

[Tarbash 27]

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.

 

[Ranger]

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

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 sh?t fire, I hope none of my neighbors are outside... oh sh?t its a big ball now, oh sh?t my gas tank is a flame thrower out of my petcock while IN MY HANDS with fresh paint... OH SH?T WHERES MY FIRE EXTINGUISHER ITS GONNA BLOW!!"

 

[tkent02]

One word, "Hacksaw"

 

[ikantbreave]

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

Whoops, I was doin pretty good til this popped up.

 

[bluewool]

worrying about what sort of mirrors to put on the clubman bars before you even have it running...

 

[tkent02]

worrying about what sort of mirrors to put on the clubman bars before you even have it running...

How about putting on clubman bars before you even know how to ride.

 

[bonanzadave]

While the wife/GF/SO impatiently waits in the house while you're wrenching in the garage you respond to her with "Ill be right in......."

or when you run out to get milk and bread on the Bike you tell her "Ill be right back....."

 

[ukilme]

While the wife/GF/SO impatiently waits in the house while you're wrenching in the garage you respond to her with "Ill be right in......."

or when you run out to get milk and bread on the Bike you tell her "Ill be right back....."

Oh that is not just a newbie thing...it's just a spouse thing

 

[cowboyup3371]

While the wife/GF/SO impatiently waits in the house while you're wrenching in the garage you respond to her with "Ill be right in......."

or when you run out to get milk and bread on the Bike you tell her "Ill be right back....."

My girlfriend is finally starting to learn to tell me it's dinner time about 5 or 10 minutes before it is really done since I'll say I'll be right up and then I won't show up for awhile. I have this thing about finishing what I am doing whether it is wrenching, working outside with the horse/fence/shed, or on here.

 

[bonanzadave]

My girlfriend is finally starting to learn to tell me it's dinner time about 5 or 10 minutes before it is really done

Guess shes not a newbie anymore .

 

[850GT_Rider]

"Sure, I'll remember exactly how this goes back together...now, where does this extra piece go?"
- JC

Thinking that anything left over wasn't needed anyway?

 

[Nessism]

Thought this would be a good time to bump this thread back up. Lots of new GSR members pouring over the fence now that it's spring so maybe some of them will read this and take appropriate measures to fix their bikes.

 

[BassCliff]

Good idea Ed!

......................................

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

 

[jus1087]

Is it too late to beg for mercy and promise to change my ways?

 

[cowboyup3371]

You're okay Jus1087, as long as you learn from it.

Btw, why not put your bike model in your signature and your location in your profile so it makes it easier to help out.

 

[Steve]

..., why not put your bike model in your signature and your location in your profile so it makes it easier to help out.

That would have to be put on the list as #16. :-\\\

.

 

[FreshStart]

Not saving your oem parts when you add aftermarket.