Things You've Learnt From Fettling

[All uphill]

One thing I have learnt over the years is that nothing is a 15 minute job for me! I can spend an hour or more on the smallest thing. Comes from being retired I guess.

 

[Shearwater Missile]

I say knowing your limitations is what I have learnt. I never touch plumbing jobs as a result unless it is just minor. I never wan`t to be the little dutch boy with his finger in the dike.

 

[overmind]

Grease is the word.

 

[davidphilips]

Very bad mistake to make, no mater how many times you have done it and how easy it is, do not say to some one that you will do it in a few minutes for them if they bring it to you.

 

[Oldbloke]

When dismantling or removing small parts on a gravel drive, always put a sheet or blanket under the bike, or have a big magnet nearby. DAMHIK

 

[EltonFrog]

Fettling has taught me how expensive bike shops are.

I paid £52 for replacing headset bearings in 2015. The next time they needed replacing I thought £52 + inflation...NO. So I bought bearings for about £6 online and VERY carefully removed old ones, making notes and taking pics of exact order of bits. Replaced bearings and all bits and hey presto works like new! I felt very pleased with myself.

Yep, done that. Do it myself now, I was well chuffed the first time I did it.

 

[Shearwater Missile]

Something else I learnt years ago. Never start a job late in the day as you`ll be sure it will go wrong. Best to start with a clear head and fresh and besides when you realise that you now need a new thing-me-jig as well, the shop will still be open.

 

[SkipdiverJohn]

Always make sure you have at least one other bike in good working order before embarking on any maintenance or repairs. Then if something doesn't go as planned you can put the job to one side, and have another go when in a better mood. Nothing worse than only having just one of something, then putting it out of action by a job going wrong. Guaranteed to put me into an (even more) foul mood.

 

[Gunk]

One thing I’ve learnt is that I can’t stop until I’ve completed the job, I can never walk away from it half done so my motorcycle restorations for instance has to be a series of small jobs each one I complete before starting the next. I’d love to be able to just put the tools down, leave it, and walk away.

 

[PeteXXX]

Wearing 'decent' clothes and doing a quick fettle will, invariably, end up with a row of greasy spots from a chain ring across the front of your best T SHIRT that MrsPete bought me for my birthday...

DAMHIKT

 

[Andy in Germany]

If you find yourself doing a delicate job on the floor of the workshop/garage, it's probably time to consider tidying up the workbench.

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

Wearing 'decent' clothes and doing a quick fettle will, invariably, end up with a row of greasy spots from a chain ring across the front of your best T SHIRT that MrsPete bought me for my birthday...
DAMHIKT

You could follow Dr Hutch's tales...……..

Or Helms....
(MTBers can use Sheep)

 

[Ming the Merciless]

It is easy to strip the bolts on 6 bolt rotors given the torque requirements. Centre lock much easier to torque correctly without stripping any threads or bolt heads.

 

[C R]

If you find yourself doing a delicate job on the floor of the workshop/garage, it's probably time to consider tidying up the workbench.

You have a workbench? Luxury.

 

[Gunk]

If you find yourself doing a delicate job on the floor of the workshop/garage, it's probably time to consider tidying up the workbench.

I can relate to that, mine always ends up as a dumping ground, I’m fighting a losing battle