The Official Chennai Offline Meet(G2G) Thread

[SriramEfunds]

wheres the place exactly........any landmarks nearby

Ask any one for Deccan Plaza or Royapettah high road after reaching Cathedral Road would be able guide from there.

If you still wondering where is Cathedral Road would advise to take help from Google Maps.

[Ananth]

I might not have much idea on the mechanic, however, any other co-ordination required would be rendered.

Ananth, I would have most of the Sunday mornings free and will make free even if it not.

This is something we need to know where ever we may roam!

Guys, please come on. Let make it happen before the Point Calimere ride, it would be useful to all of us.

I wouldn't say do it before Point Calimere. It would take time to collect the cash, rent a mechanic so to speak & then decide on a place & time.

a DIY session sounds great. I know how to clean chain and lube it. Apart from that a total noob ..

No one is born genius, We all evolve over practice & experience.

Yup. We will do it. even next week. but for mechanic to come we should plan for a place close to city.

Edit: But what i learnt from my mechanic is , many mechs will take off on sunday as they work full times remaining days. and also if they work they will come around 10 and leave around 2-3. so we need to call known mechs and possibly pay him some money. Just my thoughts.

Yes, Sunday morning seems fine if we are able to get hold of a mechanic.

I dont know any good mechanics here. But, do we need a garage? Finding a garage is an extra task. Why dont we do it in his workshop itself (easier access to tools, etc) - provided he accepts it. But before that lets find a mechanic.

@ndefineme - Wat about your guy

I was about to ask him, But then i was told he is extremely busy. Lets first hunt for a mechanic & then proceed from there on.

hey guys
what are you talking about??
DIY for what?
i dont mind getting my hands greased !

Read this post & you will know

Definitely not within the city; have to make it like a ride far off, may be towards tiger caves, but without people to observe.

Seems tough unless you get a mechanic who would agree to ride all the way with all the tools et all.

This will work only when we do it in a mech's garage & at his convenience & we all know what's a mechs convenience . Rather I would say, pickup the owner's manual that has been provided along with the motorcycle & start from there & then keep going. That's how I started with Activa & its going comfortable now. Most mechs don't even start this way, if they can do it, then we can do it.

I agree Aargee, But say we mess up with something, We cant get to take risk on ruining the bike.

For Instance: Changing the Disk pads, If at all some one presses the break lever, It causes too much strain in making the disk set up work again.

Mechanic's presence is not everything, but it would be of immense use if we know what we do, with his proper guidance.

Ananth, my principle has always been, do it now or you cannot do it anytime; its now or never!!!; lets start getting dirty man!!!

Edit - I change my mind; let me put a tiny step & may be people can contribute...

What're the things that one is looking forward for this activity? If you intent like, removing front wheels (both disc & drum), cleaning the drum & brake shoes, changing speedo, clutch, throttle cables, removing front fork assy, removing rear wheels (only drum) & cleaning, adjusting front & rear brakes, adjusting clutch, adjusting & lubing chain, removing seats & tank, cleaning disc brake pads, cleaning air filter, removing swing arm, adjusting suspension (not overhauling), removing swing arm & axles, then I can volunteer to teach any of these; I mean even with non Rx & specific to one's motorcycle. There's nothing specially required unless its a genuine international sports class motorcycle

But if you consider anything w.r.t core engine, gears, timing chain, tappet adjustments, carb cleaning, overhauling suspensions & swing arm, sorry, I don't know.

For a start, We would do this "Aargee mentoring session" with regard to all those mentioned by you. Every one tends to input what ever they have learnt, & we would take it forward with a mech & his garage for next level of training?

I wont know when we would get hold of the mechanic, so going by your terms we can organize a GTG just to make every one aware of what is expected out of them. I guess its better to take this OFFLINE than creating a new thread.

[aargee]

I agree Aargee, But say we mess up with something, We cant get to take risk on ruining the bike.

This is the fear of taking risk Ananth!!! I've the confidence because I've opened up my motorcycle without fear of this. Its all the fear of first time, once you know things, you know how & where to put it back.

For Instance: Changing the Disk pads, If at all some one presses the break lever, It causes too much strain in making the disk set up work again.

Well, I would open up the bleed valve, letting out the pressure a little; if it doesn't then I would loosen up the end nut & release the pressure & tighten & then put back the wheel assy.

Mechanic's presence is not everything, but it would be of immense use if we know what we do, with his proper guidance.

If you guys have a hope of 1% that one of the mechs will teach you (unless you pay him hefty), then pls forget it. Its not going to happen. I've been trying hard for years & then finally I picked up courage to do it all myself. I do agree Ananth, there're some places I don't know, which I admitted here, but then, I'll get through it someday, if not today. Like you said, when I couldn't put things back, I would leave it off for the day & use my car or scooter, but WILL put it back some other day. Its this experience of mine has instilled the confidence on things.

If you think I would demonstrate my skill on fork assy or throttle cable replacement, cylinders, sprockets or wiring harness on the first day, forget it!!! I would start simple with removing wheels, cleaning drums, spark plugs, seat assy etc.

we would take it forward with a mech & his garage for next level of training?

I would like to be part of this, if it happens. Sorry, if I sound sarcastic, but the Indian mentality always has been like, don't care & never share

I guess its better to take this OFFLINE than creating a new thread.

Please Ananth; open up a thread for me. We'll keep this separate. I like to stay organized

[SriramEfunds]

^ For all the above talks happened with Ananth and Aargee. I would like to learn, however, learning the mech methodology would not come in a day. Having said that, unless we dare to go all out to do it ourselves, won't have the curiosity to learn.

Definitely it is not going to go all in a day into my head. At some point of time after few trial and error, might get used to approach our bikes for our own servicing.

We will need to do this for couple sessions to get hang of it. At least for me .

We can initially start with removing wheel from the bike and cleaning the brake drum, spark plug etc. I think we should give ourselves a chance to build courage.

Mechanic might not liberally do a classroom session. What we might have to do is, observe his work with due attention.

When are going to do this session and who is the mechanic, would be a good question. But, I don't think it is a big deal.

We can take few lessons from Aargee as he service his own bike, would definitely be of help with respect to cycle parts fixing.

@Ananth: I understand this may or may not happen before this month's trip.

[aargee]

however, learning the mech methodology would not come in a day. Having said that, unless we dare to go all out to do it ourselves, won't have the curiosity to learn.

Rightly put; necessity is the Mother of...
Trust me, if the mechs had been faithful to me, I would've learned nothing now. I opened up the entire rear part including swing arm without even thinking twice. I removed the entire fork assy without looking into the manual. Yes, I did have some troubles, but it never kept me away from working on it.

Final verdict, when I learn, I learn from the basics with questions as WHY & WHY NOT. For some engineerings I don't have answers such as why a bearing is not used in fork assy instead of balls. But I'll have knowledge of how the balls needs to be put in & where the small ones & bigger ones goes into.

Definitely it is not going to go all in a day into my head.

It took about 13 years for me to stand where I'm today So I agree with you Sri.

At some point of time after few trial and error, might get used to approach our bikes for our own servicing.

Yap; ask JD, how many times, I've called him up & how many phone calls to put back piston, clips into cylinder.

We will need to do this for couple sessions to get hang of it. At least for me .

And practice

Mechanic might not liberally do a classroom session. What we might have to do is, observe his work with due attention.

Yap; trust me, certain things, even if you watch them doing, you cannot recall it & carry out the same task at home. Simple things such as removing muffler assy or exhaust can be done. But try the carb setting; unless we practice, it can't be done.

When are going to do this session and who is the mechanic, would be a good question. But, I don't think it is a big deal.

Its definitely not a big deal UNTIL ONE LEARNS - this is my experience

@Ananth: I understand this may or may not happen before this month's trip.

If not Ananth, I would say, Sri, you start the thread; let me state the purpose very briefly

Basic principle of most of the motorcycle in India (except the engine) is same; everything's got spark plugs, wheels, drums, discs, seat, tank, swing arm, footrests, suspensions, fenner, cables, carbs. But the way in which we remove them differs & unless one keeps fixing them often, they'll not know the right sequence. If you ask me about Rx, I can state the number of bolts, washers & the wrench number & philips head/star head screw drivers without even looking at the part, but the same is not applicable when it comes to FZ. May be it even requires allen keys.

So the point is, if we float a thread, people who're more experienced will contribute over there & once we complete the session, we can post our contribution. That way the sequence becomes more clear as what needs to be done. When the sequence is clear, you get a vision as what needs to be done. When you know what needs to be done, your job is almost done just that, it has to be carried out physically. Over a period of time or even after 1st session, you guys don't even need me, you'll have the confidence to take up all by yourselves. So pls float a common DIY or workshop thread.

[Sirius]

I am very much in into this DIY G2G. As I developed the 'I service my bike in my own' interest from Aargee himself and have been trying out few things here and there, I would love to make it reality. I am ready for this.

PS: I would be glad if you guys can teach me something about handling the maintenance of bikes in a safe way

[aargee]

As I developed the 'I service my bike in my own' interest from Aargee himself and have been trying out few things here and there, I would love to make it reality. I am ready for this.

Thanks for the kind words

PS: I would be glad if you guys can teach me something about handling the maintenance of bikes in a safe way

Lol
@Sirius - Bet you beer to dollar, this is called the fear of unknown. Trust me, there's nothing called safe in this entire Universe. Before I get into too much of philosophy, all I would say is, Just Do It.

Once I took out fuel from my car using a tube & suction, in the end I wasn't able to pull out the tube. I didn't know about the fuel inlet valve mechanism in modern cars. Finally I closed the lid somehow, drove to ABT & got it removed. Costed Rs 350 to educate myself on it . Such things keeps happening, but eventually you'll learn.

[Ananth]

Guys attending the Point Calimere GTG, Please fill up the following form. Thanks

[aargee]

Your xBhp Handle *

User Name in xBhp if any

@Ananth - Are we allowing non members in the trip?

[Ananth]

@Ananth - Are we allowing non members in the trip?

Not really, But if some one is bringing an acquaintance for this trip, I want their information as well.

Rightly put; necessity is the Mother of...
Trust me, if the mechs had been faithful to me, I would've learned nothing now. I opened up the entire rear part including swing arm without even thinking twice. I removed the entire fork assy without looking into the manual. Yes, I did have some troubles, but it never kept me away from working on it.

Final verdict, when I learn, I learn from the basics with questions as WHY & WHY NOT. For some engineerings I don't have answers such as why a bearing is not used in fork assy instead of balls. But I'll have knowledge of how the balls needs to be put in & where the small ones & bigger ones goes into.

Yap; trust me, certain things, even if you watch them doing, you cannot recall it & carry out the same task at home. Simple things such as removing muffler assy or exhaust can be done. But try the carb setting; unless we practice, it can't be done.

Basic principle of most of the motorcycle in India (except the engine) is same; everything's got spark plugs, wheels, drums, discs, seat, tank, swing arm, footrests, suspensions, fenner, cables, carbs. But the way in which we remove them differs & unless one keeps fixing them often, they'll not know the right sequence. If you ask me about Rx, I can state the number of bolts, washers & the wrench number & philips head/star head screw drivers without even looking at the part, but the same is not applicable when it comes to FZ. May be it even requires allen keys.

So the point is, if we float a thread, people who're more experienced will contribute over there & once we complete the session, we can post our contribution. That way the sequence becomes more clear as what needs to be done. When the sequence is clear, you get a vision as what needs to be done. When you know what needs to be done, your job is almost done just that, it has to be carried out physically. Over a period of time or even after 1st session, you guys don't even need me, you'll have the confidence to take up all by yourselves. So pls float a common DIY or workshop thread.

Creating a new thread is no BIG deal. Any one can do it. I was thinking if we could come up with concrete action plans & then take it forward.

^ For all the above talks happened with Ananth and Aargee. I would like to learn, however, learning the mech methodology would not come in a day. Having said that, unless we dare to go all out to do it ourselves, won't have the curiosity to learn.

Definitely it is not going to go all in a day into my head. At some point of time after few trial and error, might get used to approach our bikes for our own servicing.

We will need to do this for couple sessions to get hang of it. At least for me .

We can initially start with removing wheel from the bike and cleaning the brake drum, spark plug etc. I think we should give ourselves a chance to build courage.

Mechanic might not liberally do a classroom session. What we might have to do is, observe his work with due attention.

When are going to do this session and who is the mechanic, would be a good question. But, I don't think it is a big deal.

We can take few lessons from Aargee as he service his own bike, would definitely be of help with respect to cycle parts fixing.

@Ananth: I understand this may or may not happen before this month's trip.

The only thing i fear is we are overdoing things for this month. I really do not want people to have their hands full for the month & give them time to relax before the ride. You RX guys would have seen greasier days, Guys like me have never had any necessity to even lube the chain ever So thats why am a little apprehensive of opening up a thread right now, than discuss & then open up with more information

Well, I would open up the bleed valve, letting out the pressure a little; if it doesn't then I would loosen up the end nut & release the pressure & tighten & then put back the wheel assy.

If you think I would demonstrate my skill on fork assy or throttle cable replacement, cylinders, sprockets or wiring harness on the first day, forget it!!! I would start simple with removing wheels, cleaning drums, spark plugs, seat assy etc.

I know about how it works, But its just a pain in the ass to do it. Anyway, If you could demonstrate what ever you had mentioned you could, Im sure every one would be all ears to make it happen.

[aargee]

Not really, But if some one is bringing an acquaintance for this trip, I want their information as well.

Hmm...ok, got the point

Creating a new thread is no BIG deal. Any one can do it. I was thinking if we could come up with concrete action plans & then take it forward.

Yes, its no big deal; see, its your child Ananth & I respect it & that's why I don't want to start either. Unless you start, ideas will not flow in & when we keep it in discussion, it remains discussion FOREVER. Trust me on this!!!

The only thing i fear is we are overdoing things for this month.

Ok, we'll do it next month; I've no issues. The thread will determine the comfort of the entire group.

I really do not want people to have their hands full for the month & give them time to relax before the ride.

Yep; respect your thought

So thats why am a little apprehensive of opening up a thread right now, than discuss & then open up with more information

I don't know what to say; apprehension has nothing to do with working on things. Let apprehension stay where it is & lets move forward to working.

I know about how it works, But its just a pain in the ass to do it.

You're wrong my friend. There're some minor works such as carb cleaning that I outsource. I remove the carb, hand it over to the mech; he attends to it immediately because he knows his job is only 15 minutes & most mechs like to make quick buck. Now removing the carb is 5 minutes, fixing it is 5 min, cleaning is 15 min. 30 min job is over. Now compare this with your regular servicing where he takes atleast 1 hour for the cleaning the carb. He'll start multitasking when when you visit his garage.

Anyway, If you could demonstrate what ever you had mentioned you could, Im sure every one would be all ears to make it happen.

Well, Ananth, I'm not in a need to demonstrate anyone. Pls go through the entire 64 pages - http://www.xbhp.com/talkies/thumpers-two-stroke-exotics/11324-rx-rebuild-using-3-yamaha-variants.html to see what I've accomplished.

Verdict - If possible start a thread, if not forget it; incase you guys arrange a mechanic, pls keep posted here, I'm more than willing to learn. Tks.

[Ananth]

Fine, Since you are eager in getting this to the next level, Im creating a new thread. Would post in the link once it is created

[aargee]

Fine, Since you are eager in getting this to the next level, Im creating a new thread. Would post in the link once it is created

@Ananth - I'm not eager, I'm only wanting to contribute. There's difference between both of them. Pls don't do anything on my insists; I stay neutral on this.

[Ananth]

@Ananth - I'm not eager, I'm only wanting to contribute. There's difference between both of them. Pls don't do anything on my insists; I stay neutral on this.

Contribution is what is required now. What i meant is : Since you are eager to contribute, This would help others to ignite what ever they have known to contribute. No one does anything on basis of insisting, I said i would create just because you were willing to contribute. Nothing else.

[deepurocks]

point calimere

hi Ananth, i am eager to join you guys for the ride... please put me in the tentative list ... sorry for the last minute enrollment

For guys who don't me , I am Dean from Chennai ,owning a Cb Unicorn.. it is been a dream for me to go for a touring with the PRO's...i thought this would be the right time to kick start.....

am eagerly waiting for the next G2G to meet all you guys.....