Topic: LEARN THE BASICS BEFORE JUMPING IN THE DEEP END

[trueblue]

I've been getting a little peeved lately seeing the amount of people who ask stupid questions, the number one question that is getting to me is the one about their camshaft being 180 out, now if you have gotten this deep into engine work you should have read a couple of books first (yes, you remember those things used to prop up that wonky coffee table) on the basics of how an internal combustion engine works, they aren't rocket science and if you took the time to do a little research then you would realise that anything that goes wrong with an engine can easily be diagnosed by a process of elimination, all internal combustion engines work on the same principal, be it a model T, a SOHC honda or a modern car.  Basically a little research on your part before asking simple/stupid questions would save a lot of frustration.

[MoMo]

TB,   I see where you're coming from.  Some of the questions asked leave me to say to myself, "If you have to ask that you shouldn't be working on a bike."   However, they have to get props for having the initiative to get into the project and the desire to complete it. Education preparation along with this forum is the solution...Larry

[madmtnmotors]

What has left me shaking my head lately is the number of projects that involve a "frame off" refresh/rebuild/resto that includes A COMPLETE ENGINE TEARDOWN!  These engines will run for a very long time for a lot of miles. As far as I'm concerned an engine rebuild is a project unto itself, and for anyone that is a bit of a novice to attempt the "full monty" of frame off AND an engine rebuild at one time is asking for frustration and basket case results when interest/funds wane prior to completion. Just do the frame off, address the leaky seals/gaskets in the engine, then put it back together and ride! Once you think you're ready for the engine overhaul then address it as a seperate project. At least make it run first! Now, granted, some engines that are stuck/frozen will require more work, but this does not have to progress beyond pulling the jugs for a mild overbore and new pistons. Why bring on the grief of a complete engine teardown of a mill that has proven to be near bulletproof in some cases?

Just my two cents, kudos to all that try and actually succeed! 

[Lil Red]

G'day mate...although I can see your point, especially when it comes to pods and jetting, where the same questions get beat to death day after day...for beginners (brave or foolhardy take your pick) dumb questions are sometimes what these type of forums are all about...Sometimes it's just a matter of coming from cars and thinking "yeah I got this"...I too am puzzled as to how the cam on these things cant be 180 out, as it can very well happen on a 4 cyl car...I once re-did a Saab, where the number 1 cyl was up against the fire wall as was the cam chain as the engine is in "backwards"...sure enough it wouldn't start, because I used the valves out of habit and the cyl closest to the grill of the car. Also when I first got my guzzi twin, I just timed the left cylinder thinking on cars that's all to be done...it ran like #$%*e till I realized it's not a 180 180 firng phase and it's a dual point set up...that  lead me to at least have a clue when I did the Honda.  Forums like these offer some help in these kind of situations.

My pet peeve is threads about "is this a good deal?" or "This guy is crazy asking this much money blah blah"...A person can ask whatever he or she wants for parts bikes etc. If your a cheap ass and are interested...just hammer the guy or move on...Well, that's my rant I guess...

[Seabass]

My grandpa always said there is no such thing as a dumb question.I my opinion that's means that not asking questions can do more harm.

[754]

  Sadly,Because of the internet, people tend to ;
 Start unbolting FIRST , ask questions SECOND..

 I not only prefer to have a manual (if possible).. but like to read, reread, and read again...BEFORE diving in....makes it much easier...

[Don R]

I totally agree. By the way, my headlight only works on high beam???

[DJ_AX]

I just rebuilt my entire engine... how do I hook up the sparklers?

[Damfino]

Does anyone besides me see the irony in these whiny ass threads as of late complaing about other whiny ass threads? 

[chewbacca5000]

Ok, here I go on my next rebuild wish me luck!!

[Damfino]

Good luck Scuba Steve! 

[nomad]

Ok, here I go on my next rebuild wish me luck!!

Here's to a successful build... just don't ask any simple/ stupid questions on this forum along the way.  Some people frown on that.    Apparently, reading a couple of books is all you need to do to become an expert on the SOHC4. 

[70CB750]

Dumb questions are part of every forum, but if you start limiting them, it eventually kils the forum. They are siginificant part of the fuel forums run on.

Ok, off my soap box now

I try to be helpful since I pushed the patience of experts before - still do no question about it.
But you will not get handy without getting dirty, you gotta wrench and try and read - like the anodization today - I will not attempt it based on what 754 said

OK, now I shut the trap

[shorty24]

I get what you're saying, especially if you're mechanically inclined and have been working on bikes/internal combustion engines most of your life.  I'll admit I am a newbie when it comes to working on engines and bikes (I just got my first bike a couple months ago), but I have the capacity and desire to learn how to do these things myself.  However, the thing that makes this forum great is the fact that I can ask questions that may seem simple and common, but get answers that are more clear, and have more tips and tricks from firsthand experience than if I go and read books, or the manual.  That isn't saying manuals and books aren't valuable resources, they certainly are...it's just that they can sometimes be obscure, conflicting, and not have current information on certain things.

[madmtnmotors]

I have the capacity and desire to learn how to do these things myself.

That's great, it's what drives most of us here. It's the idea of going "all in" right from the start that often leads to frustration and the resulting basket case. I've got three P.O.'s examples of them in my garage right now. 
 

However, the thing that makes this forum great is the fact that I can ask questions that may seem simple and common, but get answers that are more clear, and have more tips and tricks from firsthand experience than if I go and read books, or the manual.  That isn't saying manuals and books aren't valuable resources, they certainly are...it's just that they can sometimes be obscure, conflicting, and not have current information on certain things.

And nearly all of the members here are happy to help. Ulimately we are all after the same goal, a reliable, well performing, and at least moderately good-looking motorcycle we can ride! 

[Gordon]

  Sadly,Because of the internet, people tend to ;
 Start unbolting FIRST , ask questions SECOND..

I don't think the internet is the cause of this happening.  There have always been people who will dive right in without knowing what they're doing, and quickly get in over their heads.  It's just that before the internet their options for assistance at that point were limited, and you didn't have as much of an opportunity to hear about them.  Now people in that situation have somewhere to turn for help in not only learning about but also completing their projects.

[samIam]

Stupid questions are how some forums started.  Post like this scared away people that want to sign up because now they have to worry about people telling them to go read a book first. 

[Mainerider]

I think the original poster was focusing on the intellectual laziness some people on forums  exhibit; The " I will ask one basic, silly question after another, long after 10 responders told me to spend $25 and buy a Clymer for my bike" crowd. That old "Give a man a fishing pole versus giving him a fish" moral. You want some help? Great, but do your part also and invest a few of your own brain cells in your venture.. .

[mono]

Just do the frame off, address the leaky seals/gaskets in the engine, then put it back together and ride!

I feel kinda proud now that I did the above and avoided any of my stupid questions being about engines   

[CycleRanger]

I think the original poster was focusing on the intellectual laziness some people on forums  exhibit; The " I will ask one basic, silly question after another, long after 10 responders told me to spend $25 and buy a Clymer for my bike" crowd. That old "Give a man a fishing pole versus giving him a fish" moral. You want some help? Great, but do your part also and invest a few of your own brain cells in your venture.. .

This!

There's (almost) no question too stupid but for god's sakes please do a search before you ask again which tires, oil, etc, etc. you should buy.

[Mooshie]

 Well if I can't ask stupid questions on this forum then what am I ever to do with my time?   

[TwoTired]

Well if I can't ask stupid questions on this forum then what am I ever to do with my time?   

Polish

[lrutt]

I guess what I find frustrating by so many of these questions is that some posters are just too damned lazy to search for the info. It's easier just to post the stupid question and let others provide the answers. A little digging on their own might not only provide the answers but a lot of other useful information as well. I just see too many lazy posters.

[vames]

I just bought an original condition CB750 that runs well. Got rid of the ugly airbox and put pods, took off the front and rear fenders, removed the blinkers, took off the kill switch and the push cable, changed the shocks to struts, put on knobby tires, took out the baffles, removed the speedo, nixed the chain guard, put a cafe seat and a 100W headlight bulb.

Now I've got a super hawt CAFE. But it's not working right. I haven't the foggiest idea what the problem is. Can someone help me? I think it's the rectifier so I ordered a new one. My bike shows the following symptoms:

1) No pull at low RPMs
2) The tires kick lots of grime and road muck and water onto me.
3) I can't signal to drivers when I'm about to turn.
4) I have to reach under the tank to turn the bike off.
5) The spring on my carbs broke and it just revved up to 14K RPMS before I could reach and turn it off (see #4)
6) It's riding very bumpy in the rear.
7) It's got no grip on the road and rides very rough.
It's very loud.
9) I can't tell how fast I'm going (therefore it must always be 100+ mph)
10)  my pants keep getting caught in the chain.
11) I can't fit a passenger
12) It's not charging.

[Brantley]

I totally agree. By the way, my headlight only works on high beam???

Did ya check the muffler bearings?