Bike India

Best Bikes in India | No.1 Two Wheeler Magazine

  • Home
  • News
    • Upcoming Launches
    • Latest News
    • New Bike Launches
  • Reviews
    • First Ride
    • Road Test
    • Comparison
  • Features
  • Our Bikes
  • Videos
  • Subscribe
  • NG Auto
    • AUTO COMPONENTS INDIA
    • CAR INDIA
    • COMMERCIAL VEHICLE
  • Brands

Doctor Doctor

September 10, 2015 by Bike India Team Leave a Comment

 

 

IMG_6958-2WEB

 

Need a better doctor? So does your bike

It wasn’t too long ago when I acquired my first motorcycle. And like most greenhorns I was new to the experience of motorcycle ownership. After a clocking substantial numbers on the odo in running-in stints, I explored higher speeds and my riding skills accordingly. A major aspect of motorcycle ownership is the maintenance of one and, like all newbies, I would religiously follow the service schedule. However, as time passed, the bike started developing its own idiosyncrasies and, despite regular maintenance, it would develop issues – issues that would crop up despite being sorted out by alleged mechanics.

For example, I have had to replace the headstock bearing a couple of times before I figured out the reason for the persistence of the problem was caused due to bent fork rods which could not transfer the suspension forces in the right direction and this resulted in the bearings tearing themselves progressively with every bump. On another occasion, I have footed a bill for a carburettor overhaul for erratic throttle note while the actual problem was caused due to a clogged up air-filter. Another instance of a technician’s stuff-up was the leakage of brake oil from the bleed nipple on the front brake calliper. Had I not noticed it, it could have resulted in a potentially dangerous situation. In addition to these, my bike has returned with chiselled off bolt heads, ruined screw threads, hammered cylinder-head cooling fins etc. And this blasphemy has been committed by miscreants at multiple outfits claiming to offer the best service. After several such instances resulting in bile rising from my spleen out of anger, I decided to take matters in to my hands and set out in search for the right mechanic.

Given that you are reading this blog because you and I both love motorcycles, it wouldn’t be completely irrational for us to ascribe human attributes to our motorcycles. This is manifested in most motorcyclists christening their bikes and maybe adding a moniker, or custom paint work, or anything that is unique and distinct to that particular motorcycle alone. So, just as you and I need a competent doctor to diagnose and cure an ailment, so do our motorcycles. And that is exactly where a mechanic comes in to the picture. If you take your motorcycling seriously, you will take time and energy to find a competent mechanic. If your mechanic listens attentively to the complaint just as patiently as your doctor does, that is indicator #1 of a through professional. Indicator #2 of a competent mechanic is, if he asks you questions in response to the problem you are stating. His/her command on the working of the system is apparent if s/he asks the relevant questions just as a doc would ask if your cold is accompanied by sneezing for his/her diagnosis. Thirdly, s/he should give you an estimate of the costs incurred and the time required to rectify the problem. Lastly, they must be in a position to test ride/drive and troubleshoot any other issues that you might not be aware of and deliver the vehicle in the promised time. In addition to this, if they allow you to witness the proceedings of servicing, it is a perk you shouldn’t miss out on. His/her comfort with your presence, while they are working on your bike reflects on his/her expertise.

Mechanics come with their own idiosyncrasies and they will have their own way of working. On the face of it, the set-up might seem disarrayed and haywire, but mechanics tend to have a photographic memory and the more proficient ones will conjure the exact tool they need, out of a seemingly untidy box without second thoughts. We owe much of our motorcycling joys to these faceless and nameless beings who grind away for meagre remunerations. While not all of them are competent and able, the ones who are, make a world of difference to the motorcycles we ride. Make sure you find the right one.

m.salvi@nextgenpublishing.net'

Bike India Team – who has written 991 posts on Bike India.


Email

Related posts:

Idle Chatter: Team Up Folks!
Idle Chatter: The Bikes Are Here, Now the Roads Should Follow
Idle Chatter: The Logistics of Motorcycle Racing

Filed Under: Blogs, Grease Monkey Tagged With: bike, Greasemonkey, India, Maintenance, Mechanics. Technicians, motorcycle

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

AlphaOmega Captcha Classica  –  Enter Security Code
 ⟲    ➴
 


MARCH 2023

Bike India - India's no. 1 two-wheeler magazine

17TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL

Bike India - India's no. 1 two-wheeler magazine

Anniversary Ride to the Isle of Man with Freddie Spencer and Sid Lal

TVS Ntorq Ncounters I – Navigating the Night

BMW G 310 GS Explores Nagaland

SPECIAL Featured Story

Yamaha MT-10 SP – Ready for Road, Track, and Touring

Yamaha MT-10 SP – Ready for Road, Track, and Touring

In recent years, however, the MT-10 has begun to show its age, especially in terms of technology and rider aids. It was always on the thirsty side, too, and, by modern standards, the brakes were lacking. It was time for an update, which is why for 2022 Yamaha introduced a new MT-10 earlier this year.

More about this.

Car India and Bike India Awards 2019

Recent Posts

  • Bajaj Pulsar NS 160 and NS 200 Update Review — Enhanced Agility
  • California Superbike School – Taming the Track
  • Royal Enfield 650 Twins Get Cast Alloy Wheels and Other Updates
  • Bajaj Pulsar NS200 And NS160 Gets USD Forks

Car India

Car India Magazine - Get your Digital Subscription

Latest News

Royal Enfield 650 Twins Get Cast Alloy Wheels and Other Updates

Bajaj Pulsar NS200 And NS160 Gets USD Forks

Hero MotoCorp And Zero Motorcycles Collaborate For Premium Electric Motorcycles

Massive New Harley-Davidson Screamin’ Eagle 135 Crate Engines

Subscribe to Car India

Subscribe to our Car India Magazine

Bike India: India’s no. 1 two-wheeler magazine

BIKE India covers the two-wheeler industry in its entirety, both from the local and the international perspective. Also delivers the most definitive verdict on machinery and performance by explaining the hows, whys, and whats on every new bike in a lucid and user-friendly manner. BIKE India is the India’s most authoritative two-wheeler publication, a magazine for people with a passion for bikes and everything to do with their history and heritage.
SiteMap

Copyright © 2023 · BIKE INDIA INDIA’S NO. 1 TWO WHEELER MAGAZINE, BY FAR! ·