Creative Motorcycle Maintenance 101

by Liz Jansen

When you ride a motorcycle, you have to be creative and resourceful. And those are skills we take with us into our personal and work lives. We asked readers of Motorcycle Mojo Magazine three questions about how they do it in this week’s FaceBook chat.

Here’s what they had to say. We learn from each other. Get ready to add your “fix” below.

1.  What non-traditional tools have you used to work on your motorcycle? Like this crochet hook to pull out a cotter pin to get at the brake pads.

Jeff D. Paper clip replaced a blow fuse while on the road in Nfld.

Mark K. Metal coat hanger to pull my side stand spring back on.

Tom M. Skate lace hook to remove my battery cover.

Brad G. Dental pick and dental floss to replace the seals in the coolant crossover tube on my Shadow.

2.  2. What accessories not intended for motorcycles have you used to enhance your moto experience? Here’s  a tool tube made from 3″ ABS and a red “gripper”. .

Jeff D. I once made a wider passenger seat from wood covered with the fabric from a lawn chair sleeve. It slipped over the pillion. My passengers were grateful for the added comfort.

Mark K. A carabiner was used to temporarily hold together my pannier frame together when it lost a nut and bolt.

3.  What make-shift repairs have you had to have done at the side of the road or otherwise stranded?

Mark K. Bodger  (make-shirt) fixes. My friend Kevan is an expert on them… None myself but some entertaining ones posted in Horizons Unlimited HUBB forum.

Brad G. One of our group used the hose from a callback to transfer fuel from some good Samaritans when he ran out of fuel in traffic.

Derek B. Duct taped the fairing of my KLR after going down in the mud. Before and after pix above.

How have you made do when faced with having to be resourceful?