Class Schedule

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Aim

Designed with the first time bike owner in mind, these classes aim to cover basic questions concerning motorcycle maintenance and upkeep.


While you may not be able to rebuild an engine by the end of the class, you will, hopefully, build the necessary confidence and skills to inspect your machine's general condition and fluid levels; essential in helping to ensure your ride is a safe one.

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Class Overview

Class One

June 11th, 2008•

  1. Basic Motorcycle Overview:
    What makes this thing go?
    Fuel, Air, spark, compression
    Cylinders, Pistons and the Combustion Chamber
    Valves, Rings, and Cams

  2. Carburetors and Jetting
    Idle jets, main jets and needles
    Setting Idle
    Throttle butterly and choke(enrichener) operation
    Air mixture screws and syncing carbs
    What can be gained from an after market pipe?
    Fuel injection, the way of the future

  3. Tools
    The right tool for the job
    performing simple tests w/a multimeter
    Standard vs. metric
    Basic tools to keep on hand

  4. The Clutch & Transmission
    What are clutch plates/springs, and how they work
    How to tell when your clutch is slipping
    relationship to crankshaft and transmission
    what happens inside the transmission?

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Class Two

June 18th, 2008 •

  1. Chains, Sprockets and Drive Shafts
    Different types of chains
    How to adjust and lube
    Checking for sprocket wear
    When to replace; the danger of tight spots
    Drive shafts; where and how to check the oil

  2. Brakes and Fluids:
    How to check brake pads and rotors for wear
    How the brake lever and master cylinder work
    How the caliper and pistons work
    The importance of bleeding brakes & changing brake fluid;
    Warped rotors, glazed rotors, what to do?
    The benefits of steel braided lines

  3. Tires
    Differences: sizing/longevity/compound
    Brands and prices, radial vs. bias ply
    When to repair or replace
    How to tell the age of the tire
    The importance of correct air pressure

  4. Oil and Filter Change
    Purpose: clean, cool, lubricate
    Understanding different types of oils
    Hands on oil change, checking brakes, and tires,
    clean, lubricate and adjusting chains

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Class Three

June 25th, 2008•

  1. Suspension
    What is inside your forks and how they work
    Understanding preload and damping
    How to check if forks are straight
    How your shock absorber affects rear suspension

  2. Trouble Shooting
    What to do if your bike dies when you are riding
    The appropriate way to pick up your bike.
    How to check for damage
    Tightening nuts and bolts

  3. Electrical System
    Main components and purpose of charging systems
    how to check your charging system
    When/why a battery fails a load test
    Timing, coils and ignition
    What spark plug wear reveals
    The importance of plug wires, and plug caps
    Fuses and relays
    Starter motor

  4. Detailing
    Waxes/polishes to make your bike shine
    Removing rust/simple painting/cleaning aluminum
    How cleaning your bike can keep you ahead of required maintenance

(This is an outline of subjects to be covered; Subterranean Cycles reserves the right to change the class structure.)

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Enrollment Form

This is NOT a secured site. Please click on the bike below.

After printing and completing the form please send it to:

Subterranean Cycles
886 Geary (@Larkin)
San Francisco, CA 94109

or Fax to: 415.775.2994

 

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