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Message started by tonewheelmonster on 09/18/12 at 13:47:27

Title: another noob, just bought first bike
Post by tonewheelmonster on 09/18/12 at 13:47:27

Hi all, found this forum and it seems like a great place to learn.
I just purchased a 2005 s40 with 2500 miles for $1700. This is my first bike ever and i'm still learning the basics. I was hoping to be able to do basic maintenance and such myself, even though i'm not all that mechanical, and I was wondering if anyone had a list of tools to cover the basics.

things i'd like to do:
change the oil
adjust the carb
maybe change to the raptor petcock (still learning about that)
and anything else that ya'll might suggest.

Thanks

Title: Re: another noob, just bought first bike
Post by J C Stokes on 09/18/12 at 15:56:53

If still have the handbook, familiarise yourself with the oil level checking proceedure before doing anything else. There is an excellent video tutorial on changing to the Raptor 666 petcock somewhere in the tech section. There are endless carburettor tuning/adjusting forums and endless debate on what oil to use. The current favourite appearas to be a Shell Rotella diesel synthetic. This forum has good advice on crosshead screwdriver tips and the neccessity for an offset 10mm ring spanner if you want to do your own tappets. Photo and possibly video walk throughs and tutorials are avadable. The Clymer workshop manual has apparent errors which are documented on this site.

Title: Re: another noob, just bought first bike
Post by J C Stokes on 09/18/12 at 15:58:27

And if it's your first bike ever, be sure to take an approved professional riding course.

Title: Re: another noob, just bought first bike
Post by ToesNose on 09/18/12 at 16:23:26

Congrats on the bike! Welcome to the community, get the Clymer's manual, take the MSF beginners if you're new to motorcycling and have a good time ;)

Working on your own bike is the best way to get familiar and comfortable with it, just take things one step at a time :)

Title: Re: another noob, just bought first bike
Post by tonewheelmonster on 09/18/12 at 20:05:43

Thanks, I've been riding around the block in my buddies neighborhood just trying to get used to the weight. I plan on taking the course in the next month or so.

I was just trying to change the oil tonight and I was having a hard time with the oil drain bolt. I'm guessing you can't use a socket wrench with it as the bolt seems too close to the frame. it also seems like the bike needs to be lifted to get enough clearance to fit a drain pan. How do you guys do it?

also, the guy I bought it from says he uses some kind of synthetic 20/50. does that sound right? I don't have the original manual. is there a downloadable one somewhere?

Title: Re: another noob, just bought first bike
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 09/18/12 at 20:13:11

Cake pan, end wrench, The drain plug is not more than a foot long,, I wrapped a string around it to make it spin out faster,.

Title: Re: another noob, just bought first bike
Post by tonewheelmonster on 09/18/12 at 20:21:45

yeah I just found the table of contents in the tech docs section. i'll be over there for a while lol

Title: Re: another noob, just bought first bike
Post by J C Stokes on 09/18/12 at 21:20:16

There is a downloadable version of Clymer for about $12US. Google Suzuki S40 workshop manual. I don't know if it's a pirate version.

Title: Re: another noob, just bought first bike
Post by Arnold on 09/19/12 at 12:47:13

I found it for free on torrentz I believe.