I was reading through my VRSCA shop manual this weekend, and I was struck by the number of specialty tools needed to work on the inside of the engine.
I'm sure that the inventory of SST (Special Service Tools) has been increasing for years, especially with the added complexity of modern engines. But I think that the days when an average guy could do much serious work on his motorcycle with a torque wrench and a set of Craftsman sockets are long gone. Even if you save money on shop labor by doing the work yourself, investing in the 106 motorcycle-specific tools listed in the back of the shop manual would probably eat up several thousand dollars.
I'm still glad I bought the manual. Things like changing brake pads, and removing the wheels for tire replacement and repair I'll probably do myself. I also feel a lot more comfortable talking with the service advisors at the dealership once I have a slight familiarity with the various symptoms of mechanical breakdowns. But the procedure for inspecting and adjusting valve lash (the major part of the 10,000 mile service) just seems more than I'd want to take on in my garage.
I'm sure that the inventory of SST (Special Service Tools) has been increasing for years, especially with the added complexity of modern engines. But I think that the days when an average guy could do much serious work on his motorcycle with a torque wrench and a set of Craftsman sockets are long gone. Even if you save money on shop labor by doing the work yourself, investing in the 106 motorcycle-specific tools listed in the back of the shop manual would probably eat up several thousand dollars.
I'm still glad I bought the manual. Things like changing brake pads, and removing the wheels for tire replacement and repair I'll probably do myself. I also feel a lot more comfortable talking with the service advisors at the dealership once I have a slight familiarity with the various symptoms of mechanical breakdowns. But the procedure for inspecting and adjusting valve lash (the major part of the 10,000 mile service) just seems more than I'd want to take on in my garage.