FromTheRafters wrote:
> "~BD~"<~BD~@nomail.afraid.org> wrote in message
> news:lLydnfEnTupszAjRnZ2dnUVZ7vidnZ2d@bt.com...
>> FromTheRafters wrote:
>>>
>>> Yes and no. I was Chief Technician for Bell Electronics in Gardena,
>>> California and left there to go back to New Hampshire when my father
>>> was
>>> diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. My mother (13 years his junior, but
>>> now older than he was when he died) needs my support now.
>>
>> You are a good man, FTR.
>>
>> I discussed your predicament with your motorcycle in detail with Mrs
>> BD earlier today (yesterday, now!) - but failed to come and tell you
>> what we'd said! So sorry about that.
>>
>> I'm quite sure you could tackle your bike problems yourself if you did
>> but try. There is much expertise lurking in this SE group should you
>> need advice on what to do to fix it! Better than asking on the 24hr
>> helpdesk I'm sure!
>>
>> Let us know how you get on.
>
> I am no stranger to the internal combustion engine myself, and as it
> happens I have been getting more time off from work for such activity.
>
> Motorcycle and automotive maintenance and repair was a former hobby of
> mine.
>
>

As part of the education of my children, my boys were each required (by
me!) to strip down a basic car engine (one had a Ford Escort and the
other a Vauxhall Cavalier (GM)) replace the cylinder-head gasket and
deal with all the other things associated with a top end overhaul. My
dad had made me do it, so I carried on the trend!

My daughter, some years younger, didn't take a lot of notice at the time
but when she got to 17 and I bought her a cheap Ford Fiesta ....... she
insisted that I taught *her* how to do a top end overhaul too! She
worked well and enjoyed the experience!

Although I still do all the maintenance on my boat engine, rarely do I
raise the bonnet of my car! ;-)

Good luck with the bike!