Ben and the art of motorcycle maintenance.

It pays to look after a bike, especially if you're touring in remote places. Not so long ago, all the workings of a motorcycle were a complete mystery but, over time, some of the art has been learned if not mastered. Oil and filter changes; brake pad changes; bleeding the clutch and brake lines; replacing indicators; cleaning, oiling and adjusting the chain; as well as skills like controlling the bike on gravel, riding with a flat tyre, dealing with a flooded engine (a flooded Ducati sounds like a gun when it backfires) and trying to maintain speed with a dodgy throttle. One of the difficulties is that you often need gadgets and tools. Improvisation is possible, as shown in the pics. This is one way to lift the rear wheel when cleaning and oiling the chain. I wouldn't use it to safely hold the bike when the rear wheel is removed, you'd need two boxes for that. No need to lift the bike manually either; just angle the box under the trailing arm and pull the bike backwards till the box is vertical. Placing the stand on a length of board allows the stand to slide back with the bike. Of course there are some tasks where it's necessary or advisable to go to a mechanic. Changing tyres is one and replacing timing belts is another, although the belts can be replaced DIY. Last time Ben was in Launceston, he quietly browsed through the wholesale price lists while the mechanic worked on the bike. The retail markup and, of course, labour can make motorcycle maintenance expensive at times.