There’s a course at Hammersmith college which runs for 10wks (weds 6.30-9pm). There’s only 10 spaces and 4 have been taken up already. It’s a really popular course and the places get snapped up real quick.
Gain all round knowledge of servicing and maintaining a variety of makes. Chain adjustment, wheel alignment, engine adjustments, lubing (tell 'em the importance of lubing Chunks). The names and functions of all bike parts are covered. You will also learn how to choose the right tools and correct use of them.
£132 for the course. You can smell the savings on already can’t you. Here’s the link (go to Motor Vehicle and Metal work) http://www.courseinfo.co.uk/
Anyway, if you’re interested, the next course starts on 22nd April (sounds far away, but the spaces go) and the number is 020 8600 9191 (course code V24433).
Will be good to pack it out with LB’ers, then there’s an excuse for drinks afterwards.
it is a good course if you have little to no knowledge of maintaining your bike and it also gives you the confidence to start working on your own bike.
On the negative there was no structure - we didnt follow what the course outlined, rather each day we were asked what we wanted to work on our bikes:
this was a problem as a) there may not have been anything wrong with them, b) how are we supposed to know what we should be shown when you have little experience?
Out of the 10 students that started only me and another guy finished the course (this may be be good as we had the teacher to ourselves or bad as we run out of things to suggest)
Overall i dont regret doing it… it didnt cost that much (compared to some other courses - ask Sleeper ) the main thing for me is that it gave me the confidence to work on my bike.
A couple of pointers… if your lecturer is a guy called Peter then make sure you ask him to show you as much as possible as he had a tendency to faf about. always bring your bike and work on it even if there is no need.dont expect to be a mechanic when the course is over :ermm:
I think I’ll go there with an idea of what things I’d like to be tinkering with, and what I’d leave to the professionals. I’m pretty handy with fixing things, but when it comes to my bike, I’ve never really wanted to mess around with it.
I think it’ll be a good confidence booster to start working on your bike.
I’m already doing an engineering course for work, which involves me following and helping a memeber of engineering out once a week, and if one of them said that to me… they would be in for it!!
I would love to do this… but it’s so far away to get to since sometimes i don’t finished work until 6pm!! Do you know if they do any similar course over essex way? :hehe:
if you want to learn to do general maintenance and servicing of your bike, then all you need is youtube. Youtube + lots of confidence, will teach you to change chains, sprockets, oil, filters, spark plugs, brake pads, brake calipers, brake discs, brake fluid, fairings, bulbs and more!
No seriously… you dont need simple courses… you just need youtube + tools
Ive done ALL of the above, just using youtube vids. The only issue is that if you dont have the tools, it will cost you a LOT to purchase them, but its ok, because its a one-time investment, and your going need them if you intend to service your own bike anyway.