Starting point?

[TijmenK]

So I'm about to have my license and I'm looking into spicing up my Suzuki GN125, because that's all I'm allowed to drive for the coming two years. I've been riding bikes since I was 2, but up untill now they always had pedals and I had to propel them myself, so my mechanical skills are limited to adjusting derailleurs. What would be a good starting point? Getting a Haynes manual and just mess about should be fine?

 

[SONICJK]

Exactly.
Learn the bike and its systems and learn how everything works.
Do a full tune up (in the manual) just so you know how to do everything. Learn your ignition circuit, carbs, etc so that when it comes time to tear it down and build something cool out of it you already know the basics 8)

 

[ksprzk]

you'll learn a ton by just doing it. however consult the manual, google, youtube, and here. more times than not someone knows the answer before you go ruining something

 

[LuckyLuci631]

Getting a manual is deffinitely your first step and mess around with whatever needs fixing, just go slow and don't take on too much at one time

 

[plagrone]

^sound advice, all. When I got my first bike, a CB650, I did zero modifications for the first six months, just kept it tuned and clean and solved problems as they came. The best way to learn. Also, perusing these forums will give you a lot of second hand experience, but will also tempt you to do silly things before you're ready for them. Resist the urge for a while and get to know your bike.

 

[TijmenK]

Thanks, guys!

^sound advice, all. When I got my first bike, a CB650, I did zero modifications for the first six months, just kept it tuned and clean and solved problems as they came. The best way to learn. Also, perusing these forums will give you a lot of second hand experience, but will also tempt you to do silly things before you're ready for them. Resist the urge for a while and get to know your bike.

I don't think I'll have the patience to keep it fully stock, but will definitely keep this in mind!

 

[Red Fthr]

I tore into my first bike way too quick. I rode around with terrible ignition timing (among many other things) for about a year without even realizing it, but man did I look cool not idling.

Yes, I learned some things the hard way by skipping around the manual and trying to figure it out on my own. I'm now going through the manual from page one and making sure everything is in working order and most importantly, learning the correct ways to do maintenance.

Looks can literally only get you so far down the road.

 

[hillsy]

Looks can literally only get you so far down the road.

"Chrome won't get you home"