Much has been said about performing your own work to your motorcycle. The pros are it saves you money, you get a sense of pride doing it yourself, and your motorcycle is down for a shorter period of time just to name a few. But there is more to it. There's the safety issue and the cost.
Let's talk safety first. If you are not mechanically inclined or don't know how to safely perform the work you need done, DON'T DO IT! You could be putting yourself and others in danger by riding a motorcycle that is not mechanically sound. The cost of a crash will far outweigh the cost of the repair. Your main goal should always be to return home safely from every ride. In order to help ensure that you need a mechanically sound machine.
Next is cost. If you perform a repair and it's not done correctly, it could ultimately cost you more to repair later, especially if the repair damaged other parts. It is a mechanics nightmare to come behind a repair that was done improperly and has now damaged other parts.
Third is tools. Some repairs require special tools. These tools can sometimes be very expensive and are not worth the cost for a one time repair. Before attempting any repair make sure you have the proper tools to do it. Attempting a repair without the proper tools can cost you more in the long run.
If you're unsure don't do it! If you're intent on learning how to do mechanical repairs, start with simple routine maintenance checks and then work your way up to mechanical repairs. It's always better to be safe than sorry.
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