[dhgeyer]

Alan,

Tech days are a wonderful invention. Someone who is accomplished in doing their own maintenance hosts a tech day, in his (or her!) garage if it's big enough, or renting some space somewhere. People come from all over who have varying degrees of skill and tools, and who need to have various jobs done. Then, everyone helps each other out, and everyone learns.

I never would have attempted a full tune up on my Concours had I not attended a tech day a week prior to doing it. A guy had ridden in from New Jersey the day before (the tech day was in Southern Mass), so that his engine would be cold in the morning. He had never done any wrenching to speak of. Several of us, including the bike's owner, observed, helped, learned, and took the whole process in, under the guidance of a very experienced host. The hosts wives provided a wonderful lunch, and we all took a break. The tune up on the Concours took all day, partly because so many people were involved, partly because it is an all day job on the Concours by the time you get all the plastic off, wrestle with the valve cover, and adjust 16 valves. I did mine the next weekend, and it went off without a hitch. Other people were replacing tires, one guy came down from Ontario, and replaced his water pump - all kinds of stuff to observe ans learn.

I live in Southern New Hampshire, and my space would be quite limited. I am nowhere near the mechanic that these guys were. But I wouldn't mind doing a small tech day here, focusing on the basic stuff, if anyone is interested. I'm pretty sure that anyone who had actually seen a tune up or an oil and filter change done on a GZ would never pay to have it done again.